Weekly Dell Updates

[mranderson]

does anyone know any detailed specifics as far as the job titles go?? I applied for a tech job (which i should have gotten since I have done call center computer tech for 9 years) and live voice response agent.. I am just wondering if this Live Voice Response Agent is gonna be a slave like job or?!?!

It depends on your definition of "slave." Live Voice Response is usually the entry point to Dell. What the job consists of is screening calls and transfering them to the correct department. If you are not patient enough to handle rude and inpolite people, then it is not the job for you. Granted, most people are nice, however, there are several who are rude, and I find most will inturupt you (very bad manners). I am being blunt.

Dell as a company is very good. They treat people with dignity and respect and have great benefits. Example. I get a total of 12 weeks a year off with personal, hoildays and vacation combined.

[diesel]

It depends on your definition of "slave." Live Voice Response is usually the entry point to Dell. What the job consists of is screening calls and transfering them to the correct department. If you are not patient enough to handle rude and inpolite people, then it is not the job for you. Granted, most people are nice, however, there are several who are rude, and I find most will inturupt you (very bad manners). I am being blunt.

Dell as a company is very good. They treat people with dignity and respect and have great benefits. Example. I get a total of 12 weeks a year off with personal, hoildays and vacation combined.

Well I love dealing with rude and inpolite people.. It does not bother me much.. I work for Cingular Wireless and that is a daily thing.. I am just wondering how different Dell would be as a company vs Cingular.. I am ready to give something new a try and Dell sounds very nice...

[Okcbornandbred]

I fear some might be getting the idea that Dell is this picture perfect company that will "save" Oklahoma. My experience with Dell hasn't been as pleasurable as some of the other posters in this forum.

First of all, I think the hiring process was horrendous. I applied back in October of 2004. At that time they told me they were very interested etc etc and told me they wanted to hire me for one of the sales positions. I didn't hear back until March when I actually got called for my interview. My interview went excellent and I was hired. But not until the end of May. Luckily I got a temporary position until it opened up.

Another friend of mine has been dealing with Dell's crap since September. He was a coach at another major OKC call center and applied at Dell. He went on three different interviews from September to December. Then at the beginning of the year they called him in for another interview as just a regular sales position. He was offered this position but then asked keep interviewing for coach positions. He did this for two months before he got frustrated and told the recruiters he would just accept the position he was offered and work his way up. And what did they tell him? That the class had already started (which he could have gotten into if Dell representatives would return calls and repeated messages) and that the next class(if there would be one) wouldn't start until August. Though they tried to make it seem that the classes in August weren't known yet, friends who work for the company let us know the classes were going to happy. So either the recruiters have no idea what is going on or just don't want to deal with people. They send almost all their calls to voicemail and when they do anwser they have no idea to any questions you might ask. So almost a year of this and still no position. I'm sorry but that is ridiculous. And no it isn't Workforce Oklahoma that is not returning the calls or giving him the run around. It is actual recruiters that are Dell badged.

If you can get through that terrible process or are lucky enough to be a recent applicant who didn't have to wait so long, Dell can either work for you or against you. I personally didn't fit well into the enviroment there (I was in the sales position) because it seemed that the job was made harder than it had to be due to the many departments offering the many different deals that people would call and want but you couldn't sell due to it being a different program resulting in frustration for both you and the consumer. Also you must have great patience and not mind sitting in one place on the phone for anywhere to 10-12 hours a day depending on the season. The pay, commission, and benefits are generous if you are the type who can thrive in this kind of workplace. Also the training is adequate if not redundant, but you do learn most of what you will be doing.

Overall I would say the managment staff is great. Standards are high and I didn't have any problems meeting these, but you must be aware before you apply for a position like this of call center standards. If you are the type who have to get up and walk around, can't take back to back calls, or don't feel comfortable in a selling role then this type of position wouldn't be for you. Just take to heart what you are looking for in a career and then take the step. Just remember if you have a negative experience with the recruiters they are nothing like the actual staff you will work with!! The staff are really great people!

[mranderson]

I was in a meeting earlier today inwhich several updates were released. Here are the details.

1. Dell will take posession of building one on August 6, and start moving. Various departments will move each weekend that month, with mine August 22. Several will stay at Hertz temporarly.

2. Building two is to be occupied in February and the remaining departments will move then. Some departments will relocate from building one to building two.

3. Dell-Oklahoma City will have the tightest security of any Dell facility due to the projects across SW 15.

4. Dell will have a riverboat dock and be a trolly stop, with private access for Dell employees.

5. Dedication is slated for September 12, with our own Mick Cornett and others in attendance.

6. Employees will enjoy a full line caffateria and other shops, plus a free fitness center (building two).

7. Building three was not formally announced, but is at the archetect.

8. Expenses were not spared in decorating the buildings.

More information as I receive it.

[mranderson]

We have officially started moving into the new building. Our data center moved last Friday morning, and trucks are delivering furniture and computers now.

Finally!

[venture]

Definitely sounds like Dell is building their new Flagship Call Center.

Good luck to all involved and working there. Call centers can be fun...enjoy it! I've been in the industry for almost 6 years now and its addicting...as long as you have the right people around you.

[mranderson]

The first of the departments officially move into the building this weekend. Others will follow over the next two weekends, with mine being last. We will be totally full by August 22.

It is now officially the home of Dell.

Except for a very rare report on the status of building two and beyond, and a report on the dedication, this will be the last of the updates.

I will answer any question I am allowed and that I know the answer. Just ask.

It has been my pleasure to keep you informed of the progress of what will become Oklahoma City's largest employer in one single location.

[mranderson]

I have just learned the following. So, knowing this now, I am releasing the following official statement from Dell.

Providing proprietary Dell information to the public is in direct conflict with Dell's Employee Code of Conduct and is in violation of Dell's Corporate Media Relations Policy, therefore I will no longer be supplying Dell information and updates. Dell's spokesperson and Corporate Communication Manager for Oklahoma City is Kathy Oden-Hall. She can be reached at 405-713-7290.

NOTE: Due to this information from Dell, I have closed this thread...Thanks for all of your participation.......Keith, Moderator, OKCTalk.