WOULD you resist driving a luxury vehicle or getting inside a bumblebee for a photo op? I won't. I did not. Test drives and getting the first peek at the latest car models are like the olive in your martini. It's like living a dream at no cost.
Another company exposed me to the world of Philippine show business, from actors to singers. Piolo, Jericho, Heart, Kristine, Borgy, Derek, Bamboo, Rocksteddy, and Eraserheads became constants. I did not even get the chance to relax and enjoy myself. I needed to be that person in between celebrities and fans. Imagine faces and hands plastered on your office's glass walls. I feared the walls might cave in.
Traveling from one city to the next, one island to the next, and staying in the best hotels was like living in a suitcase. One couldn't complain as duty called for it. Viewing it from another perspective, it's LIFE at its best.
Travels were for never-ending workshops, meetings, and seminars. Workshops were fascinating and varied - from theater-like characterization to personality development, storytelling training, financial analytics, and ISO certification.
I remember one workshop. Each was required to enter a booth without knowing what to expect. Inside, some got shouted at, glared at, and other forms of terrifying acts. Most participants either jumped or yelled back, while those of the faint-hearted almost cried.
What I couldn't forget was the reaction of one participant from Northern Mindanao. He roared and cursed a mile-a-minute in Visayan words that caught the instigator off-guard. The ones who understood laughed. We laughed.
That workshop was all about customer service. Ergo, no matter how stressful the situation is, one should stay composed. Welcome each customer with a Duchenne smile (also called smiling eyes) and a friendly stance.
Learning firsthand from Maxwell, Kong, and Chot is priceless. Hearing it right from the horses' mouths, as they say.
These are just a few of the perks. The unexpected non-monetary benefits will awe you. Trivial or significant, these perks will always bring smiles, laughter, and contentment.
