the recent spate of NKF events awakes in me a serious thought. profit vs integrity - which wud i choose? these is always a politically correct answer which is much much much easier said than done, esp when u r doing sales in an industry famous for its dishonest salesmen and ignorant customers.

i started out in this job hoping to learn as much as i can about every aspect of owning a car, and then passing that knowledge to my customers so that they can make the best informed decision as to financing, buying/selling prices and even insurance. but it does not seem easy, in this industry (as in any other)... i learnt WHAT u know, is not as important as WHO u know.

i dropped by Third Place some weeks ago on a wkday afternoon and had the pleasure of meeting the guy who runs the place (think his name is Jamie, but i m seriously not sure). knowing that i m a newbie in this industry he decided to intro me to some old bird car salesperson (aka OB from now on) who frequent his place during lunchtime.
OB: so u do financing huh, which banks u have?
me: xx bank, not just financing, insurance as well
OB: oh... then u must know their Senior Mgr, Mr X
me: erm... no, i work more with his subordinates
OB: what? how can u not know him? he jus got married and invited the whole of (an area full of cardealers and workshops) to his wedding? if u dun even know him. how u survive in this industry?
me: but i'm new...
OB: (didnt even bother to give me a second look)

jamie (to me aside): u leave ur namecard, next time his boss comes by then i pass him ur namecard, since this OB not so interested in toking to u.

jamie is so nice! God bless him for his kind heart... it's a hard industry to survive in, esp for a gal who was never into technical n mechanical engineering. i had a hard time jus figuring out how turbo actually works. but God has blessed me with many ppl who were patient with me, and trust that i m trying my best e.g. arthur ;) if u r reading this, thanks!

to take up your cross daily,
to do the wise thing
that when judgement comes i stand before you blameless
to let my actions speak louder than my words
to come running to u when i m tempted
to seek forgiveness when i fall
to not allow my pride to blind my conscience and spirit
to b governed by ur peace n wisdom wherever i go
to be ur light, ur salt n b transformed to Christ's image.
yes... this is what i m called to do