Empower & Elevate Podcast

042: One Team, One Vision: Building Success Across Borders

• Marc Thomas • Episode 42

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Ever wondered how remote work could transform lives, foster new skills, and empower dreams? Join Marc Thomas and the dynamic team of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS as they recount their unforgettable team bonding retreat in Cebu, Philippines. From snorkeling in turquoise waters to savoring local Filipino delicacies, this episode showcases how building global connections has reshaped the way we work together.

Hear stories from remarkable individuals like Raymund and Dani, who have experienced career growth, better compensation, and improved work-life balance by working with an American company. Through these life-changing opportunities, they’ve gained time for family, personal growth, and skills development—breaking free from the grind of long commutes and local employment struggles.

Learn how communication and collaboration across different cultures and dialects have empowered team members like Joy, Ron, Michelle, and Charme to overcome challenges. From adjusting to remote work routines to navigating sleep and time zone differences, these inspiring journeys underscore the importance of global teamwork and adaptability.

Discover how this global team continues to thrive, united by shared experiences and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Filmed on location at:
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Marigondon, Mactan Island
Cebu, Philippines 6015
https://plantationbay.com/english

Current TEK Solutions:
https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

Current TEK Solutions on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/currentteksolutions

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https://www.facebook.com/currentTEK

Current TEK Solutions on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CurrentTEK?sub_confirmation=1

Marc Thomas on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgthomas

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https://www.facebook.com/thethomastrek

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

Speaker 1:

Working for an American company. From a financial standpoint, it's a very great boost to my capability to provide for my family For the things that we just thought was just a wish, but we were able to afford them. Before, for my previous company, I contended with just having a tricycle so I could have a means for the kids to send and pick up from school, but now we were able to afford a car, so that was a good thing.

Speaker 3:

Have you ever wondered what it'd be like to hire a remote team in another country? What challenges might you face? What opportunities could you unlock? And, more importantly, have you ever stopped to consider the profound impact you could have on the lives of those individuals and their families? In this very special episode of Empower and Elevate and their families, in this very special episode of Empower and Elevate, we take you behind the scenes to explore these questions and more. We filmed on location in the Philippines with our remarkable remote team from Current Tech Solutions. Together we discussed the blending of cultures, their experiences working with an American company and how it has transformed their lives and families in ways you may not expect. Get ready for a powerful conversation about connection, opportunity and the global reach of teamwork and leadership. Welcome, welcome, welcome. Take a few moments here to introduce everyone. Say Charmi.

Speaker 4:

This is Charmy Lucena. I am the Sales and Marketing Associate. I am Joy Escala. I am an Accounting Associate of Current Tech Solutions. I've been with Mark for July 2022.

Speaker 2:

Hi, this is Michelle Madara. I am the Service Coordinator of Current Tech Solutions and I've been with this company for two years already.

Speaker 4:

Hi, I'm Daniela Cayetano. I'm the creative coordinator of this podcast. I've been with Mark for a year now.

Speaker 5:

Hi, I am Ron and I'm one of the technical team members of the Current Tech Solutions group.

Speaker 1:

Hello, I'm Raymond. I'm part of the systems team.

Speaker 3:

Very good, thank you all. All right, so first question, as we get started here, is what does being together in Cebu for this retreat mean to you?

Speaker 4:

And how has it strengthened your connection with your team and the company? So, first and foremost, before getting here, there are struggles that I faced, I mean with my family, because our flight was canceled and then, yeah, we didn't make it to the company dinner.

Speaker 3:

I was very disappointed that you couldn't make it for that.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, so our flight was scheduled tomorrow next day in the morning. So, yeah, it was disappointing at first, but then when we got here in Cebu, I'm so overjoyed with meeting you, Mark, in person, and everyone else. Since we met one year ago, it's been a year so.

Speaker 3:

So it's a year since the team got together without my presence here, and at that time you were outside in the Manila area.

Speaker 4:

And this year is so special because you are here in person with us, with the team.

Speaker 3:

It's special for me and thank you for coming. Joy Same question. Joy Same question.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, for me, on top of all, it was really meeting with you, Mark, since I already meet all of the teams, and also it is also an advantage for me, since we are meeting here in Cebu. It is my province, I can visit my parents as well, and also I am excited to show everyone what is Cebu, and also I enjoyed all the activities that we did um city tour and also trying um other foods that we um tried last night.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, it was my first time as well, so yeah, yeah, it was very good dinner right all right, michelle, um coming together here in cebu. What does it mean to you?

Speaker 2:

I think this is like the plot twist of this year, because meeting you here in person, since we've been like two years being with you in the company and we can only see you virtually. So this is like how it feels like to be with Mark, like not really working right now, but then like being with you here, enjoying things, like experiencing first things Like, for example, me personally I first time experienced snorkeling, and it's with you.

Speaker 3:

That's pretty amazing, right Snorkeling, and it's with you.

Speaker 2:

So that's pretty amazing, right snorkeling, yes so there are instances that at first we struggled because we cannot breathe in the water, but then, when we saw all the fishes and it's like wow, it's amazing. And then food as well. We are so happy that you tried all those foods that we would love you to try, and then, um, we got so excited for it. So, um, we are also not thinking about you being full, because you would really like to you to experience a lot, and it's just like a one-fourth of what we would like to you to try in the philippines.

Speaker 3:

So, um, yeah, that's, that's it for me well, thank you for coming, and uh, yeah, the snorkeling was with my first time too, so it was our first together.

Speaker 4:

Um, it was absolutely amazing experience, so for you um, for me, course, first meeting you in person, finally, the virtual journey of our team is finally over at once. But then, yeah, I am happy to finally meet you, even though it was really an adventure going here Not in a bad way, my adrenaline is way up there, but I enjoy every bit of it. And then, of course, I'm so happy that, um, I was able to enjoy um cebu with our family members and my teammates as well. Connecting, connecting with nature with you guys is amazing and, of course, sharing meal with you guys is magical every time, because we eat a lot. I don't know.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, I was just so happy, and I'm looking forward for more of this with Kay the next time. Yeah.

Speaker 3:

Well, thank you Dani, Thank you Ron.

Speaker 5:

So, yeah, for me this has been six months in the planning, so there have been a lot of things that we've went through, like just with looking for a place to visit, to stay at. What are the activities we will be doing? How do we arrange the members to come with us and enjoy the celebration together? Especially that we wanted to incorporate the culture of Thanksgiving from the US and also the traditional dining that we do in the Philippines. It's something that we just thought of last minute, but it actually worked out pretty well for us.

Speaker 5:

So, yeah, I think doing this for everyone strengthens the bond of the team, not just with having fun, but also getting to know each other more and also like being comfortable with each other. Especially, we've always been working remotely and we only see each other from our computer screens. But now that we're together, we can just actually be with each other, and that's something that we haven't done a lot in the past, but we've always struggled to make things um, or not struggle, but strive to make things uh, possible for, especially for, like, members who are near each other yeah so it means a lot because especially you, mark dry, I'm not driving, but like going on a plane halfway across the world just to meet us and be with us and get to know our families, um, the members themselves and our culture.

Speaker 5:

So that means a lot to me as well.

Speaker 3:

So you know, blending the two cultures for Thanksgiving, and even though I called it the wrong thing and was calling it a booty fight, you know it's okay, right, it gives you something to laugh about but no, that was a phenomenal experience with the food and goodness, that was a lot of food, a lot of food. You know, in America, thanksgiving dinner, you just say we overeat, right, you said the turkey, the ham, all the different potatoes, the dessert, you know, this goes on right. And then you sit around and nap in the afternoon and watch football. So, typically and kind of the same experience we ate late enough that, uh, that we could just all kind of crash right a little bit later.

Speaker 3:

So, um, thank you, ron for for spearheading, um, the event. Uh, you took that responsibility on and said, hey, you know I'll do it and you were willing to, and and, uh, thank you so much. I appreciate all your hard efforts in making this happen. I know that it came with its challenges and a lot of last minute changes, but it all worked out very well and it's absolutely been phenomenal, raymond.

Speaker 1:

Yep, the experience. It's pretty amazing meeting you personally for the first time. At first I was anxious on what to expect, but you were very accepting when you met us here in the resort. You've accepted my family and friends. It was a very uplifting feeling for us. Aside from meeting with the teams, since we've always been talking about work, having small talks, personal talks with the team and you as well, it's a very different experience and it lights up the mood. We haven't experienced any how do I say it? Negative experience. The kids were enjoying their stay. My wife, the family and I've seen our teammates were able to enjoy themselves, seeing our teammates were able to enjoy themselves.

Speaker 3:

So, totally, it was a very good experience for me. Well, it was an absolutely wonderful experience for me and getting to meet your families. You know the ability to bring your families with you, you know, and kind of disrupt their normal day-to-day lives to come, come join us for this. My only thing I could say with that is I wish we could have a little bit more family time so we could interact a little bit more with the families as well. So maybe the next time we plan an extra day or we kind of cut some of our team building activities just to spend some more times with the families as one. But that was really enjoyable to meet everyone's families that joined, and I know you had two children that stayed behind and maybe the next time they can join us as well. I know you had two children that stayed behind and maybe next time they can join us as well. Definitely Awesome. So you know, I want to get a little bit about, you know, working for an American company. So what is what has been?

Speaker 4:

the most rewarding part for working for an American company to date. For you, yeah, dini. For me, working for an American company really gives me this sense of pride of the things that I'm capable of doing in terms of output, especially for creatives, because American companies really appreciate art. It's not that Philippines doesn't appreciate it, but we are not very well compensated when we are hired by Filipino companies or Filipino-owned companies, because arts here are not very supported, unlike American companies, especially Mark. So I've been able to expand my skill and hone new ones. So I was a traditional artist before, went to digital because of my fiancé, but then I started photography too, and now I'm doing this podcast with mark, editing video, shooting this video, setting this up, writing um, writing the program flow or the show flow. So it's a new um, different um journey for me, because I started writing, started doing plannings and scheduling and more on production stuff. And it's amazing because I didn't know that I can do it. I was just watching this from other people before, but experiencing firsthand it's really rewarding.

Speaker 3:

Well, I know that you push yourself outside your comfort zone and taking on a lot of different yeah right, like going. I remember one of our first, I guess instances of that, when we were talking about a design or something. You're like, well, maybe we should find someone that can do that thing. And you're like, wait, I'll try it. And you know, you've tried a lot of new things. Um, and I, once again, we're a small business, right. So as a small business, we all kind of maybe get outside of our comfort zone and do some things Maybe we're not experienced at, but we all kind of contribute in different ways just to make it happen. We don't have that luxury of being able to have 100 people and then each one do a very specific thing. So I thank you for being uncomfortable and trying new things and expanding your skill set.

Speaker 4:

I always seek discomfort, so yeah.

Speaker 5:

Yeah, ron. So for me previously I was working for a Filipino company Actually, I was working with Danny on the same company and I live about 18, 19 miles away. But due to traffic conditions here in the Philippines, that 19 miles would take me around two and a half hours one way to go to work, and also another two and a half hours to go back home and working remotely for an American company. It gives me the freedom to just stay at home and be with my family instead of wasting five or six hours of my life just traveling to work, and then also giving me the flexibility to have those five or six hours to do something else to make it more productive. And also, yeah, we cannot argue with the fact that it pays well compared to what I'm doing before.

Speaker 5:

I'm doing a lot of things before, but I'm not well compensated. I think it's because Americans would like to compensate people decently for the job or the contributions they make for the company, whereas locally it's just based on your job description. It doesn't matter what you're doing, what's in it, and the educational attainment also plays a role, so that if you didn't graduate in a specific degree, what you can do, the job, it doesn't really count. So, yeah, it will just add to your resume that you can do it, but they'll still not use that as your accomplishments to allow you to be qualified for a role. So yeah, that's the flexibility that it gives.

Speaker 3:

You know's one of those things, ron, I distinctly remember when we first talked, and maybe the first or second time that we talked and, uh, was that that commute, and hearing about that? And I was like, wow, you know that first I was amazed at the short distance and how much time it was involved, right, but that five, six hours a day that you were sacrificing for that commute and the dangers involved with that. You talked about accident on a motorcycle at one point and then you know then the more safety factor by driving a car, but then it takes longer, um, but yeah, to get that you're going to spend it with your family. I thought that was, uh, definitely something that um was a, a value for you.

Speaker 5:

Yeah, and to add to it, um, when I was working in that company before, um, I'm so exhausted every weekdays that my weekends will just be to stay at home and rest for the next week. But, unlike now, I can use even the same day that I work to do other things, and also my weekend is like fully vacant for them to do whatever they want, and I'll be going with them. And I make it a practice that every weekend at least once, we go out to the mall, eat lunch and then have the kids play around in the indoor playground or the arcade, the amusement park. So those things I haven't done before just because I didn't have the energy left from in me to like do it, like do it during the weekends, because I'm so drained during weekdays.

Speaker 3:

Understandable, definitely, and it's good also get you out of the house at that point. So if you're working at home, you don't have a reason to leave necessarily. So this way it gets you out of the house and get some fresh air.

Speaker 5:

Right right.

Speaker 3:

So, raymond, you're in Dumaguete area. There For you you had a little bit less of a commute, but for you, what's the most rewarding part of working for an American company?

Speaker 1:

Working for an American company. From a financial standpoint, it's a very great boost to my capability to provide for my family, for the things that we just thought was just a wish, but we were able to afford them, like where we were. Before, for my previous company, I contended with just having a tricycle so I could have a means for the kids to send and pick up from school, but now we were able to afford a car, so that was a good thing. And we were able to renovate our home so we're able to put another floor, even though it's still unfinished, but we've already started. So there's no more direction to go to but to finish it up.

Speaker 1:

And for the personal and career standpoint, I was able to know myself better. I was able to identify my weaknesses and my strength, weaknesses and my strength and yep. From those lessons and knowing those, I was able to improve myself. And having an American boss really helps, because Filipino employers sometimes sugarcoat things. They don't meant what they are saying. It's like everything's good, everything's fine, but then they will just fire you or give you some demerits. But for you you've been very vocal, so we know when we're out of line or we're doing good.

Speaker 1:

So you do recognize our efforts and our achievements as well yeah, I know that with with you particular, you were with the company um for a very long time that you were working for previously correct 13 years 13 years, yeah, and that was a obviously a risky change for you to make it was, um it, if it wasn't for my wife pushing me to do a remote job, then I wouldn't do it because I'm already in my comfort zone. So, doing a remote job, I was thinking that, oh no, I couldn't do it because it's gonna exhaust me, since I'm already doing a full-time job, and then if I'm going to get another one, then what's gonna happen to me with my health and with, yeah, total I, how would I say it? It's like it's if 180 degree from the lifestyle that we had before very good.

Speaker 3:

Thank you, charmy.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, so for me this is a different kind of experience. It's first time working remote setup. So during the pandemic sorry, we were almost zero, but then, yeah, it's just an ambition. That working remotely, work from home dream. It's like impossible for me and my family because I need more experience. That's what's in my head. I need more experience in sales and marketing, and then social media. Need more experience in sales and marketing, and then social media. So our last money, our last savings, we invested one laptop so I didn't expect that that would be my ticket to be working in an American company. Mark, be my ticket to be working in an American company. More.

Speaker 3:

Wow. So that was you invested in a laptop and, at that point, got online and yeah.

Speaker 3:

Wow, I don't think you've ever told me that. I know that we talked about your work, past work experiences, things that you had done previously, but I don't think we ever had the conversation with the laptop. That's something I don't remember. So thank you for sharing that. Yeah, no, thank you for sharing that with us, and for you particularly. I know that you have grown and tried a lot of different things as well. Right, you know, when we first brought you on board, we quickly learned that you had a desire to do something different than what we initially had talked about board. We quickly learned that you had a desire to do something different than what we initially had talked about, and so we gave the opportunity to try to explore that and work on those skills. Correct, yes, if I remember correctly that's where all these went.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, I'm into learning and developing my skills more, and thank you for letting me.

Speaker 3:

Well, thank you. I really do appreciate you investing your time and energy in learning those new skills and as you continue to grow and evolve, joy.

Speaker 4:

For me, one of the most rewarding things that I experienced working in an American company is I was able to work during my vacations. So for since I am leaving in different area from my hometown, so from a previous company, I need to file a vacation leave for seven days, and they don't pay me for those seven days.

Speaker 3:

So your time off was not paid, so you filed for vacation. It was unpaid.

Speaker 4:

I do have five days, but if you already use those five days, so if you file a leave, they doesn doesn't pay for me. So, unlike working in an american company, you can just bring your, as long as you have a laptop and also an internet connection so you can work and you, you will have a pay. So, yeah, that's one. And also for flexibility on time, way back then you need to prepare like two hours before you start working hours. Really, yeah, you need to prepare for yourself. And also one hour for travel time, since you know Philippines is known for traffic.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah the commute yes, so um, and lastly, is the most rewarding that happened to me, um working with an american company for um for the past two years. So yeah, I was. It's really I can't imagine that I can save a lot and I was able to build my house. So it's not yet finished, but yeah, we'll get in there. I'm just so thankful and I can't imagine that I will be having my own house.

Speaker 3:

I know that was pretty special to hear you go through that process. I know you shared a little bit with me here and there. I know you kept it quiet for a little bit and then you kind of shared a little bit and then you know, you were kind of looking around.

Speaker 3:

I think you were looking at like auction-type scenarios with buying houses and then, yeah, when you were able to buy your house and then renovate and I know you're still doing some of those renovations but to add on and and redo it, and I know it's been exciting to watch the progress and I can't wait to see the progress and personally amazing.

Speaker 4:

Lastly is working with an american company is is quite different from working in a local company, especially on the from the like. For example, for mark, he's the boss. He is very approachable to talk with. Um I think when I was working in local company I can I only talk to my boss like all for works, it's nothing personal. So, yeah, um, it's really an advantage that we do have a one-on-one meeting during monthly so we can say what um insights.

Speaker 3:

So with your mark and issues and yeah, well, I appreciate that that time and that you're willing to share your personal life with me as well. You know it, that you're willing to share your personal life with me as well. You know, being remote, we don't get the benefit of having, you know, hallway conversations, water cooling, cooler conversations, break room conversations. You know, hey, what's going on. You know those type of things. And you know spending that time one-on-one every month and just kind of talking about you and what's going on, and I know I I sometimes maybe overshare a little bit in my own life, but you know, uh, uh, just you know.

Speaker 3:

So you get to know me and I get to know you and I really value that time and I know that I always look forward to that and, um, I want to make sure we always try to continue that and this month, obviously, we're doing our one-on-ones in person, right, so we're getting time and spending a day together and you know that's our one-on-one time and I look forward to that. And knowing that sharing your local right, your local culture, your local towns, cities, and sharing that with me, the things that are important to you and where you've been raised, and those type of things, I'm looking forward to that. So thank you, joy, I really do appreciate you.

Speaker 2:

Joy Hsien I think they all said everything, eric Deggans-.

Speaker 3:

Everything. You're not getting out that easy now.

Speaker 1:

Come on.

Speaker 3:

Joy Hsien To conclude.

Speaker 2:

Eric Deggans Nice try, though. Nice try Joy Hsien but since we heard all of their stories, I was just going to share my most. I mean, yeah, that's the question.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, yeah, that's the question, yeah, the most, most rewarding.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, personally, that's going to be like Mark accepted me, not only because of my previous job experiences, but also being with you in a company for two, virtually. And, aside from that, like comparing to working in a local or corporate job here in the Philippines, where you experience a lot of stress and a lot of hours of working with such low compensation, but here with you, working with you in an American company, it feels like we just get out from the cage. It feels like we are appreciated because even though we did not do our job I mean, even though we're just doing our work in a bare minimum standpoint you're still appreciated by us. But still you want us to improve, to grow and you want us to learn a lot. So you have, um, you you keep on asking us what uh will be the things that we would like to learn, aside from what uh from past experiences. So, uh, with the trainings that you are uh like, especially with me, I know, and I am guilty, that sometimes I am lacking in some skills and in some like, especially in communication, but then you're very like welcoming when it comes to the, the trainings, the courses that you would like us to me, especially me to to have so that I can grow, I can explore my ability and working in another company.

Speaker 2:

We don't do that here, so we just settled on what we have experienced, like working, experience like working, but, yeah, um, that's. I think the very rewarding part is, we ought to expand our potential, and not only because, um, you would like us to do this, to do that, but you would like us to, um, like, discover things that, uh, oh, I, I can do this and I can do that. And, apart from the things that we learned from like, for example, working with you for two years, we're still looking forward for another, like skills or learnings that we can be or we can potentially have in the future. So we're really looking forward to it.

Speaker 3:

You said something that kind of flashed back to. One of our initial conversations was you were working a lot of overtime, or you look forward to that, obviously, because that was how your making ends meet. And I think one of our discussions initially was you know, how do we get you to a point that you don't have to? We don't want you working overtime, right, I want you working your set hours and not. You know you're getting that time to do other things. All right, your friends, family, and thank you once again too for you in your case. We talked about investing in you and learning to continue to grow and expand your skills. We talked about communication and we'll touch on that a little bit more here shortly Working remotely.

Speaker 3:

I would say that communication is something that is more important than even in person, because we talked about this. We can't have those side conversations we talk about Cadenaden. Caden could just walk in my office and even though I might be doing something and he walks in, um, he can still. You know, I know he needs something and we can just talk about it. So when we talk about communication, um, just kind of move on to the next question here. As we talk about communication, what part of the communication aspect do you feel is most important in that communication with not only other team members, myself and our clients? But what things have you done to try to improve that for yourself? And maybe I need to reword that question, but what role does that communication play in overcoming the challenges working remotely?

Speaker 4:

I think for me, communication played well with our company setup because we work remotely. So since, as Queer Raymond mentioned, that in Filipino companies they tend to sugarcoat without us knowing that we are not doing well anymore. They sugarcoat until then, until we got fired. But then, when it comes to American companies, especially with our group dynamic or team dynamics with UMARC, you're very vocal on things that we need to improve and it's not that you're straightforward in a negative way, because, as Michelle mentioned too, you're very straightforward but you extend a hand to enroll us to different conferences, different courses that would help us discover a new skill or improve what we already have. So, communication that we have right now it can still be improved because we have lapses from time to time. We don't communicate everything up until now, but there are important things that we really communicated very well Because, as for us, your team, we don't hesitate calling you, just ringing you.

Speaker 4:

You don't require us to ping you first or send you a message first before calling you. To ping you first or send you a message first before calling you. It's not that it's in all companies. We can call our CEO directly so we can reach out to you anytime that we need you, not always. You will answer because you're always busy, because you're always busy. But then when you notice that we're trying to reach you, your call is back as soon as you're available.

Speaker 3:

Even though sometimes I do need a reminder. Hey, like Ron, ron. Hey, do you see my message?

Speaker 4:

Oh, shoot yeah or sometimes, if you're talking to one of us, one of us will message that person. Are you talking to Mark? Yeah, please tell him. I messaged him. So that's happening too, because it's easy to approach you, and it's easier to approach in a way that you don't have this really strict hierarchy in this organization. That's why the flow of the team is very light, so it's not really restrictive, and you really encourage us to talk to you directly instead of going around the bushes.

Speaker 3:

So yeah yeah thanks and Ron, let's touch a little bit, as we talked about the communication. Do you feel that the communication is more important with the difference in our cultures?

Speaker 5:

I think it plays a big role, especially how people communicate between each other based on their culture. So remember, I shared with you yesterday, just as an example, that there's a big difference on how we receive gifts.

Speaker 5:

Yes yes, so in Asian culture, like, if you receive a gift, it's like rude to open it up in front of them and show them your reaction to it, but rather what we do is this is to take the gift, open it privately and then send them a message or a letter to thank them for the gift, whereas in American culture, you open it up because you want to see their reaction.

Speaker 5:

So, yeah, something like that also applies to communication in general, like the dynamics on how we communicate with our fellow teammates might differ just because we're used to not having direct access to our higher-ups reps. So some will not be comfortable with talking to you directly or might just wait until you call them and then ask about it before they open it up with you. And, like some, like me, personally I don't care if, like, it's not the right time to ask about it, but I'll ask it because now it's important and I'll make sure to follow it up with you until I get the answer that I need, whereas other people might not have the courage to do it because they're not used to going to the person directly and always tailing them until they get what they need. So, yeah, it plays a big role and in a remote environment, you cannot always follow that person personally, because, yeah, in an office setup you can just walk around until you find the person and then talk to them.

Speaker 3:

Chase them down.

Speaker 5:

Yeah, chase them down is the right term, but in a remote environment, the only way you can, on or like, strengthen our communications skills within the team. But I think we're getting there because there are times where I feel like you're getting the answers you need and we are getting the answers we need from you answers we need from you.

Speaker 3:

But to your point, obviously one of our core values is communication. But I know that we're constantly needing to remind ourselves of that. I mean, we can't just. It's just we get so caught up in the things, the tasks we're doing that sometimes we kind of forget about the communication aspect. And I know I'm guilty of it and I'm always, you know, have to remind myself. I need to do better to make sure we communicate. Um, raymond, speaking of communication and culture differences, you and I talked a lot in the very beginning and I leaned on you heavily as our first hire in the Philippines. Uh, communicating because of that culture differences, because I was trying to learn a lot, right, and I'm still trying to learn. Talk to me a little bit about your communication with me and teaching me the Filipino culture. Do you recall some of those conversations?

Speaker 1:

Yeah, most of it, but those things are kind of bizarre conversations like what monsters do we have here? And also, you've been very generous because of that communication, since we open up our culture, we do have our 13 month pay and we do have our vacation leave. So, even though you're not required to provide us the 13th month, but you've been very generous in adopting that culture as well. So that's also the benefit of communication. And with and with the PTOs, yep, even though you're not required to give us that, but you've been very generous giving us those perks.

Speaker 1:

And with cultural differences I think we've also talked about even though we're in the Philippines, we also have our differences with the provinces, since we're working remotely Charmy, working in Mindanao even though we have the same dialect, but still we still have our differences and the rest of the team that are working in Luzon. We also have our differences as well and with those differences along the way, we were able to adjust and work on our differences and improve the team communication and be more efficient with our tasks. Since before you'll have to point out things, since we're missing this part, since we haven't communicated it with the theme, so that part, I could say that we're much more fluid in our workflow, but still we need improvements, but we're getting there in due time. We should be. We will be like a well-oiled machine.

Speaker 3:

I that's the goal, right? Thank you, and you mentioned. You know I was going to kind of go there. You talked about the different dialects. Charmy, you're far the south. What challenges in communication have you firsthand experienced, whether it was me or with the team, because of that difference in your local cultures and the dialect?

Speaker 4:

Yeah, so communication skills is one of my weak points, because I don't know how to express my feelings more vocally. I just keep it inside. So the challenges that I face is speaking English fluently and learning Tagalog with the team also. Yeah, so there's this one instance, mark, that I sometimes update you, especially profile images for social media that I don't know where to send it on Teams or or in an email. Then, yeah, I'm just, I don't know how to feel, if you like it or not, because, um, seeing you just typing, it's like rambling in my mind that I think, I think that he doesn't like it, or something like that.

Speaker 3:

Well, and that's something and I'll just you know, once again, being transparent, that's something I need to work on myself, right? You shouldn't have to feel that way. We just have a workflow or process. You know where those things go, right? It shouldn't be a question of whether to go by email or Teams or SharePoint, and so, yeah, a valid point, and that confusion. We need to fix some of those things and, because it shouldn't weigh on you, it shouldn't be confusing for you, and you know I'm not trying to introduce additional stresses in your life or your work, right? So, um, thanks for bringing that up, and that's something, though, that we're always working on trying to be better. And, yeah, but yes, the communication piece, um, as we continue to improve that, and you said working with your, with your um teammates as well, in your communication.

Speaker 4:

I need to learn Tagalog To learn Tagalog.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, now, joy, talk to me a little bit. When you talk about that communication aspect, have you experienced any struggles in that communication with working obviously working remotely and having teammates that aren't in the same?

Speaker 4:

office as you. Yes, I really did, but first way back then, when I just came from our home what do we call this one From Bantayan Island, when I got here from Tubulacan, From your birthplace.

Speaker 3:

Yes, from your birthplace province.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, and I was taking my college. It's really some other Filipino is really bully, especially in the pronunciation. So, yeah, when I was in college, I was struggling in my pronunciations. I believe I already mentioned it to you, so that is why I'm really I'm just thankful to one of my friends that they helped me to pronounce well.

Speaker 3:

Okay.

Speaker 4:

So yeah, but I'm still right now. I still have mistakes on pronunciations, but it's better than way back then and also for now. To be honest, before applying in an American company, I watch a lot of YouTube videos, ah-ha.

Speaker 3:

Especially Okay.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, because I cannot, I can't just apply. And the same way in the local, local companies. I was expecting that, um, all job interviews is really, um, there are lots of questions. So, yeah, I was thankful that, um, when we conversing during our interviews, it seems like it's just a casual one. Yeah, and also I am thankful to you, mark, since when we are on the meeting, especially on works, you were always suggesting, when I am struggling, of a few words that I need to like to speak, and you were like, you are suggesting some other words, and I was like, yeah, you're right. So that's it, that's what I meant.

Speaker 3:

So, yeah, well, sometimes I suggest things that I'm wrong or I hear things wrong right, and that's we talk. It's it's one thing being in person, another thing we were working with technology and potential problems there right with With. You know, all the time we're running into problems with things not working quite right or internet connections, or we miss part of that conversation. It can happen right to any of us. Especially if yeah, maybe I'm mobile and trying to communicate right.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2:

And lastly, michelle, for you is there anything that sticks in your head when it comes to communication and whether challenges are important for you. Of course, communication plays a vital clients and with our resources so that we can have those tickets completed. Me I'm still very lacking of it because our setup on my previous work. I'm just going to tap my workmate like hey, did you finish your job? Have you done this? Have you done that? Where in working virtually, you're right that sometimes we misunderstood words, especially in chat. Like I'm not mad at you, I'm just asking.

Speaker 2:

Right especially in chat. Like I'm not, I'm not mad at you, I'm just asking, right. And then, yeah, that's a lot of like struggle on that part because, like um sending message, like are we allowed to put some emojis on this so that you're not gonna um like we're not perceiving it wrong or taking it the wrong way.

Speaker 2:

Yeah should I like call him by names or what? Especially with you, mark? Because sometimes when I need to ask you some questions from our resources, do I need to be formal about this or just casual, because this is urgent? And then there you go, you're just going to call me and then ask me, like what's the question?

Speaker 3:

What do you want? Because, sometimes you can't understand each other, but I'm working on it.

Speaker 2:

So, yeah, like what I've mentioned, I'm training. Right now. I'm working with a course that you wanted me to take, so I'm working on it so I can be more fluent because, of course, the language barrier it's also one of the struggles. But, yeah, I will be more open when it comes to communication because that will give us a lot of solid flow on our on-service team. So that's it for me.

Speaker 3:

All right. Well, I am just going to make a quick comment here. I know that obviously we do have flights coming up that we have to transport and get room for, so we'll just go through a couple speed questions here, just kind of throw out, and if you've got something to add in, we won't go through every individual. But so let's talk about the unique challenges you face working remotely, and I know we've talked about communications, some of the things, but some of the things I specifically remember was adjusting. So some of you had a really hard time adjusting to the hours that we were keeping right. Can you add or comment on that, those challenges working remotely, specifically when it comes to how we're working different hours, whether it may be your homework setup, as far as communication technology and those things, because we know we all the time have some problems here and there, right? So can you touch on some of those and how they impact you?

Speaker 5:

Yeah, I have one.

Speaker 3:

Great Ron.

Speaker 5:

So when I applied for this role, I'm still working with my previous company and I told Mark that I still need time to like render for the last 30 days of my work and he allowed me to take it. But the week before I was supposed to start with Mark, they wanted me to stay longer with them and they're okay with like working with Mark at night and then working in the Philippine company in the morning. So I was technically doing two jobs that time and had to travel the six hours round-trip journey every day. So the biggest struggle for me is adjusting, just because I personally needed time to like rest and that I don't know how I will get that rest if I'm working 18. The biggest struggle for me is adjusting, just because I personally needed time to rest and I don't know how I will get that rest if I'm working 18 hours a day and then six hours of traveling.

Speaker 1:

So it's 24 hours in total.

Speaker 5:

So what I ended up doing was having my wife learn how to drive so that when we're going from work because we work in the same company as well so me, danny, and my wife works in the same company before so she drives to work and then I sleep during the trip and then work the whole eight hours and then drive back and then I also go to sleep and then work with Mark at night. So that's a huge adjustment that I had to take and especially as soon as I come home, I'll need to set up my equipment. I had to log into my tools etc and be prepared for the whole day again. So it's very tiring. But yeah, it came to a point that I had to let go of the other company and yeah, ever since I think it all went well, just because I didn't have to waste six hours of my day.

Speaker 4:

So that's one for me.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, I think for me the adjustment of working at night is that it's at night and all the things that we needed day by day for emergency purposes is at morning. So when you work at night and you need, for example, for me, I need to accompany my mom for her dialysis treatments, so I need to go with her, um, I log out at 2 30 am, philippine time, and then I need to wake up again at 5, 30 or 6 to accompany her. So, but then it gave it gives me additional I mean a proper time or additional time that my mom needs from me and, um, my fiance needs from me to like cook for him because he he works regular Philippine hours so I can cook for him and vice versa during the nights. But then it it the struggle is balancing at first, balancing life on day-to-day basis and career at night. But then, yeah, I was blessed enough to be adjusted in it in a short period of time. But, yeah, it's a struggle at first because I need to do things in the morning.

Speaker 4:

Philippine time yeah but then at night I need to have a lot. The morning Philippine time, yeah, but then at night I need to have a lot of energy, a lot of focus that I should be getting from sleep. So, yeah, that's the but. Now it's kind of harmonious when it comes to personal and career-wise and rest in between. But yeah, sometimes I just when I don't, and personal and career-wise and rest in between. But sometimes when I cannot sleep, at around 3.30 or 4.30 am Philippine time, I just don't sleep anymore. I wait for the next shift so that I can rest, because if I sleep now I'll be grumpy the whole day, and Mark knows that. So I'd rather not sleep and wait for the next shift because I um, I'll have my schedule aligned and my body clock aligned again.

Speaker 3:

So, yeah, that's that's, it's just what you okay so you know, as you talked about once again, you know, uh, I lost, I lost my train of thought, those, those challenges of working those hours and things. Charmi, you're kind of looking there, you've got something to throw in there, so throw us what you've got.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, so as a sleepy person, I can sleep 15 hours a day.

Speaker 3:

I think there's another word for that. Yeah, to put it lightly, you like to sleep?

Speaker 4:

It's one of my huge adjustments in life. So, yeah, it's a huge adjustment for me.

Speaker 3:

Now you've got two young girls at home and we also know obviously worth working the night shift, the graveyard shift, as they say. Has that been much of an adjustment, or how have you adjusted to accommodate your children?

Speaker 4:

They are grown up 10 and 9 years old, so they don't need me 24 hours a day. In the morning, the whole day they are in school, then at night, after they do their assignment or homework, they just go straight to sleep and then, yeah, that's when I work.

Speaker 3:

So Okay, and Joy, you specifically, I do recall some conversations where we talked about I do recall some conversations where we talked about you were struggling sleeping and it really it comes down to I'm pretty sure it was, you know, and I think Michelle's smiling too, because I remember talking with her too about it is that adjusting to sleeping during the day without air con? Right, yeah, yeah, everyone's like, yep, I mean, and I never gave that any thought personally right, but you're right, you know a I don't, I don't have the climate that you do, and I even remember Michelle talking about she would go over sleep with the neighbors, I believe, or downstairs, somewhere it was, it was concrete or something it was cooler. Can you, can you tell us a little bit about that and that adjustment, or the struggle of that adjustment?

Speaker 4:

yeah, it really struggles a lot um way back then, like um few months since I got hired, since I can sleep during daytime, especially um it if it's really hot, so I need also to invest in aircon, like just what you mentioned, and a blackout curtain as well.

Speaker 3:

And also, does everyone have blackout curtains? Now, yeah, it's essential yeah.

Speaker 4:

And also I don't know how to deal with my neighbor and I was going to bring that up.

Speaker 3:

You had karaoke-ing neighbors and you had a neighbor that loved to play their guitar, or kids out in the street playing their click-clack things. What were you talking about? What was the name of that? Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, since our shift ends at 4.30, so I have time to sleep um around two hours, but for 4 30 up until 6 30 in the morning. But um, it's only six in the morning, they are already. It's too noisy. So that's why I wake up, because I'm not like charming, charming, but then she just falls back asleep.

Speaker 4:

You know, yeah, and and then I um, what do you call this one when I drive just around a different location where I am living right now? So I wasn't able to install an an aircon for that, since it doesn't have a ceiling. I was, I was just go to my best friend's house just to sleep. Yeah, that's really a huge adjustment.

Speaker 3:

I did that about you I remember too, as you were having your renovations you had you had contractors are working on your house and and you'd have to like try to monitor what they were doing during the daytime when you really should have been sleeping. Yeah, you know.

Speaker 3:

And so you took kind of yeah, you had to adjust to that and you'd have to, like, try to monitor what they were doing during the daytime when you really should have been sleeping. Yeah, you know, and so you took kind of. Yeah, you had to adjust to that and I know sometimes I'm sure you were tired, but you had to keep an eye on those contractors, right?

Speaker 4:

That's right, that's right.

Speaker 3:

Michelle, is there anything you want to throw in there real quick?

Speaker 2:

The barking dogs.

Speaker 3:

The barking dogs, the barking dogs.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, that's my struggle.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Because I actually plan to move in this year and there's a lot of dogs as well. So I was just oh my God, I think dogs in the past lives. I'm one of the dogs, so the dogs are still following me wherever I am. But aside from that, setting up my bedroom or an office set up as well, setting up blackout curtains and air condition, and comparing to what I have before, it's really convenient for me right now so I can sleep better, and, of course, working during the night. Like what Dani said, I almost always forgot that oh, it's night. So sometimes I ordered something but, oh my God, they are closed already. And then when I try to contact someone, oh, they are already asleep. Oh yeah, because it's already 11 pm in the Philippine time, so I thought it's still early. So, yeah, that's somehow an adjustment, but we're dealing with it perfectly right now.

Speaker 3:

So I can say firsthand yeah with being here. Oh my goodness, right like I I don't know what day of the week it is, let alone what time it is back at home, you know, and then people are communicating like, what are they still doing up? I'm like, wait a second, what time is this right, or? Yeah, I was yeah, it's been very confusing so I could imagine, you know what that's like now at firsthand.

Speaker 3:

Now I know what that a little bit of a little taste of that Right Um, so, as we kind of bring this home, um, short and sweet, um, if you could, if you could describe your experience with current tech solutions in one word or phrase what?

Speaker 1:

would that be?

Speaker 2:

Rewarding for me.

Speaker 1:

Who's got the mic, raymond? If it's just one word, one word or phrase Rewarding, wow, don't pass the mic in.

Speaker 3:

I did not think yeah Well, Michelle's got a mic. She's got it. She wants to throw something out, or yeah, for me it's comforting, comforting.

Speaker 4:

Yes, mine is life-changing.

Speaker 3:

Life-changing.

Speaker 4:

Mine's blessing.

Speaker 3:

Blessing.

Speaker 5:

For me it's an adventure, yeah I don't have a word anymore you don't have a word anymore um, I think it's amazing.

Speaker 4:

Good recovery good recovery.

Speaker 3:

Well, first off, all those words are very mutual for me. I could explain my experience with each and every one of you using every one of those words. I can 100% relate. I'm going to start tearing up Life-changing, blessing, amazing, rewarding, life-changing, blessing, amazing, rewarding all these things as we continue on level six. It's been a hell of an adventure, definitely, definitely.

Speaker 3:

And I just want to take right here, as we close this out, because I know we need, I don't want anybody late for their flights We've already had missed flights getting here. Thank you, thank you for such an amazing experience. Thank you for taking the time to come here, travel, drag your family, your wife, your kids, your partner here and spend some time together, together in Cebu, united as one family, blending our cultures, breaking bread together, sharing laughs, drinks, food experiences, snorkeling, laughs, drinks, food experiences, snorkeling, going to a trip to paradise in the sands and starfish and, goodness you know, just absolutely amazing. Thank you all. I look forward to our next time that we get to do this and in between now and then, they said, the one-on-ones visiting each of you personally. Look forward to it.

Speaker 4:

Yeah, happy to serve, Mark.

Speaker 3:

You're the best, mark. All right, until next time. Hi, I'm Mark Thomas, founder and CEO of Current Tech Solutions and CyberGuardians. We know business owners like you want to focus on growing your company, not worrying about IT problems or security threats. That's where we come in. Our team uses AI to protect your business from cyber risks and keep everything running smoothly. If you're ready for peace of mind and a stronger future, reach out to us today. Let's secure and elevate your business together.

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