Later today, when everyone was already settled in their respective desks we went out to do some errands, we went to the bank then to Anson’s to look for a new vacuum cleaner for the office.   While at the escalator, I had a little bit of surprise: there sitting in one of the sofas looking at a big screen TV and talking to a salesguy was no other than .. Kris Aquino herself! Ok, ok, I checked again and I even heard her talk and it sounded like she was interviewing the salesguy ala “The Buzz”.

Later during dinner time,  I was a bit awed while walking along F. Ortigas Avenue how things have changed since I was a Makati office girl decades ago.  I can’t find the right words. It’s just a different feeling from our old Pioneer office or even my old suburb offices back in the US.  There’s just that certain classy, vibrant, exciting feeling when one walks there.  I know maybe it’s just me?

With regards to the work, MrC’s team is on a crunch time now. They even had to do overtime last weekend. So, it’s really quite sad that while everyone had to work a little extra hard these days.. the facilities are not working so well.

It’s hard to deny that the pollution is bothering us a bit. We have put a 3M filter and it turns black after one week. We also have an ionizer/air purifier that also turns black after a couple of days. It seems that our patience is running out also with regards to our apartment. We need a bit of order and breathing room and looks like the place just isn’t something we see ourselves staying for more than 6 months.

* Desks have been ordered
* Computers have arrived
* Office Chairs have arrived
* Planning for the next 6 weeks (until the end of April)
* Preparing the team and making sure they understand the existing system
* Systems and infrastructure organization

MrC is busy and under pressure to say the least.  He works from 9:30 am to 2 am, almost non-stop (except when he eats or is sitting in the taxi). But at the end of April we expect that when everything is running smoothly there is little need to be totally hands-on.

Several issues come to our attention: The aircon in our office is leaking (!!), so the owner was there to fix it.   However when I checked out the office there was no sign of them there.  I am still trying to contact them as of now. Her phone seems to be not working or able to accept calls.

Monday we will start probably in the small office of our business partner nearby, because we do not have internet yet. The provider Globe lost our application and carrier PLDT is still checking out the building in order to see whether they have available lines.

But despite the pressure, we are happy to see that in just 1 and a half month we were able to setup the team of 5 from the ground up, found and leased an office and ordered all the trimmings. That is indeed something!

The office we found is right next to where we live now, as in our commute would  consist of going down the elevator walking over a few steps, opening a door to the other building, taking another elevator over the 8th floor! This is quite nice indeed.  The contracts have been signed and deals made so probably by next week we could be looking into starting work in the new office.   The space we got is 89 sqm and fully fitted with airconditioner and huge pantry and private common toilet.  As of now, we already have 1 team lead and will be interviewing 3 programmers over the next few days.  MrC foresees hiring more for additional projects over the summer.

Also, the next few days will be spent looking for furniture and other necessary stuff for “The Office”.

Earlier this week, we have gathered new ideas from MrC’s colleague. He said that one option we also have is not to really start a new company at all but to just hire companies that are already doing offshoring or individual freelancers and lower the risk and headaches that go with this direction. This also means that we don’t have to struggle thinking about who owns the new company, taxes, paperwork and matters like that. We can easily change our mind and not have to run into legal issues if we had employees. And also this way, if we decide to startup our own outsourcing or offshoring company we also would learn from our vendors. Basically, we plan to contact various offshoring companies and propose a setup where both of us would be physically there to manage the hired programmer(s). OK, it sounds like I am in it again and now of course it looks like it that I will be part of this after all but at least we don’t have to worry about who owns which and how much and such. At least that’s how it would be at the beginning. That also relieves us from having to find and recruit people ourselves.

But anyways, now, I am actually quite happy upon resigning and I do not feel as if I did it to escape something. I have a bit of sadness because I will be leaving nice colleagues, but in the long run it is not so bad. I always have this strange pattern that after I leave a company scary changes suddenly take place like people getting fired, or my boss getting fired or worse some kind of suing takes place in the company. Believe me strange things happen most of the time after I resign. Don’t ask me why. But anyways, I am leaving the Netherlands (and it feels great to say it). It is after all something that is bound to happen naturally. At least I see it was done in a good way. I still have to write my resignation letter still.