Living in a foreign land can be daunting, especially when you are away from family and friends. But for Ian Sardoma Dable, it was an opportunity to excel in his chosen field and reach his goals.
Ian, 35 years old, is an Email Support Representative for Etisalat UAE and Global Business Customers. He started working for the company in August 2015 as a Customer Service Representative and was later promoted to the position of Non-Voice Support Associate for Business Customers in UAE. He is responsible for handling billing issues, inquiries, and technical problems faced by Etisalat customers around the clock through email. Ian is considered an escalation point or second-line support in place to investigate and fix incidents and requests that cannot be resolved by Frontline Customer Service.
As an SK Chairman at the age of 18, Ian learned the importance of serving the community and helping out-of-school youth. He also spent almost five years employed in the Call Center industry, catering to the needs of Australian clients. With his strong desire to succeed and establish his own business, Ian ventured overseas, leaving the comforts of his home country, the Philippines.
For Ian, working abroad provides him with the luxury of being able to indulge in his desires and travel to his heart’s content. During public holidays or annual leave, he has explored a variety of foreign destinations that he may not have had the chance to see otherwise.
However, it was not an easy journey for Ian. He had to endure struggles, especially when he started his business, IncreDable Café, in Leyte. Ian was low on funds, but with the unwavering support and generosity of his family, aunt, uncle, sister-in-law, friends, and colleagues, his café went on to achieve great success.
Despite the challenges, Ian remains passionate about his work. Working at Etisalat, the leading telecom provider in the UAE, has been a source of pride for him. Having the opportunity to serve both UAE and international clients under the prestigious Etisalat brand is a privilege. While the job can be challenging, working in a multicultural team still brings a sense of camaraderie and enthusiasm to the workplace, inspiring them to work hard towards their goals.
Looking ahead, Ian sees himself managing both his villa and café business, IncreDable Café, while embarking on travels around the world with his family. He firmly believes that time spent with loved ones, creating cherished memories, is time well spent.
To our fellow kabayans struggling abroad, Ian’s advice is to prioritize working smart over working hard. This approach will help you find solutions to even the most challenging tasks. It’s also essential to make time for something you genuinely enjoy. Take a break from your oh-so-busy-life and include quality leisure time. Travel while you’re young. You don’t have to be rich to travel well, and you won’t resent it later in life.
Ian also emphasizes the importance of being mindful of your spending. At times, you have to say “no” to good things to be able to say “yes” to important things. You can’t do it all. Be mindful and choose wisely.
Lastly, Ian suggests making more room for people who inspire you, people you can learn from, and people who are your role models. Focus on the good qualities you want to mimic. Remember, you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. When you know your circle, you never have to worry about people drilling holes in your boat.