I was just cleaning out a cupboard, looking for a bunch of books that now should be moved to my brand new bookshelves, when I noticed two maps full of paper that didn't rind any bells. One of the maps was full of old installation reports from back in the days when I used to work in IT and install banking software all over Belgium.
Most reports were from the year 1997, and while browsing through them I realized one thing : that job thaught me how to cover my ass. Write things down, no matter how insignificant they might seem at the time, for they can come in very handy later on. Back when I started that job, I ran into problems with the coordinators and helpdesk quite frequently, but as I cleaned up my act, became one of their "specialists" and documented each and every intervention in detail, I gained their respect and trust. I recall one time when they called me on my mobile as I was with a client, to request "immediate" action to produce missing service orders of interventions I had done over the past week. If I wasn't able to do so before 4PM, they'd not pay me until every last piece of paper was in.
I was quite infuriated and told them to stop fucking up themselves, as I did file everything as requested. Luckily, I also had my personal copies of those service orders with me in the car, as I hadn't had time yet to file them away at home. I asked for the customers permission to use his fax and bombarded the office fax with the service orders they lost. A simple note on top said something along the way of "Here are my service orders AGAIN. Stop annoying me with errors you make and then blame on me. I've got copies of every single service order since "date" and if you fail to pay me as stipulated, I'll come right over to the office and clear your mess up for once and for all. I've had it with the way this organization runs."
I was paid every cent I was owed, and from that day on, never again questioned on whether or not I "forgot" to file my service orders. I did still get some calls when they "couldn't find" some, but they never again said I was to blame. Why would they, they knew I kept a close eye on everything myself. That's how I learned how good and up to date administration - even if it's not really required to do so yourself - can save your ass.
The second map contained bills, also dating back to 1997, with handwriting and notes from my ex, Sandra, attached and written all over them. I did a quick check through it all and removed some warranty papers as well as some official stuff, and threw the rest in the paper bin.
My kind of spring clean.
Now... has anyone seen my Kevin Mitnik book, titled "The Art of Deception?" I recall reading it at the office, yet can't find it anywhere now. It simply has to be somewhere... Search, Think, Think!
Found it... on my bedstand under a pile of magazines.
Comments
Please remember to leave some space on your new bookshelves. Cause even more books will come your way soon ;-)
Posted by: Dimi & Mariane at March 30, 2005 6:52 PM