For those who see me a lot, I've been using the IBM thinkpad for work for quite awhile now. I couldn't really stand it anymore last week as it began to crash on me quite frequently. It was time for a new laptop!
Being the little wuss I am, I figured I should email my manager for approval to get a new laptop before I actually filed a ticket for it. I then spent the next 30 minutes proof reading it over and over to make sure that my request was a justifiable one (and it really was). I don't know why I was so nervous of sending out an email to ask for that, but maybe I just felt like I didn't deserve a brand new laptop? Maybe I'm just so used to using things until they became antique, like the P3-866mhz that I had had for over 10 years? Or, maybe, just maybe I was rejected in the past before at my previous employment when I asked for something that would make me a happier employer?
Whatever it was, I finally gathered up enough courage and pressed send to the email that I had drafted. In less than 30 seconds I got the response back going "Sure, I approve!" I really love my manager.
I immediately filed a ticket to request for a Macbook pro. Under the description of the ticket, I again explained the issues that I had been having with my laptop, and that I had gotten my manager's approval. The helpdesk person replied to my ticket and told me that I actually didn't even need manager's approval since I'm in Engineering. Wow! I should have asked for a replacement a long time ago then!
In just one day, the new macbook pro was delivered to me at my desk, with all the cool gadgets set up and everything. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical about this whole macbook thing since I'd never used a Mac before. But after spending the weekend with it, I am convinced that it is much much better than windoze XP. For example, it doesn't take over 5 minutes for the laptop to wake up after standby. It also connects me to wireless in less than 5 seconds every time I open up the macbook pro. It looks good, it is fast, it is REALLY hot. What more can I ask for?
Going back to this "no approval needed for a new laptop" thing. I really want to emphasize that it's simply awesome. I like the fact that the company goes out of its way to ensure that the engineers get whatever tools they need/prefer that will enable them to become more productive at work. Happy engineers -> write better code -> write better unit tests -> stay at work longer -> work at home more -> work faster -> blog more -> products ship faster. I am surprised a lot of companies out there still don't get that.
1 comment:
I don't particularly approve the use of a mac, but I do sympathize with the permanent damage. :)Example: On my 2nd day at the new job, my boss tells me to order a blackberry. I go to the ordering site, and automatically assume this means I can only get the free model. But no, I get the spiffy 8700C with the voice AND data plan. Also my obvious shock at almost ALL perks probably has them a little weirded out.
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