a trip to the downtown area

I was strolling around the downtown area together with my friend and while strolling I was helping my friend to look for a job. We stumbled upon this add on the wall saying "WANTED: salesclerk" and then read the qualifications. I was surprised that one of the qualifications that they are looking for is a college grad. I don't get the logic why they need a college graduate for just a simple task. We then went to one of the fast-food restaurants here and I asked one of the managers on what their qualifications are. The manager told me that an applicant must be at least college level. I was so depressed since my friend was just a high school grad. I wanted my friend to have a job as soon as possible because he is going to be a father soon. I know that it's not my problem but I feel that I am compelled to help him in "straightening" his life. It's like my own little way of "paying forward" (I hope you have seen that movie... It's the best).

Why is it that there is discrimination on those people who was not able to reach college? Are the people who were able to reach college better than the people who can't afford to go to college? I don't think so.
I really felt bad about my friend. I know that he feels worst that I do even if he does not say a thing. These people that thinks less of the "lesser educated" people should think of what they are doing. Does a service crew really need to go to college first in order for him or her to learn on how to mop the floor? THAT IS STUPID. Perhaps this does not happen in your place but here in bacolod it is a fact that we have to face. I hope that the government somehow does something about this.

I have seen an job ad from the United States about a company that is looking for applicants for a good position in the office and their requirement says "must be at least high school graduate". Surprising huh? Does this mean that Americans have bigger brains than we do? A lot of our fellow Filipinos are suffering because of the lame policies that these companies have.
As what brother Bo Sanchez once said "help people help themselves". If we have these idiotic principles here in bacolod, how can the poor rise from their current situation. Perhaps this is the reason why crime is the last resort for them so that they can eat.

Second post....

Blu Idea Part One

One night, I was thinking about the reason why am I here in this world. Am I just a worthless tiny speck in the galaxy? Am I just a part of the animal kingdom? I thought before that I am not special since there are billions of people all around the world and probably a whole lot more creatures across the galaxy...... but on that night I came to realize something that would change my perspective in life.

I realized that each and everyone of us is connected to each other one way or the other. To make things simple, everything that we do affects the people around us. Surprising as it is that is a fact. Let's say a man abuses his wife and their child gets to see that abuse. The child may be affected and might cause them serious trauma. The child then may grow up with "personal issues" that may also affect on how he or she treats the people around him. This simply implies that our actions somehow affects the outcome of everyones future and most of us are not aware of that.

What I would like to share is that we should think of the actions that we are going to do. Think twice or thrice before doing a decision. Ask yourself first if doing that "thing" would have positive effects. I know that some of us has the " I don't care " attitude but as much as you and I would not like to get involved in this chain of events that are happening to our daily lives, we cant change the fact that the actions and decisions of the people around us will have an effect on us one way or the other. Wouldn't it be a better world if everyone would be conscious of his or her actions? I'm not saying that we should be religious and pray for the good of others. What we need is action. We need to encourage people that we are "one". We somehow have that "divine connection" to each other.

First post on my blog....

The Story of Johnny the Bagger (as told by Barbara Glanz)

A few years ago, I was hired by a large supermarket chain to lead a customer service program to build customer loyalty. During my speech I said, “Every one of you can make a difference and create memories for your customers and motivate them to come back. Put your personal signature on the job. Think about something you can do for your customers to make them feel special - a memory that will make them come back

About a month after I had spoken, I received a call from a 19-year-old bagger named Johnny. He proudly informed me that he was a Down syndrome individual and told me his story. “I liked what you talked about!” he said, “but at first I didn’t think I could do anything special for our customers. After all, I’m just a bagger. Then I had an idea!”

Johnny said, “Every night after work, I’d come home and find a thought for the day. If I didn’t find a saying I liked, I would think them up.”

When Johnny had a good thought for the day, his dad helped him set it up on the computer and print multiple copies. Johnny cut out each quote & signed his name on the back. Then he’d bring them back to work each day. “When I finish bagging someone’s groceries, I put in the thought for the day and say ‘Thanks for shopping with us!’

It touched me to think that this young man with a job most people would say is not important, had made it important by creating precious memories for all his customers.

A month later the store manager called me and said “You won’t believe what happened. When I was making my rounds today, I found Johnny’s checkout line was three times longer than anyone else’s! It went all the way around the frozen food aisle. So I quickly announced, “we need more cashiers; get more lanes open,” as I tried to get people to change lines. But no one would move! They said, ‘No, its okay - we want to be in Johnny’s lane - we want his ‘Thought for the Day’.”

The store manager continued, “It was a joy to watch Johnny delight the customers. I got a lump in my throat when one woman said, ‘I used to shop at your store once a week, but now I come in every time I go by, because I want to get Johnny’s ‘Thought for the Day’.”

A few months later, the manager called me again. He said, “Johnny has transformed our store. Now when the floral department has a broken flower or an unused corsage, they find an elderly woman or a little girl and pin it on them. Everyone’s having a lot of fun creating memories. Our customers are talking about us - they’re coming back and bringing their friends. A wonderful spirit of service has spread throughout the entire store - and all because Johnny chose to make a difference!”

Johnny’s idea was not nearly as innovative as it was loving. It came from the heart - it was real. That’s what touched his customers, his peers and those who hear this story.

Great service comes from the heart. Will you be a Johnny today?

hope you like his story : )