Spoiling the surprise

What do unethical used car salesmen have in common with unethical “head-hunters” or executive recruiters? Believe it or not, they do have something in common and the similarity would shock you.

When I was just starting out looking for old cars, one good source would be “ahentes” or agents who specialized in nothing but finding old or classic cars. By and large these guys are ok and many of them work hard to support a family and send kids through college. However there were a few who were overly enterprising and would actually take photos of old cars even if they were not for sale, show them to clients, pump up the prices and go back to the unsuspecting owner to make the sale.

No one knew better and presumably no one got hurt except in instances when the non-selling owner would get calls or be visited by strangers wanting to see the car. That’s when the owner learns and is insulted by the audacity and disrespect of the “ahente”. That in itself shocked me, but when I learned that some self-styled executive headhunters have actually been doing something similar, I was speechless!

Apparently, some executive search firms or headhunters have resorted to scalping or building up resumés or portfolios of executives and have submitted these to potential clients without the knowledge or consent of the executives concerned. Imagine what could happen if your present employer learned that you were “applying” for a position even if you were not? This does not even bring up the issue of invasion of privacy, misrepresentation and exposing a person to harm or financial loss. 

While we’re on the subject, another problem potential clients and employers should be wary about are “headhunters” who can’t separate business from friendship. A classic example would be “Executive A” who in spite of limited expertise and credentials always lands a job even before vacating current position. Don’t bother guessing, the case frequently occurs and is non-gender specific so yes it could be someone you know.

Unfortunately, while recruiter and recruited happily bond for cocktails regularly, there is a wake of clients who’ve paid the price, invested on orientations and training and have discovered the candidates to be sorely lacking in abilities.

These are just some of the things I threshed out with some members of the PAESPI or Philippine Association of Executive Search Professionals Incorporated which is a 6-member association of headhunter firms determined to clean up the industry or at least get the attention of corporations in order to warn them about unethical recruiters. In case you tend to use this type of service, it may be well worth your time to check the PAESPI website.

*  *  *

“Buyer beware” may sound logical but if you think about it, it’s actually an excuse for authorities that don’t do their jobs.

In particular, how would inexperienced people know if a condominium or a townhouse was actually built properly or to spec? Does anyone from City Hall actually go to each construction sight after every phase of construction to check if plans and standards were followed? Chances are the answer would be a big fat NO! Most of them simply do “table evaluation” which is the equivalent of “armchair” management. 

I recently passed by two new townhouse projects in the Pasig area and I just drove on shaking my head in dismay. One project relied mainly on sparsely placed undersized steel beams for beams and support. Unfortunately the builders still used the hollow block technology to build walls for the 2nd and 3rd floors making the structure top heavy. Ideally they should have used 1” cement boards that would have been lighter and just as useful. In the next minor earthquake, the unit buyers can expect to see major distortions and cracks in their walls because no one was checking on standards and violations.

While most of us worry about quality, we don’t worry enough about location. The second project I passed by is completely finished and is now open for viewing. What potential buyers may not be aware of is that the nicely cemented road in front of the development will soon become a very, very, busy road during the afternoon rush hour because of a bridge that will connect Makati to Kapitolyo, Pasig. Of course the authorities are not talking about it because residents of Barrio Kapitolyo will almost surely put up a blockade!

So next time you think of buying a townhouse or putting up a business, Yes; buyer beware of what the authorities are not doing and not talking about!

*  *  *

I love our readers especially those who read and share the stuff I write. I’m especially flattered and honored by the kind compliments that a handful, go out of their way to extend. Recently however, I discovered that sharing some personal details can pose “security risks” particularly matters that require a “certain type” of confidentiality.

Last week I finally realized what my wife means when she says the word “secret” does not exist in the Philippine context. As I went to do the groceries last Friday, my daughter Hannah asked me what I was giving her for her graduation present. Since she is not the type to expect gifts outside of birthdays and Christmas, I responded with my best “puzzled look” and asked her what was going on?

She then proceeded to tell about how she was having lunch at school with her classmate Annie who blurted out: “Hannah! I know what your Dad’s giving you for graduation!” In her best theatrical ability my dear daughter responds by going “Tell me! No don’t tell me! Oh NO! Don’t tell me! “

I was dumbfounded! How could a grade 6 “stranger” possibly know of my best laid plans? Was it possible that my wife slipped a word or two about our conspiracy to acquire a “Pandora charm”?

Mercifully, Annie had enough wisdom to decide not to tell in order not to spoil the surprise. After that, she proceeded to share how her father read my column “My Pandora’s box” and told Annie what Hannah was getting for graduation.

I have to admit I felt like a kid caught with my hand in the cookie jar and I had to stop myself from laughing along the grocery aisle. I managed to avert total exposure by turning the whole thing into a guessing game without having to divulge the actual gift. But in the mean time, I feel compelled to remind readers who are related to me up to the third degree, as well as relatives of my daughter’s friends and schoolmates that what is printed in CTALK STAYS IN CTALK!

*  *  *

[email protected]