# Posted 09/19/2008 9:50 am
# hello ms Fe..

Im a senior I.T student of Bulacan State University
just wanna ask if u interested to answer an email interview..its one of our final requirement, to have an interview with a project manager..

tnx..

i’m waiting for your response ^_^

Since I used to be a student, I know how grueling the senior year is, and I hate it when “grown ups” say no to student interviews… I vowed not to become one of them. So, even though I still have a lot to learn in the world of project management, I told Aiza I was willing to participate. When I checked the questionnaire, it was pretty logical but interesting. It was actually quite interesting that I decided to post my answers here:

—start—

The main purpose of this interview is for students to gain more insight into what project managers really do, what challenges they face, what lessons they’ve learned, what concepts/tools they are using, and what suggestions they have for future project managers.

1) How did you get into project management?

<– I was promoted as Project Manager from Marketing Manager when we had our company restructured last year.

2) If you had to rate the job of project manager on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, how would you rate it?

<– I would rate it with an 8.

3) Briefly explain the reason for your rating. What do you enjoy most and what do you like least about being a project manager?

<– I gave it an 8 because the position gives you enough leeway in handling the project or goal of the company/team. Your creativity and strategic thinking are greatly tapped with this job. That is, you can pretty much do anything so long as you meet the goal.

However, there are times when you, of course do not have the last say – it is a company after all, and the owner has this privilege, at any time. So even though you do not agree to the final decision, all you can do is gracefully accept it. It’s his company, after all.

4) Did you have any training or special talents or experiences that qualified you to be a project manager?

<– It’s a combination of all three actually. I was a pioneer in my company and I started from scratch - literally from the lowest position at that time in our company – a Creative Writer. During the development stage of our websites, our CEO discovered that I have a good background in computer. He decided to train me to do technical and website work and promoted me to a Technical Content Manager.

Then there was a need for SEO Director to get our website’s rankings maintained if not increased in the SERPs. Since this position requires technical skills and I was the one in line for that, our CEO gave me an orientation about it and the rest of my knowledge came from thorough research and my colleagues. Soon, I was promoted to Marketing Manager.

Sometime 2007, our CEO decided to put up another company. Since he was too occupied with this new company, decided to restructure my company, and I was the only one who knows the entire network of our sites in every angle (almost as much as he does), he decided to have me manage the 20 websites, making me the project manager.

5) What do you feel is the most important thing you do as project manager? On what task do you spend the most time each day?

<– I consider two tasks to be very important - task distribution/delegation and monitoring. For any project, it is important that tasks are distributed properly and to the appropriate people to ensure smooth sailing. Once this is done, the project should be well-monitored so you will know if you are going towards the direction to achieving your goal and for you to be ready for any setbacks. After all, you are accountable for the outcome of the project.

6) What are some of the positive and negative risks you’ve encountered on projects? Please describe any notable successes and failures and what you’ve learned from them.

<– One of the positive risks I took was when I stood my ground on implementing social marketing as a strategy for our websites to gain more traffic. Social marketing at that time was a very new concept and our CEO was very doubtful about it. In the end, he gave me a go signal but told me that if he did not see any significant result, he will cancel that marketing effort.

In a few weeks time, we were able to give him a report with increased statistics of our sites due to social marketing. He acquiesced and we continued our social marketing efforts.

When you are confident about something, and are prepared to take any consequences (should there be any), keep your ground. Fight for it. After all, the worst that could happen is just to have your CEO say no.

As for the negative risk, there was a time when I became too confident in the leeway/authority our CEO gave me that I did not consult him about one area in our website template change since one of the owners also do not agree with his idea. In the end, since the other owner was out of reach, the CEO had the last say and our programmer ended up losing two weeks’ worth of work.

So never, ever, make a major decision without consulting/informing your superior. It will save you a lot of hassle and time.

7) What are some of the tools, software or otherwise, that you use, and what is your opinion of those tools?

<– Since we are an internet company, we have freelancers, we outsource, and we have advertising clients (both local and international), we make use of Skype and email. Those tools are very helpful in monitoring and coordinating with people especially with the time difference when dealing with international clients.

8 ) What are some steps a project manager can take to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of a team? How does a project manager gain the respect and loyalty of team members?

<– Some steps would be more team building and more one-on-one interaction with your colleagues/subordinates. That way, you will be able to understand each other well and there will be less miscommunication – generally the main cause of any conflict.

9) What suggestions do you have for working with sponsors and senior managers?

<– Senior managers are most of the time under the category of “old dogs”. It’s quite hard to teach them new tricks. Seriously. However, for a company to grow, it is important that it adapts to change. Thus, you need to be able to appeal change to your superiors in a way that they will happily agree to it.

To be able to do that, you need to talk their language – profit. It’s all about profit. If you can make them see how profitable-related your suggested efforts are, they are sure to give you a go signal in no time.

10) Do you have any suggestions for future project managers, such as any specific preparations they should make, skills they should learn, etc?

<– Although experience is a good teacher, other’s experience is the best. It would be great if you can attend a project management course and get a certificate to add to your credential. However, do keep in mind that that piece of paper (certificate) is useless unless you practice what you have learned.

In any case, as with any position, you should be flexible and be very open-minded. When given two options, always choose the third. Think out of the box. ^_^

—end—

Here are some quotable quotes from Zettai Kareshi characters (Yep, I paused in between watching just so I could note down these ^^; ):

Natsumi: If you lie to yourself, you’ll lose what you truly value.

~*~*~*~

Mr. Namikiri: Is it abnormal for a robot to have emotions? I’m the one who made the program. He was made by my hands, and is running on my ideas. To rob him of emotions, isn’t that the same as taking away life?

~*~*~*~

Natsumi: Timing is important in glazing. To get the polish on the chocolate, the peak temperature has to be right. It won’t work if it’s too hot or too cold. Love is the same. I missed the peak temparature… that day three years ago. Soshi, you shouldn’t miss it either.

~*~*~*~

Fujiko: You finally have the dreams you were longing for within your grasp. Don’t let go of what’s important to you now that it’s in sight.

~*~*~*~

Mr. Namikiri: I believe the love inside him brought forth a miracle… Before you told me not to play with the feelings of people. But right now, there is a strong bond between those two. No one has the right to take that away.

~*~*~*~

Fujiko: Is it really alright if you don’t go?
Rikko: I’ve made my decision.
Fujiko: From now on, the two of you will face countless troubles. You are not going to find the normal life you talked about. You may regret it.
Rikko: I am going to live my life with Night. No matter what happens in the future, I’m not going to regret it.
Fujiko: Love takes many forms in this world, but this is a first. However, I will support you. What makes the future is the present. If you feel in your heart that you are happy now, that thought will surely create a happy future for you.
Rikko: Hai.

Okaeri - Ayaka

What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it;
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

The quote is supposed to be from Goethe, but there have been some debates on its origin. Anyhow, I like this part:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back — Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

Yosh! Carpe Diem! God help me. *bow*

For more inspiration, I suggest you read “The Secret“. I encountered this sometime 2006-2007 from my friend Jehan (movie siya, pinapapanood niya online, I never had the time…), was recommended by our GM early this year during one of our meetings, and I just found out my sister Anne has a copy of it sometime June 20s this year. I immediately started reading the book as soon as I got hold of it. I still haven’t finished reading it up to now, but I do carry it around in the hopes that I’ll have time to continue going through the pages. Nevertheless, the first few pages are already enough to keep you “Bold”. Aja!

Memorable quotes from Hana Kimi:

Hard work will definitely be rewarded. The rest is to believe in yourself.

The one with talent should work even harder.

If you give up the most important thing in your life, you’ll gradually lose your true self.

Radwimps ふたりごと
Uploaded by guitaro091

Kaa-apply ko lang nung December 24 sa Love Your Body Club. Isinabay ko yung Love Your Body Club membership sa pagbili ko ng isang set ng White Musk products (wag mo ng itanong kung magkano). Halos isang linggo na rin kasi akong walang pabango. Nagbabakasakali kasi ako na may magreregalo ng White Musk perfume… eh mukhang malabo, kaya niregaluhan ko na lang yung sarili ko. Hehehe.

Para sa inyong dagdag kaalaman, ang Love Your Body card o LYB Card ay higit pa sa loyalty card. Kung ikaw ay nagpamiyembro, sa halagang PHP 300, makakakuha ka ng (galing ang mga sumusunod sa papel na may listahan ng perks ng LYB Card):

• special welcome gift (Nakakuha ako ng Mint Lip Care Stick na sabi ng sales lady ay worth PHP 295, so parang PHP 5 lang ang ibinayad ko para sa LYB Card. Ayos!)
• exclusive Love Your Body card that can let you earn points every purchase (PHP 100 = 1 point). Accumulate your points and use it to purchase products at any The Body Shop outlets nationwide. (Except Duty Free stores daw. Bakit kaya?)
• rewards program where you get to accumulate vouchers with your purchase
• special and exclusive promotions for members only (Siyempre, hindi ito pwedeng mawala.)
• birthday privilege of a one-time 20% discount on regular items on your birthday month (excited na akong mag-October!)
• (as useless) exclusive updates and special reviews of new products and events

Hindi ko ina-advice na mag-avail ng LYB card ang mga taong hindi naman talaga tumatangkilik ng The Body Shop, lalo na kung wala kayong tiyagang magbitbit ng wallet o lalagyan ng mga discount cards na pwede n’yong hugutin ng mabilisan. Pero kung adik ka talagang mangolekta ng discount o suki cards, sige lang. Go! Walang pumipigil sayo. ^_^

Nang mga panahong iyon, dahil nagtatrabaho kami sa isang web development company, natutunan namin kung paano ang mga pasikut-sikot sa paggawa ng isang website at kung paano ito kumikita. Nalaman din namin ang ‘passive income’ at ‘work at home’ benefits ng pagkakaroon ng isang website. Dahil dito, napagkasunduan namin na ang solusyon sa aming pangarap ay magtayo ng kani-kanyang website na may potensyal na kumita. Pero hindi lamang basta website na kumikita ang gusto kong gawin, gusto ko yung tema ng website ko eh gusto ko rin. Sa ganoong paraan, masaya na nga akong gumagawa ng website ko, kumikita pa ako. Ganun naman talaga dapat eh, masaya ka sa ginagawa mo. Bonus na lang yung kumikita ka ng malaki. Kumbaga sa, bonus yun if “I get paid for doing something I love.”

Mga ilang araw rin ako nag-isip kung ano ang gagawin kong website na talagang gusto ko.

“Alam ko na! Bargain Website!!!” ang nagtatatalon sa tuwa kong ibinalita kay Elvis, isa kong kaibigan at katrabaho, habang naglalakad kami pauwi galing opisina. Tamang-tama yung topic ko kasi adik ako sa mga discounts, sale, at freebies.

Sa sobrang pagiging adik ko, may koleksyon ako ng discount cards at coupons at kilala ako ng mga kaibigan ko at mga kaopisina na palaging may bitbit na isang wallet ng discount cards saan mang store mapadpad. Yung tipong, “Miss, do you honor GenText here?” “Eh yung SM advantage card?” Hehehe. In fact, high school pa lang ako eh palagi na akong niloloko ng isa kong kaklase kung dala ko yung ‘suki card’ ko tuwing mapapadaan kami sa National Bookstore sa Robinson’s Galleria kapag uwian. Ngingiti ako sa kanya, tapos ilalabas ko yung Laking National Card ko at sasabihin with matching 360° roll ng eyes, “Of course!”

Sabi ni Elvis sa website ko, “Go! Umpisahan mo na.”

Kaya lang, maraming kung anu-anong nangyari (wag mo ng ipakwento kasi masyadong hahaba ito), hanggang sa napagpaliban ko na ang aking pangarap na website. Oo, nakakalungkot. Pero hindi ko tuluyang inabandona yung ideya ko nung mga panahong yun. Binili ko yung domain na “sukicard.com” para may entry-point na ako. (Commercial: Nais ko nga palang gamitin ang pagkakataong ito upang magpasalamat kay Linj dahil nakuha ko yung “sukicard” sa testimonial nya sa akin sa friendster. ^_^).

Sa ngayon, yung sukicard.com ay ginagamit ko pang-test ng isa ko pang bagong website at sa pag-aaral ng PHP at MySQL. Time consuming ilipat yung mga laman ng sukicard.com sa isa pang domain, kaya naisipan kong ito na lang fenunez.com muna ang gagamitin kong domain para umpisahan ang aking sukicard website. Sayang naman kasi itong fenunez.com. Mga ilang linggo na rin itong nakatiwangwang na walang kalaman-laman. Hmmmm… baka Wordpress blog muna ang gawin ko para sa sukicard. Saka ko na gagawing website pag bihasa na ako sa programming.

Baka nga itong fenunez.com na lang ang gawin kong discount card and bargain website. Tutal naman isa sa mga paborito kong hobbies ang pagkolekta at paggamit ng discount card, at wala talaga akong masyadong maisusulat dito dahil wala akong balak na gawing personal diary ang isang blog. Para sa akin, may mga bagay o pangyayari na dapat eh pampribado lang talaga and/or hindi na kailangang i-broadcast sa buong mundo, tulad ng mga one-liner blog post na “I feel sick.” “Waste of cyberspace,” ika nga ng officemate kong si Cristina. Pero, kung talagang gusto mong maglagay ng one-liner updates, may lugar sa web para sa mga ganun (gaya ng twitter.com).

Ito ang history ng sukicard.com. Pag may oras ako ngayong linggo, uumpisahan ko ng ipakilala sa inyo ang mga discount cards ko at perks ng bawat isa para malaman nyo kung bakit ako nahuhumaling sa mga discount cards. Hanggang sa muli!