A Taste (and Test) of the oDesk Guaranteed Payment

December 2, 2009

This post is long overdue.  I should have posted this a month ago, but due to the demands in my current assignments it stayed in my draft box for quite sometime. Today, I managed to “sneak out” from my Buyers in order to update my blog.

More than a month ago, I got a notification from oDesk that one of my assignments got suspended due to the Buyer’s credit card problems.

I’ll try to wait until the Buyer resolves the issue.  He asked me to get another project for the time being  while his company undergo restructuring, but that I should be available to work again with him as soon as the business resumes.  I agreed but that I cannot promise to still be available for him. I offered to help him look for a good Provider when he gets back, however, he asked me to forget the idea and to hang on for a little bit more. He told me that he needs me in the project as he assured that the business restructuring will be completed very soon.

My earnings in that assignment for the period before it got suspended were a total of $329. I didn’t  feel a bit worried that I will not get paid because I was counting on oDesk’s guaranteed payment for hourly jobs.  If the Buyer will not make good his account then  oDesk will be the one to pay.  And oDesk came true with its guarantee.  I got my hard earned money within schedule.

Thank you, oDesk!

Had this assignment been on a fixed price, I would have cried in frustration because it’s one of those not covered by the guarantee (along with offline hours).  I always give my best in any job and I work hard to meet my Buyer’s expectations.  I deserve to get paid.  I don’t think  I’d ever work on fixed price jobs.  Better be safe than sorry.

The Buyer sent me an email last week, and he kept reassuring me that the restructuring is nearing completion and the assignment will soon resume. He thanked me for my patience. I thanked him, too, for still considering me for his projects, and that I am working on some other stuff. So, I will just cross my fingers for now. Meantime, I have to get new projects.

I tried visiting the job search the other week.  Since one of my “as needed” jobs ended, I wanted to replenish my “cup board” of assignments to maintain my self-imposed quota of 6 assignments.  I applied to one of those legal jobs posted (Legal VA). Not an hour passed and I got invited to interview.  I responded to the Buyer’s request, and after a few email exchanges, I was hired for the job.

One legal job ended but another has begun.

I have my hands full again!

Thanks God!

Your Well Deserved Feedback

December 2, 2009

I’ve been working on oDesk for the past six (6) months.  Since then, I always maintained 6 active assignments.  One may end, but almost always, a new assignment begins.  Though I finish the tasks successfully, some of my Buyers prefer to maintain me in their team.  Two of them became “as needed” basis.  I then considered my oDesk calendar “free” for a new assignment.  Its been a while since I applied for a job. I kinda miss searching through the jobs board.  So, I requested one of my “as needed”  Buyers to end the assignment so that prospective Buyers do not get overwhelmed at the number of jobs in progress that shows in my profile.

Verena: hi (Buyer)….please let me know if you have a second?

Buyer: sure I do

Verena: I hope you don’t mind….can we end the assignment with you in the meantime? When I apply to jobs the buyers get overwhelmed at the number of  “in progress” jobs I have….

Buyer: yeah I was thinking the same thing…no worries..

Verena: yes, anyway I’m always here if you need me again….thanks, and I wish you the best…

Buyer: let me know when you end it so that I can give you a feedback… it really doesn’t matter if we are not linked in odesk because now that I have your skype id I can ask for your odesk ID any time

Verena: yeah, no problem…

I then ended the assignment.  Not long after, the Buyer sent this email:

And true to her word, I got this:

I got hired for this assignment in June. Here’s the original job post:

I enjoyed working with Ms. JMS.  We have a lot in common and she’s easy to deal with.  It really was a pleasure working with her.

Thank you to my Buyer, Ms JMS….goodbye for now, but see you around…

The Rewards of Hardwork and Dedication

December 1, 2009

Last week, I finished a touch challenge in my bookkeeping assignment.  When I  started setting up the accounting system for my Buyer’s client, I thought that everything will  be straight forward since the business looked simple.  It turned out to be a real challenge!

To recall, the Buyer had hired bookkeepers before.  One was  experienced and competent but who the Buyer can hardly get hold of when he needs information (busy with own business) and another who is always available but “inexperienced” (salary expense posted as revenue?….if I were her, I’d treat it as either an expense or a capital infusion….of course this depends on who you’re paying salary to).  I told him to try me, although I do not claim to be an expert, nor am I inexperienced. I guess I’m just in the middle – experienced as to accounting systems, but maybe inexperienced as to new accounting softwares or those that I have not tried using.  Because of this seemingly unsatisfactory experience with previous Providers, the Buyer offered a test period of two (2) weeks.  I agreed.

So, I began to work on the oDesk assignment.  When I was given the details of the client’s accounting system that she was then presently using, I can’t help but scratch my head. What a mess!

But, its not my nature to just back out without testing the waters to see how far I can go.  So I set up  a new system, did data test and verification, and tried importing invoices from the previous system into the new one I created.  In two weeks, the client’s accounting system saw light.

It was time to ask the Buyer whether he is satisfied with what I’ve done for his client’s account. The following was part of our chat transcript:

Verena: how am I doing so far?

Verena: we agreed on 2 weeks trial period and I’m done

Buyer: honestly,  I think you are wonderful

Verena: thank you…

Buyer: I would happily keep you on and have you run all the accounts, I just don’t want to overwhelm you at the moment

Buyer: This week I need to introduce some other smaller tasks….but nothing complicated

Verena: thank you, and don’t worry i will give my best….

I then went on updating  his client’s books and putting everything in its proper place.  Along the way I encountered lots of challenges because the accounts were a mixture of business and personal transactions, and there were no clear references.  The bank reconciliation was a nightmare.  But, this kind of problems excite me all the more to do my best.  Though I didn’t see it coming, I was glad because I learned a lot.  Many times, I felt as if I am competing with myself.  One side of me says “I can do it!”, one side just wants to retreat. But the positive side prevailed……and I did it!

The Buyer was very pleased.

Buyer: Thanks Verena, for being so patient with this client.  Let me know if you need anything – and well done – this has not been easy…

Verena: yeah…..its an “initiation” for me…lol…but I’m glad its getting better

Buyer: me too

Verena:  I hope the client sees the difference…its too messy if the accounts are mixed with personal transactions

Buyer: I am sure she will, mind you – I don’t think she realized how much of a problem it all was until now… I think you are doing a great job under the circumstances

The Buyer maintained me in his team and now, I get to handle the bookkeeping department of his consultancy business (several clients of his) — his reward for my hardwork and dedication….

Unleash The Hero Within

November 23, 2009

My vote did not go to waste!

Just minutes ago, news from our local radio mentioned that another Filipino brought honor to our beloved country and his fellow Pinoys.  Efren Penaflorida is CNN’s Hero of the Year for 2009.

“Kuya Ef”, as he is fondly called by his students, is a teacher and social worker.  Having experienced being bullied by teenage gangs during his teens, he still managed to finish his schooling.  Out of concern for these unschooled children, Penaflorida established an organization called  Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) when he was 16.  He planned this to become a tool to reach out to the underserved Filipino youth by providing free tutorials.  And he did not go wrong.  Now with about 10,000 members, Kuya Ef, together with his co-volunteers, go around in a pushcart laden with books and other teaching paraphernalia.

This year’s winner has been revealed after seven weeks of online voting and 2.75 million votes cast.  In a glittering ceremony held at the Kodak Theater, some of Hollywood’s biggest names acted as presentors -Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Neil Patrick Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Dwayne Johnson, Eva Mendes, Randy Jackson, Greg Kinnear, George Lopez and Julia Louis-Dreyfus – to name a few.

“Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry,” Efren Peñaflorida said upon accepting the honor. “Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.

“So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”

**************************************************************************************************

Mabuhay ka, Efren!  Indeed, you make all Filipinos proud.

Over at oDesk,  the spirit is manifest.   Helping change how the world works, fellow Providers from around the world  would readily unleash the heroes within them by guiding newbies as they begin their freelancing journey.

Thumbs up also to all oDesk Heroes!

Carrot, Egg or Coffee

October 21, 2009

Last night, I finished my oDesk tasks early, and therefore, I got to bed earlier than usual.  Ever since I worked online, my sleeptime had been during the day (4am to 12noon Philippine time).  Today is one of those very rare days that I get to eat breakfast the “normal” time, with my children.  As coffee was brewing, the aroma was all over the house.  Here in Baguio City, that smell has always been a welcome treat every morning or late afternoons.  Brewed coffee and the year round cool weather always seem to be a perfect match.  This morning, as I was sipping my brewed coffee, I suddenly remembered about  a story I read.  It is so inspiring and worth reading because at one point in our lives, we become like the objects in the story.  The author is anonymous, but whoever he/she is….a big, big THANKS!

Here it goes:

You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again……. .

A young man went to his father and told him about his life and how things were so hard for him. He did not know how he was going to make it and wanted to give up. He was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as though just as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

His father took him to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and in the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes he turned off the burners.

He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to his son, he asked, “Tell me what you see.”

“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” he replied.

His father brought him closer and asked him to feel the carrots. He did, and noted that they were soft.

The father then asked the son to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, he observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the father asked the son to sip the coffee. The son smiled as he tasted its rich aroma. The son then asked, “What does it mean, father?”

His father explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

Which are you?” he asked his son. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?”

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

In relation to our freelancing jobs, especially for newbies, I say….

May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!!

Grace Under Pressure

October 15, 2009

After several days of having been stranded because of the recent typhoon that hit my region, I am finally home.

Having drove down to the province the day before typhoon Pepeng (international codename Parma) hit Northern Luzon, I found myself “isolated” from my kids and my job.  I managed to work on some of my assignments utilizing a borrowed internet connection from the resort that my aunt is renting, but use time was limited.  As strong winds and rains caused power outage for several days, I wasn’t able to meet my deadline.  I desperately wanted to leave message to my Buyers but there was no longer any internet connection, and at that time even my celfone did not work.  I cannot even get in touch with my children whom I left in the care of my girl Friday. It was only last Sunday that I was able to send emails to my Buyers via my celfone.  I am grateful that they were very understanding and even offered to help in anyway they can. I thanked them for the offer and merely requested that they  be patient with me for a little bit more and to give me time to get back.

When the storm was finally over, going home was again hampered because major access roads to Baguio City where I live remained closed, keeping the city isolated and hampering the delivery of additional relief goods for its residents displaced by floods and landslides.  Other access points to the three areas, including Kennon Road and Marcos Highway, also remained clogged with mud and debris from the floods.  After 3days of clearing works, portions of the road network were made available but people had to hike a few kilometres in order to get a ride to the city proper.  I deemed it best to wait for a few days more so that I can get home with my car.

A warm hug from my children erased all my anxiety.  Knowing they are okay and well taken cared of, and my safe return home, I can only utter my thanks to my ever Protective God.

Now, I am also back to working on my odesk assignments.  I have three (3) very pressing assignments where I need to update the accounting books of the clients.  One of my Buyers increased my weekly hours limit from 40 to 60 so that I can work as much as I can to meet my extended deadlines. This Buyer made an offer before, of a bonus when I shall meet the deadline, but that should have been end of September or until October 10.  Even if I failed to meet the deadline due to reasons beyond my control, I am still determined to deliver what I am supposed to deliver, not anymore for the bonus, but as gratitude that the buyer still gave me the chance to continue my work.

From this day forward, I will be very busy (and very exhausted), but with a renewed spirit to get the job done, as always, with excellent results.  I always bear in mind that having the right attitude despite any obstacles will always make one bear the burden.

This is definitely grace under pressure…

Thank You For Reaching Out

September 30, 2009

The past days were gloomy for a  lot of Philippine based Providers, especially those located in the Metro Manila area.  A very strong typhoon caught a lot of Manilenos unaware.  While there had been cases of flash floods before, those were not as devastating as this one – loved ones lost, houses, buildings and vehicles got submerged chest deep, businesses paralyzed.  This one is considered the worst in so many years.  A lot of odesk providers lost their gadgets (laptops, computers,  servers, etc.), and likewise their income.

Appeals by fellow Providers were made (via the forum) to the odesk management to contact the concerned Buyers and to make them aware of the sad plight of Filipino Providers.  A few minutes ago, I received this email from odesk:

Some of the Buyers I am currently working with also sent messages of concern:

I replied to the Buyer’s email to inform him that I am safe and doing fine, together with my family.  My location is a mountainous area and there is not much damage.

Thank you, odesk…..and thank you to the Buyers of Filipino Providers for reaching out.  This gesture adds up to the encouragement for us to stay firm and face the future with a grateful heart, grateful that we are alive.  It might be difficult but we Filipinos are resilient to challenges like this one.  After all, our talents, skills and love for our jobs are forever instilled.

The Ladder of Success

September 27, 2009

I still work with my very first Buyer. He has not ended my assignment but instead, he “promoted” me to a more responsible position. He updated my privileges to become “Hiring Manager” of the team and has asked me to look for an assistant to take over my first job. This is another good thing to learn – hiring a Provider at oDesk.

Come to think of it…..I nearly resigned from my assignment with this Buyer during the first month (you might want to read the reason why, in this post).

He really is an angel of a Buyer – very professional, kind-hearted and understanding.

When he hired me, I started with a low rate, but I was told that it  will be evaluated after 3 months, depending on my performance. But, my rate increase came earlier than expected — only a month after. I was very grateful to the Buyer. He encouraged me to sacrifice a little bit more, confident that the new business will grow. He even told me in one of our chats, “You are fantastic, I am so grateful to work with you. I will give you more, I promise. You have a family and I like to share my profits, but we have to work for it. It does not mean that you are so far away that you don’t deserve a good pay. I think you are heading that way, just keep up the good work and one day you can be the manager of you own team, so help me grow this company…. you have the skills… you have it all. I love your professionalism. We will get far, thank you.  My whole family knows you already, and I wish you can come here to the US, I will pay for the ticket…..”

Indeed, the company is growing…..and we are heading to the right direction. This is my 4th month working with this Buyer. We have a great teamwork. He comes up with excellent ideas, I recommend improvements as needed, then we implement and co-manage the business. I am glad to be a part of the growth of the company. The Buyer told me, “I knew the first day I chat with you, even though you are so far away, I sensed a great business person in you and you’re so smart. I truly give you more credit than anybody who works here in the office. Thank you so much for everything. I hope you can stay with me for a long time…”

I guess my sacrifices are paying off. I got another rate increase as a result. Could this be the 2nd of a series of increases? I hope. I am again crossing my fingers on this. After all, he told me, “Believe me, I don’t know if $*.00, $*.00, $*.00 will make a difference but I know $20 will, and you will feel good about it. It’s all gradually. You are a fast leaner and I will prepare you for that. You had it today with the xxxxxxx (I successfully negotiated with another company). I need you to make decisions on your own and be your own boss, that will be you managing the business which is a big responsibility.  There are more difficult things to do and we are in the learning process. I will give you $*.00 and soon more, gradually, you’ll see….”

My present rate is now 267% of the rate I got when I started my assignment with him. I am motivated to give my best even more. I have always treated the business like my own that is why I make it a point to do the best I can to help grow the business. Now that the Buyer has entrusted me with this bigger role (with greater responsibility),  I will work hard, so that gradually, I will be able to climb the “ladder of success.”

The Offer

September 22, 2009

Last September 4^th, one of my clients (Buyer) made a generous offer.

I am currently working  on updating his accounting books.  When I started my assignment with him last August 12, his books were behind by 6 months (since March 2009).  I started with the assignment getting familiar with the new software.  Though he offered to pay my time while learning the software, I did not log into the team all those times. My foremost consideration then was to get myself familiar with the software so I will be more confident to finish the task.

Four days after,  the buyer sent an email, “Good day Verena,  Just wanted to know how things are going regarding the data entry? (for historical data)…….. I also see that you haven’t logged in many hours. I’m sure you did some training, so please add those hours as I do not want you to work without getting paid for it.”

Another angel of a Buyer!

I replied that I have familiarized myself already with the new software and is now ready to update his books.  I also made recommendations as to how we can manage the accounts for better monitoring of the performance of the business. He liked my suggestions and was pleased with the implementation. I went on to finish off  with the data he provided me (about 107 transactions for a single month). I encountered some problems along the way, but was able to find the solutions right away.

As I was nearing completion with the March transactions, the Buyer sent another email, this time with a very generous offer.”Good day Verena,  I have an offer to make you. As you know, I am behind with my bookkeeping. I still need April to August completed. My year end for the company is September, so I need my books to be completed by the beginning of October. Here is my offer to you.  I need all my books up to date by October 10th (March to September). I will supply you all the spreadsheets separated by the months (as well as the expense reports which I have not given you yet). I will offer you your current pay rate plus a $500 bonus if you can complete all the data entry by October 10^th .I am leaving on business on Monday the 7th, so please let me know right away so I can start getting everything ready for you. Thank you.”

The offer was hard to resist. But my other two buyers had me work on tasks that are also required to be finished as soon as possible.  My multi-tasking and time management skills are again put to the test.

I took on the challenge, but not 100% confident to meet the deadline because all data are not readily available.  And, a lot of things also need to be done in my other assignments.  I will just work on what is made available to me, as fast and accurate as I can. Each of the month’s transactions doubled since March (now more than 200-300 in a month).

Todate, I am nearing completion of the June data. The July and August  transactions have just been sent today.  I hope to get done with everything ahead of time.  But should  I fail to meet the deadline (October 10), I will accept my fate of not possibly receiving  the offer……

Buyer Goes The Extra Mile

September 17, 2009

It’s been more than a week since I posted an article about my milestones. I have lots of things in mind to share here but I am currently working on meeting some deadlines. I am on track so far, and so let’s keep the ball rolling….

Gaining good feedback from ended assignments is like receiving a medal during commencement exercises in school. It will show the quality of a provider you are.

When two of my assignments were successfully ended last July 27, one Buyer was able to leave a good feedback, but the other Buyer missed. I sent him an email reminding him of the allotted period for leaving feedback but there was no response. He is a quality Buyer and in his profile, he always left feedback to providers in his team. Naturally, I felt bad because I know I also deserve one.

Almost three weeks after (August 14), the Buyer sent me an email, “I am sorry to have overlooked this Verena. I have been away. I will do what I can to give this feedback now.”

It was too late. The period allotted for feedback has ended. I waited though, hoping he could request oDesk to allow the ended assignment to receive his feedback. Days passed but my work history remained with only 1 feeback but 2 ended assignments. Last September 10 (or 26 days after), I received another email from the Buyer, “Hello Verena, I meant to leave you feedback at the end of the job but missed the 14-day window. Can you enable me to change your feedback? I believe if you enable it, I can go in and leave feedback for you.”

I contacted oDesk Support (Live Chat) at once and inquired about it. Here was the transcript:

Barbara: Hello, Verena. Can I help you with anything today?
Verena : Yes…my buyer whose assignment had ended failed to leave feedback and missed the 14-day period….he contacted me today and want me to reset it because he wants to leave me a feedback…how is this possible? thanks for any help…
Barbara: Yes
Barbara: Just point to your My Jobs tab and select Assignments.
Barbara: Click on the Ended tab there
Barbara: Find the job on the list
Verena : ok, I’m there….
Barbara: Over to far right under Feedback/Actions column, select “View Details” and click on the blue text next to first Comment line: “Click here to enable buyer to change feedback”
Barbara: Even though they didn’t leave any to change, this will enable them to leave feedback now.
Verena : i see…thank you, I will respond to the buyer and tell him that it is already enabled and he can leave feedback now….
Barbara: You’re welcome! Is there anything else today?
Verena : no, that is all for now…..that was fast and I thank you very much for it….
Barbara: You’re very welcome! Thanks for contacting the oDesk Customer Success Team. Goodbye.
Barbara: Barbara exited session.

(Because I was very satisfied with the performance of Barbara, for being able to address my concern that fast, I gave her the highest score. She deserves it.)

I emailed the Buyer then, and informed him that the feedback facility has been enabled. In a minute, the Buyer responded, “Hi Verena, We were able to go in and leave feedback for you. Thanks again” I responded with a thank you message and appreciation of his efforts.

And, the feedback score that he left me?

I got my other “medal” at last. My hard work paid off with another star in my oDesk badge.

I appreciate what the Buyer did, as he went the extra mile to leave me a good feedback.

“Sow a good seed, and reap good harvest.”