06.05.08
A really practical novelty!
Hi everybody!
There is a little novelty which now is possible to use on Canalblog.
This is... this is... THE NEWSLETTER!!!
Some people already asked me to install one on my blog. And now, this is done!
Ok, nice. But what the f*ck is that?
Well, basically, it enables you to "sign up" for my blog.
To sign up? No way! I don't want to pay any fee!!
No problem, everything is free!
Ah! Good... so what's that for?
Really simple. Every time I write a new post, you will receive an email telling you there's something new to read on my blog. Thus, you will not have to check everyday if the drag I am finally write the summary he promised to write for the day after, 15 days ago.
Great! So what should I do to sign up??
In the left columns, below my picture, there is a new part "La newsletter de Matt" (which means "Matt's newsletter").
In the white zone below, you just write your email and then, you click on "M'abonner" (which means "Sign up").
That's all!
Ahhhhhhhhh... another window is opened now!!! What must I do???
Calm down. No worries, it's normal.
Here are explanations about this new window:
Blog sélectionné :
Matt en Australie - http://matttrips.canalblog.com/
(This is the blog you want to sign up with. So, it's mine.)
Adresse email : machinbidule@hotmail.com
(Here, you can read the email address you wrote down)
About Inscription Anonyme and Choix, you don't have to change everything.
Recopiez ce code de securite :
On the right of this sentence, you can see letters in a grey part. These are the letters you must copy in the white part below. It permits to check that you are a real person and not a computer.
Then, just click on "Valider".
There's another message!
This is normal. It confirms that you want to sign up but it's not the end yet!
If you read this message, it's written that you'll receive an email so...
Have a look in you mailbox and read the mail you received.
In boldface, it's written "Pour confirmer votre inscription, cliquez ici"
Click on "Cliquez ici" (which means "Click here")
Another window is opening?!!!
Yes! And it's the last one. The title of this new one must be "Votre inscription est confirmee" which basically means that you succeed in signing up.
That's all!!!
Hey, that's awesome! And really easy to do!
Well, yes...
(ok, I own that this last talks is not really useful. It's just to make much of how it's simple to do... eh mum... XD)
That's it for today.
See you soon and take care,
Matt
24.04.08
The exhausted American and the sons of sluts
(nice title, isn't it?)
Hi everybody!
Four days ago, I promised to write a summary of our week and eventually... well... I am late now...
So, let's take our story back.
After our training period as Energy sellers, we started to work on site.
On Monday 14th, we went to Richmond to meet our new team. That's a really Big story!!
On plans, an American Show with lots of "let's run to motivate us" and "Pat on the shoulders of your friend and say him he's a good seller!". Completely insane!!! During one hour, we thought we were returned in primary school! Seriously, we couldn't believe it! Then, the boss divided us in four teams and ask us to find ourselves a name, a motivation sentence and some kind of song for the team!! Definitely out of controle!!
Let's imagine:
- Who are you?
- Energized bunnies!
- I can't hear you!!!
- ENERGIZED BUNNIES!!
- What's your song?
- na na na na na, bunnies...
- What? Don't you have enough energy???
- NA NA NA NA NA BUNNIES...
Insane!!!!
Mat and I, we were rolled on the floor laughing !! We thought we were in a dream nightmare!
Then, after this funny moment, we were associated with an "old" seller so he could teach us some techniques.
I can't complain of this point because I was lucky to be associated with a guy less crazy and really nice. He explained me his way of thinking and it was really better.
At the end of the day, thanks to him, I got one sign!
Then, let's go home, take a shower and go to bed.
On Tuesday 15th, the same!
Still crazy, still insane, still strange.
Nothing important to tell because every days after were quite similar.
We knock on a door, we explain that we are not seller (hmm...), that we are here for a registration and not a contrat (really?!) and that we are the only retailer to propose "green" energy (of course). A seller job!
At the end of the day, no sale for Mat and for me.
In the team's van, they tried to cheer us, to motivate us, "tomorrow will be better, you can do it!"
Of course, of course...
As I said before, every days were quite the same and, at the end of the week, on friday 18th, I only got 4 sales! Not good!
With Mat, we wondered why we were not able to do better. Job was not really difficult but not answering to customers' questions instantly was not good. We tried to put ourselves into the shoes of customers and we understood the problem.
If in France, a foreigner asked me to change my energy retailer in a poor french and sometimes asking me to repeat my question, seriously, I think there will be no way! Door-to-door needs lots of confidence and you have to be able to answer and to react quickly in order to create a friendly relationship with the customer. And that was too much difficult for us.
In addition, the sheets to fill in were not easy. Imagine a document to sign, which is supposed not to be a contract but whose title is... "CONTRACT"! Then, you needed to ask lots of questions and, last but not least, you needed to call the Call Center, from the customer's phone to read the contract and then, let the customer speaks in order to confirm his identity.
Who is the harebrained who pounded that out?!!
Anyway, no lame excuse, let's say it was too hard for us.
On Saturday and on Sunday, we called our second job back. And, happily, we got sales!
On Sunday, Mat and I, we decided to quite the Energy job to only devote ourselves to the second one. And above all, we read the contract again and, in the end, we took the bait like fools!
1. We were not paid 300$ but 200$ per week (because we got less than 15 sales)
2. We won't be paid 30$ per sale but 15$ because we were in some kind of "training period"!!
That was so random that we sent a text message to our team manager explaining him that we were sorry but we found a better job.
And I let you guess the answer: "your mums a slut!"
Yep! No more and no less!
After that, we sent him texts in which we explained our way of thinking (really vicious, of course, 'coz according to Mathieu, I don't mince my words XD). Then, we had to wait the day after to receive a really honest and worthy of a man text message: "sorry, but yesterday, a friend hooked my phone!!!"
Ha-llu-ci-na-ting!!
It was so fearful that we decided to give up.
Well, this was the little incident of last week.
Fortunately, the end of the week end was really nice.
On Saturday 19th, I received lots of mails, texts and calls from all over the world! I was happy all day long! Friends from Australia, colleague from Japan, Miss Europe from Singapore, Arabic guy from Italia, the pearl from Malta and of course, my family from France! It made me traveling! :D
Then, we spend the beginning of the night with our roommate, watching a dvd that Mat offered me (good to eat, no?) and after that, we staid in the backpacker with two Korean friends.
Nice day.
To conclude this loooooong post (sorry XD), I'm going to tell you the mad story that happened yesterday.
In this morning of the 24th of April, Mat and Matt waked up in a good temper at an early hour and went to St Kilda to take their car. When Mat opened the door, only one door reacted. Then, he tried to start up but the car didn't want to.
Mat frowned and started again. But the car didn't want to wake up. The battery was flat!
Looking for someone to help them, they finally found a guy. They thought he lost his keys because he was getting in his car by the window and then, starting it up with cables (who's the nasty tongue who said "stolen car"?)
Anyway, the guy agreed to help them and connected the cables to the battery, so every doors of the car opened suddenly. But, that was not enough to start up the car. And the guy had an appointment so he left. Matt and Mat decided to come back to the Backpacker.
But another problem was there! All doors were opened and without battery, it was impossible to close the two doors in the back! Impossible to let the car opened because of all the camping stuff in the back!
So they looked for another guy to help them and finally, found one.
But! Big problem when the guy connected the cables to the battery! All doors decided to close and... the keys were inside the car!!!
Fortunately, Mat and Matt are really calm and quiet (for sure). During 20 minutes, they tried to open the doors with an iron stem but it was impossible so they called for a repairman.
The end of the story is really normal so, nothing really important to tell you. (it was 188$!!)
Anyway, I got to go now.
Sorry for the late in the translation.
I hope everything is fine for you. In here, excepted the rain (we forgot it) everything goes on wheel!
Have a good day
Take care,
Matt
19.04.08
Today is...
Saturday!! :p
Thx Tibet, Thx Narbert (Who is the one who speaks Japanese??), Thx Mouche (psychopatic!), Thx Bubble (How did you know I really appreciate Penelope? :p),
Thx Teru (Fucking Japanese Guy), Thx my little wild strawberry (I love the orange heads!!),
Thx Sam, Beths, Craig, John, Daren, Paris and all the Simply Team (How to be in a good mood thanks to a call!), Thx Kar (Wahou! You remembered it!), Thx "Grand Chef" (Big party tonight, isn't it?!), Thx Cecile (Yep, Mat didn't forget to said it to me), Thx Fjord (How did you do that? Are you spying on me? 0_O??), Thx Donia (fortunately, Mat was there...), Thx my family (I turned off the tape cassette with parrots sounds!),
Thx Michels ("chaud patate!"), Thx Sora (I already ate the apple and clementine!), Thx Yuri (soon soon soon!), Thx O2 (of course, it's not really easy to find blueberries in Oz), Thx Nold (nick of time!), Thx Amandine (kiitos paljon!), Thx Miss Flamm (Swishing... XD), Thx Marraine ("only" three days late!!), Thx Pitchoune (I was sure that you had a good reason!) and a BIG THX to everyone I forgot! (in that case, you can send me a claim via a short comment... which I won't publish and then, I will add your name in the list pretending that I didn't forget anyway...)I'll continue this post later on because now I have to go.
Tomorrow, I'll try to make a summary of our week and our plans (which changed a bit).
Love,
Take care,
Matt
Edit: "Thx list" updated ;)
10.04.08
Job story
Hi everybody,
How are you? What is happening in France? Don't you like candles? Because I saw you tried to switch it off! (by the way, I really liked the "Reporters Sans Frontieres" poster! Good one!)
In Melbourne, everything is fine because Mat and I have found a... well, not yet. I think it would be better if I resume the beginning of the week first.
So, as I said, last week, I was really disappointed because I didn't get a move on finding a job. And I wanted to do my best in this new week.
On Monday morning, I woke up at 6am (ok, 9am. But it is early enough!) and went to the Library. I checked many websites, trying to find good jobs, writing and erasing... well, searching!
At 12, I went out the Library and tried to call all the numbers I had.
Few calls later, I had two interviews for the following day!
Smile on my face. Good start for a week.
On Tuesday, at 11am, my first interview.
Job sounds nice, we have a quick negotiation and then, guys decide to pick us!
I said "us" because Mathieu was with me. We have same diplomas so we can pretend to quite similar jobs. And in this case, there were two positions available. He negotiated and he succeeded too!
Then, the two happy people we were went to Richmond for my second interview. It should be at 3pm but we decided to go there at 1pm to check where it was and how was the office.
When we arrived, one guy was speaking with the two receptionists. A few seconds later, he met us and we, making our most beautiful smile, tried to explain him why we were here. He said us that his colleague (the one I was supposed to meet) was here and that we could have the interview right now. So we had it at 1pm instead of 3pm.
When the recruiter finished her explanation about the company, she just ask us what our diplomas were and if we were interesting in the position. Of course, we said yes (we want job, that's all!!). And... we had it!
Easy, isn't it?
Actually, the recruiter explain us that the guy we met was the boss and that the way we introduce ourselves plus the fact we arrived earlier were enough for him. He said her: "If you think they are good, pick them. It's already ok for me."
What the fuck is that crazy country?? :D
Then, we came back to the city with two jobs in the pocket and one broad grin on our faces. (really broad grin 20 minutes later, when I will discover Yuri's mail :p)
On Wednesday, first day of door-to-door job, everything was fine. I was a bit scared because of my English. I thought it will be not good enough but I sold three times so... not bad for a beginner, I guess. Mood in team seems to be good... I will see on the long range, but first day was cool!
On Thursday, second job. It is a door-to-door job too. But here, our job is to convince customers that they should change of energy retailer and pick our company because we use green energy.
Today (and tomorrow too) was just a training day. We briefly learned the product we will sell (easy because there is only one!) and how to fill in contracts. Then, we spend plenty of time to learn... what we must not do as a seller!
And that was less funny for me!
Because law is too strict and the behavior "forced-sale" is not allowed by the company.
And this is not really good because we have a commission plan!
Seriously, they explained us every fines we could have if we do this or if we forget to say that! Terrible!
Well, at the end, it is not a really big problem. I think they just said that to us to cover their back.
And then... well, then, this is the concrete practice! Niark Niark Niark! (sadistic laughter) lol
This was the summary of the beginning of the week in chapter I, job.
Aside from this, I bought two books to learn Japanese, we said goodbye to Kim (Honk Kong), I was REALLY happy to meet some specific persons on this blog and I am still happily surprised when I read "regulars"'answers to each message I write.
I hope you have good time in France and abroad,
See you in a next post,
Take care of you,
Matt
05.04.08
Strange week
Hi everybody,
Recap of the week : no job, Yuri is gone, Teru also (and tomorrow, Mukko will leave), future not really clear (should we stay on Melbourne or not?) so, a little bit out of shape :S
But anyway, I don't want to complain. I am in Australia and I am in good health so, everything is alright, isn't it ? And, as Yuri said, good and bad moments are here to extend our lives.
Demonstration :
Uneventful life :
_____________
Life with good and bad moments :
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
So, if now I elongate this kind of life :
_________________________
Conclusion : I lived longer !
Really simple, but I like this way of thinking.
On Saturday, Yuri is returned in Japan. And I admit that I felt lot of sorrow. Waking up was not really easy. Fortunately, her mails and her calls were there to put a smile back on my face.
And also, Mathieu did not hold up to talk rubbish, which helped me a lot.
I knew that Mat and me will hit it of because we had the same way of thinking, but I didn't know that it will be as much as it is.
We had a good party on Tuesday night with Teru (Jp), Donia (Fr), Muko (Jp), Kim (HK) and Mat. It helped me to relativize. I am in Australia !! It is not time to down in the dumps!!
So I kick myself to wake up and now, I feel better.
Today, I realized that I have lost one week. No job, no visit, so, nothing to tell. That made me bug and helped me to get myself organized.
I don't like to waste my time. When I was young, I didn't care about that. But there are so many things to do, to see or to discover. And if I slouch, I could not be able to encounter them.
So now, let's take my resume and move on. There are some demands on Melbourne about sales and Marketing, so, we are thinking about staying one month in here.
Mathieu's family will arrive on may so he cannot leave the Victoria.
His family will stay for one month and I am thinking about what I should do during this visit.
First, I thought I will go in New Zealand but I prefer to wait because one of my french friend who is in Singapore will also go there. So that would be really nice to visit the country with here! (by the way, how are you Miss? What about noodles ? XD)
So, I have two possibilities: to stay here to work or to go somewhere else... meaning Japan maybe.
Ticket is not really expensive from Australia. And this is a dream for a long time so...
We'll see !
Here are the news !
I hope I could speak about a job in my next post !
About MSN (because some people asked me), i can't use it on the computers so, I must wait. It is a pity because I miss speaking with you. Fortunately, there are your mails and your comments !
It is always a pleasure to read your letters!! You are so great !! But I miss you so !! Rhaaa... !!
Anyway...
Take care of you!
Matt
