Chua, Aljon – Khan M.

PHIHUM B

In the second semester of my first year in Ateneo de Zamboanga University, we had this
program in our Philosophy and Humanities Class called the “Exchange Program”. I honestly thought that
it was like the exchange in movies where we get to be in another class as new students. Our teacher, Sir
Porras, clarified that explained to us that the exchange program is like the Immersion program that we
had during our Senior High but the exchange goes in a much deeper level than that of the Immersion. In
the middle of the first orientation, our teacher then transitioned into discussing the partners for the
Exchange program, which are the organization that we can sign up and work in as a part of our
exchange. The organization that really caught my interest and attention was the Lenin Computer
Systems because I remember saying to myself that I wanted to work in that organization even for just a
day, but in this case, I will work for three days. It got me really excited to the point where I waited
patiently for the enrolment 30 minutes before so that I am on time for the enrolment and I can take one
of the limited slots for the Lenin Computer Systems. Lenin only accepts 10 people for our batch; I do not
want to pass up this opportunity to fulfil my wish several years ago.

So there I was, now on my way to our orientation as one of the lucky people who will be a part
of the Lenin organization for three days. I was filled with excitement for I am about to fulfil my wish, but
I was nervous enough to shake because I am about to do real life work. We had our first orientation with
my other peers in their office in the Nunez Extension, then we were given our assigned branches, then
we were sent off to our respective duties. Along the way, I can’t help but think about the things that I
will be doing there, and just like how I saw people when I first entered Lenin, I was kind of expecting
some computer assembly work, or help in repairs and so on. With how I was interested in computers
and technologies and with how I saw them working every time I visit Lenin, I really had this impression
that we are doing those kinds of awesome work. That impression really stuck with me from the time our
teacher mentioned the organization to the class to the first few minutes of the moment I am actually
working there already. I was waiting for my first few instructions, and while waiting, I stood behind the
counter where the laptops were displayed. That was the point where I realized that I might be doing
something else.

While I was standing behind the counter, the branch manager, Ma’am Angie, gave us
instructions to work as Salesmen. I thought it wasn’t really bad, although at first I really thought I was
working directly with computers, but I didn’t complain. I still tried my best to fix up the flyers and line up
the products neatly. We also carried around different boxes and parcels of good and products around
the store. Afternoon came and honestly, there were barely any customers going in. If they were, they’d
only be looking at phone prices and go. The first day has elapsed, and I was hoping to experience
something new on the second day, which I had when we were temporarily moved to the Southway
branch with Christian. Finally, we were able to sell a hard drive enclosure, but after that, we waited. We
leaned on the table and watched as people walked around the mall. There are some who view the store
from outside, but not really going in the store. A few hours past and after watching lots of people
passing by the store, I experienced a break.
 Whenever I think of salesman or saleslady, I think about those people who pop out of nowhere
in small smartphone accessories stores and would, in unison, say “Hello sir! Ano hanap niyo?” Like all
they ever do is sit down, do sales talk in hopes that they are able to sell, and repeat the process until
they close down. Sometimes, they even follow you around as if you are going to steal something. That
was my impression of these people based on my experience with these people. But then when I took
part in the exchange program and became an actual salesman, the tables have turned. I experience
what it’s like to be there waiting for customers to arrive. I previously thought that a salesperson’s work
is too easy; my experience there was the opposite. Aside from the part where I have to endure 8 hours a
day of standing in the store, I have felt how having no customers in the store make me, as a salesperson,
make me feel sad. A salesperson’s job is to facilitate the customer’s buying experience, and yet, how
could we achieve our purpose when there is no customers in the first place. Some of the employees are
out there doing deliveries or are building new PCs, while I’m stuck here as a salesperson. So I decided to
suspend my judgement and first impressions about the work in Lenin and open up my senses to fully
experience the experience.Thus, I have realized three important points from the break that I had. First,
customers do not see an employee’s experience in its entirety. Second, everyone in the workplace has
an important role in the business organization. Lastly, a business would not be a business without its
customers.

As customers, we go about our daily lives. Whenever we enter different business organizations,
we are greeted by the working employees, yet often times, we do not greet them back. We roam
around their displays, or we sit down on our tables and be rude and impatient to them. What we do not
take into account is what the employee we are interacting with has been going through the day. As with
my experience, there is much more than just simple sales talking to different people to convince them to
buy something. These salespersons rally put their dedication and patience in waiting for their customers
so that they may be served with outmost quality of service, and not a sloppy kind. We strive to dish out
high quality services to the customers that we attend to even though it becomes hard and tiring for our
part. As customers, we are too busy with our own lives in our heads that we forget about them, that
they are just like us who have their own lives too. I’ll be honest; this has opened my eyes to the truth
regarding the work of a salesperson, and how have I been somehow unhelpful for their part as a
customer. I used to just ignore them, but when there were customers who did the same thing to me, I
realized that it makes me feel unwanted, and it hurts when you are trying to your best. This is what
other salespersons experience too when they give their best only to be ignored.

I was a bit disappointed when I learned that I won’t be doing any computer building work and I
will be stuck with being a salesperson. All I do is wait for customers while other employees do exciting
work like deliveries or computer repair. But as I was trying my best to do sales talk to my customers, I
realized that even though I am just a salesperson, my role is important for the survival of the business
because it is through the salesperson do most of the profits earned by the business. Other roles of the
business are also important because in their own way, they contribute to the welfare of the
organization. These roles are present for a reason. Without one of them, the organization may meet
some problems along its way.
 Lastly, I have realized that the essence of any business organization is its service to its
customers, users, or consumers. That is why our branch of Lenin is not as productive without these
customers. These customers are the lifeline of the business for the absence of such may cause any
business to fail. These customers are the source of income for the businesses, and without income, they
may not be able to pay off the expenses these businesses incur in their operation. Not only has that,
businesses grown with the help from these customers. The essence of service coming from the
businesses may not be achieved with the absence of its recipient. The employees, its managers, and its
owners are not the only ones who are important to keep the organization alive, but also their
customers.

These three realizations are the things that I have realized within the three days of the exchange
program. These realizations moved me to do something about it, and after our exchange program. I
have learned to appreciate the exchange as it has taught me things that, without it, I may not be able to
learn these lessons. After the exchange program, I have learned to recognize and appreciate the efforts
of the salespersons have put in entertaining my queries by greeting them, being nice to them, and
thanking them for their service. I also have learned to equally treat every employee because the things
that they are doing are important to the business, and as a customer, I should not look down on them
based on what they are doing, but I should look up to them for the impacts of the things that they are
doing. Lastly, as a customer, I should do my part as a customer to be of service to the businesses too.
The break made me realize these important lessons about work in its reality. I have experienced work
while suspending my judgements and it allow me to learn work at its core. These lessons I have would
not remain as lessons; these lessons are the avenue for me to grow and develop as an individual. By
doing the plans for action, I am able to put these lessons into action.