3 months as a salesgirl

Assalamulaikum and Hi,

Today marked the 3rd month I've started my career in telesales. I just want to write here so that one day when I read back I'll remember the journey I've been through in my early days. Or maybe when I feel lost in my career I'll find this and gain my strength back.

As a girl from customer service, being in sales is totally new thing. In my previous job, I have to RECEIVE CALLS and PUT IN the orders I received and solved certain issues. Now, I have to MAKE CALLS, FIND orders aka SALES and solve whatever issues related to that.

And it's not easy though. Someone said to me that only 30% people are talented while the 70% are successful because of their efforts. And I'm 100% I'm not from the former.

Some of the things I learned for the past 3 months in telesales are;

Make the calls

The first important thing is making calls. It's the first step to communicate with your customers that you've never met. Like my boss usually said, your call is like you visiting them but virtually, so to make them remember you and your company is by making call. Recently I read a book about cold calling techniques, it also stated that the way to make more sales is my making more calls. There's one time, I called a client just right before he stocked up. If I didn't make the call at that time, I might lose my client because he could go to other supplier.

Building rapport

Relationships with customers are the most important especially when you are only dealing with them online. You don't know how their places looked like, what they are feeling at that time so connecting with them online are crucial. I also learn about the term probing with customers to get to know more about them. Always follow up with them to initiate conversations with them to gain details.

For this part I still need to improve in a lot of things by learning from my seniors and superiors. 

Strategy and planning

Besides those two, this part is the most important two. In my first month, I just go through all the customer list without analysing any data. Over time, I started to learn about purchasing pattern and that's when sales started to kicking in. I learned all these through training with my superiors using Excel. And it always amazed me on how these things work. Also build and keep database of your customers.

Focus, discipline and be matured

Personally, as for myself, these are the things I've learned. I once lose focus and lack in discipline in making calls, that's the point where my sales starting to slow down. When I managed to control all these back, my sales started to grow again. As for being matured is on how I carry myself. I should be confidence, brave and wiser so that people. That way, I will trust myself first before anyone else did.

Have good attitude

Good attitude will always bring you somewhere so do practice having one. Sooner or later it will. 

Never ever give up

There were times when I really really really wanted to give up. Like I really did. But I told myself, just make another call, just send another message and just plan again.

I always believe great things will happened just before or when you're at the verge of giving up. Don't give up yet because you're just near to closing the deal.

After 3 months of hustle, a girl with no sales experience like me eventually finally reached the target which qualify me to receive commission.

I didn't put money first but the joy learning new skills and gaining knowledge. Money comes after that. I think I have passion in this field and trust the products I'm selling.

Another point to add on is to find a good mentor. I've found them and that's where I learned the points I've shared above.

And this is just not the ending but only the beginning. 

Let's strive harder, be better and help more people 💪

Till then,

Adlina

Cheapest bookstore in town

Assalamualaikum and Hi,

There's a bookshop in Klang Valley that I really love. It's The Bookxcess. They are somehow linked to Big Bad Wolf. They have many outlets but the ones I've been to are in Summit USJ back in uni days and Amcorp Mall last year.

Somewhere is October or November last year, I went to Amcorp mall with Husna. At that time it's been two months since we last met and many major things happened in life. We had breakfast at Secret Recipe and exchanged life stories for almost 1 hour. Once we finished our food it's already around 10am so we went up to look for the bookstore.

It was quite huge and beautiful. The design was every modern and the lighting was so nice. The books were very cheaper by more than 50%. I don't know how they managed to sell at that price but it's a good thing books since the books were affordable. There were all types of genres here. If you couldn't come here you can always buy at their website. 

We spent around 2 hours strolling around and bought few books which cost us less that RM50! 

After we're done there we went to a Muslim book store called Dakwah Book Store because Husna wanted to buy Al Quran with translation. The books here were good too and I'll definitely come again to buy something here.

Once we're done with all the books, we wanted to perform Zuhur prayer but there's no surau opened because of MCO at that time. So we decided to go back early. Before going back, we went to Family Mart to have some drinks and take pictures.

The books we bought and exchanged with each other

The booknerd lady

Husna and the books

It was a good day and I hope we will always read 🌸🌸

Till then, 

Adlina

Life is a series of test

Assalamualaikum and Hi,

When I told my mom about me writing my blog again, she actually encouraged to write more. I was writing for my memories but she said write good things and lessons in life too as they might reach someone who needed them. 

Recently I have conversations with my mom about the difficulties in life. Whenever I experienced any issues I will always tell her since she's really a good listener. My mom is a teacher so her students come from different types of family backgrounds. She will share her students' stories for me to learn and take the lessons.

I came to understand one thing, "Life is a series of test". There will always be test in your life, one after another, and it won't stop because this life was made to test each and every one of us. It's just the matter of the kind of test we're facing and how we deal with it.

Let's take me as an example. When I was a high school student, I was worried about my SPM results and scholarship. When I was a university student, I'm worried if I can't graduate on time. When I'm a fresh graduate, I find difficulties in finding a job. When I found a job, at certain point I'm no longer happy and have to deal with office politics. When I found another job, I have to struggle to meet certain targets and expectations.When I'm already stable in all these I struggled to find someone to share my life with. And it will endless even when I already become a wife, mother, grandmother, manager or retiree. Whenever we reach one stage, there will always be a test or more that we have to face. When you're single or married, poor or rich, happy or sad and many other situations, you will always be tested.

And thus I believe life is a series of test. If this life was made to be perfect, we're not in this world but in Heaven.

Back to my Mom's stories, whenever she told me what her students faced, I will feel like what I went through was very small compared to others yet I still complain. What I'm trying to say is everyone has problem whether it's big or small, but don't let it consumed you because there's always solution to every problem.

Think it as this way. This life is like a puzzle, we have to find the right pieces and to put it at the right place. No matter how long it takes to be done, you will eventually finish it. But never stop doing it despite how hard it is. Someone also said to me, if plan A doesn't work, you must have plan B or C or D and many more. In other words, we have to be flexible. Like Hiro from The Big Hero 6 said, "Try to look things from different angle".

All you need is perseverance to remain 💪 and keep going like Dory from Finding Nemo said, "Just keep swimming".

That's how life is a series of test works. You have to pass one test and then solve another. You will cry, stumble and fall but you will eventually finish it all. When we're done with all the test, we'll be in the Heaven already in shaa Allah :)

My Sunway memories - Memorable places

Assalamualaikum and Hi,

Besides Sunway, there were other places I used to go explore back then.

• Subang Parade

This mall has been here since my mom's uni days. As for me, I always went to Subang Parade on weekend because it's less crowded than other malls. They also have restaurants other famous mall usually have. I also often watch late night movies with friends on Wednesdays night because the price was RM or RM9 on that day. When there is Sushi Bonanza I would come here too to avoid crowd. It's not one of my favourite malls but it's a mall that I have memories with. So Subang Parade deserved to be remembered here.

• Nasi Lemak Opah

Nasi Lemak Opah is one of the famous Nasi Lemak in PJ area because it's cheap and the taste is quite nice. I usually went here with my housemates whenever we craved for it. Not sure how it is now because the last time I went here was in 2018 maybe.

• Selera Jaya 223

Out of all Nasi Lemak I tried in Klang Valley, this is the very best one! The delicious nasi lemak was served on banana leaf on plate, together with fried chicken and half runny fried egg. Anddd the priceee is RM5.50 only.

• Subang Jaya Lake

I always went here to jog. The view was so picturesque and it's not so crowded. It's a good place to escape from hectic town.

• Upstairs cafe

I only went here once with Husna because she liked to eat pancake and this place was famous for having amazing pancake for breakfast. And it's soooo deliciousss. As someone who didn't like pancake, this one was very good. I ate Aglio Olio pasta too which was amazing too. Price was at that time for me quite okay for the quality they served.

• Food court at the Highway

There's this food near the Highway near road to Sunway Pyramid. I don't know how to describe the location haha. Nina's brother first brought us here when we first started our study here. Later on it became one of the place we used to hang out because the food was cheap and it's nearer to our house. I like the sotong kangkung and tauhu bakar. But the food I often order was the honey chicken wings.

• The Curve/Ikea

Ikea Damansara was linked to The Curve so technically we will go to those two places together at once. I loved going to Ikea for the experience and the food. I always imagine about my dream home whenever I walked past their showroom. As for the food, it was so good. My favourites were the famous meatball, cinnamon rolls and their RM1 curry puff. Another one that I like was their hotdogs which cost RM2 only. It tasted so much better if you paired it with their mustard sauce.

• Public transports

My favourite of all favouritessss. I came all the way from Kedah which doesn't have public transportations (as far as I remember there's only buses that nowhere to be found).

I can't remember how I started using public transport but they brought me to so many places. Each train stations I've been too have have link to some of my memories. Each Grab ride always give me something to remember such as good advices or life stories from other people.

The love I had for public transportation made me don't even thought of buying a car. You can ask me anything about public transportation like the routes, timing and I know I can answer it. But it's kinda disappointing because our public transportation still wayyy behind. I know there are people who don't want to buy car because it's expensive but they don't have any other option because of our country is still lacking to provide efficient and accessible public transport to everyone.

Maybe there are other places I should write but I couldn't remember since it's been too long already. Perhaps I'll add more if I suddenly remember. One thing for surely, I will always remember these places deep in my heart ❤

Read more about my life in Sunway during foundation and degree here

Till then,

Adlina Maisarah

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Assalamualaikum and Hi,

I always came across this questions during most of the interviews I attended after I graduated. And I just realized it's been almost 5 years since I left university.

I was thinking back about all the answers I used to give to recruiter but I couldn't remember anyway. Maybe I should dig back into my old stuffs for me to see.

But what I roughly remember I did said I wanted to grow and be an expertise in the field I'm working in. Looking at me now, I'm still not an expert yet but my experiences are leading me somewhere.

Back when I started my career as a SL1M trainee, I worked in chemical laboratory but I didn't do much testing. Most of the time I was focusing on doing reports which made me learn how to write and deal with data. From there I realized I wanted to learn to use Excel in details.

Few months before my training ended, I got an offer as a customer service specialist. When I first started working, I thought it was just about answering queries from customers only, but it's not. My main tasks were to process orders given via call, email and fax. Since most orders came from calls, I got the chance to polish my communication skills. I also deal with client representatives a lot and I enjoyed building rapports with them. We also keep in touch up until today.

When I decided for a career change, I applied for many related positions and ended up in telesales. I thought telesales is just about doing sales online only but I was wrong again. It's beyond my imagination. We have to analyse data to ensure our targets will be achieved. And we did all that using Excel. We also have to build good relationships with customers and always follow up with them. My experiences with client representatives before made it easier for me to develop the relationships with other representatives and clients. 

What amazed me was all skills I've gained from my experiences throughout my career were linked to each other in my current job. If I didn't have any of those experiences, I'm sure I won't be here. And I believe whatever experiences I'm gaining now will also be useful in future too.

To answer my question, Where do I see myself in 5 years, from 5 years ago? I think I am where I am supposed to be, growing and learning. I've found my passion and things I love doing. I just need to nurture them. There's a lot of things I need to improve in my career  and I'm grateful now I'm at the right place to do so. 

We couldn't see future but we can plan - hence for the next 5 years, I will focus on gaining and polishing more skills as well as be and expertise in my field. On top of that maybe I wanted to climb the corporate ladder too.

In terms of personal life, I have grown so much too since last 5 years - but mostly growing a lot this year. I improved my appearance, knowledge and the way I think too. I travelled a lot before Covid 19, now I'm planning to travel more when things got better. And I started to jog recently. For me this part surprised me most because I never imagined what myself look like as a person 5 years ago.

In terms of financial, I continued saving money as before but I also learn how to invest them. I paid my study loan too. Don't have much commitment yet at the moment. The only thing I thought I might have but don't yet was having my own house.

In terms of relationships, I now have my circle of friends small and closest to my family. I thought I might be married by now but I ended up being single anyway. Anyway I'm happy with my life. Maybe I'll get married when I found the right guy at the right time (finger crossed please pray for me!)

What happened today might not be like what I expected 5 years ago, some of it were accomplished while some still pending. 

In these 5 years too, they are many many times I overthinked. Thinking things that are beyond my control. Fortunately, I also learn to control my thoughts now. I realized this quite late but it's better late than never. There's always room for improvement. Always and and always.

I believe planning is a great thing, but you have to be flexible if any of your plan didn't go your way 😊😊

That's my reflection for today. 

Till then,

Adlina

An update on life

Assalamualaikum and Hi,

Hello Octoberrr! September ended so fast just in a blink of an eye. I think it's because I was so busy and still adapting with my life.

In September - went to see my sister and Husna, had my first progression report and at the end of the month I start building new habits.

After closing I had time to sort things out for work and my life. In working life, I started to see where I went wrong and trying to fix it. I'm currently trying to engage with all our clients to get to them better and build relationship. As for strategy and planning, I need to completed everything my superiors told me. Additionally, I learn Excel in a little bit details - such as the shortcut and VLOOKUP. They never failed to amazed me! In shaa Allah with these two things, I will able to achieve my targets. I want to keep learning and be better at what I'm doing. I'm glad I'm at the right place with the right guidance.

I also finally finished reading The Atomic Habit by James Clear. I don't know was it from there that I decided to sort out, build and add on my habits. 

I actually started to jog, consistently for a week - except for 3 days when I went to office. It wasn't easy but what kept me going were by using some tricks on myself;

1) I want to scroll my phone and stay in bed so what I did was I told myself - Let's scroll the phone while just walking. At least I just showed up for myself. In the end I ended up running and walking.

2) I like morning run so I told myself let's run in morning only and take breaks on the days I have to go to office.

3) I loveeee the cold shower after runninggg. It felt so refreshinggg. I always hated cold shower but it's so nice.

This week alone I managed to run 11km breaking my life record hehe. I hope to run more next week. I also learned not to judge yourself because you don't know what you're capable of doing.

Another habit I managed to do was waking up early consistently. I woke up at 4.30-5.00am now. But I'm still sorting out things I should do after I woke up. Sometimes I just woke up and pray and then stare at the sky. I still haven't figured out that part yet. 

Despite that, I'm still clueless about my night routine. That one still in progress. One thing for sure, I slept early for at least 5 to 6 hours per day.

This weekend I went out with my friends. I had good time catching up with my friends. I took MRT to go there. I was so excited to hear the announcement they made as well as the sound of the train. Now that I knew ways to use public transport, I might delay my plan to buy a car.  

Today I went for breakfast with my housemate. I just knew tosai tasted so much better at the restaurant. I usually had it takeaway so it's no longer crispyy. On our way back I bought latte at Mcdonald for RM2 only (always bought it during sale only hehe). Then my housemate wanted coconut water. While searching for it we discovered a gem - nursery with so many plants and fresh salted fish tooo. After we arrived at home we made porridge and air fried the salted fish. It's so niceee especially if you eat it with garlic chilli oil and dried seaweed.

Talking about that, this week I made vegetarian dumplings and froze the so I can eat whenever I feel hungry. I also know how to make Sushi and kimbap. Not so good yet but it's 70% already.

Back to my Sunday story, after lunch I cleaned my room, took a long shower and watched Hometown Cha Cha Cha. In the evening I wanted to do some calls but I was so tired so I ended up watching another show on Netflix (a good one! I'll share later). 

As for now I managed to write consistently here at least once or twice a week. However, there's still loophole I have to fill in for reading because I didn't read everyday.

I guessed that's all I wanted to share this time. I just wanted to remember these smallest things in my life so I won't forgot how they will shape me one day :)

Till then,

Adlina