What's missing?
Can you guess what I miss most in 20 years since leaving corporate life?
(other than the copious cuppas we took turns making, in line with the 'Who Takes Theirs How' list taped to the cupboard above the office kettle)
Well, it's not the tea, but I.T... the team! Especially this week...
Years' ago (when office-based for a large organisation 🏢) at 8.45am, explicit sites started popping up one after another in a swarm on my screen. My horror. Sackable offence.
Not funny. I called IT, who laughed loudly whilst swiftly sorting it.
Phew. 😬
Last week, it was the turn of that company known for windows (not UPVC ones). I took ages searching 🔍for the support function, logging a request, getting re-directed online and, finally, a call back.
And a fast diagnosis: Software bought with a business email address 📧 can't be used with that business email address! It’s not set up for it...HUH?
(Just imagine the golden arches Mc-people not having a bun fit their burger!? C'mon Gates' place - get with the programme!)
And the support chap assumed I knew tech terms, when giving me directions e.g. Admin center, Sidebar, and Settings ⚙️. AWKWARD!
Plus (giving him the benefit of the doubt) he had no permission to use his sense of humour.
No rapport, after 2 hours, is noticeable. Especially when nature’s calling and you’re getting knackered 💤 from navigating your laptop - whilst feeling more stupid by the minute, saying ‘Sorry, which button?’ on repeat.
2 hours 2 minutes 2 seconds later (my phone says) the glitch had been worked around.
Fixed.
For a few days (so I thought). But the fix had unhooked the back up in the cloud ☁️....I found the Support and Assist functions fast this time (Go me!)
So, the support staff member was a lovely lass from Wales, judging by the accent - who even called me by my name. 👍
She asked if I had closed everything of a personal nature. I said yes, including all explicit windows. She chuckled, throwing back 'Unusual honesty!'
She had a pointer – it made red dots and rings and squiggles on-screen - 👉 so I went exactly where she wanted (being seduced by stationery - is that a female thing?)
🎯I have never been so grateful for being red-penned!
Fault corrected and all connected. In 28 minutes 26 seconds. ⏲️
And breathe.
⏩The pointer (pun intended, sorry-not-sorry) is that it’s all about connection. Getting the job done with humour, being human and personal connection – the delivery 🚚 makes all the difference.
In this case, feeling a lot less stupid, not just relieved - and much more grateful.
Wishing you missing nothing in or out of office – especially sharing your personality and keeping connected!
P.S. I still can’t formulate Excel cells (which many find second-nature) but I'll help you handle people scenarios on or offline - so shout when stuck!
“I’ll be putting this learning to good use in and out of work. I will also be confident enough to highlight when others could benefit from these skills too!”