Some Things Never Change
Over the last couple of months I have been involved at work in a push to update some procedures that are associated with expense reimbursements for company issued hand phones. This is an area that is open for abuse (excessive personal calls) but at the same time subject to over controlling (trying to identify each $0.02 SMS that is personal vs business). It has taken a number of months to get some key players to the table so we can get a consensus. Finally, I thought we were there and we had a “heads of state” meeting (in April) … but the owner of procedure didn’t show up.
Nevertheless, the meeting went forward and the powers at be took an executive decision. As a result we clearly defined our expectations and then told the Procedure Owner to re-write the procedure, which was to be effective 1-May-08. When I came back to the office on Monday I began checking on the new procedure. First, I found it was not issued. Second, I found that it was being circulated in draft form. Third, the procedure had an effective date of 12-May …. which is really dumb … procedures shouldn’t be effective in the middle of a month (how do you handle a May phone bill if two procedures are in effect that month?). Fourth, the changes were incorrectly done.
By way of example … conceptually, in one part of the procedure it says that the company will pay the first $50/month of a phone bill for designated employees … but then in another part it says the employee is responsible for ALL personal charges. These two concepts are conflicting.
And so, yesterday, I began a cut and paste exercise trying to fix the procedure. I have spent about 1.5 hours on this … and need about 30 more minutes this morning as a final proof reading. Actually, it is not that hard if you focus.
This proves, once again, if you want something done right, you usually have to do it yourself. Sadly, there is SO MUCH to do here in Indonesia – I just wish there were more folks I could rely on to help … I’ll share some recent frustrations/disappointments over the weekend.
In the MEANTIME, Hey Cathy – thanks for the Birthday wish !!! So how’s old man Doug? RE my birthday … I’ve been back and forth across the international date line so many times and through so many time zones I am not really sure when I turn 50 … is it measured by actual hours/days of my life … the calendar? the clock? by whose time zone? BTW – I saw Millard Brogan a few months ago … he is now retired !!!!
Regardless of how you count it …. tomorrow I will officially join the “Old Farts” Club. I think this weekend I will sign up for my AARP card and add Decy as my spouse … then as a young beautiful woman (still in her 30’s) she can join me in “Old Farts” land …. can you imagine Decy going to Denny’s and asking for a Sr. Citizen discount … ROFLOL !!!!!!
Well, gotta go. Ciao ciao
