Think Out of the Blog

Six Sigma

2005-08-04T08:19:00.000+08:00

I've been in the company for more than a year... celebrating my second year this coming September. I can say in that span of time there is a need for change in a manner that can enhance the business process of the company. I'm not saying that the current process doesn't work but there is still room for a better one. When I came here there is already one discipline being implemented called 5S. It's a Japanese way of discipline in your working environment. For me it's good because it makes you organized and disciplined in your work. I'm sure that a Six Sigma methodology can really makes things happen especially in the present economic situation.

So what is Six Sigma all about? It is a tool for advancement of the business processes, customer service and over-all way of life. Enabling the company to improve it's performance in all aspects of its service-oriented institution where their beloved clients and partners gets all the benefits of a fast, efficient and friendly service.

It is a methodology that provides businesses with the tools to improve the capability of their business processes. This increase in performance and decrease in process variation leads to defect reduction and vast improvement in profits, employee morale and quality of product.

Six Sigma at many organizations simply means a measure of quality that strives for near perfection. Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects (driving towards six standard deviations between the mean and the nearest specification limit) in any process -- from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service.

The statistical representation of Six Sigma describes quantitatively how a process is performing. To achieve Six Sigma, a process must not produce more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. A Six Sigma defect is defined as anything outside of customer specifications. A Six Sigma opportunity is then the total quantity of chances for a defect. Process sigma can easily be calculated using a Six Sigma calculator.

The fundamental objective of the Six Sigma methodology is the implementation of a measurement-based strategy that focuses on process improvement and variation reduction through the application of Six Sigma improvement projects. This is accomplished through the use of two Six Sigma sub-methodologies: DMAIC and DMADV. The Six Sigma DMAIC process (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) is an improvement system for existing processes falling below specification and looking for incremental improvement. The Six Sigma DMADV process (define, measure, analyze, design, verify) is an improvement system used to develop new processes or products at Six Sigma quality levels. It can also be employed if a current process requires more than just incremental improvement. Both Six Sigma processes are executed by Six Sigma Green Belts and Six Sigma Black Belts, and are overseen by Six Sigma Master Black Belts.

Planning For Profits

2005-07-28T15:39:00.000+08:00

Having my own business is one of my satisfaction in life. Even though I belong to a management level in the field of IT which I'm really interested into, I don't see myself being an employee in a long time. Present issues and situations on economics and political crisis, business is really unpredictable. I've came across in one of the articles I read about having your own business and these tips could benefit in planning your own business. Just keep in mind that no matter how small or large your business, you've got to aggressively plan the work and then work the plan!

How To Really Jump Ahead

On a discussion panel, I was recently asked, "Was there a particular turning point when your small business really jumped ahead?" Absolutely. I always made up plans and budgets, but it was about five years into my business before I really began to proactively use them.

Before this point in time, my sales projections were miles off and, more importantly, I was always thinking up excuses for making unplanned expenditures, often for advertising that seldom matched my expectations. I'd finish the year way over budget, with profit margins a fraction of what my plan called for.

I learned that a lot of expenditures seem like a great decision if you look at them in isolation-but when you look at them in the context of the whole budget, they often look a lot less enticing.

Sharply Focus Your Plan

Too many people equate annual planning with budgeting. Worse, when they budget, they simply extrapolate last year's numbers into next year's plan, perhaps increasing by 5 percent here and 6 percent there.

Big mistake! The annual planning process is your best chance to really manage the business-and to get key people to "buy into" the total plan by actively participating.

Even if you're running a one-person business you want to get a few words into your annual plans, not just numbers. You don't need a full-fledged 100-page business plan-in fact, a big, detailed plan takes focus away from what matters. What matters is the few big things that the business is going to strive to do better or different next year. The annual planning process should be focused around these few, important changes.

Don't Jump Into Budget Numbers

Before you start doing any nitty-gritty budgeting for your annual plan, here are the crucial first steps:

1. Review the company's business strategy. Do changing market conditions or heightened competition mean that it's ready for an overhaul?

2. Establish just a few major goals for the next year. These are usually quantitative goals such as to increase sales by 18 percent or to increase profit margins by 15 percent-but they may be qualitative goals such as to improve the quality of a product or customer service. It is very important to have very few major goals-otherwise, with too many goals, the company will lose focus and be less likely to hit any of them.

3. If your company is big enough to have departments, have one or several specific goals for each department. To take this one step further, you may want to have specific goals for individual people within each department.

Sales Projections Need Extra Attention

Once you've reviewed the company's strategy and set up company-wide, as well as department, strategies for the next year, then it's time to start cranking out budget numbers.

I always begin with sales, because sales numbers will drive many of the other numbers. Unfortunately, sales numbers, particularly of new products, are difficult to project. So I try to have at least three people, typically a project manager, the sales manager, and myself, work up new-product sales projections together. If you're really unsure of sales projections, consider multiple scenarios based on "weak," "likely," and "good" sales projections.

After we've got the sales numbers, each department works up its budget numbers. Once they're tentatively approved, the controller puts them all together into one big happy plan! But more often than not, I'm not completely satisfied with the overall profit margin, so I'll work with the different department heads to cut costs and drive up the projected earnings.

Benchmark Your Costs

One of the best ways to establish cost goals for annual planning is to benchmark your costs with other firms in your industry. Don't get too wrapped up in the details; focus on the total picture for major categories. For example, if your marketing costs are 23 percent of sales and the industry average is 16 percent, it's time for some cost-cutting. Benchmarking is a great way to get department managers to understand why they need to control costs.

Often industry associations provide standard industry costs, and occasionally they might be mentioned in articles in trade magazines.

You may want to consider hiring a consultant to put together a study of a half-dozen or more firms very similar to yours. Being a third party, the consultant will keep each firm's individual numbers confidential by providing only average and median cost information to each company as an incentive for participating. What's worked best for me is when another publisher foots the bill for the consultant, but shares the results with us in exchange for our agreeing toshare our numbers.

Tlury Amzanig!

2005-06-10T18:33:00.000+08:00

The phaomnneil pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a tatol mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

Last Song Syndrome

2005-06-03T17:12:00.000+08:00

Stuck in my head... and keeps on playing since I got the Live! album of Nina. From the office... while driving... until home, and even repeats the song in my MP3 player. I don't know but I really like it, probably the tune and the lyrics. I don't even mind my officemates looking at me when I always play this song.

There's a right or wrong to know for everything
And the truth is somewhere written in between
But there's always something missing in the dark
There you'll find the true condition of the heart

Well, I can visualize the pieces of a dream,
And it's not as far away as it may seem
But if truth be told, it is you that holds the key
To the question that defines my destiny

I've been in love, a time or two
I've seen the world, but not with you
I wanna fly and spread my wings
I don't wanna cry, I wanna sing
I wanna live and take a chance
I'm not afraid to love again
I wanna fall, fall for you
And I want you to fall for me too

I've had plenty conversations with my heart
Coz I want this thing to work, not fall apart
Oh, I ask my heart how it can be so sure
And it answers me because your heart is pure

I've had every expectation that is true
Coz my heart won't lie to me, much less to you
But if truth be told, it is you that holds the key
To the future that becomes our destiny

Unto the mountain snow that melts into the stream
My heart goes like a river to sea
To the heavens up above,
I pray to God our destiny is love

Worthy...

2005-06-01T10:30:00.000+08:00

Do not undermine you worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special. Do not set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you. Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless. Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life. Do not give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other. Do not be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give love. The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly. In addition, the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Do not dismiss your dreams. To be without dreams is to be without hope. To be without hope is to be without purpose. Do not run through life so fast that you forget not only where you have been, but also where you are going. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.

Being A Friend

2005-05-31T09:32:00.000+08:00

There is a difference between being an acquaintance and being a friend.

First, an acquaintance is someone whose name you know, who you see every now and then, who you probably have something in common with and who you feel comfortable around. It's a person that you can invite to your home and share things with. But they are people who you wouldn't share your life with, whose actions sometimes you don't understand because you don't know enough about them.

On the other hand, a friend is someone you love. Not that you are "in love" with them, but you care about them and you think about them when they are not there. The people you are reminded of when you see something they might like, and you know this because you know them so well. They are the people whose pictures you have and whose faces are in your head regardless. They are they people you see in your mind when you hear a song on the radio because they made you go up to the person they like and ask them to dance with them, or maybe you danced with them, maybe they stepped on your toes, or just put their head on your shoulder. They are the people you feel safe around because you know they care about you. They call just to see how you are doing, because a friend doesn't need an excuse. They tell you the truth, the first time, and you do the same. You know that if you have a problem, they are there to listen. They are the people who won't laugh at you or hurt you, and if they do hurt you they try hard to make it up to you. They are the people you love, regardless of whether you realize it. They are the people you cried with when you got rejected from colleges and during the last song at prom and graduation. They are the people that when you hug them, you don't think about how long to hug and who's going to be the first one to let go.

Maybe they are the people that hold the rings at your wedding, or maybe they are the people that give you away at your wedding, or maybe they are the people you marry. They are certainly the people that cry at your wedding because they are happy or because they are proud or because they are so in love. They are the people who stop you from making mistakes and help you when you do. They are the people whose hand you can hold, or you can hug or give them a kiss and not have it be awkward because they understand the things you do and they love you for them.

They stick with you and stand by you. They hold your hand. They watch you live and you watch them live and you learn from them. Your life is not the same without them. These are your friends.

Tomorrow Never Comes

2005-05-25T14:40:00.000+08:00

Life is really full of mystery... but sometimes, something bad should happen first before we understand its real meaning...

On my way home from work I usually listen to the news to know what's happening in our everday environment. Yesterday something caught my attention upon hearing the news that another plane crashed in Baguio. At first I was just commenting on the conditions of our aircrafts and its maintenance. But upon hearing the names of the casualties, one of the person seems familiar... until I said to myself that I knew someone with the same name way back in highschool and hoping that I'm wrong thinking that its the same person. Confusion came into my mind because I know that his father is in the military but wasn't sure if he also pursue the same path.

Way past asleep I received a text message from a batchmate in highschool that our batchmate died in a plane crash... the same person I heard from the news. Goosebumps really flow into my body but still not convinced. When I arrived today in the office I immediately checked the news in the Internet to confirm my doubts. Communicating with my other batchmates only convinced me that it was our SOL (Sons Of Lourdes) brother.

I haven't seen him since graduation and even in our 1st alumni homecoming held last 2003, also celebrating our 10th year. It's been really long but the ties of brotherhood can't keep each other apart.

1st Lt. Roberto Manlogat Jr.†... a great soldier... a great classmate... a great friend... a great person.

Wake Up Call

2005-05-20T15:53:00.000+08:00

We all go through days when we feel we are the poorest person alive. We look inside our wallets and all we have in there is enough money for an inexpensive lunch meal or change to get home from the office. This situation may sound too extreme for some but it is a reality to most of us.

I have stayed up nights worrying about a credit card or utility bill that is due. I have made bad business and personal decisions that burned me financially. Nightmares were becoming a common occurrence.

I always thought and was often told while growing up that I am a mature, responsible individual able to manage my money well. So, who deceived whom? Time changes all of us and as I got to experience freedom from the family’s clutches living life to the fullest, I also dug up a hole too deep; that falling from it woke me up from the lie. Yes, I was living “the life” and it was a lie. When I started living beyond my means, things ceased to be real. It is not a situation I would like to find myself in again nor wish on anybody else, but it is an experience that I will treasure and remember all my life.

At that time, all I could think about was getting out of the rut. I was thinking and contemplating on fast-earning, quick turnover methods. Not having money (or enough of it) is a serious problem. “Money makes the world go ‘round” and I will not be a hypocrite to say otherwise. I was in a rush to free myself from this headache. But you see, quick or fast is not always good. There is a tendency to be careless and anything not thought of and studied properly can give you more problems in the long run. And anymore of that, we can all do without!

I still made some mistakes along the way. Who wouldn’t? Everything was new to me. I’ve never had to worry about money matters before until this happened. But I had to grow up and take responsibility for my actions. It was time to re-group and map out a plan.

I will not delve into the details as they will not particularly be of interest to you. However, suffice to say that the first step really is getting past our pride and acknowledging our failure. We are human therefore, it is natural for us to make mistakes. Just recognize and learn from them. When you get past the shame and embarassment, you have just taken the first step towards a new life.

Keep your eyes open for the small opportunities that may come your way!

Inappropriate Leadership

2005-05-19T10:50:00.000+08:00

The transition from a rank and file to being a manager is really a rough road to take. You just have to get out the mindset of being into your previous role. These are just some attitude that needs to be change once your a leader.

1. The team's managers and members spend little time in clarifying what they expect and need from each other.

2. The team heads rarely tolerate leadership efforts by other team members.

3. Team members are uncertain about where they stand with their respective team manager.

4. The team managers get little information about how the team members see their performance.

5. The team would get better-quality decisions if the team members took the initiative.

6. Team managers often make decisions without talking them through with the team.

7. Team managers do not adapt their leadership styles to changing circumstances.

8. Team managers are not sufficiently sensitive to the different needs of each member.

9. "I do not know whether our team is adequately represented at higher levels."

The Law of The Lid

2005-05-13T12:36:00.000+08:00

"Leadership ability determines a person's level of effectiveness."

Leadership ability is the lid that determines a person's level of effectiveness. The lower an individual's ability to lead, the lower the lid on his potential. The higher the leadership, the greater the effectiveness...

Your leadership ability, for better or for worse, always determines your effectiveness and the potential impact of your organization...

To reach the highest level of effectiveness, you have to raise the lid on your leadership ability.

Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

2005-05-10T09:44:00.004+08:00

The John Maxwell seminar I've attended has been a very great experience. His wisdom really inspires me and I would like to share his "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership". I just uncover and discover the deeper meaning of these laws and I make this a regular doze of "Thoughts to Ponder".

1. The Law of The Lid
"Leadership ability determines a person's effectiveness."

2. The Law of Influence
"The true measure of leadership if influence - Nothing more nothing less."

3. The Law of Process
"Leadership develops daily, not in a day."

4. The Law of Navigation
"Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course."

5. The Law of E.F. Hutton
"When the real leader speaks, people listen."

6. The Law of The Solid Ground
"Trust is the foundation of leadership."

7. The Law of Respect
"People naturally follow leaders stronger than them."

8. The Law of Intuition
"Leaders evaluate everything from a leadership bias."

9.The Law of Magnetism
"Who you are is who you attract."

10. The Law of Connection
"Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand."

11. The Law of Inner Circle
"A leader's potential is determined by those closest to him."

12. The Law of Empowerment
"Only secure leaders give powers to others."

13. The Law of Reproduction
"It takes a leader to raise up a leader."

14. The Law of Buy-In
"People buy in to the leader, then the vision."

15. The Law of Victory
"Leaders find a way for the team to win."

16. The Law of The Big Mo
"Momentum is a leader's best friend."

17. The Law of Priorities
"Leaders understand that accomplishment is not necessarily accomplishment."

18. The Law of Sacrifice
"A leader must give up to go up.

19. The Law of Timing
"When to lead is as important as what to do and where to go."

20. The Law of Explosive Growth
"To add growth, lead followers - to multiply, lead leaders."

21. The Law of Legacy
"The leader's lasting value is measured by succession."

Resilience

2005-05-06T11:27:00.000+08:00

Just read this great story from a PMAP Newsletter... "The Great Story of a US President".

"Every time resilience is discussed, Abraham Lincoln's name is always mentioned. Consider the following: In 1832, he was defeated for State Legislature. Then he was elected to it in 1834. In 1838, he was defeated for Speaker of the State House. In 1840, he was defeated for Elector. He ran for Congress in 1843 and he was defeated. He was lected to Congress in 1846 and then lost his re-election bid in 1849. He ran for the US Senate in 1855 and was defeated. In 1856, he was defeated for Vice President. He ran again for the US Senate in 1858 and lost. And in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States, and became on eof the best Presidents the United States ever had."

Resilience is one of the qualities of a good leader. It is defined as "the ability to recover quickly; the property of a material that enables it to resume an original shape after being bent, stretched, etc. In short, it is the ability of a leader to bounce back after experiencing setbacks.

"The measure of a man is determined not by the number of falls he has encountered but by his ability to rise each time he falls."

When we fall or commit mistakes or fail, it's not the end of the battle. It is when it begins. Life is a learning process. The earth is a big school. And when we survived the test of times, it's a very good battle being fought.

Enjoy life, live to the fullest.

Realize...

2005-05-03T09:46:00.000+08:00

To realize the value of "one year" ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of "one month" ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of "one week" ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of "one hour" ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of "one minute" ask the person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of "one second" ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize the value of "one millisecond" ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

Dekada '80

2005-04-28T10:42:00.000+08:00

Sa panahon ngayon, di maiiwasang sariwain ang mga pangyayari noong dekada '80 lalo na kung pag-uusapan ang presyo ng mga bilihin at krudo. Yun ang panahong uso pa ang makiuso. Kung ginagaya mo ang style ng mga artista, hindi ka tatawaging jologs. Yun ang panahong tapos na ang martial law, at muling namulat ang mga Pilipino sa pakikipag-rebolusyon. Hindi pa high-tech pero di naman old fashioned. Saktong-sakto lang!

Yun ang panahon natin. Pero pano mo malalaman kung kabilang ka sa henerasyong iyon? Narito ang listahan na makapagpapatunay if you're one of us. Are you?

1. Paborito mong panoorin ang Shaider, Bio-man, Maskman, Mask Rider Black, Machine Man at kung ano-anong TV sitcom ng Japan na isinalin sa Tagalog. Break muna sa mga laro kapag alas singko na ng hapon tuwing Sabado dahil panahon na para sa superhero marathon.

2. Alam mo ang jingle ng Nano-Nano. (isang kending lasang champoy)

3. Nanood ka ng Takeshi's Castle at naniwala kang si Anjo Yllana talaga si Takeshi at si Smokey Manaloto ang kanyang alalay. (Pinag-iisipan mo na pano sila lumalaban sa final challenge na parang nakasakay sila sa isang bumpcar at nagbabarilan sila gamit ang water gun gayong sa Japan ginagawa yun eh taga Pilipinas sila?)

4. Alam mo ang pa-contest ng Kool 106 na uulit-ulitin mong bigkasin ang "Kool 106, Kool 106" hanggang maubusan ka ng hininga.

5. Naglaro ka ng Shake-Shake Shampoo, Monkey-Monkey-Annabelle, Prikidam 123, Langit-Lupa-Impyerno, Syato, Luksong-Tinik, Luksong-Baka, 10-20 at kung ano-ano pang larong nakakapagod.

6. Pumunta ang mga taga-MILO sa skul niyo at namigay sila ng samples na nakalagay sa plastic cup na kasing laki nung sa maliit na ice cream. (at nagtaka ka, bakit hindi ganito ang lasa ng MILO kapag tinitimpla ko sa bahay namin?)

7. May malaking away ang mga "metal" (mga punks na naka itim) at mga "hiphop" (mga taong naka maluwang na puruntong na kahit makita na ang dalawang bundok.) Nag-aabangan sa mall na may dalang baseball bat at kung anu-ano pang mga sandata. Sikat ang kasabihang "Punks not dead!" pero kung gusto mong mag play safe, pwede mong tawagin ang sarili mong "hiptal".

8. Alam mo ang universal uwian song na "Uwian na!" na kinakanta sa tono na parang doon sa kinakasal.

9. Nagpauto ka sa Batibot pero hindi sa ATBP.

10. Nakipag-away ka para makapaglaro ng brick game. (hi-tech na yun noon)

11. Ang "text" noon ay mga 1"x1.5" na karton na may mga drawing ng pelikulang pinoy. (at may dialog pa!)

12. Dalawa lang ang todong sumikat na wrestler, si Hulk Hogan at si Ultimate Warrior. Naniwala ka rin na namatay si Ultimate Warrior nang buhatin niya si Andre d' Giant dahil pumutok ang mga ugat niya sa muscle.

13. Nagsayaw ka ng running man at kung anu-anong dance steps na nakapagpamukha sa'yong tanga sa aliw na kantang Ice Ice Baby, Wiggle It, Pray, at Can't Touch This.

14. Hindi ka gaanong mahilig sa That's Entertainment at pinapanood mo lang ito tuwing Sabado kung saan nagpapagandahan ng production numbers ang Monday hanggang Friday group. (at badtrip ka sa Wednesday group dahil pinakabaduy lagi ang performance nila!)

15. Napaligaya ka ng maraming pinoy bands tulad ng Yano, Rivermaya, Grin Department, Tropical Depression, The Teeth, The Youth, After Image, Orient Pearl, The Dawn, Alamid, Wolfgang, at ang sikat na sikat na Eraserheads. (at aminin mong nakinig ka ng Siakol!)

16. Kilala mo ang Smokey Mountain, (first and second generation)

17. Hindi pa uso noon ang sapatos na may gulong. Noon, astig ka kapag umiilaw ang swelas ng sapatos mo tuwing ia-apak mo ito. Tinawag rin itong "Mighty Kid".

18. Kung lalaki ka, sikat na sikat sa'yo ang mga larong text, jolens, dampa (mga unang anyo ng pustahan), saranggola at ang dakilang manika niyo ay si GI-JOE with alipores.

19. Kung babae ka naman, ang mga laro mo with you're girlfriends ay luto-lutuan, bahay-bahayan, doktor-doktoran, at kung anu-ano pang pagkukunwari. Ang dakilang manika mo ay si Barbie. (Sikat ka kung meron kang bahay, kotse at kabayo ni Barbie.)

20. Naniwala kang original ang isang cap kapag may walong tahi sa visor nito.

21. Swerte ka kapag panghapon ka dahil masusubaybayan mo ang mga kapanapanabik na kaganapan sa mga paborito mong cartoon shows tuwing umaga tulad ng Cedie, Sarah, at Dog of Landers a.k.a. Nelo. (Hindi ka ba nagtataka na sa lahat ng mga bida sa cartoons na ito, si Nelo lang ang di yumaman at namatay pa ng maaga.)

22. Alam mo ang ibig sabihin ng "Time first!"

Bakit kaya ganon? Kahit sang lupalop ka ng Pilipinas naroon, eh nakaka-relate ka sa mga pinagsasasabi ko. Siguro'y dahil wala pang cable at kakaunti lang ang pagpipiliang channels kaya parepareho tayo ng pinapanood. Maaaring wala pang PlayStation kaya kung anu-ano na lang ang naiimbentong laro na pwedeng gawin sa kalsada o sa isang bakanteng lote. Pero kung ano man ang dahilan sa pagkapare-pareho natin ng karanasan, masaya na rin akong naging bata ako sa panahong yun. Masarap alalahanin at balik-balikan. Di ba?

Develop a Sense of Urgency

2005-04-27T12:10:00.000+08:00

Perhaps the most outwardly identifiable quality of a high performing man or woman is "action orientation".

Take Time To Think and Plan

Highly productive people take the time to think, plan and set priorities. They then launch quickly and strongly toward their goals and objectives. They work steadily, smoothly and continuously and seem to go through enormous amounts of work in the same time period that the average person spends socializing, wasting time and working on low value activities.

Getting Into "Flow"

When you work on high value tasks at a high and continuous level of activity, you can actually enter into an amazing mental state called "flow." Almost everyone has experienced this at some time. Really successful people are those who get themselves into this state far more often than the average.

In the state of "flow," which is the highest human state of performance and productivity, something almost miraculous happens to your mind and emotions.

Double Your Productivity

You feel elated and clear. Everything you do seems effortless and accurate. You feel happy and energized. You experience a tremendous sense of calm and personal effectiveness.

Become More Alert and Aware

In the state of "flow," identified and talked about over the centuries, you actually function on a higher plane of clarity, creativity and competence. You are more sensitive and aware. Your insight and intuition functions with incredible precision. You see the interconnectedness of people and circumstances around you. You often come up with brilliant ideas and insights that enable you to move ahead even more rapidly.

Develop A Sense of Urgency

One of the ways you can trigger this state of flow is by developing a "sense of urgency." This is an inner drive and desire to get on with the job quickly and get it done fast. This inner drive is an impatience that motivates you to get going and to keep going. A sense of urgency feels very much like racing against yourself.

Create A "Bias For Action"

With this ingrained sense of urgency, you develop a "bias for action." You take action rather than talking continually about what you are going to do. You focus on specific steps you can take immediately. You concentrate on the things you can do right now to get the results you want and achieve the goals you desire.

Action Exercises

First, select one major task confronting you and launch into it immediately. Don't hesitate. Move fast.

Second, start doing this every morning, first thing, until it becomes a habit.

Pimp My Ride

2005-04-25T11:24:00.000+08:00

It's the time of the year again when cars are being pimped up for show in the biggest automotive event in the Philippines - Trans Sport Show. Definitely the most anticipated show of the year for car enthusiast! Like this modified Nissan X-Trail... just envy of having this one!

Paradigm Paralysis

2005-04-24T12:23:00.000+08:00

As you probably know, a paradigm is a model or a pattern. It's a shared set of assumptions that have to do with how we perceive the world. Paradigms are very helpful because they allow us to develop expectations about what will probably occur based on these assumptions. But when data falls outside our paradigm, we find it hard to see and accept. This is called the Paradigm Effect. And when the paradigm effect is so strong that we are prevented from actually seeing what is under our very noses, we are said to be suffering from paradigm paralysis.

Yesterday, we had our company team building workshop and one of the exercises given is how we can balance 13 pieces of nails all together in a wooden board with only one nail standing. That's where I think many of us have been stuck when it comes to figuring out how the heck we were able to do that. We rigidly follow a cognitive approach. Or a behavioral approach. Or a psychotherapeutic approach. And our paradigm paralysis causes us to exclude valuable information that doesn't fit our particular model. For me, the most appropriate approach is observing with an open mind.

My Dog Can Walk on Water

2005-04-22T09:14:00.000+08:00

There was a hunter who came into the possession of a special bird dog. The dog was the only one of its kind, because it can walk on water.

One day he invited a friend to go hunting with him so that he could show off his prized possession. After some time, they shot a few ducks, which fell into the river. The man ordered his dog to run and fetch the birds. The dog ran on water to fetch the birds.

The man was expecting a compliment about the amazing dog, but did not receive it.

Being curious, he asked his friend if the friend had noticed anything unusual about the dog.

The friend replied, "Yes, I did see something unusual about your dog. Your dog can't swim!"

Success Principles

More than 90% of the people that we face everyday are negative.

They choose to look at the hole in the middle rather than the doughnut.

Do not expect compliments or encouragement from them.

These are the people who cannot pull you out of your present situation.

They can only push you down.

So be aware of them, spend less time with them, and do not let them steal your dreams away from you.

Nakakawiling mga Aral

2005-04-21T10:06:00.000+08:00

Sigurado akong hinding-hindi nyo malilimutan ang mga mumunti ngunit ginintuang butil ng payo na nakuha nyo sa inyong mga magulang. Naririto ang ilan... sounds familiar ba?

1. Si Inay, tinuruan tayo HOW TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"Kung kayong dalawa ay magpapatayan, doon kayo sa labas! Mga leche kayo, kalilinis ko lang ng bahay!"

2. Natuto tayo ng RELIGION kay Itay.
"Kapag yang mantsa di natanggal sa carpet, magdasal ka na!"

3. Kay Inay tayo natuto ng LOGIC.
"Kaya ganyan, dahil sinabi ko."

4. At kay Inay pa rin tayo natuto ng MORE LOGIC.
"Kapag ikaw ay nalaglag dyan sa bubong, ako lang mag-isang manonood ng sine."

5. Si Inay din ang nagturo sa atin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng IRONY.
"Sige ngumalngal ka pa at bibigyan talaga kita ng ikaiiyak mo!"

6. Si Inay ang nagpaliwanag sa atin kung ano ang CONTORTIONISM.
"Tingnan mo nga yang dumi sa likod ng leeg mo, tingnan mo!!!"

7. Si Itay ang nagpapaliwanag sa atin kung ano'ng ibig sabihin ng STAMINA.
"Huwag kang tatayo dyan hangga't di mo natatapos 'yang lahat ng pagkain mo!"

8. At si Inay ang nagturo sa atin kung ano ang WEATHER.
"Lintek talaga kayo, ano ba itong kwarto nyong magkapatid, parang dinaanan ng bagyo!"

9. Ganito ang paliwanag sa atin ni Inay tungkol sa CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"Malandi kang bata ka, iniluwal kita sa mundong ito, maari rin kitang alisin sa mundong ito."

10. Kay Itay tayo natuto kung ano ang BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Tumigil ka nga dyan! Huwag kang mag-inarte na parang Nanay mo!"

11. Si Inay naman ang nagturo kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng GENETICS.
"Nagmana ka ngang talaga sa ama mong walanghiya!"

12. Si Inay naman ang nagpaliwanag sa atin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng ENVY.
"Maraming mga batang ulila sa magulang, 'di ba kayo nagpapasalamat at mayroon kayong magulang na tulad namin?"

13. Si Itay naman ang nagturo sa atin ng ANTICIPATION.
"Sige kang bata ka, hintayin mong makarating tayo sa bahay!"

14. At si Itay pa rin ang nagturo kay Kuya kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng RECEIVING.
"Uupakan kita pagdating natin sa bahay!"

15. Si Inay naman ang nagturo sa atin kung ano ang HUMOR.
"Kapag naputol yang mga paa mo ng pinaglalaruan mong lawnmower, huwag na huwag kang tatakbo sa akin at lulumpuhin kita!"

16. At ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat, natutunan natin kina Inay at Itay kung ano ang JUSTICE.
"Isang araw magkakaroon ka rin ng anak, tiyak magiging katulad mo at magiging pasakit din sa ulo!"

Habemus Papam!

2005-04-20T11:05:00.000+08:00

When I first heard the news, I felt, well, just happy. That vague void was filled; my momentarily headless family has been granted another holy father to lead us. We have a pope! I'm happy because I respect the ideas and ideals of the previous pope and I think he'll continue in just like the old one.

A Question and A Lesson

2005-04-19T09:23:00.001+08:00

"There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests."

I find this maxim relevant right now not only because for some uncanny reason, in the past week, I've heard it said in a movie thrice and read it in two separate newspaper columns; but more so because it materializes in my personal life.

My question then, is this: cannot friendship be a permanent interest?

Experience tells me that no matter how explosive schisms may develop in circles of friends (including football clubs), over time, damages are mended and broken pieces are reconstructed to make a stronger whole -- that will go through the same recurrent cycle. It's a sweet-and-sour equation of acidic word wars and sugar-coated apologies where the only unknown factors are duration and acceleration.

At this point in time, I wish to determine these specific factors by asking what kind of relationship they have with each other: does a faster acceleration equate with a shorter duration? To use physics, if I remember Mr. Ines' (LSM Physics Professor) lessons correctly, the answer is yes, the faster you go the less time it takes you to get to where you're going -- obviously! But physical truths and moral theories are two different subjects; and I'd be too demented to seriously consider applying physical mathematics to answer a moral question.

I wish King Solomon had been one of my teachers.

In retrospect, the experience of dealing with explosive schisms and stupid, grandstanding friends is but a comic relief in serious drinking sessions; it is not so while the experience is still developing -- it is sad, frustrating, and dangerously provoking.

"When I tell any truth it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those who do." - William Blake -

Living Alive

2005-04-18T15:32:00.000+08:00

22 Things To Keep

You are what you eat and what you don't eat. Similarly, life depends on what you keep and what you don't keep. There are many things in life that people may keep, but only a few are truly worth keeping. Here is a list of what to keep (and how) for a brighter, happier and more fulfilling life.

1. Keep calm. Life can be unnerving and if you don't make an effort to keep collected and focused, you could easily lose your cool. Take regular, conscious deep breaths to calm and center yourself.

2. Keep your chin up. Not only is it good for your posture and diminishes your double chin, it also helps you maintain an "I can handle it" attitude. By keeping your chin up, you can keep your head above water.

3. Keep your spirits high. Always maintain a positive and joyful attitude. Remember that no one can perk you up like yourself. Keep your spirits high when the going gets rough by focusing on your dreams and counting your blessings.

4. Keep your word. The true measure of a man is if he keeps his word. Honorable and trustworthy is the man who stands by what he says and promises. It is important to think well before speaking because once a word is uttered and released into the universe, its vibrations could no longer be erased.

5. Keep in time with your inner drummer. Don't be swayed by others into following the confusing beat of their drums. Although it is sometimes necessary to adjust to the pace of others, it is best to keep in step with your personal rhythm and to dance to your own music.

6. Keep in touch with the child in you. The source of creativity in your life is that little child within you. He questions, he marvels, he imagines and invents. Stay in touch with him, and be young and creative for life!

7. Keep abreast of the times. The world is moving so fast. Know what's happening, what's in style, what's au courant, what's relevant, what's important. Learn the hottest trends and the latest in technology. Don't be caught in a time warp or you'll be left behind.

8. Keep in shape. Your shape shows your state of health. Your body is the vessel that you journey through life in. Keep it healthy and strong. Don't be one of those people who say, "I'm in shape; round is a shape!"

9. Keep your mouth shut. People talk too much. We language ourselves to our own destruction and defeat. Know when to talk and when to shut up. Avoid being too verbose. Oftentimes, silence speaks more eloquently than words.

10. Keep good friends. Good friends are hard to find. Nurture friendships that make your plight through life easier, more wonderful and meaningful. Truly poor is the man who has no good friends.

11. Keep great memories, not heavy objects. In the very end, good memories of life are what we will be left with, not jewels and riches that we can't bring when we finally go. Live each moment beautifully. Linked together, these magical moments create a magnificent life.

12. Keep a diary. Writing a journal is therapeutic. Record the important events in your life, your dreams and aspirations, even your failures and disappointments. When you trace back events in your life, you are bound to learn lessons from them as well as find great inspiration and strength.

13. Keep saying grace and thanks. Blessed is he who says grace before he eats and gives thanks for all the gifts he receives daily. Maintain a thankful attitude and focus on your blessings instead of disappointments.

14. Keep on moving forward. The universe moves forward in time. Don't get stuck in yesterday; make an effort to move ahead to a better life. Drop those unnecessary pieces of material and emotional baggage that weigh you down and keep you from flying to your loftiest dreams.

15. Keep out of danger. He who exposes himself to danger finds it. Don't court danger; avoid it. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Look out for number one (that's you!), and always stay safe and sound.

16. Keep up the good work. Success is built upon success. The more you do, the more you achieve; the more you achieve, the better you get at doing it. Make success a habit by keeping up the good work.

17. Keep young. Do everything in your power to stay strong, supple and youthful. Think young; feel young. A wise man once said "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Remember that age is a number and that
youth is an attitude.

18. Keep on dancing. Life is a dance through space and time. Embellish whatever music life plays for you with your own fresh orchestration and creative choreography. Be excited in your heart and keep your feet light with happiness.

19. Keep on loving. Love is the reason we were created. Love diminishes when hoarded but multiplies when shared. Give it and feel it overflow in your heart. Love cures all sadness, pain and sorrow. Lonely is he who does not give love away and therefore gets none in return.

20. Keep on dreaming. Most men, even if they are young, are dead - that is, if they can no longer dream. Our dreams are what keep us young and alive; they give us that sparkle in our eyes. Our dreams keep us going even while everything around us says, "Stop."

21. Keep on hoping. Never lose hope. Tomorrow will be another day that will bring new hope and greater blessings. Keep faith in the abundance of the universe and the mystery and perfection of life. Hope for nothing but the best and that's what you will be granted.

22. Keep on believing. Belief is the mother of reality. What you believe becomes your truth. Believe in yourself, believe in the magic of the universe, believe in the power of your dreams. And most of all, believe you can do it, so you can have all your heart's desires!

These, You Must Not Keep

1. Don't keep up with the Joneses. Just because your neighbor bought a red Ferrari, you, too, must get one. Don't join the bandwagon and keep away from the "herd mentality." Too much unhappiness in this world is caused by comparisons - comparing yourself and trying to measure up to other people. There is really no need to live up to others' expectations if it would just bring you inconvenience and misery.

2. Don't keep issues and grudges. The reason most of us stay miserable is because we keep issues, grudges, and problems. Detox yourself of complaints and issues that keep you from being the best that you could be. Try to solve all problems that beset you; never leave anything unresolved. The questions and puzzles of life are what make it challenging and exciting.

3. Don't keep resentments and memories of painful experiences. Life is not a bed of roses so you must learn to let go of negative feelings and memories of painful experiences. It's hard to go on living with a heavy heart. Pardon, forgive, forget if you can, and move on.

Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee

2005-04-15T07:34:00.000+08:00

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it
was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it in to the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things -- your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff."

If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. There will always be time to clean the house, and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked," he said. "It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a cup of coffee with a friend."

Difficult People

2005-04-14T13:04:00.000+08:00

The people whom you find most difficult to deal with can also be your most valuable teachers. For your problems with them are not really due to how they are, but rather to how you respond to how they are. Learn to deal successfully with difficult people, and you learn valuable lessons about yourself. Work to relate positively to difficult people and you develop skills that can serve you well in many other challenging situations.

People are the way they are. Get past the need to try to change them, past the need to judge or condemn, and look for the value they offer. Sometimes that value is deeply hidden, and when you find it you've found a real treasure, something few people take the time to uncover. In every difficult person you encounter, make a point to look past the difficult part and focus your attention on the person part.

The other people with whom you interact are mirrors that help you to see things within yourself. With some people, that mirror can be difficult to view, yet when you have the courage to do so, the rewards can be many and great.

Sometimes when you place your trust in someone, you will be wronged, and there will be disastrous consequences. Yet as bad as that may be, it would be even worse to never trust at all. Without trust, without faith, we are merely machines, disinterested and unable to truly invest ourselves in anything worthwhile. With no trust, the world is a cold, harsh and excruciatingly lonely place.

The best way to know when to trust and when not to trust is to be trustworthy yourself. Know what it is like to uphold the trust of others, and it will help you to understand whom you yourself can trust.

Some of the best and most valuable things you can experience do not come with a guarantee. Though it certainly pays to be careful, it also is important to be able to trust.

Don't give your trust frivolously or irresponsibly, but do give it. For without trust, there is really nothing that is worth protecting.

10 Types of IT Managers

2005-04-13T13:30:00.000+08:00

From the wilds of the IT jungles, these are the 10 most dangerous species of IT manager. All are from the genus 'Procurator' and are very dangerous in captivity. Some are now on the World Wildlife Federation's At Risk Register. However, there will certainly be no captive breeding program to preserve them as most would be overjoyed if they disappeared from the Earth.

To help classify these dangerous breeds, I've created the following list of species and character descriptions of some common types of managers. These types are loosely based on some managers I have worked for over the years. As ever, this classification should be taken with a large pinch of salt.

Species 1: Procurator Martyrus

Also known as: The "Anything for the good of the company" Manager

This species has a distinctive cry that sounds like this:

"Look at me! I worked Christmas day and even when I had cholera. I walked to the office for six weeks after my car crash, even though both my legs were broken. Why can't you stay another hour each night without pay? I would."

Yes, the office martyr has finally made it to the top, probably because it's the only place where he can't do any harm.

There is a tradition in the British Civil Service of promoting those workers whose incompetence seriously affects the performance of a department. Many such appointees are members of the P. Martyrus group.

P. Martyrus is closely related to the next species, Procurator IlligitimusMaximus.

Species 2: Procurator IlligitimusMaximus

Also known as: The Mean and Nasty Manager

This manager is of the old school, a right scoundrel. His idea of being a good manager is to be unapproachable or, in his words, "hard but fair." He is neither. He got his present position by hanging on to the coattails of his manager until retirement, or a nasty accident left the position open. Thankfully this is now a severely endangered species.

After sacking a member of the team, he might be heard to say: "I had to let him go; he wasn't showing the right level of commitment. He preferred to go to his mother's funeral rather than come to work. What do they think we're running here? A holiday camp?"

He will turn to the shocked and silenced office and shout: "Anyone else here got any doubts about their loyalty?"

The problem with IlligitimusMaximus is that one day he will make a mistake himself. When he looks to the team to help him out of his difficulty, they will remember past actions and develop a selective deafness to his pleas. His is a lonely path, and for him there is no safe haven.

Species 3: Procurator Teflonius

Also known as: The Non-stick Manager

United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair is frequently referred to as "Teflon Tony" because nothing sticks to him. He represents probably the highest evolution of Teflonius ever observed on the planet. Sadly, because of their excellent stealth characteristics, this species is likely to be around in prolific numbers for the foreseeable future.

This species has sloping shoulders from which any blame will easily slide. She will not give a straight answer to a straight question, just in case you might quote her at the court martial. Whenever something goes wrong, she will produce documentary evidence that she was somewhere else at the time. She is more of a nuisance and a waste of salary than a danger, unless you happen to be the victim of one of her decisions. It is always a good idea to make clandestine recordings of any meetings with a P. Teflonius.

Species 4: Procurator Absentia

Also known as: The Missing link, or "What Manager?"

They seek him here, they seek him there, those workers seek him everywhere.

This manager is critically endangered. When a company is looking to make cuts, they save more money by sacking this type of manager than a front line worker. And as a bonus, they don't lose as much from the skill base.

Let me give you a real-world example of my encounter with this species: Many years ago, I worked for a very pleasant young manager called Tim, who was in charge of two teams, both in different buildings. He would call in to see us?a small team of three people?and tell us that he would be spending the day with the other team, which was having problems. Apparently, we were reliable and could be trusted to get the work done, whereas the others were an incompetent bunch who needed constant supervision.

Imagine our surprise the day we called the other office to speak to him on an urgent matter only to be told that he was with us because we were incompetent and needed to have constant supervision. This was before the days of mobile phones, so the game was up. He was, it seemed, happy to leave both teams and pass his days playing golf. Sorry Tim, if you ever read this, we knew all the time!

Species 5: Procurator Insignia

Also known as: The Flashy Brass

This manager has a sign on his desk or office door, a badge or some similar marking of rank. If he thought he could get away with it, he would wear pips on his shoulders or gold bands around his jacket cuffs. He will take outrageous liberties, like instructing a junior member of staff to wash his car or go out to collect his dry cleaning. When you question this, he will point to this mark of office and say the immortal four words: "THIS says I can."

This species is universally ignored by "his staff," as he likes to call them. As with IlligitimusMaximus, he will receive no help if he screws up. The main difference is that Insignia can be an amusing figure to mock.

Species 6: Procurator Headinsandia

Also known as: The "I don't want to hear it" Manager

Yes, one type from my original list of 10 most dangerous types of help desk callers has made it to this list. Perhaps the help desk caller is, in fact, the manager of the same type or maybe the help desk caller mutates into this type of manager when he or she reaches the appropriate level.

P. Headinsandia is probably the manager of a department near you. When the team gives an honest answer to an honest question about the timescale of a project, she will throw up her hands in horror and give the cry that clearly identifies the species. In fairness, this manager takes the cares of the world on her shoulders and worries about them. She lies awake at night fretting about delivering the monthly reports on time. She presents herself as a tough, go-getter, but is often covering an inadequacy. Be gentle with this species, but most of all ignore this type of manager. It's easier that way.

Species 7: Procurator Buzzwordia

Also known as: The Buzzword Manager

Often found, after a long search, in deep water wearing the latest Ralph Lauren concrete collection, Buzzwordia manages by use of a string of clichés and ideas that he heard at management seminars. Meetings with him are not for the weak-stomached, and it is advisable to keep a bucket handy, just in case.

Think about the last person you heard say:
"There's no 'I' in team."
"Assume makes an ASS out of U and ME."
"I can't spell success without U."
"I want us to be Proactive, not Reactive." (Of course, in this context, 'Us' means 'You.')

Despite the extreme reaction this species can cause, they are mostly harmless. They are prolific in Northern Europe, returning to breed in sheltered colonies in suburban areas of minor towns. Offspring usually opt not to work in management but may become social workers or violent criminals. When this happens, they are usually deemed to be 'misunderstood.'

Species 8: Procurator Amicus Potissimus

Also known as: The Best Mate

This is a well-padded, red-faced manager, given to back-slapping and calling in favors, even before any are owed. He makes unreasonable demands in the name of friendship and invites you to his children's birthday parties, even though you can't stand kids unless they have been barbecued.

Amicus Potissimus tends to overuse first names even when not appropriate. Still it is quite hard to be rude to them. This species makes you want to slit your throat as they ramble on about the fantastic time they had on their last sales seminar or golf tournament. Although it is clear to anyone around you that you'd rather be boiling in oil, the Best Mate assumes that you share his interests.

Species 9: Procurator Impatiens

Also known as: The Two-Minute Manager

This is the type of manager who asks for an update on what has been done during her absence, then abruptly cuts off the answer after two minutes with a cry of "I don't have time now. I want a report on my desk first thing Monday morning."

Although she always does this at 5 p.m. on a Friday, there is no need to worry. She will seldom remember that she has asked for it.

She is closely related to P. Headinsandia and likes to give the impression that she is too busy and important to bother with details. She's very good at delegating tasks, mainly because she doesn't have a clue how to do them herself. P. Impatiens is not a very good person to work for, as your needs will never be recognized or satisfied. The good news is that she's usually the first to go in a round of downsizing.

Species 10: Procurator Condescendia

Also known as: The Patronizing Manager

Nobody can do it quite like P. Condescendia. He was there when they landed on the moon. In fact, he designed and built the entire communications system. He also cabled Canary Wharf using only a pair of pliers, a cotton bud, and a cocktail stick. He won the Paris to Dakar rally in a car he built himself from old beer cans. He caught the biggest fish, had the best golf handicap, and is, of course, a close personal friend of the Managing Director.

We underlings are all very well, but we needed his supreme holiness and guidance to see us through even the simplest task. The trouble is that his intervention nearly always leads to problems. It can be really hard to find hard disk jumpers with the head of Condescendia bobbing in front of the light continually.

The simple way to deflate this species is to ask, in all innocence, why, if they are so talented, are they working for a tuppenny-ha'penny outfit like yours? Rally driving golf pros had far better earning potential than a junior manager in Grot-Com. Have you observed a dangerous manager species in the wild?