Workload
 

How busy are you all at the moment?
Good / bad / indifferent?
Noticed much change?
Busy in different places?

Just curious and hoping you all have a fantastic day.

Re: Workload
 

Im actually pretty free - I reckon working utilisation is probably 40-50% (most of it self inflicted) - I reckon the whole organisation is working at 30-40% utilisation due to our business strategy changing, the markets, and overstaffing !

Re: Workload
 

Busy though a lot of it is bullshit work. Getting less busy personally though that's because I have finally eroded the spirit of the staff and moulded them into the way I want them to work :lol:

Current client is running out of money so I see a blow up on the horizon, do I care? Do I **** ;)

Bonus week this week so fingers crossed I won't have to machine gun everyone in the head office later :lol:

Re: Workload
 

I'm swamped but a lot of stuff is outside the region. Trip to India in a few weeks, then UK the following. Probably Singapore not much further down the line.

Locally the big programme we have is kicking up a gear so that'll keep me busy in Dubai hopefully. Saudi seems to be a big target market as the spending ramps up.

In fact...I've not actually ever worked this hard. Genuinely. I spend so much time doing work I don't have time to dick around or annoy people on here as much as I could.

Re: Workload
 

Not as busy as I want to be. I reckon about 40pct load and most of that is internal bullshit. Some of the people in the office are totally idle.

I have three deals in various stages of development that could result in a very successful year; or the internal politics and bullshit could kill them resulting in a terrible year. I’m not in control of the outcome, sadly. If it goes the wrong way it could be me done in Dubai.

My package is also coming to an end this year; and I will be moved from a premium local staff to either a standard local or an international expat on a featherbed package. Oddly both result in an effective 20pct pay cut. I’m going to ask for local as I prefer to have compensation in the form of pay rather than benefits... if I’m still here.

Re: Workload
 

Gip.

I do hope that was a piss-take comment and you don't actually sign off emails etc. with that comment?

Re: Workload
 

Ouch sounds like a harsh drop (unless you were 20% overpaid in the beginning).

Re: Workload
 

:fingerscrossed:

I had money in my mind on your or one other poster in particular to pick up on that and take it the wrong way, say something shitty or just generally be negative about it. Wishing people a pleasant day is just being nice.

Note: I don't finish emails with it, nor do I start emails with 'hope you're well'.

Re: Workload
 

50% workload of what it used to be and 50% sales which means we are making half of what we used to. Am waiting for the Post ramazan slash in rents etc to make huge cost cuts to bring the overheads down. Its all about surviving this year but in all honesty I dont see it coming back up now. The UAE population overall in my opinion will be much much less in 5 years than what it is now as a lot of them will either leave or be asked to leave. Less numbers obviously means less commerce so yeah. By the by a lot of the boys sitting in Jebel Ali etc are pretty happy as their sales has increased (no VAT there) so maybe I should look into setting up a small virtual thing there.

Re: Workload
 

I reckon I'm at 80% utilisation. But only 20% utilisation is for GCC work.

Sort of like what Scamp's going through!

Qatar is deader than the carcass of a dodo bird in a pond filled with alligators. The two main contracts we have locally are coming to an end within the next six months and that's bad news for most of the local staff as there's no replacements on the horizons beyond vague promises by our big client of another mega project perfect for us. But company has issues with the same client (payment, natch) so I'm not sure if they're keen to chase it. Suspect there will be a massive culling later this year but unfortunately I'll probably survive it.

Re: Workload
 

If I’m totally objective, it’s a bit of both. Still it’s not nice to see but I’m going to suck it up.

All in I reckon it will be about 16pct cut if we factor in a 4pct rise this year thanks to VAT.

Re: Workload
 

I'm pretty quiet at the moment and just cruising along nicely. It's actually quite nice to be able to close out paperwork which I have been delaying. One of my looooong term projects is programmed for completion at the end of the year which could be an issue, however, we are in for quite a few other big projects so I'm not that concerned........yet. Enjoying it if I'm honest as I can see it all getting a bit mental sometime relatively soon..... to the point that my line manager is asking me what leave I have planned for the year (this is rare).

Re: Workload
 

Working in sales, it's as busy as you want it to be! Probably on 60%

Bumper Q1 for me and commission bonus has just been paid. Although as it comes closer to Ramadan, sales are slowing and it's increasingly hard to book meetings

Doesn't help that motivation is low and the company has a culture of complacency (that I'm trying to change...)

Re: Workload
 

Oh, you poor thing.

Re: Workload
 

Working harder than I have for the last 3 years, but thats probably due to starting a new company and striving to get it off the ground.

Usually 40% of my business is in UAE and that has probably dropped to 10% so loads more traveling :( Africa taking off big time.

Re: Workload
 

It's condescending crap. you don't give a flying whether I or the other people that read this, have a fantastic or anything day. It's just crap, like the bloke you bought your coffee off this morning saying the same.
Another AmericaniSation I despise.

Re: Workload
 

Cool.

I tell colleagues to have a good evening or enjoy the weekend etc. It's the same thing, just that you're ungrateful and unpleasant enough to rebuff someone willing or trying to be nice. All of which is entirely your problem, not mine, you snowflake.

Re: Workload
 

That's the point though, you aren't being sincere about it. Words are meaningless, it's actions that make differences snowflake.

And let's face it, that chip on your shoulder for being relegated this season..... ;-)

Re: Workload
 

Words aren't meaningless at all, that's a silly thing to say and it's pretty rude to suggest that I wasn't being sincere. How do you know the level of sincerity behind something typed? How do you know how sincere I was being when I offered wishes that everyone would have a fantastic day?

You just want to be upset and offended at things for the sake of it. I can't stop that happening, it's your choice and your problem.

In future though, I won't bother.

In total sincerity: I hope you have a bang average afternoon and evening, not good, not bad, just really really average.

Re: Workload
 

Scampi twirling it as usual.

You don't though, you don't give a flying whether I have a "bang average afternoon and evening, not good, not bad, just really really average".

You just don't.

You think people don't read between the lines?

Stop trying to pretend you care about me or others when your previous posts against me and a load of others have been toxic.

Re: Workload
 

I think I just had one of those. Blimey! :rofl:

Re: Workload
 

nobody cares

Re: Workload
 

I'd settle for that.

Re: Workload
 

Not advocating banal pleasantries but if they wind you up to this degree perhaps you need a dose of chill the **** out before you have a heart attack. :lol:

Re: Workload
 

Good morning everyone, its Thursday! Yay! I hope you all have an absolutely fantastic day!

Much love!

Re: Workload
 

Thanks buddy. Hope you have a superbly marvelous day too. :thumbup:

Re: Workload
 

i'm busy as a frigging blue a r s e fly :p

Re: Workload
 

I'm not busy. Waiting to start my new job (next week hopefully). Weather has finally improved and it's 24 degrees and blue skies today. Might pop to the pub for a cheeky pint. :cool:

Re: Workload
 

Busy as never before but that's because they asked me to come here and develop foreign markets and this is what I did to extend. Vietnam, India, Singapore, Malaysia to some extend Qatar, KSA and Kuwait. Market in UAE dreadful and I don't see it recover anytime soon. Good people are being replaced with bad people for less money.

Also, trying to finally stabilize my own business, so yes, 14-15 working hours per day sort of norm for me nowadays.

Re: Workload
 

Wow, Who's this weapon?

Since we become persona non grata here New cars have tanked and everyone needs used ones. Business was so good I actually set up my own company hence the lack of action on here....... That said i'm in here today so its a little quiet this week........

Re: Workload
 

You're in Doha, right?

That's because everyone is leaving Doha and taking their favourite kitchen sink with them.

Why do people bother buying cars when uber and taxi are so cheap?

Re: Workload
 

Convenience is the simple answer. Much easier to jump in your car and pop to the shops or stop on way home than rely on Taxis. Also some people want 4x4s to go to the beach at the weekend or if they have little kids a Taxi is a pain in the arse.

If you're single and life revolves around work and hotels I can see your point.

Re: Workload
 

Yep. That's me.

I just find uber/taxi cheap as chips, much cheaper than in the UAE that it surprises me anyone bothers with owning or even renting a car. Driving standards are mental and I say this as someone who lived in the UAE before moving to Doha and did the Dubai-Abu Dhabi speedway regularly.

Re: Workload
 

By the way, to Scamp and all and sundry who might be reading, looks like there's an excellent chance I may be leaving Doha in the next few months. HQ in UK has quietly asked me if I would be willing to relocate back home to replace someone who isn't performing to expectations.

And work is drying up in the Doha office anyway.

Re: Workload
 

When you visiting the modern world again next? Should have a beer soon.

Interesting.
Is it worth going? Something you fancy doing?
Good luck :thumbup:

Re: Workload
 

In your position its totally the right thing to do. The prices are the same here though the distances are 10x shorter - Its a rarity if a cab costs me more that 20 chips

Re: Workload
 

Been having my sanity breaks in Muscat following the toy slinging match. As soon as normal backstabbing open comms are resumed ill be over in a flash

Re: Workload
 

Yes. I'm tired of the GCC anyway. Saved my money. Why say no to an opportunity to go back to the UK with a great job in place? Avoids the whole faffing around unemployed for half a year looking for work.

Timing is undecided, however. Could happen in two months, could be towards end of year.

Re: Workload
 

Good stuff. Hopefully soon but could be light years eh.

Fair enough, it's a smart move if goals are achieved and there's a smooth transition.

Re: Workload
 

Good for you, I think too long in Qatar was going to turn you into a bitter old queen ;)