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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On May 28 2015 12:51 masterrn wrote:
I don't think the majority of people are six-figure salaried people. It's really hard for me who's struggling to make ends meet with a few mouths to feed to relate to this at all. Lately I'm wondering why I'm even working in a technical position and not the the middle-businessman. Shouldn't this go to like forbes or something..
At least you recognize it's selfish, but much needed. I know living in Korea with that dense a population can easily get absorbed and lose one's identity.
I'm not here to make people feel bad, but then again, I do blog, some people get something out of it as well, but I think the biggest thing is that when there is no point where there can be a connection that it comes off as alienating to the reader. Thing is that I train my staff, I train friends of family and I also share in my own industry, but here, I comment on the life and times of me and while it's not meant to be a comparision, people will take it as that as some type of criticism like when they have some succesful friends on facebook who always post where they are at and what they do. Ironically, I rarely post on facebook because what I do is sensitive.
Another way to look at it, is that if it is at all interesting, people can always shoot me a pm and ask me a question, and for a lot of people, they won't have someone with my background to ask, and I've probably answered about 40 or so of those types of PMs in the last 5 years or so. But it's all about, that point of connection, if my topic is just so out there, then if a reader who doesn't relate doesn't want to relate, then there isn't much I can do, I'm subject to whatever opinion they want to have. But when it comes to something senstive like money, it always erks people the wrong way.
On that point, one thing that I learned early from my family is that, people are not rich because you have money, people are rich because they know how to make money. thus people who win the lottery, they may have money, but if they don't have a solid background, they will lose money because they dont' really understand what money is, they think of money like a consumer: I make money to spend money. Whereas I don't make money to spend money, I make money as a by-product of doing business and money is just a score card of how well I'm doing, and sometimes I'm doing fucking bad.
In the course of doing business, I have worked 8 months out of the year without seeing my family, I have numerous health problems, I have no friends outside of my immediate work and I have no friends outside of my industry. My best friend, I see him maybe 2 times a year if that. I have worked 19 hours days for 3 months straight, 19 hours, that means, 4 hours sleep and 1 hour for eating. Sane people don't do this, most people cant do this, and all the money I've made and saved, I've put it on the line multiple times that there is, at the time, litterally no money left in my family and I've come close to divorce because of this. I'm on call 24/7 every day, every moment for the last 10 years of my life. I've had partners backstab me for 7 figures and I've had to work through all that with the responsbility of taking care of xx number of staff to pay and I do pay well enough.
But, at the heart of it all, I really enjoy what I do, I wouldn't do it any differently or less. I'm not whining and saying my life is so hard or I'm not lucky to be in the position I am in because even if I work hard, there were things that I was naturally blessed with or lucky to have like a good family background and good social skills. But- I really am passionate and love what I do.
At the end of the day, its not a money thing, its a passion thing and I do what to be the best in my industry, I won't apologize for that and as selfish of an act this is, of course it is, I want to write, I want to get some level of feedback or else I'd keep a private journal, but am I open to assisting to being part of the community, yes, that is 100% part of it too and this is my contribution.
It's not a matter what you do, its a matter of how much you do and how well you do it. When I was studing, playing rugby and working, I paid my own tuition and living expenses and when I worked my way up the corporate ladder, I was there in the office at 6:30am every morning an 10pm every night, and this is Korea. If you want to make more money, you can always work more jobs, and then find a job that you think you can grow in, learn something, be better at and get recognized for it and get rewarded for it. And it is that simple if you're willing to work and sacrifice whatever little time you have, if you're willing to work at least 2 jobs and learn or even take on a job that doesn't pay but you can learn. I mean you need to have passion or some aptitude for it, if you see the movie, the Pursuit of Happiness, can you fault the guy cause he made it? You can still be critical cause he is smart, but he still goes for it. Not that you needed this piece of advice, and not that I know your family circumstances, but for me, there were times when it hurt to be selfish because I wasnt' there for my aging parents because I needed to focus on my career, but I had to do what I had to do and then I made up for it. Maybe not a balanced life at all, but anyway-s- I was never going for balanced, I was going for no regrets.
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I find the corporate ladder depressing and tiring.
I've worked the past 6 months in a warehouse as a contractor at a fortune 500 company that has excellent upward mobility within the company.
I've seen hundreds of temporary workers get laid off, and a couple dozen make their way into permanent positions. In order to get the lowest level permanent position, one must have not missed a day of work (no sick days, almost not holidays, mandatory overtime often) within the past 90 days and also within a period of expansion within the company. They must always be over 100% expected productivity (which isn't hard tbh.) All criteria need be met, but those are just the bare minimum.
In order to set yourself apart you must make sure you're not a faceless employee and get on first name terms with several managers and assistant managers, and demonstrate to them that you have some sort of skill more than a basic worker. This can be a powered industrial truck licence, particularly good organizational and communication skills, or something else.
This company can afford to fire or lay off literally hundreds of people in order to hire one low level warehouse associate. And on top of that they offer literally thousands of dollars for permanent employees to leave the company after the yearly peak if they are no longer happy doing what they are doing.
Once you've gotten a full time position, in order to move up the ladder you must continue to have perfect attendance and productivity, however it's a little bit easier because you get to take days off for personal/vacation reasons, and it's possible to get sick leave as well. You need to find another way to set yourself apart from other people who are seeking assistant manager positions. Then manager, then some upper level job that we don't get to see in the warehouse.
Assistant manager jobs are only paid $3 an hour more than warehouse workers, but have to work 5-10 hours more per week than a regular employee, with mandatory 50-70 hours per week during peak season.
The manager salary I don't know, but I do know that they arrive at the warehouse an hour earlier than a regular worker, and usually two hours later than regular workers. They show up at 6:00-6:30 and leave at 20:00-20:30. Employees only work from 7:30-18:00. They carry over the mandatory overtime days during peak. They're on call 24/7 for any questions and sometimes even have to come into the warehouse if a night shift crew needs help for any reason.
I have only lasted as long as I have in the company because I regularly eat lunch with the lead of our HR team, and became work friends with an important manager and several assistant managers. Because of these "connections" I was able to show where I stand out from the crowd and keep my job.
The manager I talked to regularly has since moved on to another company in an upper management position. He's now making significantly more money and has reported a much better family life and ability to sleep.
In order to climb the corporate ladder you have to sacrifice family and sanity. To constantly work perfectly and, above all, build as many bridges as possible and maintain them.
This has just been my perspective from the very bottom looking up, and not being able to see very high up either. It's not a life I would like to lead. I want to be able to go out on my weekends without worrying about overtime or even messing up my sleep schedule, and to have time to cook when I get home. I'd like to be able to train as well, which this job is impacting significantly by making it hard to sleep and eat.
Anyone who dedicates their life to corporate like that definitely has a lot more motivation than I do. I wouldn't look down on MA's business blog at all.
It's not all doom and gloom. The company does a lot of good too. Many of my friends at the job are more than happy doing what they do, and it has lifted some out of poverty.
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cute show, hard to express yourself these days
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I fucking love silicon valley, it starts slow, but it really gains traction mid way. Season 2 is sooo good. Russ Hanneman is awesome.
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I have been a fan of your blog for a long time, starting with your Machine Mode blog and your business adventure after that. It really inspired me to study business at Uni even though I only pick that at first as I find myself having no particular talent or interest in any field, but I share your love to take on the role of a manager, adviser that can help clear things up and organize the process for optimal operation, helping talented people to do their best job and take care of the trivial in their way. It's great to hear your opinion about the business way of a "creator" as it also has been my concern lately, thinking about the path I am going to take, to be an entrepreneur and a creator. While I have the advantage of.being young still, my lack of experience as well as the uncertain future have kept me paralyzed many time questioning myself if it is right to dedicate myself into creating something of my vision that would seems trivial to most people. Your blog answers many of my questions from an experienced view that I could not wish for more.
Good luck and good health to you, MightyAtom hyung, fighting!
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On May 29 2015 03:51 Thaniri wrote:
I find the corporate ladder depressing and tiring.
I've worked the past 6 months in a warehouse as a contractor at a fortune 500 company that has excellent upward mobility within the company.
I've seen hundreds of temporary workers get laid off, and a couple dozen make their way into permanent positions. In order to get the lowest level permanent position, one must have not missed a day of work (no sick days, almost not holidays, mandatory overtime often) within the past 90 days and also within a period of expansion within the company. They must always be over 100% expected productivity (which isn't hard tbh.) All criteria need be met, but those are just the bare minimum.
In order to set yourself apart you must make sure you're not a faceless employee and get on first name terms with several managers and assistant managers, and demonstrate to them that you have some sort of skill more than a basic worker. This can be a powered industrial truck licence, particularly good organizational and communication skills, or something else.
This company can afford to fire or lay off literally hundreds of people in order to hire one low level warehouse associate. And on top of that they offer literally thousands of dollars for permanent employees to leave the company after the yearly peak if they are no longer happy doing what they are doing.
Once you've gotten a full time position, in order to move up the ladder you must continue to have perfect attendance and productivity, however it's a little bit easier because you get to take days off for personal/vacation reasons, and it's possible to get sick leave as well. You need to find another way to set yourself apart from other people who are seeking assistant manager positions. Then manager, then some upper level job that we don't get to see in the warehouse.
Assistant manager jobs are only paid $3 an hour more than warehouse workers, but have to work 5-10 hours more per week than a regular employee, with mandatory 50-70 hours per week during peak season.
The manager salary I don't know, but I do know that they arrive at the warehouse an hour earlier than a regular worker, and usually two hours later than regular workers. They show up at 6:00-6:30 and leave at 20:00-20:30. Employees only work from 7:30-18:00. They carry over the mandatory overtime days during peak. They're on call 24/7 for any questions and sometimes even have to come into the warehouse if a night shift crew needs help for any reason.
I have only lasted as long as I have in the company because I regularly eat lunch with the lead of our HR team, and became work friends with an important manager and several assistant managers. Because of these "connections" I was able to show where I stand out from the crowd and keep my job.
The manager I talked to regularly has since moved on to another company in an upper management position. He's now making significantly more money and has reported a much better family life and ability to sleep.
In order to climb the corporate ladder you have to sacrifice family and sanity. To constantly work perfectly and, above all, build as many bridges as possible and maintain them.
This has just been my perspective from the very bottom looking up, and not being able to see very high up either. It's not a life I would like to lead. I want to be able to go out on my weekends without worrying about overtime or even messing up my sleep schedule, and to have time to cook when I get home. I'd like to be able to train as well, which this job is impacting significantly by making it hard to sleep and eat.
Anyone who dedicates their life to corporate like that definitely has a lot more motivation than I do. I wouldn't look down on MA's business blog at all.
It's not all doom and gloom. The company does a lot of good too. Many of my friends at the job are more than happy doing what they do, and it has lifted some out of poverty.
I think what you've shared is true at the higher levels as well, you need to be dedicated, passionate to stand out and people have to know your name- at the heart of it is that you're in competition when you work in this kind of structure, I think this post is articulated really well and sound advice.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On May 31 2015 20:55 Sd13 wrote:
I have been a fan of your blog for a long time, starting with your Machine Mode blog and your business adventure after that. It really inspired me to study business at Uni even though I only pick that at first as I find myself having no particular talent or interest in any field, but I share your love to take on the role of a manager, adviser that can help clear things up and organize the process for optimal operation, helping talented people to do their best job and take care of the trivial in their way. It's great to hear your opinion about the business way of a "creator" as it also has been my concern lately, thinking about the path I am going to take, to be an entrepreneur and a creator. While I have the advantage of.being young still, my lack of experience as well as the uncertain future have kept me paralyzed many time questioning myself if it is right to dedicate myself into creating something of my vision that would seems trivial to most people. Your blog answers many of my questions from an experienced view that I could not wish for more.
Good luck and good health to you, MightyAtom hyung, fighting!
Thanks you too and thanks for the post as well, I do really appreciate these posts and anyone who takes the time to post. And really good luck to you a well, just be focused and if you're gonna do it, do it with everything you can, you'll make lots of mistakes, and it's ok to make the mistakes and reset and get back at it, there is no linear path, there is only desire to press on and it will have results. Everything takes time, it took me years to get to my senior exec position, and it took me now 5 years as an 'entrepreneur' to get to a point where I'm now comfortable in this role after so many hardships and near failures, but we keep on trucking eh? Good luck & health to you as well and Fighting ^^
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so i switched to this fruitatarian diet and i feel amazing. book is 80 10 10 douglas graham if interested
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On May 26 2015 22:53 MightyAtom wrote:Show nested quote +On May 26 2015 22:33 ShoCkeyy wrote:
Mighty, if you don't mind me asking, whats your startup? I have a few myself that I've been working on and watching Silicon Valley is a treat. Although, there are times on that show that makes get anxious, like when Richard doesn't speak up when he needs to. Its not really a start-up per say, I was a senior director of a multi-national market leader in my industry and left to start a competing business in 2010. So when I started it, it was more like creating an insta company which of course didn't have all the infrastructural support and so when the market shifted 2 times, I got crushed and had to start again, this the 3rd re launch of the company in a 4 year period (6 months was for prep and non-compete). All the technology was provided by 3rd party providers, and so up to about 3 years ago you didn't have too many options/combinations. I don't share things in detail, I've actually been burned a couple of times because one investor and a competitor found out my secret gamer identity and for the investor, well, he didn't feel as though I was acting appropriately for my position and for the competitor, well, I share things I shouldn't have, not that I was executing what I was doing properly, but they could (i.e. ex-company), so it was stupid of me. So I don't share any details here where they or anyone who does know what I really do can peg it out. So they know I'm doing my own dev now. ok big deal. I think the market has moved so far and it's been 5 years since I was part of that company that the senior management has 80% changed, so I'm not worried. But the blogs that were deleted were far more in detail. Now when I say I'm somewhere it more reads like I'm a tourist when actually I'm just working my ass off, but I still wanna say, 'I'm alive, and if I could write something more in detail I would' maybe I'll go back after it works or doesn't and fill in the blanks' but for now, mums the word ^^ For pocket money though I consult for infrastructure projects like a sea port, wind farm, terrestrial broadcasting and of course gamer things here and there. ^^ Basically the funding, set-up and agreements. I never actually operate anything except for my main company. I think the show is such a treat as well but Richard, I mean for sure the show shows him as learning, and this accelerated up and down situation; I like that because it's so compressed- but in terms of Richard himself- he got good character and great council, each and everyone one on his team wants to be there and they each represent a different facet of information, he doesn't know it, but he really is surrounded by an A team as well. ^^
I couldn't read your blog while maintaining interest in it with being a wall of vague ideas without it having anything concrete  I wished I read your old blogs, but well you have to protect yourself.
All the best! Will check out that series 
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Long time fan here. Serious question: what performance enhancing drugs do you take to be this legendary @ life? Provigil, speed?? WHAT
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On June 07 2015 20:26 firehand101 wrote:
Long time fan here. Serious question: what performance enhancing drugs do you take to be this legendary @ life? Provigil, speed?? WHAT
10 push ups on the hour
and a cold water face wash,
and the goal to win by annihilation ^^
the sooner you can do this without any types of stimulants, you'll learn to pace yourself and how to sleep at the drop of a dime. (nothing is better than sleep) ^^
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EPT
