Happy Chinese New Year!
Given my lack of updates, most generally assume that (a) I have been consumed by the 'busy season' at work; (b) I am having too much fun to update; or (c) I am just too lazy for my own good.
Hmm...none of the above are false I guess.
Work has been busy but not overwhelmingly so. I think it's the fact that I have to think about so many clients at the same time, and juggling conflicting priorities is quite tough. I have to be careful not to give one client more priority than the other, because that probably wouldn't help my profile at work.
At some stage last year, the partner group selected a group of senior team members (ie senior accountants and above) whom they felt were a key part of the group's success and scheduled interviews with each of us to discuss our role in the firm. When I brought this up with my senior manager (who was also part of this 'talent' group), she said I had done very well for myself but also mentioned that I shouldn't be talking about this with other people as this wasn't something made publicly known. So....didn't know what to expect...didn't know what it was all about....and basically couldn't really talk to anyone about it. Plus, she wouldn't give anything more away before my interview. Well, my 'interview' occurred a couple of weeks ago with our HC manager and a partner from the group. Basically they selected people whom they thought had potential to progress at least 2 more levels (in my case, that would be senior manager?), and wanted to discuss my career objectives, my goals and aspirations, as well as any concerns I had. Hmm....in other words, they wanted to know how to retain their 'talent pool'.
Actually...I should get to the point. I brought this up because I received the minutes from my interview and the comment in the HC manager's email made me chuckle. It went something like..."xxx (other HC manager) and xxx (partner) were greatly appreciative of your candidness during the interview...." This reminded me of my initial interview with the firm (when I was still young and 17....) when the senior manager at the time asked "If your friends were to describe you in one word, what would it be?" And I immediately answered "That I am quite blunt....matter-of-fact....I don't beat around the bush." And 6 years down the track....I guess it's still the same. During the recent meeting/interview, I basically said that I think I could be paid more if I left the firm to work elsewhere but there are other things keeping me around for a bit. And if I felt I could get the same experiences for more money, I would leave the firm. When they asked if I thought I was a valued member of the firm, I said no. I think this surprised the partner a bit, because he asked "Why do you think that?" Fact is, we're all dispensable.....and I told him so. Perhaps a rather cynical perspective but it is a fact that the firm will not shut down if I quit tomorrow. Yah anyway, some good things came out from that "frank discussion" and hopefully you'll hear some exciting news from me soon.
Chinese New Year! Somehow lacks the atmosphere in Sydney as we don't get public holidays and it's work as per normal....but here at FOCUS we organised our own CNY steamboat and lo-hei....so much food! No mahjong or card games this year cos (1) too many people hence no space....34 people in Andy/Jack's place! (2) we all left quite early.....10 pm and I was tired! Long day at work and had more to do before I slept that night...
Hmm...I was gonna share some photos but LJ isn't cooperating so maybe next time!
Hmm...none of the above are false I guess.
Work has been busy but not overwhelmingly so. I think it's the fact that I have to think about so many clients at the same time, and juggling conflicting priorities is quite tough. I have to be careful not to give one client more priority than the other, because that probably wouldn't help my profile at work.
At some stage last year, the partner group selected a group of senior team members (ie senior accountants and above) whom they felt were a key part of the group's success and scheduled interviews with each of us to discuss our role in the firm. When I brought this up with my senior manager (who was also part of this 'talent' group), she said I had done very well for myself but also mentioned that I shouldn't be talking about this with other people as this wasn't something made publicly known. So....didn't know what to expect...didn't know what it was all about....and basically couldn't really talk to anyone about it. Plus, she wouldn't give anything more away before my interview. Well, my 'interview' occurred a couple of weeks ago with our HC manager and a partner from the group. Basically they selected people whom they thought had potential to progress at least 2 more levels (in my case, that would be senior manager?), and wanted to discuss my career objectives, my goals and aspirations, as well as any concerns I had. Hmm....in other words, they wanted to know how to retain their 'talent pool'.
Actually...I should get to the point. I brought this up because I received the minutes from my interview and the comment in the HC manager's email made me chuckle. It went something like..."xxx (other HC manager) and xxx (partner) were greatly appreciative of your candidness during the interview...." This reminded me of my initial interview with the firm (when I was still young and 17....) when the senior manager at the time asked "If your friends were to describe you in one word, what would it be?" And I immediately answered "That I am quite blunt....matter-of-fact....I don't beat around the bush." And 6 years down the track....I guess it's still the same. During the recent meeting/interview, I basically said that I think I could be paid more if I left the firm to work elsewhere but there are other things keeping me around for a bit. And if I felt I could get the same experiences for more money, I would leave the firm. When they asked if I thought I was a valued member of the firm, I said no. I think this surprised the partner a bit, because he asked "Why do you think that?" Fact is, we're all dispensable.....and I told him so. Perhaps a rather cynical perspective but it is a fact that the firm will not shut down if I quit tomorrow. Yah anyway, some good things came out from that "frank discussion" and hopefully you'll hear some exciting news from me soon.
Chinese New Year! Somehow lacks the atmosphere in Sydney as we don't get public holidays and it's work as per normal....but here at FOCUS we organised our own CNY steamboat and lo-hei....so much food! No mahjong or card games this year cos (1) too many people hence no space....34 people in Andy/Jack's place! (2) we all left quite early.....10 pm and I was tired! Long day at work and had more to do before I slept that night...
Hmm...I was gonna share some photos but LJ isn't cooperating so maybe next time!