Apr 8, 2021The Hard Truth About Customer ServiceWhat is the job of customer service? Customer service representatives (CSRs), often referred to as frontliners, are considered one of the most important members in an organization — at least on paper and in interviews. A quick Google search returns supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding…Customer Service6 min read
Oct 8, 2020To Really Solve Problems, Make Them DisappearIf you’ve ever heard of or read the Upstream Parable, you already know where I’m going with this. But for those who haven’t, let me have a go at a slightly different version of it. You and your friend are camping by the side of a river. Your conversation is…Problem Solving5 min read
Jul 29, 2020Leave the Damn Kids AloneOne morning, as I was reading articles on my computer, I saw our 11-year-old in my peripheral vision sitting on the floor and staring blankly into space. As my attention switched to her, she noticed it and immediately said, “I’m not bored, okay? …Random4 min read
Apr 11, 2020How To Have Better Conversations In The Time Of Social DistressGoing through one’s Facebook feed these days seem to produce more stress than the usual entertainment it provides. The omnipresent criticisms on the Philippine government’s handling of the COVID-19 situation and the never-ending back and forth between those who are for and against the current administration. Also present in all…3 min read
Aug 24, 2019Of Failures and New BeginningsI started the year 2019 with the goal of launching yet another startup. I thought to myself: I’ve worked in several successful startups and I’ve read a lot of books about starting one, it’s about time to give it another shot. …Singapore7 min read
Dec 31, 2018Untitled 2018 Year-enderI didn’t plan on writing anything to end 2018. My wife had already done an amazing job writing about what we’re up against this coming year and it didn’t seem like I had the time to cook something up from scratch. However, checking Facebook this morning, I saw thoughts I’ve…4 min read
Dec 21, 2018Peaks, Valleys, and TroughsThe landlord was kicking us out. Our lease had expired and our small startup company needed to hit the road soon. He was nice enough to let us keep the 200-square-meter office space for a couple more weeks but we had to vacate whichever things we still had in the…Startup9 min read
Nov 12, 2018We Are All Going To DieWhy do people all of a sudden change their entire perspective towards a person the moment they find out he or she is terminally ill and only have a finite number of days to live? …Life Lessons7 min read
Jul 18, 2018What I Learned Working Remotely For Two MonthsI’ve been working remotely — mostly from home — for the past two months. Certain circumstances in my job gave me the opportunity and one of them is a project in Thailand which I was managing. I’ve always seen remote work as something positive and productive. …Remote Working8 min read
Jun 7, 2018Finding the Joy in Missing OutTaking back time from technology — By the time you read this, my profile will still be up on Facebook but it won’t be generating new content for a while. I’ve decided [once again] to go on a social media hiatus deleting the Facebook app from my phone and logging off of Instagram in the process…Social Media5 min read