Challenge

This one is from the heart.

While most of us have a general idea of how the US economy has spiraled down and we all hear about the massive lay offs, the ones who work with the american market are the ones who feel the direct impact of what is happening across the many thousand miles.

Sabi nga ni Richard Gomez sa long time ago McDonalds tv ad nya, "I should know. I used to work here".

I should know. I AM working here.

My career in the export industry spans over a decade. From food ingredient manufacture to home decor manufacture to sourcing, developing and buying for big american brands. This is where I am happiest - here at Connor, which is why I am full of mixed emotions.

Dread is something constant these days. Every morning you pray that this is not the day you will be called to the office. You know that no one is indispensible, but you always hope that the value you bring to the organization will be enough to keep you as one of the last fighting to survive the storm.

It is not easy. You do not want to really spend time thinking about alternative plans and lifestyle changes and whatever disruptions to your life will come you way. You fear that if you say it out loud, it will happen. The power of the spoken word. But if you do not recognize the seriousness of the situation, you do not fight, you do not give it your all.

It is scary. It must be. You must be scared enough to sincerely want to extend yourself and sacrifice. It is not a challenge that can be won by one person alone. Teamplay has never had this much of a burden. You are not just saving yourself, you need to save everybody in order to save where you are.