There are now more than 27 million people who work at home doing freelance, freelance webdesigner, freelance graphic artist, freelance web developer, freelance writer or at least part-time, according to a survey by the International Data Corp. The number grows about eight percent each year. It is no doubt that more and more people prefer the home-office set up than the traditional eight to five job in the office, where you had to reach through commute. The problem with a home-office work is that most people who opt for this ignore the need for acquiring the right office furniture, especially when it comes to seating.

An office chair if not the most, is an important office furniture you will ever purchase. Injuries — from stiff necks to severe conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome — are related to computer work, and your seating furniture. According to Ellen Kolber, a New York-based ergonomic consultant, a chair is very crucial in an office environment. A firmly cushioned chair on rollers that has adjustable everything: seat height and tilt, back angle, and arm rests, is the ideal piece. She also added that a chair should help you maintain good alignment.

This proves the suggestion that ergonomic office furniture like a chair can benefit employees who experience back or body pain while sitting at work. The same applies to a person who works full-time or part-time at home. It does not matter where you work, but what aids you, or what furniture you use in your job. The problem remains when you choose a wrong chair: health problems due to sitting without support. Remember that a human body is not designed to sit in one place in that position for a very long period of time.

However, you can stay strain-free while sitting and working in front of the computer. Just follow the tips on the healthy way to sit:

• The keyboard must be below the work surface and tilted slightly downward, so the wrists are positioned naturally in a straight alignment.
• The elbows should be angled at 90-degrees or greater. Any position below the recommended elbow angle can cause discomfort after a few hours.
• The top of the computer screen should be angled or tilted to meet the eye (eye-level position) when you look at the computer monitor straight ahead.
• Feet should be flat on the floor or on a footrest if they don’t reach. This prompts balance and even body circulation.
• The seat height should put thighs parallel to the floor. Make sure the knees are level with or slightly below the hips.
• In case you will be receiving phone calls while typing, then you will need a headset for that. It stresses body faster like no other when you sandwich the phone between the head and the shoulder.

Investing in a good ergonomic chair and observing the healthy way to sit are your most precious weapons in preventing stress and injury to invade the office – especially when you want your home-office environment completely comfortable like home.

VIDEOCONFERENCING IS SINGING ITS A SMALL WORLD AFTERALL...

Working on a call center allows you to speak with people from all walks of life and from all corners of the world.

The workforce are not just merely your contemporaries or even your fellowmen but its a multi cultural arena. Some Board Members,Quality Coaches and Trainers are maybe in the States or in China or India(call center booming in said locations is another topic to blog though).

Going back ,I just want to feature how technology ,most especially video conference,works wonders when having to meet with clients and bosses. It's the most interactive way intellecommunication technologies with the video and audio transmissions in both various locations.

Some put it as visual collaborations,I simply call it video conferencing. The most common form would be when you chat with someone in the internet with a web cam. From most tv commercials ,its bringing family of overseas workers together and put their lips on the monitor or do their "flying kisses". This is the most affordable example of video conferencing but you still have to log in and encode some things while doing the chat. Or the kisses you send when you use your mobile phones.I guess we now have that called as 3GP tech.

But how about those physically challenged?

Maybe we could improve the line through sign languages. This would be great if we too can put it as an alternative branch in the call center industry. Most calls as we call it-relay calls a.k.a "go ahead" calls(because you will always say go ahead to prompt the person on the other line) eats a lot of our average handling and talk time.

With videoconferencing,it will be very beneficial to clients and business process outsourcing companies. We can use sign language while the other one hears the spoken language. One more example is VOIP.In my old BPO ,we use VOIP than AVAYA headphones when taking and calling outside.Its already in the desktop and you need not leave your station or office.Talk about efficiency!

Videoconferencing will also be one great way of doing presentations and dialogues in business, education,government and even in medical practice if possible. Maybe somehow,someday,sometime,it will come to a point where we can all be face to face even if we are worlds apart.

Yesterday was the final straw of eating 2 ricemeals, chewing gum and truffle chocolates while on my graveyard shift. Why? because yesterday was the day,and I say D DAY for dying.

As I was on my way to work,I thought the it was all the symptoms of motion sickness. Nausea-close to vomitting,wet scalp and hair and dizziness. Add the feeling when you see black silhoutte,fast heartbeat and numb arms.

I informed the center that I will not be able to go to work even if I travell far enough yesterday. You see,in our line of business,pay day and weekends are critical working days. But in this case,I bet my body tells me to come to a halt.

140/100 was the initial reading when i stepped in the Delos Santos Medical Center-STI clinic at Megamall. Thanks to denying me service Healthway Clinic At the Shangri-la Mall,my BP rose while walking or because of anger. They even said "Cut off na po ma'am ng Family Medicine doctor namin" What an excuse!!!Can I sue them? Next time.

Going back,The Mega Clinic put me in the treatment room and after a couple of minutes told me that my MAXI care Health card can not cover the room and board plus the Calcibloc.I was just thinking,what's the use of the MAXI care Clinic inside the Mega Clinic afterall?

Anyways,enough of the whining. Calcibloc was dropped under my tongue.The nurse reminded me not to swallow it after 5 minutes so that the blood vessels can absorb it quickly.And like a magic potion,every after 30 mins. my pressure slowly slowly improving.

Now,I have more Mathematics in mind.2 blood pressure checks a day,2 apples for the shift,1 liter water,and more ton of optimism amidst the mad world around us.

What are the most important thing inside a call center agent's bag? handkerchief,company i.d.,purse,cards,comb,toothbrush and toothpaste and

A LIP BALM

Working in the wee hours needs a lot of hydration-drinking mineral or purified water that is with ample supply from the company,applying lotion on your skin or just the mere addiction of putting on your lip balm-lip moisturizers.

There are expensive brands like that of Burt's Beeswax ,Blistex,Carmex,Nivea but the most common is the petroleum based mint,choco or cherry flavored ChapStick.

I personally use the Mint one.Its more natural and smells lightly better than the fruity and fancy ones.Menthol is an ingredient that leaves a tingling and cooling effect to treat dry lips.The soothing effect leaves chapped lips addicted to the sticks.

How many lip balms have I purchase this year?I think 3 to 4 sticks.It's lesser than that if only my sons don't roll it up and bite it as lollipops.

Here are some lip balm etiquettes....

1.Don't get addicted-applying as often as you need to seem to create addiction for the gesture.Try to think of how much you can do with a dollar worth.

2. Never share-it's like you kissing someone else! If they need to apply yours,let them use their fingertip and apply to their lips.Not directly apply the balm fron the roller.Yucky..

3.After applying the lip balm,stay away from licking your lips because that makes it slower to heal those chapped lips.

4.Dont make it your oral fixation-self explanatory and subjective...BOTTOMLINE IS, ITS A NECESSITY MORE THAN A HABIT OR TURNING IT TO ADDICTION.

Secretary's Desk

A notable desk in the office would be the secretary desk. This simple piece of office furniture is not just any table---it serves as the connecting bridge to the boss' office to the rest of the other employees. Hence, picking the right secretary desk is more critical than one thinks. First of all, it must be spacious enough to hold in all of the necessary stuff that a secretary needs---they should all be within reach. Having the secretary comfortable will mean a lot too because the secretary does the most tedious jobs to endure the harmonious schedule of the boss.

The secretary's desk must be in accordance with the personality of the boss. The key here is to have an organized secretary desk because it reflects the kind of organization that the boss has. It should be enough to accommodate the essential work flow systems of the secretary, so her table should not just be like any other normal office desk. It must have a lot of compartments and it must immediately give the impression that the workplace is well-run and that it is able to complete all its tasks in the given period of time.

Remember that aside from the reception area, the secretary also receives a lot of guests. In fact, important guests of the boss. So give ample consideration to the workstation of the secretary and her well-being in that area. This piece of office furniture can be impressive when it is neatly divided into compartments such as having an area that is entirely devoted to office stationary items, business cards, and office notes. Allow this kind of space when considering the kind of secretary desk for the office secretary.

Allot another area that is conducive for answering important business calls and for taking down notes, or having a directory that is within reach. Consider having a computer as well since everything is almost reliant on computers nowadays. This is very vital to the secretary because all the important details must be within her reach. Allow customizing extra compartments for the keyboard, the mouse and others too. Remember these things well because the secretary's job is hard enough already, so opt for the perfect secretary desk for her.

All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including KY jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes; Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition; Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs; Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and, Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

We are now not limited in the amount or volume of these items when we travel now or when we bring in as carry-on bag.But if these items are in containers larger than three ounces, they advise us to : Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag. Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.

Also keep in mind that soda or coffee bought at the airport are not allowed to be boarded

BREASTMILK on the go

I saw an article about Sea Princee Prieto being hailed as the "Idol ng Breastfeeding" Maybe because she has a hectic schedule with all her artsy fartsies and yet committed herself to breastfeeding her child for 6 more months.

Question, so how do you call a mother who works in a call center and breastfeeds a 3 year old and one year old up until now???? Answer:a MOTHER and no idolatry at all! How did I survive?It's plain commitment,love and practicallity.

If you believe in the numerous benefits that breastfeeding gives both te mother and the child,like the tie that bonds and all the antibodies for the kid,you would bear the pain when they drink from you.If you admit you are one hell of a mammal(where I guess the word Mama was derived from),then you are aware of your responsibility to feed.Sometimes not just your child but others e.g. your spouse LOL!

One thing interesting about breastfeeding and working is that you get to choose wearing a disposable breast pad or a cloth washable one. Pigeon disposable breastpads and Gerber cloth breast pads are both important tool for me at work.

Pigeon has boxes of 8 12 24 or so i remember.I always bring 2 pairs just in case.But Gerber has only 2 pairs though more expensive it lasts longer.

With regards to breast pump,I tried bringing the plastic pump by Babyflo and not the expensive mechanical by AVENTI or others.But with just 2 minutes personal breaks from the industry,it's hard pumping at work.Will there come a time that mothers have an extra AUXillary code or break for too personal things???

A thought to ponder!

A HEADS up ON HEADSETS

When you work in the Call center industry,you have your soft assets or soft tools for the call-health,presence of mind and voice. But the work is possible because of your tools-the computer,sometimes a hard phone and most especially a Headset.

Headsets mean a call can be answered efficiently and more on productivity, because your hands are free.You can press the keys on the keyboard, document the call while talking and doing other tasks,even stretching

Headsets also mean there's no more need to get the phone and hold it or place it between your shoulder and jaw.

My first ever headset was an Avaya Encore Ultra II NC Binaural Headband Headsets with Noise Canceling MicAvaya Encore Ultra II NC Binaural Headband Headsets with Noise Canceling Mic

The headset is binaural meaning it is worn as a headband with sound in both ears .The earpieces are covered with soft cushion .If it is just with one ear piece,it is called mono aural.

The Avaya Encore comes with a green pouch when I used it. It has control on how low or high pitched you want to hear the customer calling.The microphone tube can be adjusting how far or near it is to your mouth.This entails how you would sound to the customer.If your mouth is too close, you sound garbling or unclear.Best thing to do,one good tip from my trainer, is to place 2 fingers between your mouth and cheek and the mic..

Here are other AVAYA binaural headband Headset models.They just differ with regards to the ear cushions-either it comes with a soft foam or a leatherette.Also some has transparent voice tube or microphone compared to a solid black one. It also differs if it has a noise cancelling mic that allows no other noises around but just the sound between your voice and the customer..

Ever wonder what call center agents are looking at while trying to help you? Agents have only the tools they need to access your account, and nothing more.

"There's a manual that they follow, that tells them exactly what can and cannot be done in every case. They log into several programs when they come to work. First, the program that sends them the calls. Then, there's the work station program. Here is where they make notes, and open cases. If something needs to be done, like moving funds into the correct account, waiving a late fee, they just open a case and it's done by the back office guys. They also log into a program that pulls up scans of all of the customer's documents and files (the number of customers who think they run out to a filing cabinet with the documents of several million customers is also hilarious) And if it's something that needs approval, they can put the customer on hold and connect to a supervisor in the US (who are really just better paid agents with a touch more authority.)"

When I go to work I always take an ordinary bus ride then take the MetroRail Transit(MRT) at the GMA station.

It is best to take the coach when you feel you need to pro actively breeze within few minutes allotment.And when it rains cats and dogs,MRT is the most suitable mode of transportation to take into consideration. You can never be late with 30 mins in the MRT Not that I dread buses but hey there is one good thing riding it. Some buses gets you up and warmed up listening to music of local radio stations. Sometimes it plays real music. Sometimes just an addition to the noise pollution. Today,on a rainy day,I'm all geared up as I heard this over the radio...

HOMEWARD BOUND

I'm sittin' in the railway station got a ticket for a destination. On a tour of one night stands my suitcase and guitar in hand. And every stop is neatly planned for a poet and a one man band. Homeward bound I wish I was homeward bound. Home where my thought's escaping home where my music's playing. Home where my love lies waiting silently for me. Every day's an endless stream of cigarettes and magazines. And each town looks the same to me for movies and the factories. And every stranger's face I see reminds me that I long to be

Homeward bound...

But all my words come back to me in shades of mediocrity. Like emptiness and harmony I need someone to comfort me.

Homeward bound...

We've gotta say, we're having real trouble figuring out exactly which MP3 player the bright green "Mini Aluminum Pocket Clipper" is trying to copy: the lack of a symbol for the play button, coupled with a badly Photoshopped logo on the back has us really muddled! The second example, the iQ Sound 2GB Clip-on Aluminum MP3 Player with FM -- at least tries to improve upon its "source of inspiration," whatever that device may be.

MY NEWEST FLOOR SUPPORT

GN 2025 NC headsets are the most suitable headsets right now.or just because it is what I am using at the moment .

They have a wide array of sound quality and you can hear yourself while you are talking to the customer, It is durable even if you accidentally dropped it on the floor. but hey, take a little bit caution because this honey costs 16 grand which might be deducted at your separation pay once damaged or scratched.

It is comfortable to wear with the foam leatherette cushion on the earphones and a rubber -plastic to metal pivots on its side.

It has a cancelling microphone boom but chewing is still prohibited whenever you are on a phone,remember?

We wear it like a head band with foam somewhat leatherette ear cushion No wonder some call center men(referring not just the gender) now wear headbands when pushing their hair away their faces hahaha

It has a technology called Peakstop that protects sudden loud sound or noises.

My headset is connected with an adapter called GN netcom Jabra.

It has a detachable stand that looks like a fairy's wand but thats where you hang the headset while on break. It can also be used for making wishing and wands for good calls.

This little bingo reduces background noises by its technology through filtering out the surrounding noises.

It has a volume adjustment keeping the incoming calls at the level you want to set.

It allows us to set our preferred settings with regards to the incoming calls and that's where you truly say you have the authority and call control but limit on excusing yourself with the call or avoiding the call. Remember that is one ground for termination.

The Jabra has a mute button on the left and a headset or hard phone setting atop the volume control.

So far,using the GN netcom gadgets allows me to hear okay and service the call with quality.

Its a skateboard like, feet rest... its The Webble seems to be the bastard child of an foot-rest and a skateboard, and is likely to bring along with it some of the later street attitude into the office environment of the former.

The webble™ breaks new ground with its ultra smooth gliding motion that gets your legs moving while you work. Departing from the static, almost orthopedic aesthetic of so many foot rests, the webble’s iconic shape invites a smile and encourages your feet to go for a ride. No detail left behind, we even added a patent pending spring suspension and self-braking mechanism to keep your office mates from zooming away with your webble™.

Available as a Ferrari red model with anti-skip racing stripes, or as the Webble AIR with a mesh and style matching the iconic Aaron chair, the weebles includes a suspension system, and a self-breaking mechanism to minimize the dreaded "skateboard-in-your-shins" office incidents. And I having worked in animation studios where some young creative types were actually using their skateboards as rolling footrests, I can tell you that having brakes on those things will come in handy.

With every other A-lister raving about the iPhone, I can’t help but feel happy for everyone who got themselves a unit. I mean come on, these people deserve some credit as they went through hell, with some even camping out Apple stores days before launch, just to be one of the first to own Apple’s newest, much anticipated product.
So here’s a little something for all of you lucky, proud new owners of an iPhone: