Good thing I have waited for a week or two before writing this. It would have been rather depressing for me to write, even more depressing for you to read. This proves one thing: for most of us, work is just business. Unless you are building something that has the civilisation, interglacial level kind of long lasting impact, in a positive way, work is just business. May 97, I was about to leave my client site in Paris. I’ve had such a memorable time. One friend whom we’d had lunch and coffee almost every weekday during my 9 months of stay wrote: Out of sight, out of mind? Call it self-fulfilled prophecy, we’ve lost touch.
One fine Monday morning, I arrived at the office at the usual hour, the usual minute, and my office floor was freezing cold. I took a picture as I looked around, hardly a soul. Not enough body heat to consume the cool air from the air conditioning vents. The cold cold reality as such: my previous department [that I’ve left a while back] has been dismantled. The Friday before, everyone was saying goodbye to everybody. Some moved on with a job elsewhere, some without. Others have found another role within our organization, as a permanent, as a temp. All had the same last day. Global economy hits even those that are profitable. Some sacrifices need to be made to meet or top that operating profit. I get it. Some say that the easier jobs are lost, the easier jobs can be created. Oh is it? So where is that spirit of mutual survival, huddle together and weather the bad storm?
Work is just business.
After attended that lunch time corporate talk that I went zzzz, I have attended another one and have thoroughly loved it. What a contrast. The topic was on economy outlook. Throughout the talk, the knowledgeable presenter slipped in a few forecasts. On the threats that may upset our economy, he highlighted the possibility of a flu like bird flu and SARS. He couldn’t pinpoint what that could be. That talk was held last month. No, he didn’t say the words: Swine Flu. I would have called him an oracle otherwise.
Next week, I will be moving to another office building as our organization is consolidating all who remain. Looking at the space surrounding my cubicle, can you imagine that just less than 2 years ago, my floor was fully packed? New hires like me were squeezed into a meeting room sharing one round table with 8 to 10. Job openings could be closed within a week. There was a huge shortage of office space in the central business district. Looking at the recent up and downturns, it never ceases to amaze me on how much we as a collective species have progressed, and how much we have yet to learn.
Today, inside the restroom, in front of a huge mirror, I saw one colleague of mine patiently teaching another colleague of mine on how to put on a tie. I guess in his new role, he is required to wear one. Such a heartwarming moment. That spirit of mutual survival, it’s hard to forget. I wanted to chip in and help. But I reckon too many cooks spoil the soup.
