The past months

The past months have been a crazy month for our firm. People were busy with their clients, working out of town for weeks and struggling to accomplish never ending jobs. I was assigned to Sampoerna, one of the biggest cigarettes firm in Indonesia as soon as I finished the first phase of Petrochina's task. This assignment required the team to work in Surabaya. Having worked for this assignment was given me many experiences, especially for my interpersonnal skills in dealing with our big team as well as client's key persons.

I admitted this assignment was difficult to deal with. In the sense of, my team, SPA need to satisfy our audit financial team as well as to deal with such a typical conservative East Java client. During the assignment, I myself involved in a conflict with one of audit financial manager. Just can't imagine, such a senior manager can acted so childish, said negative sounding about me in front of the team during a discussion. Initially, I was very irritated and frustated with his behaviour. However, I decided to avoid the confrontation and talked directly to my director. He gave me a positive positive response and resolved the conflict for me. This lesson taught me to speak up to the correct authorised person if you feel you've done the right thing.

Furthermore the client itself also tough to deal with. I don't know maybe they saw us as young inexperience persons, so they seemed like to underestimate our capabilities. I acknowledge that in our firm most of the employees are young, but it does not mean that we don't have capacities to do our job. I think it only need to broaden our mind and walkout from such a narrow thought. Age somewhat is not an absolute measurement to determine a person's ability and skill. This have been reminded me to humble our heart and never underestimate someone, although maybe he/she is not better than you. But don't forget, God always use weak persons to accomplish His mission.

Another thing that made this client to deal with is a cross culture matter. Actually I have known this classical matter when I was finishing my study in Sydney. Although we are the same nationality, different society would have different customs and culture. There have been many different culture between Jakarta and Surabaya although the cities lies in the same Island. This may be seen as a trivial problem but it has caused many troubles during the assignment.

Finally, I have finished my task there and came back to Jakarta. Although went through difficult time while performing the task, I never regret was being assigned to this assignment. At least I got many lessons which can equip me if I face a similar situation. And I also want to thank's God who always strengthen me during my difficult time.

1 Peter 6-7 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that you faith of worth greater than gold, which perishes eventhough refined by fire. May be proved genuine and may result praise, glory and honor when Jesus is revealed."