Impact of ODC on MY CSC Project.

The result of my work with various communities through IBM’s On Demand Community (ODC) is paying rich dividence here in my CSC assignment. Each moment of my life here in Hai Phong calls the experience of my ODC work back home.

Patience, smile at any situation, commitment to transform myself and others and self motivation, the lessons I learnt from ODC are showing up in a big way. Sometimes I get a feeling that I was well prepared for this programme through ODC.

I have learnt to enjoy each moment of my life here despite tough situation and challenges. One thing is sure that opportunities can be created and the required result cann be achieved by enrolling people around us. Again people termed out to be vital resource in any success.

I have successfully managed to bring smiles on the faces of number of staffs in the NADAL company where I am doing my CSC assignment. Today, once again was a great day at my office as I trained Waiter staff, Bar tenders, Spa (Beauty Salon + Massage unit) staffs and Cashier (Receptionalists) on Basic Communication skills in English and Customer Management skills.

It was heartening to see the commitment of these people who are ready to implement whatever I say.

Apart from above, now the staffs have also been trained on Excel. Remember they did not know what a computer is before. Now the Attendence sheet, Shift Rota, Leave tracker, Payment tracker and the data entry / Management are being done using Excel by the same staff.

I am proud that I have contributed someway, though my Client’s dream was to get some IBM software in his company. I wish his dream could come true if I can create some possibility with the support from IBM Vietnam team.

Visit to International SOS School in Hai Phong also made my day enriching as I was welcomed with so much love and the director and the officials of the school want us to mentor the children on technology, which is a possibility from not only the Vietnam 3 but the teams to follow.

We are also visiting a Blind school tomorrow to look out for some opportunities there to help some children to help themselves.

More on SOS and Blind school in my next blog..

Saturday the 7th - A Special and Memorable

The words of flexibility and enjoying surprises , which we were discussing during in our pre work came live and true on Saturday, the 7th March. The day started even before the sun rise as we had to leave Hotel to "Ninh Binh" for a day trip. As we started our journey, for fewit was still continued night sleep, while some of us were having breakfast. It was too cold to stand at one place as we arrived Ninh Binh. To add to that the our first programme was to get into the boat.

It was enriching and exciting experience for me as this was the first time I ever travelled in a boat for such a long distance. I also helped along to motor the boat forward to cross three caves. It was nice to see people getting attracted towards us and singing songs for us. We were also privillaged to see a historical Pagoda.

After lunch (oops..managed to get some very good vegetarian food), we witnessed to see a great stone Church. (Photos in the below link).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35366723@N03/?saved=1

Wedding party and a movie - "Ink Heart" made my day super special and complete. Lot of fun, entertainment, great hospitality by people and some learnings constituted the great experience of that day.

More skill exchange and words from my Client will be covered in my next blog.

One and Only NADAL

The J. S Company in Hai Phong Vietnam named in dedication to the famous Spanish Tennis Player Rafael NADAL. This is the one and the only company which has Bar Restaurant, Beauty Salon, the Massage unit and the Tennis Court. They call Restaurant as CAFE and Beauty Salon and Massage units together as SPA.

I am proud to work in such a great company which has made name for itself and attracting thousands of Customers all around. Very warm welcome received by 60 staff of NADAL on the first day on 3rd March. Though my Clients dream is to develop a software which can help to manage all the activities of the company, it looks very optimistic to fullfill his dream in a month's time.
My relationship with the Company has gone to the next level after training the staff on Basic Computers especially on Excel. It is challenging but very much possible to make a huge difference with the help of Interpreters and the CSC Hai Phong Blue Team.

Thanks to Vietnam Chaimber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) and IBM for creating this excellent opportunity.

Watch this space for more when I take my journey forward...

On Board to Hanoi Vietnam on 27th

The Air India AI 6326 brought me to Bangkok at 4:55 AM local time.A warm welcome received by the Thai airline and they took me in a car to their office and was presented a relaxation room as my flight to Hanoi was at 12:20 PM.

It was wonderful to see around 20 elevators with great sight in Bangkok Airport. Easily, this is one of the best airports I have ever seen.

Since I had done the thru check in of my luggages to Hanoi, I was a bit free to walk and look around the airport. The time ticked by and again I was the first person to board the flight. Had a good lunch (special Hindu Vegetarian Meal) and tea. Arrived at Hanoi airport at 1:50 PM.

I had lot of pending tasks to do before I check out. With the help of Vietnam Airline assistant, I stamped my VISA, bought some Vietnam Dongs, completed the customs and immigration and checked out.

The taxi with my Name written allaround (On Taxi and the pluck card in Driver's hand) boarded me to the car Arrived atGolden Lotus Hotel in quick time. The room was ready for me to have showers and relax.

It was exciting to see my team members after long anticipation on that night with a welcome drink.We worked out plans for the following day and said bye for the day.

More exciting and interesting stories to follow.....

First Day - 26th Evening in Bangalore

For the first time in my life I was travelling overseas. Lot of enthusiasm, hope mixed with tension started home on 26th Evening around 6 PM to catch a flight at 12:30. I was accompanied by my Sister and Brother In Law till the airport. We could manage to reach airport around 8 PM.

As promised I started calling up all my family members and friends, well wishers, colleagues as I had more than 3 hours before I fly.

Everything went smooth and time passed by without my notice and the final whistle blown to mark the start of my journey from Bangalore.

I will continue my second day journey in my next blog.