The Final Throes and some Blow by Blows

The great day cometh! and with haste aplenty I find myself sat at my desk with four hours to go before I leave this cursed place for the last time. Orange has proved to be the turning point of my life although I'm sure it would be far too humble and bashful to attempt to state such a claim to my face. I arrived at Orange on the back of a Pro career in tatters, the skate industry dying and another ill-fitting relationship falling apart despite my best efforts.

I leave here a changed man; Equal parts strong, confident, sure of myself, patient, impatient, quiet, caring, tired, energetic... a conflicting mix of elements that are far greater than the sum. I feel that I have somehow been forged in the fire of the workplace at last and have emerged a smarter, savvier, more complete person for the experience. I found the love of my life; the single most perfect lady I've ever met who captivates me completely with the swing of her hips, the turn of her phrase, the silk of her touch and the smile in her voice.

I am one lucky so and so but its not always been easy; Orange has been at times a cruel mistress- denying holiday, demanding my evenings and producing some of the most fist-poundingly-frustrating days of my life.

Three years past, lessons learnt... Ready to emerge phoenix-like from the ashes of a crumbling call centre to a new future steering towards the light of the brightest star in the sky. x

Some email memories...

From: CLARKE, Joseph
Sent: 31 August 2005 17:10
To: BROOKS, Suzanne
Subject: Compliment from customer
Hi Sue, I receieved a call from Mr Hodgson who wanted to pass on a praise for Guy Crawford. Customer said he was very helpful and wanted him congratulated.
Cheers, Joe

From: Judy Hole
Sent: 24 July 2007 11:16
To: CHAFIK, Mehdi
Subject: thanks
Dear Mehdi, Many thanks for the work I believe you have done through Guy Crawford on my Broadband & telephone connections. Wonderful to have them both working again after a frustrating few months. With regards, Judy Hole

Why some men are still single:

Funny Notepads

26/07/2004 20:41:01 Helpdesk NT1
Applied £10.00 GW Good Will Credit adjustment to account. Gave customer £10 as he likes Will Young, I do too, he is smashing, customer wished to buy his latest CD so thought I would help him out with the cost.

27/07/2004 23:37:54 Helpdesk NT1
Applied £3.00 GW Good Will Credit adjustment to account. Me and customer both agreed that the non dd charge is a rip off, so credited back. £3.00

28/07/2004 17:41:51 Helpdesk NT1
Applied £16.63 GW Good Will Credit adjustment to account. Customer had called premium number to find love but got a tramp so agreed credit. £16.63

29/07/2004 00:42:12 Helpdesk NT1
Applied £10.00 GW Good Will Credit adjustment to account. Cust rec bill with odd pages missing, pointed out these were on the other side, credited 10.00 as he gave us a laugh.

30/07/2004 17:23:27 Helpdesk NT1
Applied £12.00 GW Good Will Credit adjustment to account. My team leader took eleven minutes forty seconds to come and talk to me so credited customer a pound for each minute she made him wait

30/07/2004 17:45:27 Helpdesk NT1
Applied £30.00 GW Good Will Credit adjustment to account. I am about to be sacked in 10 minutes so credited customer 30 as prize for being the last customer I speak to.

You will never crush the indomitable human spirit, no matter how much you micro manage the people out of the equation the geeks of the world will forever exist, filling company servers with their personalities and personal touches.

And that, as they say, is that. I have a very important phonecall to make in about twenty minutes and then comes the gradual slip and slide to 10pm... one final walk out through the revolving doors and the start of a new life.

Thankyou Orange and your employees for everything you have taught me, may each and every one of you find the happiness that I have discovered.