My mechanic, Diony, recommended I change the power steering fluid of my car. I use automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for the power steering because another mechanic said it was okay. But when Diony checked my car the other day, he said I shouldn’t use ATF for power steering. ATF is for automatic transmissions; power steeringContinue reading “Building Track Records of Trust”
Tag Archives: management
What Organising Really Means
There are four (4) basic functions to management: planning, organising, directing, and controlling. We can picture what planning, directing, and controlling are. They’re kind of straightforward and self-explanatory. Organising, however, is not. When we “organise,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? We perhaps think of putting our stuff in order, like filing awayContinue reading “What Organising Really Means”
Management is Not Leading, and It Isn’t Staffing Either
First thing I was taught as a management trainee at a large multinational corporation in 1985 was that there are four (4) basic functions to managing. These are: Planning, Organising, Directing, Controlling. In 2021, when I search for “management functions” on the Internet, the results mostly are: Planning. Organising, Leading, Controlling, and Staffing. Leading hadContinue reading “Management is Not Leading, and It Isn’t Staffing Either”
A Letter to a Life Insurance Company
The following is a letter I want to send to a life insurance company regarding their service. Identities are anonymous to avoid complications. Dear Chief Executive Officer of Life Insurance Company, I received your letter dated August 25, 2020 which arrived February 16, 2021. Your letter stated that you did not receive payment for pastContinue reading “A Letter to a Life Insurance Company”
We Don’t Need Deep Science to Implement Change
While depositing Philippine coins at the bank one morning, I couldn’t figure out which was which. The 1-peso coin looked like the 5-peso coin which also looked like the 10-peso coin. Each coin was silver in colour and almost the same size. I also had older and much more different 5-peso and 10-peso coins toContinue reading “We Don’t Need Deep Science to Implement Change”
The Importance of Making Available What We Promise
I ordered a box of latex gloves from a 3rd party seller on a popular e-commerce website. The seller confirmed my order by email and after 24 hours, the order status on the website was that the box of gloves was being prepared for shipment. One week later, the order status said it was atContinue reading “The Importance of Making Available What We Promise”
Four (4) Suggestions for a Client-Convenient Website
The phone company needs a password whenever I want to look at my bill. I enrolled into the phone company’s “paperless billing” system more than a year ago. Before, the “paper” bills were arriving late such that when I received them, they were already past the due date. With paperless billing, the phone company notifiesContinue reading “Four (4) Suggestions for a Client-Convenient Website”
Paying Attention versus Getting Attention
A columnist at a leading daily newspaper writes every week about ghosts, spirits, reincarnation, or in other words, supernatural stuff. He is obviously popular as he’s been writing for the newspaper for decades. He seems to be doing well as he’s consulted for some people and spoke at gatherings. I laugh at how people canContinue reading “Paying Attention versus Getting Attention”
Seen and Not Heard, Speak Only When Spoken To, Why It’s Good to Listen
In the old days (as late as the mid-20th century), many parents told their kids that children were meant to be “seen not heard” and that children can only “speak when spoken to.” This rule prevails among many families, never mind if it’s the 21st century and some people say we should be more liberalContinue reading “Seen and Not Heard, Speak Only When Spoken To, Why It’s Good to Listen”
How to Save Money When Renewing the Dreaded City Business Permit
Every time we enter a new year, many of us reflect on the past and make resolutions for the future. When the first working day arrives, however, we face reality. One of those realities is the dreaded city business permit renewal. Town and city governments in the Philippines require enterprises to register before they canContinue reading “How to Save Money When Renewing the Dreaded City Business Permit”
Ellery's Essays 