After I left the power plant and went to work for Dell on August 20, 2001, I wrote letters back to my friends at the plant letting them know how things were going. This is the sixty eighth letter I wrote.
3/18/03 – Spring Already at Dell
Hello everyone at SoonerLand USA,
I know it has been a while since I wrote last. I have been busy doing all those important things, like — going on vacation. Last week was spring break and I went to Washington and Oregon for the entire week. I still haven’t recovered from the trip.
I have tried writing programs, just to allow myself time to rest and relax, but it does take a while to “wind down” after a whole week of vacation. I think I’ll be back to normal by tomorrow. (Much to the disappointment of my fellow workers who were getting used to the lack of “participation” coming from my cubicle).
Well. I received my performance appraisal a couple of weeks ago, — as I mentioned in my last letter. It turned out that I was given the highest rating of anyone in our entire organization. I know what you guys are thinking….. “Boy does Kevin have them fooled.” Or you’re thinkin’ “No way!” (If you want to see how they do it at Dell, I’ll send you a copy if you ask).
Well. I think it turned out that they kind of appreciate a “trouble-maker” down here. I guess I have found my “niche”. At least for now. — My manager told me yesterday that I received a “promotion”. So now I am called a “Program Analyst III”.
The way they do things down here, is that each position has a range of salaries, unlike OG&E where you had a different name for whatever “grade” you were. To give you an idea; I was the only person on my team that received a promotion this year, though I suppose everyone received a merit raise unless they were topped out in their particular position.
On top of all that, one of my business partners gave me an “On-The-Spot Award” on the Friday before I left for vacation. That is where they give you $100 and a certificate for just doing a good job on something you were already supposed to do. What a great idea.
You won’t find me complaining about that. — But you guys know me. I will probably find something wrong with this idea and try to get it changed. — Well. Maybe not. Not as long as they keep handing me $100. That’s the second one I have received since I’ve been working here.
Since this letter is mostly about me bragging about all the good things that have been happening down here; I guess I might as well mention that when I was promoted, they also increased my stock options and Bonus package. The Bonus Plan is sort of like the “TeamShare” stuff that you guys have since it’s based on how well the company does. — If we reach our goals and stuff. All in all, it turns out to be around 10% of my salary.
Well. I better get back to work. It isn’t easy making everyone think you’re doing a good job, when all you are doing is playing on the computer all day. Wee hee……. Oops. That was a little too loud. People are popping their heads up over the cubicles to see what is going on. — I can tell what they are thinking…… “Trouble maker.”
I hope all is going well up there in OklahomaLand, (well… I thought it went well with SoonerLand),
I’ll write later. Let me know how you guys are doing,
Your Friend,
Kevin James Anthony Breazile
______________________
Kevin J. Breazile
Programmer Analyst III
Dell Computer Corporation
(512) 728-1527
Power Plant Men 