Since Renowed writer Chetan Bhagat had copyrighted the name ‘One Night At Call Centre’, I came up with my own custom designed name for my blog.
The moment of being speechless when I got a job at call centre was momentary. If you are speechless at a Call Centre you are FIRED!!
With loads of dreams and ideas, I stepped into that place and spent my next 6 month there. If at all I speak decent English today, the credit goes to that place which has the best training team.
My six month tenure was split as follows:
Month 1: Soft Skill Training
Month 2: Pre-process Training
Month 3-4: Process Training
Month 5: Floor Training
Month 5.5: Call Shadowing
Month 6: Reach the breaking point and Quit..!! (I am not a loser in life. You will prolly feel the same if you were to be in my position then)
So you might be wondering if I actually worked in those 6 months???!!!
Answer: Yes. For a month and that’s when I realized that this is not my purpose of life!!
After an amazing induction at Chancery hotel, we were welcomed to Whitefield Building. It was a group of 50 plus people and we were divided into 2 groups based on the communication level and project specifications.
I was sitting next to a guy who was havin an amazing accent (not fake though). He introduced himself as Sachin. One more frend for life. We started with introduction and it was jus getting started.
Then came Gayathri, our lead trainer and voice coach. I was surprised with so many different types of job out ther in real world. Next one week was her time and she made us say A-Z, vowels, intonations, consonants, rolling Rs n Ts. It was nice experience and great learning. We were so amazed with people taking calls on floor and badly wanted to do it. But al trainers warned us that training time was honey moon period and were asked to enjoy.
The moment I say honeymoon, I remember this girl, Lavanya..! Sober, silent, sittin at one corner and always smiling. My immediate CRUSH..! Within a week, we were speakin to each other and it was fun spending time with that group. Last day of the week, we had final assessment and it was hell. We had to speak in front of high end recorders and any error would be pointed. Wit some fear, I performed that test and I was good. I was very satisfied and felt that my English was highly improved. I actually spoke for 30 min in front of the whole group without any hesitation and that was our final assessment.
Once done, we were waiting for the results and there came the vendor manager Suhail. He had some papers in hand n started: Guys it was nice having yo here. We have the results for this level of training and sad note is 2 haven’t cleared this test!
I was very confident that it was not me as I fairly performed. Then he started calling out names n my name was second. I was Twitan Certified Professional..!!
Finally two guys were not called n they were given another chance to perform and we as a batch moved to next level. Lavanya still intact!!
I missed Sachin since he was in different project. I had to replace him and found Harsha, most daring guy and was of same mentality as mine. We started with t breaks and then went out on midnights when training breaks were given. It was fun to roam around at 2 AM night at white field, eat bread omlet.
When I mention night outs at office, I remember this strange incident. Once we were loafing in one small street wher we met this guy who offered us to meet call girls. We were super excited but no guts to move ahead. So we said wil meet him some Saturday and went back to office dreaming bout how it would have beeeeen,,.,!!
Now we were at pre-process training and were clubbed with another group. Intitially we were not ok with that group since they had better babes..!!!
Gradually we gelled well since al those babes were our friends!! you see its human tendency to get attracted and once close, the attraction will fade…!! This cannot be the case in married life though!
Ther I got to meet Shiva, the reason giver. My Excuse Guru….!!
We were informed that we will be under one manager n one project. Since it was confirmed, we started hanging around together and play TT.
Nothin much was ther to learn in pre process training n it was even more borin with some sick trainer. Most of them were dozin off during those days. Days passed and we passed this stage tooooo..!!
Process training was entrance to hell..! We were asked to take mock calls and then I realized the real pain in taking calls. Our trainers were deliberately putting us in dicey situation to test our endurance. Me, shiva and harsha faired well. The best part was my English had drastically improved. I was confident, clear!
All were selected and 4 month passed! All that I gained in these 4 months were 4 good frens and good communication skill.
We were on the floor and since we were freshers, we were shadowing tenure callers. I was shadowing this guy name Tirthadip. He was magician on calls. I call him Intonation Expert. He used to play over the phone n sell the product. He taught me the tricks of the trade.
Then it was one more guy whom I respect even now. Being a coll drop out, he was the most respected men in Indian Call Centre industry. Fritz was his name. He believed that god sits next to him while he’s on cal.
To give yo a brief idea about his skills, usually the expected sales for a day was 5 in 8 hours and the best caller in industry was givin average sales of 10 in 8 hours. Any guess how much this guy used to give..???? Whopping 22 sales and his personal best being 27. No one in the industry dared to get close to his record. He was lucky to sit next to me (though it was other way round). I was in the best team and there was Fritz in it. Whenever I felt low or couldn’t get a sale, this guy used to take a call and get me one..!
It was May 2005 and I was asked to take live calls. I was tensed and my first call went on like this.
Tring. Tring…!
Cust:Hello
Me: I was tryin to reach Mr. XXX
Cust: Yo guys don’t have better job. Phatak..!!!! (Call Dropped)
Me: I felt this was the best job and this guy is telling there is better job..!!
I called my Lead, Bernard, Gem of a person and hard worker n told wat happened. He was like chill. This is the most common thing that can happen in this industry. I was convinced. Suddenly from some corner I heard people clapping. When I turned, I saw people congratulating Harsha. I was surprised and ran to him n asked wt happened for which he said “Macha my first call in life is a SALE!!”
This is first time in that comp history that such an incident happened. WE were so happy. Me harsha an Shiv went for celebration break!!
Next 4-5 days went normally. Then one day we heard harsha shouting again. I was happy for him thinking he got another sale. But scene was different. He wanted his original marksheet back for some reason and manager said it cannot be given. He was least bothered n shouted at manager sayin HE NEEDS IT..! they asked him to quit. Immediately he took a paper resigned and left for the day (rather night)!!
Me n shiv were very sad. Dropped him til the gate n came back. It was then that I decided that after studying so much, I shouldn’t be here. But I was not I n mood to study as wel. My saturation was not yet reached. Next 2 weeks we had low call quality an only tenure guys were asked to take the cal. It was during those days, me n shiv got addicted to Table tennis, give all kinda reasons and jus run to get a table. We played for more than 4 hrs a day, sweating n stinking.
One day I was put in a shift where I was not able to sleep, go to gym and eat properly. I had lost 10 kilos in 2 months. My customers were very abusive and couldn’t take few calls where they abused India as country. That was hell. I was not great performer at calls as well. I fell sick very often. This was not ME…!
I decided to join MSc n completed the required formalities and joined Al-ameen college. I thought I can stil manage with college n work but my thoughts went drastically wrong. I fell ill once again and I had lost 15 kilos. I was like dead animal. I couldn’t lift 5 kilo dumbbell.
June second week, I decided that I will not work n wil study well. I told dad, ma n they were happy with my decision.
Next day I informed Bernard bout my decision and he was ok with it and processed as required. I was on my notice period. I was mentally happy; my focus was back on college.
Last day was ok. Jus a 10 min exit interview and I was done!
Wished everyone goodluck and missed Shiva n Sachin. Lavanya too..!! I was like a free bird, no more calls, no night work, just college, gym n frens.
Past 6 months was a total learning phase of my life. My English improved and my idea about crucial and booming industry of India 2007 was strong. I knew what was happening in the wee hours when rest of the world sleeps.
So many families are dependent on those night shifts, fast pace life, going against the body system and earning their bread!
I respect those who work in call centers, learn n earn for themselves, families, and takin India to a better economic level paying due taxes.
All I wish is those hard earned taxes should not go to wrong hands.!
Call Disconnected….!!!!!!!
Friday, February 5, 2010
In Need of A job!
It was 2005 mid year when it actually struck my mind that I should work and earn soon. I had just stepped outta college and my English was pathetic!
Navratan; my frend at coll got into HP and he was already offered 11000. That’s a dream amount for me. One day I called Srikanth and told “ Macha tomorrow lets attend interview at Transworks. They take people with OK kinda English knowledge and we come under that group.
He was a game for it and we left early in the morning to be ther on time. On our way, we got down at corp circle for a smoke! (Srikanth’s smoke rather) We googled our pockets to find some penny n found a huge amount, 10Rs!!!
Ok. Planning started: By 2 Tea is 3 rs n I ciggy is 3 so left with 4rs and that’s the deal. After having filled our tummy with half a cuppa Tea, we reached Transworks building! Huge and neat. We were tensed since their only criteria ENGLISH was a skill that was ahead of our level. We convinced ourselves that it is FOREIGN language and what we have learnt is great. We are Indians..!! It was a convincing justification for at least us!!
We were called in by a person and made to sit in a room packed with some 20 people. Their looks were as if they were from Harvard.
Hi this is Naveen, training coordinator! We heard this from behind and the person stood before us in seconds.
Ok Let’s get started and he said the agenda for the day.
Round 1: Self Introduction
Round 2: Speak about anything under the sum for 5 minutes. That was 300 seconds..!!
Round 3: Written Test. Silly English! I was too good at written English!! You’ll know it ahead
Round 4: Technical Round with Dept Head.!!
As usual, I selected the best seat Last corner..!! Unlucky day, I was asked to start first. With sweating hands, I started yapping what I had prepared by heart! My Self intro was fairly done!
Following me was Sri who gave a decent intro.
Rest followed us and then we both were convinced about our skills cos others were even more pathetic…!!
Round 2: Luck was on my side! They started calling from first row. After all those sleepy talks, I was called. With some confidence at corner, I started telling about Body language. My recent interest then! I gave some signs and explained about it. I was satisfied.
Round 3: Silly Written English! The moment they gave the paper, I was dead! Neva seen such high level English grammer. Prolly they copy pasted from Wren n Martin!!
But my skill that was learnt and imbibed in college came to my rescue. COPY…!!! Me and Sri tried our best to utilize our SEE and SURVIVE Skill and at last finished our written. No post exam discussion were allowed!
Round 4: Tech head was a lady, charming and bomb!!
By now hope you gotta know my mental state. I was just seeing her and she shot her first question. Why Call Centre? I came up with some silly answer which I felt she was kinda OK with.
Then for the next 10 min she was generally speaking to me to asses my English skill but I was engrossed seein her. Finally she told me to wait outside for next formalities.
After 10 min, short n stout HR came to me. She was jus opp to wat I saw 10 min before.! She said Shabarish, You are thro!
I was like; I am the richest man now..! I went into HR room with smile and she gave me the offer letter with sal breakup. It was 7150/- My first salary. I swear I did not understand the salary breakup. All I was worried was about my take home, “give some” home!!!
After some time, I came back to ground and then remembered Sri. I had strong feeling that he would get selected cos he was more desperate! I was waiting for him at the pantry. He came to me in sometime n said Macha, M not selected. It was a shocker for me n I felt sad. He said, his tech round was screwing and some guy took it.
We both left the office, he was happy for me n I was sad for him! The best part was he convinced me sayin not to worry he wil get in soon. Then we got into bus wit not so happy face and departed back home. When I reached home I was back to excited state and showed my offer letter to dad n ma. They were the happiest people that day. Wishing me good luck they gave me 50rs to go eat something outside since nothing special was prepared at home. As usual, I went out n belted kebabs wit one of my fren.
That night when I hit the bed, I was all excited bout new work, new life, new freedom, new man in me…!!!
I was happy for the fact that moving ahead my purse will have some decent pennies in it and its all MY OWN money..!!
That sense of satisfaction was speechless….!!!!
Navratan; my frend at coll got into HP and he was already offered 11000. That’s a dream amount for me. One day I called Srikanth and told “ Macha tomorrow lets attend interview at Transworks. They take people with OK kinda English knowledge and we come under that group.
He was a game for it and we left early in the morning to be ther on time. On our way, we got down at corp circle for a smoke! (Srikanth’s smoke rather) We googled our pockets to find some penny n found a huge amount, 10Rs!!!
Ok. Planning started: By 2 Tea is 3 rs n I ciggy is 3 so left with 4rs and that’s the deal. After having filled our tummy with half a cuppa Tea, we reached Transworks building! Huge and neat. We were tensed since their only criteria ENGLISH was a skill that was ahead of our level. We convinced ourselves that it is FOREIGN language and what we have learnt is great. We are Indians..!! It was a convincing justification for at least us!!
We were called in by a person and made to sit in a room packed with some 20 people. Their looks were as if they were from Harvard.
Hi this is Naveen, training coordinator! We heard this from behind and the person stood before us in seconds.
Ok Let’s get started and he said the agenda for the day.
Round 1: Self Introduction
Round 2: Speak about anything under the sum for 5 minutes. That was 300 seconds..!!
Round 3: Written Test. Silly English! I was too good at written English!! You’ll know it ahead
Round 4: Technical Round with Dept Head.!!
As usual, I selected the best seat Last corner..!! Unlucky day, I was asked to start first. With sweating hands, I started yapping what I had prepared by heart! My Self intro was fairly done!
Following me was Sri who gave a decent intro.
Rest followed us and then we both were convinced about our skills cos others were even more pathetic…!!
Round 2: Luck was on my side! They started calling from first row. After all those sleepy talks, I was called. With some confidence at corner, I started telling about Body language. My recent interest then! I gave some signs and explained about it. I was satisfied.
Round 3: Silly Written English! The moment they gave the paper, I was dead! Neva seen such high level English grammer. Prolly they copy pasted from Wren n Martin!!
But my skill that was learnt and imbibed in college came to my rescue. COPY…!!! Me and Sri tried our best to utilize our SEE and SURVIVE Skill and at last finished our written. No post exam discussion were allowed!
Round 4: Tech head was a lady, charming and bomb!!
By now hope you gotta know my mental state. I was just seeing her and she shot her first question. Why Call Centre? I came up with some silly answer which I felt she was kinda OK with.
Then for the next 10 min she was generally speaking to me to asses my English skill but I was engrossed seein her. Finally she told me to wait outside for next formalities.
After 10 min, short n stout HR came to me. She was jus opp to wat I saw 10 min before.! She said Shabarish, You are thro!
I was like; I am the richest man now..! I went into HR room with smile and she gave me the offer letter with sal breakup. It was 7150/- My first salary. I swear I did not understand the salary breakup. All I was worried was about my take home, “give some” home!!!
After some time, I came back to ground and then remembered Sri. I had strong feeling that he would get selected cos he was more desperate! I was waiting for him at the pantry. He came to me in sometime n said Macha, M not selected. It was a shocker for me n I felt sad. He said, his tech round was screwing and some guy took it.
We both left the office, he was happy for me n I was sad for him! The best part was he convinced me sayin not to worry he wil get in soon. Then we got into bus wit not so happy face and departed back home. When I reached home I was back to excited state and showed my offer letter to dad n ma. They were the happiest people that day. Wishing me good luck they gave me 50rs to go eat something outside since nothing special was prepared at home. As usual, I went out n belted kebabs wit one of my fren.
That night when I hit the bed, I was all excited bout new work, new life, new freedom, new man in me…!!!
I was happy for the fact that moving ahead my purse will have some decent pennies in it and its all MY OWN money..!!
That sense of satisfaction was speechless….!!!!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
RoYaL EnFiElD...!!
Heights of The Legendary Royal Enfield BULLET !
1. If any motorbike has 5 litres petrol and a BULLET has 5 litres petrol,the BULLET has more Petrol than the other bike.
2. There is no theory of motorbike revolution. Just a list of jap-crap that the BULLET has allowed to live.
3. BULLET is the reason, Tata's after buying Jaguar are still afraid to enter the motorbike segment.
4. When a BULLET moves forward, it is not moving.It is pushing the Earth backwards.
5. If you Google search "BULLET bad bike" you will generate zero results. It just doesn't happen.
6. Contrary to popular belief, the Titanic didn't hit an iceberg. The ship was off course and accidentally ran into a BULLET which was thumping some sea waves!
7. The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed... unless it meets the BULLET
8. There are only two things that can cut diamonds: other diamonds, and BULLET.
9. The BULLET can go around the earth so fast, that it's headlights can read its rear numberplate in one throttle.
10. Riding Bullets on Beachsides has been banned. The tsunamis were killing people.
11. The 11th commandment is “Thou shalt not piss off the Royal Enfield BULLET” This commandment is rarely enforced, as it is impossible to accomplish.
12. The RE BULLET is "The best a man can get"
Thump PROUD folks!
Cheers,
1. If any motorbike has 5 litres petrol and a BULLET has 5 litres petrol,the BULLET has more Petrol than the other bike.
2. There is no theory of motorbike revolution. Just a list of jap-crap that the BULLET has allowed to live.
3. BULLET is the reason, Tata's after buying Jaguar are still afraid to enter the motorbike segment.
4. When a BULLET moves forward, it is not moving.It is pushing the Earth backwards.
5. If you Google search "BULLET bad bike" you will generate zero results. It just doesn't happen.
6. Contrary to popular belief, the Titanic didn't hit an iceberg. The ship was off course and accidentally ran into a BULLET which was thumping some sea waves!
7. The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed... unless it meets the BULLET
8. There are only two things that can cut diamonds: other diamonds, and BULLET.
9. The BULLET can go around the earth so fast, that it's headlights can read its rear numberplate in one throttle.
10. Riding Bullets on Beachsides has been banned. The tsunamis were killing people.
11. The 11th commandment is “Thou shalt not piss off the Royal Enfield BULLET” This commandment is rarely enforced, as it is impossible to accomplish.
12. The RE BULLET is "The best a man can get"
Thump PROUD folks!
Cheers,
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
An Insane pain....!
So you are done with your lifts, you are all pumped up. Throw out your sweat shirt and you start curling with your tank top on like no tomorrow. People are looking; intensity is hitting you harder and harder.
You say screw this, walk over to the leg press. Throw in 8 plates on each side say let me show off some more. Then you start repping. You want to drop set. You start hitting it, four ...five .... eight ... ten twelve .... drop the weight.
You start focusing, random fleeting images of your life in front of you. Your brain is cranking up and your legs seem to have a life of its own. Nine ten ... eleven twelve.... its 24 reps done and you are still pushing.
Its starting to pinch, your knees are shaking.... you feel the pain in your calves moving into the tie ins of your hamstrings. Three four five.... your inner quads cry - stop, I am gonna give way, you knees are shivering and throbbing. Eight ... nine.... shit bro I can't I really can’t.... your partner is screaming, light weight...light weight and you are gassing out.
Six plates are left, you take a 6 second breather you see the truth of life unfold right in front of your eyes. You see why you got into this sport, the women that drool, the attention - guys asking you each time you hit a club.... the ego inflating like a hypertrophic muscle group. And you start pushing, four ...five ... shit hurts again, focus nigga ...focus. You can do this too - you got this far didn’t you?
Eight ...nine its 33 reps done, 3 reps remain and 12 plates on the rack.You are not able to do it. Wrong motivation suckaaa.... you in it for the wrong shit boy. Focus fucker this is YOUR life. The chics ain't worth it, the fame aint worth it..... its you...all you ... only you. Push bro...push. its all you now...all you -its beyond all this shit. it ain't gonna get you bigger or stronger.
Nine ...ten ....eleven ...twelve ....thirteen ...fourteen - yeah bitches i am back, drop set, 5 plates on either side (10 on the rack) push ...... eight nine ten .... fleeting images of the skinny you, come to life, push ...push.....
44 reps done, your body is filled with a cold feeling. Its 96 degrees of smoldering heat, there's no AC, at 100mcg's you are sweating like a fucking pig thats mating like no tommorrow. Its getting colder and colder, your head starts to shiver, you start to blink faster, your eyes burn with the sweat and tears. You have no control of your bodily functions or fluids.
Push ...push ...push 8 plates remain, the mist in your eyes clear up and you see the light. You see why this pain is worth it. You see the true meaning of why you put yourself through this shit. You see why you do, what you do, though everything you do goes against the basic principles of health OR wellness. You realize that you in it, for you. For that insatiable size driven monster that is never appeased no matter how much you grow.
Eighth rep, you just stop, your body is lost and your mind is shut down. You just freeze, with 500 lbs directly above on the overhead press. Your partner is screaming, you hear a distant voice, push......
and you push like you have nothing to gain
and you push like you have nothing to lose
and that is when you will grow, when you detach yourself from the weight and the pain and do this as if you were born to do it.
You finish up, you realize that your mouth is filled with bile vomit , the place stinks and you have a shit stain in your fucking pants.
Your partner asks you not to move, you lie down - with a myriad of images just running by like an old reel of film without a stopper. And you smile.
you get off the machine, put your top back on ..... even though your body looks like every single vein is gonna burst and people just stand and stare. You put your skull cap low, bend your head and walk away quietly.
because this is about you! fuck them .... they will laugh when everything is fine but when you cry .... they will move away.Its all you bro.... all you- only you.
One more rep - and then there is you. Do it boy - and walk out proud, but humble at the same time.
You say screw this, walk over to the leg press. Throw in 8 plates on each side say let me show off some more. Then you start repping. You want to drop set. You start hitting it, four ...five .... eight ... ten twelve .... drop the weight.
You start focusing, random fleeting images of your life in front of you. Your brain is cranking up and your legs seem to have a life of its own. Nine ten ... eleven twelve.... its 24 reps done and you are still pushing.
Its starting to pinch, your knees are shaking.... you feel the pain in your calves moving into the tie ins of your hamstrings. Three four five.... your inner quads cry - stop, I am gonna give way, you knees are shivering and throbbing. Eight ... nine.... shit bro I can't I really can’t.... your partner is screaming, light weight...light weight and you are gassing out.
Six plates are left, you take a 6 second breather you see the truth of life unfold right in front of your eyes. You see why you got into this sport, the women that drool, the attention - guys asking you each time you hit a club.... the ego inflating like a hypertrophic muscle group. And you start pushing, four ...five ... shit hurts again, focus nigga ...focus. You can do this too - you got this far didn’t you?
Eight ...nine its 33 reps done, 3 reps remain and 12 plates on the rack.You are not able to do it. Wrong motivation suckaaa.... you in it for the wrong shit boy. Focus fucker this is YOUR life. The chics ain't worth it, the fame aint worth it..... its you...all you ... only you. Push bro...push. its all you now...all you -its beyond all this shit. it ain't gonna get you bigger or stronger.
Nine ...ten ....eleven ...twelve ....thirteen ...fourteen - yeah bitches i am back, drop set, 5 plates on either side (10 on the rack) push ...... eight nine ten .... fleeting images of the skinny you, come to life, push ...push.....
44 reps done, your body is filled with a cold feeling. Its 96 degrees of smoldering heat, there's no AC, at 100mcg's you are sweating like a fucking pig thats mating like no tommorrow. Its getting colder and colder, your head starts to shiver, you start to blink faster, your eyes burn with the sweat and tears. You have no control of your bodily functions or fluids.
Push ...push ...push 8 plates remain, the mist in your eyes clear up and you see the light. You see why this pain is worth it. You see the true meaning of why you put yourself through this shit. You see why you do, what you do, though everything you do goes against the basic principles of health OR wellness. You realize that you in it, for you. For that insatiable size driven monster that is never appeased no matter how much you grow.
Eighth rep, you just stop, your body is lost and your mind is shut down. You just freeze, with 500 lbs directly above on the overhead press. Your partner is screaming, you hear a distant voice, push......
and you push like you have nothing to gain
and you push like you have nothing to lose
and that is when you will grow, when you detach yourself from the weight and the pain and do this as if you were born to do it.
You finish up, you realize that your mouth is filled with bile vomit , the place stinks and you have a shit stain in your fucking pants.
Your partner asks you not to move, you lie down - with a myriad of images just running by like an old reel of film without a stopper. And you smile.
you get off the machine, put your top back on ..... even though your body looks like every single vein is gonna burst and people just stand and stare. You put your skull cap low, bend your head and walk away quietly.
because this is about you! fuck them .... they will laugh when everything is fine but when you cry .... they will move away.Its all you bro.... all you- only you.
One more rep - and then there is you. Do it boy - and walk out proud, but humble at the same time.
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