KenCall is not paying it’s employee’s?!
I was flipping through the comment section and someone identifying themselves as “me” left a comment saying that KenCall was not paying it’s employee’s and that a friend of theirs who was a “senior employee” at the company hadn’t been paid for months! (how the heck are you supposed to survive when that happens?).
Now, that is very interesting to me. Is KenCall having cash flow problems? And when you have cash flow problems aren’t you supposed to pay your employee’s first and tell the vendors to wait? or why not lay off the employee’s? or just be honest with them about what’s going on financially and let them decide what they want to do (work part-time, work for stock options, etc, etc)
Phew! business is tough, tough, tough (is it harder to do in Africa?) I thought these guys had millions of dollars in Venture Capital? I’m beginning to think that sometimes you might be better off foregoing the VC money and just starting off slowly with whatever you have.
Nesbitt is an innovative, forward thinking enterprenuer, it takes alot of guts and commitment to achieve what he has since the establishment of Kencall, especially having done it before the advent of seacom in kenya, as well as keeping things afloat given the shaky Kenyan economy.
It’s also created opportunities for employment for droves of Kenyans.
Getting any start-up going in Kenya takes lots of resources, time, coercing the powers that be and keeping them sweet, not to mention the incredibly high tax rates, a hefty price to pay for both the employer and employee.
Kenya will be a force to reckon with in the next few decades, because we have some of the most brilliant minds, as well as a solid work ethic.
It’s just unfortunate that we always seem to be playing ‘catch up’ with the rest of the world, mostly stemming from poor governance.
[...] He came, he saw he conquered. Never in the history of this world has one blog got as many comments for as many years as his blog on Kencall. [...]
i believe in starting small.wondering where i can invest 70,000KSHS for a good return preferably in agribusiness ,supply business (other ideas welcome).call me on 0733255174
or email kiilumutisya@gmail.com
How come all the latest comments about KenCall have gone missing ??
Lets get an update on Kencall before 2012. Anyone? Are they bankrupt or were they able to pull through?
[...] He came, he saw he conquered. Never in the history of this world has one blog got as many comments for as many years as his blog on Kencall. [...]
I am an ex staff of Kencall. Truth be told the only reason why the company will rise again is because the lessons are there.
When you get out here into the other corporate world, then you begin to appreciate the value of the lessons learnt at KC.
Things are tough in all industries right now we all must admit. Complaining never made a positive change. Nik /Eric and all Kencallers doing it from your hearts, keep on keeping on and never let anything distract you from your goals. This was a great place only for those who were stone enough to work hard and stay focus. All who are out here and know the value of KC in our lives and careers are praying day and night for KC’s recovery to ensure that others get the same experience. All the best
Kencall is still alive and struggling on. Maybe it will reinvent itself and get out of unsustainable business models.
How is kencall doing?been away for long and intersting topics missed,I surely missed you all…
I’m back! Hope you all are having good time.. by the way is KE still Alive?
I dont care what yall say abt kencall gud or bad kencall gave me the best experience, work was fun and even though they did not pay i luked forward to going to work everyday, we always had a blast!!!! training was fun and i always felt motivated to work hard. Am now working in a different place now but i still miss Kencall
Has Ken call got the Telekom Kenya work again ? Heard that Horizon lost it all back to Ken call ?
If yes, this is a bumper for the employees to get paid & for Ken call to be back on track !!
Anyone knows about this !
BPO business is not good for kenya. Opex is too high to make it viable.
Jeff Koinange told me on twitter that Kencall is bankrupt. If that’s the case, it doesnt look like you’ll ever get your money.
6 months down the line and no pay yet. Aki please help us sue this people. Seriously…
Annon:
Equity bank is forcing their employee’s to buy shares? why would they do that?
Income taxes and wages in India are much lower than in Kenya.
40,000/- gross monthly pay
Kenya income tax – 5,932/- (14.83%)
India income tax – 1,154/- (2.88%)
80,000/- gross monthly pay
Kenya income tax – 17,932/- (22.42%)
India income tax – 5,274/- (6.59%)
160,000/- gross monthly pay
Kenya income tax – 38,932/- (24.33%)
India income tax – 25,050/- (15.66%)
200,000/- gross monthly pay
Kenya income tax – 53,932/- (26.97%)
India income tax – 37,410/- (18.70%)
Kenya income tax calculator
http://www.aren.co.ke/kenya/payecalc.htm
Indian government income tax calculator
http://law.incometaxindia.gov......xcalc.aspx
According to the CIA World Factbook, India’s government revenue is 11.94% of GDP while Kenya’s is 21.64%.
Kenya
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ke.html
India
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html
Wages in India are also much lower than in Kenya. For example, a software developer in India has an average gross monthly pay of KSh 49,000.
http://www.payscale.com/resear.....dia/Salary
The gross monthly pay for a programmer analyst at Cognizant, a BPO with annual sales of $4.59bn, starts at KSh 47,000.
http://www.payscale.com/resear.....ant/Salary
Cognizant’s sales grew by 40.1% during the last financial year. Equity is a conservative 81.16% of assets. $1 invested in the shares in 1998 would now be $173.40. It had 111,200 employees as at 31/03/11, mostly in India.
http://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:CTSH
It had 104,000 employees as at 31/12/10 so they hired 7,200 more employees in just 3 months.
http://www.businessweek.com/bl.....ck_nj.html
It plans to hire 25,000 more employees in India this year.
http://articles.economictimes......irst-phase
It’s building facilities in India that can accommodate 55,000 more employees.
http://www.bizindia.net/news/n.....8;locID=60
Francisco D’Souza, the 43-year-old CEO, was born and raised in Kenya.
http://images.businessweek.com.....nts/10.htm
The top 5 Indian BPOs hired 114,038 more employees during the first 3 months of the year.
http://articles.economictimes......bers-wipro
There are 2 reasons why an investor would invest in Kenya instead of India despite India’s low taxes and wages.
1. To sell to the Kenyan and regional markets.
2. To exploit a natural resource like minerals, fertile land, good climate, wildlife, beaches, fish, sea, lakes, etc.
BPOs do neither of the above so investors would rather have them in India.
@Julius
Is irrigation viable in a country where rivers are rapidly drying up?
The worst is Equity…forcing employees to buy its shares even if it means getting a loan….
I think that if you go to Kencall take the learning experience cause, please believe, it’s good. On the other hand kama una shida na Nic kuhusu salary yako piga makelele kuhusu hiyo.
I’m sure you jealous you can’t live his life. If he can afford a wife and a Mistress that aint got nothing to do with yal. So grow up bastards!
Oh and the support staff at Kencall, as in, TL’s and QA’s, wonderful. Account managers may not be all that but they aint as bad as yal potraying them …
GROW UP
What is the strength of Kencall now ? What kind of business they do that they are broke ?
Why can’t the employees raise their voice if they haven’t got paid from Jan ! Are you paid that the chain of comments looks silent ?
The 8% arable land is based on rain-fed agriculture. If we consider non-rain fed agriculture such as irrigation, then up to 50% of Kenyan land becomes arable. We just need to apply science to farming and we build a big industry that will confortably support the economy. Ofcourse our population growth is outrageaous considering our GDP. This is something we need to check if we are to truly prosper. The biggest costs for business today are labour, transport and energy. We can reduce the first two if we decentralise. Decentralising of industries will be key to cost cutting and improving competitiveness.
Kenyan Dude:
The 8% arable land is based on rain-fed agriculture. If we consider non-rain fed agriculture such as irrigation, then up to 50% of Kenyan land becomes arable. We just need to apply science to farming and we build a big industry that will confortably support the economy. Ofcourse our population growth is outrageaous considering our GDP. This is something we need to check if we are to truly prosper.
Decentralising of industries will be key to cost energy. We can reduce the first two if we decentralise. cutting and improving competitiveness. The biggest costs for business today are labour, transport and
@farmer
If factories, BPOs like Kencall, and civil servants were relocated to all small towns, then farmers would have a ready market in the neighbourhood instead of hundreds of kilometres away in Nairobi. The huge savings on transport costs would benefit both farmer and consumer. Remember that fuel prices will never be low again thanks to the emerging markets boom.
The proposed county governments should give private businesses and even parastatals and central government departments incentives to relocate to their counties.
Agriculture is the backbone of Kenyan economy. It is the leading contributor to the GDP.
Highest percentage of Kenyans live in rural areas where agriculture is the highest economic activity farmers engage in to support their livelihoods. However most of the farmers are very poor due to poor agricultural practices that they employ in their farms. Ministry of agriculture has done its best in employing agriculture extension officers in every district and divisions. Their work is to handle all the agricultural issues that arise in their specific areas.
The population in Kenya is rising at an alarming rate as of census carried out in the year 2009 and stated clearly population has grown up to 40,000 million people as from 30,000 million people as of the previous census carried out in the year 1999.
This analogy suggest that agricultural extension officers are overwhelmed by their work and thus cannot provide information needed by farmers at the right time and at the right frequency as required. Thus call for better methods of disseminating agricultural information to farmers
Kencall is at it again. It is said that history repeats itself, this seems to be a true fact. Employees have been going through hell. Since Jan 2011 to date, employees of Kencall EPZ have been living on handouts as the company is said to be “broke” and not paying it’s employees.
According to the CIA World Factbook, Stato has food exports of $116.84bn a year despite having only 0.7% of the population working in farming, forestry, and fishing.
The reason why agriculture isn’t profitable in Kenya is because we have too many farmers (75% of the population) so there are no scale economies like in Stato. To add insult to injury, American farmers enjoy lots of government subsidies. Fortunately, I don’t know of a farmer’s kid who wishes to become a farmer. Unfortunately, the non-farming jobs that young people want aren’t there but relocating factories and BPOs to shags can lower their costs and make them globally (or at least regionally) competitive which means more employment.
Kenya has an area of 143,411,809 acres of which only 8% is arable. That’s 11,472,944.72 acres of arable land. The population is 41m so that’s an average of 0.28 acres of arable land per capita. Some of that arable land has to be used for housing, schools, hospitals, roads, railways, offices, shops, etc. So you’re left with negligible arable land per capita that’s available for farming. Don’t forget that we have the 29th highest population growth rate in the world according to the CIA World Factbook.
So we must diversify away from agriculture to the point where less than 1% of the population work in farming, fishing, and forestry. There’s nothing wrong importing all our food like Hong Kong and Singapore do so long as we have strong exports to fund all imports, not just food.
So the solution to Kenya’s BPO problem could lie in setting up operations in small towns. This would considerably reduce overheads while at the same time retaining employees for longer periods. But the perception is that if you want to make it big in the tech industry, you need to be in Nairobi since this is where everybody is and there many business contacts. Its a fallacy that has seen BPOs struggle year after year due to low revenues and high opex. The likes of Kencall should consider relocating to smaller towns where employees can even walk to work and rents are cheaper.
But honestly, I do not think we will ever get the technology business right since we embrace it without getting the fundamentals right. We are mostly driven by wrong perceptions based on hype and promise of big money as experienced in other markets. I believe the key to kenya’s economic problem lies in agriculture.
We cannot abandon our traditional industries for new ones that are not well understood. There is a swahili saying that “usiache mbachao kwa mswala upitao” i.e. “do not abandon your tartered sleeping mat for a passing mattress”.
We have abandoned agriculture because it has not been very lucrative and jumped to ICT which promises good returns, but the truth is that ICT is just a passing mattress whose owners are the americans and indians. We need to patch up and wash our agriculture mat because this all that we have to sleep on at the moment.
I also know a very successful 34-yr-old lawyer who grew up in Eldee. She’s partner at a top law firm. Her English is flawless and a joy to listen to when she’s speaking legalese.
There’s no shortage of non-shrubbers who grew up in small towns, e.g. the CEO of Centum grew up in Nanyuki and speaks flawless English. He’s 33 and bright, bright, bright.
There’s also no shortage of non-shrubbers willing to accept employment in a small town. Outsourcing consists of both voice and non-voice work and I believe that non-voice work is more lucrative.
Oh boy! Then I go back to my earlier position-Kenya is not suitable for BPO business. Too many problems; from costly employees, costly infrastucture e.t.c and now shrubbing…but we can attract non-shrubbing talent in the small towns since cost of living is much lower and they would be more comfortable with the BPO in those towns that Nairobi or Malili ICT park. These problems show how it is difficult to run a tech business in Kenya.
For all of you advocating for relocation to smaller towns, you may want to consider a principle known as “mother tongue influence” aka shrubbing. This issue rules out lots of job applicants to BPO jobs especially the ones which require vocal interactivity with clients and more so, international clients. We all know that rural towns have a big impact in magnifying the existence of this element. As such, rural towns do not have the diversity required by BPO companies that offer voice services.
@Julius
I agree that we should have small ICT parks in all major towns instead of 1 big one near Nairobi.
Even if getting orders will be an uphill task initially due to the strong India outsourcing brand and the high political risk perception about Kenya, local companies and government departments can save a fortune by outsourcing back office operations to small towns.
Some government ministries, e.g. agriculture, have no business being in Nairobi.
Germany has 82m people but Berlin, the largest city, has 3.45m people. Nairobi has 3.1m people while Kenya has 40m people. Wikipedia for proof.
Kenyan Dude:
Good observation. Its time BPOs relocated to smaller towns. Connectivity problems have been resolved since we have a national fibre backbone. The cost of living in Nairobi is too high for employees to survive on a BPO salary. Also the smaller towns have lower costs in terms of rent. But the Kenyan government does not seem to understand that decentralising is the way forward for reducing operating costs for BPO operators. That’s why Bitange Ndemo is dreaming about an ICT park in Malili. It will bring so many people in one location resulting in escaltion in cost of living. The best way was to have small ICT parks in all major towns instead of one.
I was studying the new BPO investments in India and investors are shunning big towns like Mumbai and Delhi for small towns that have a much lower cost of living and where employees can walk / cycle to work without suffering.
Maybe we should think about setting up / relocating BPOs to small Kenyan towns. The other day while driving to Eldee from Nai, I was shocked at the high quality of the 3G signal.
@Julius
Ascribe’s sales are £25m ($40.88m). Please google for Ascribe £25m for proof coz this blog won’t allow me to paste the link. At the bottom of the story, the Kenyan operations are mentioned.
@Fiscavaig
You’re in fantasy land. Outsourcing is all about cutting wages, even if the client has sales of $100bn.
Is it not the case that kenya BPO is thought like this – outsource – save money – by employing same people on quarter of there wage !
This is not what outsourcing is about the outsourcer should be able to cut costs not by cutting wages but by being more productive as specialists in there area -
To all my best friends above who have commented good and bad – the only answer is “CHANGE THE CULTURE” to be successful in this industry. Be simple, be committed and we will all grow together.
The actual issue here is once you get a job @ USD 250 to 300, we lose the passion of work and start complaining about the environment & work around us. This will not help for any one to grow personally and professionally. “Nothing comes for free”.
We have a successful BPO in the market for past 3 years with no dues to employees at any time, successful & self sufficient. We keep growing as we speak and dedicate our passion to the job. It doesn’t matter who runs the show, but what matters is HOW it is run.
To be successful you cannot keep complaining your pay masters. We have tons who left us complaining and few dozen who struck to us who are managers in the same Company earning big nos.
Coming together is beginning
Keeping together is progress
Working together is success
- Henry Ford
An employee from a sucessful BPO in Kenya
…. Dun & Bradstreet had actually outsourced to Kencall some year’s back but had to pull out due to the recession. At the time, Dun & Bradstreet was the best business Kencall had. There was talk of a come back but I was made to understand that a goof denied the business a comeback.
How successful is Ascribe? What are their annual turnover and net profits?
Ya, Ascribe plc in UK outsources software development work to their Kenyan subsidiary Ascribe Kenya.
http://www.ascribe.com/
They’re probably other success stories but most successful entrepreneurs in Kenya, especially exporters with no local clients, don’t bother generating local publicity.
I am yet to come across a BPO that is a success in Kenya. Does anyone know of any????
I worked for another large BPO company in Kenya for some time and i have to admit the quality was the worst i have ever experienced; the decision makers had no idea how to manage a small café let alone a 1000 seater contact center!.
I don’t think Kenya has the right experience worked for another large BPO company in Kenya and i have to admit the quality was the worst i have ever experienced, i don’t think Kenya has the right experience to compete on any level, I think this industry needs help from qualified individuals before any large Org would ever look here
KE:
The Indians started with infrastructure but they had low opex coz labour is cheap. Then they were the first in the business so all the business went to them. Problem with Kenya: We are late entrants and labour and infrastructure is costly. So thinking success is just a fallacy.
Kenyan Dude:
Even if we encouraged Cognizant to invest here, they wont make mone coz of the cost of doing business here is higher than India. They would rather remain in India.
@KE
Cognizant’s CEO Francisco D’Souza was actually born in Kenya. The company was founded in 1994 as the IT department of Dun & Bradstreet but was spun off after 2 years.
Despite being debt-free, sales grew by 40% to $4.59bn between 2009 and 2010! Equity grew by 35% over the same period.
You can buy the shares (Nasdaq: CTSH) via a Schwab Global Internet a/c from the comfort of your digs in Kenya.
Despite having 104,000 employees, they’re hiring 55,000 more in India this year!
How can we encourage them to set up shop here?
the question of anything kenyan is realy turning out to be realy offensive.nothing with anything kenyan is realy working out.now look at kencall,we thot it was the answer to lack of jobs but….
Julius:
So, how did the entrepreneurs in India or the philllipines start? Did they start big? Did they already have the infrastructure? This is a question I’ve never really been able to get an answer to despite all I’ve tried to read on the BPO industry.
I think I applaud the Nesbitts for what they did as a step to kickstart this whole industry. And in life all good things come via bumpy roads. I think if one is stuck complaining about things that they have the power to change what does that say about them. Please leave if it is unsatisfactory to be in your present circumstance.
I did exactly that. Life can be hard but somehow there is always something better on the other side. Wonder what people would say if KC suddenly had a turnaround? Tough luck huh?
I think the best thing that you can do is to leave the place like NOW.
Actually to date I thank my ex “boss” for what she did as its the best thing that happened to my life i.e Being “fired” from KC and in unclear circumstances as usual in mid last year; I thought that my world had come to an end then but to my suprise I got a plum job after being out for only one month. Its almost one year now and am doing much much better.
Kencall will soon be a case study in the local MBA classes. I guess the title will be: KENCALL-A case of wrong investment in Kenya.
well we all don’t care bout kencall anymore,it’s out of the list now
Wow! A lot of people hate Kencall with a passion. Thats what happen when a company is overhyped and attracts top notch skill then it cannot afford it. It happened with the early ISPS in Kenya like Africa Online, Wananchi, UUNET e.t.c. They were the techie companies everyone wanted to work for until they could not afford to pay. Then came Safaricom, everyone has wanted to work there for the last 10 years, then poof! The industry has headed south and the company is restructuring. This will end with retrenchments and salary cuts. Watch this space. ICT is a bad industry. Avoid it if you can.
all this is shit,kencall is all gone no more kencall…lets be real here why should we bit arnd the bush,i can sys their fucking mismanagement and fucked up greedy pigs lead to it’s down fall
Now all of you who rant and gruntle, I worked at KenCall a few years ago, I left cause of what you are making noise about. It was tough but it was the best step I ever took in my life. I had no job for over 8 months but as of now I operate from my house as a freelancer with over 9 clients, I make in one week what I used to make in a month in KenCall plus commissions.
Kenya has the best work force, highly skilled, and we are hustlers, don’t make Nesbitt look bad, he opened my eyes after I found out I made him over 160K a month akinilipa peanuts. I respect the Nesbitts a lot, we as a country owe him respect, we knew of outsourcing but never had the guts to start. He started and others followed suit.
So either you walk out with the knowledge you have or see as others fly past you. A lot of American businesses started from the basement of their homes or college Dorms lies of kina Facebook. Need I say more…
KE:
Labour costs in Kenya are too high compared to India. Educated kenyans have very high salary expectations. In india call centre agent salaries average $200. If you pay a Kenyan this much, he will just be squating on the job while looking for another one and therefor leave shortly thereafter.
Nesbitt’s strategy was not wrong. Which company can outsource to a Kenyan BPO operating from a garage with one agent? Before these companies outsource, they conduct a due dilligence on the BPO and they will only be satisfied if they find you with good infrastructure, staff and premises. This is what he had to do. Starting very small cannot work in the BPO industry in Kenya.
As I have always said, the BPO business is faced with the “egg and chicken” situation. Companies wont outsource to you if you are not big and you wont be big without companies outsourcing to you. So, Nick was caught up in this situation but he did not oversee the imminent failure. The reality is that there is no better way he would have done it. He should have abandoned the ideal alltogether to save his cash and done something else. But if he fails, he will be a vital lesson to those who still imagine that BPO will succeed in Kenya.
Check out the Indian salos below.
http://www.payscale.com/resear.....dia/Salary
To find out the rupee / shilling exchange rate, google for inr to kes.
Then multiply the figures in the above page by the exchange rate and divide by 12 to get the monthly shilling equivalent. For example as I write this, the average monthly salo for an Indian software developer is 48k. And these guys are damn good. For example Flexcube, a very popular banking software in Kenya and the world, is made in India.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O.....s_Software
Where the hell are you gonna get such talent in Kenya for 48k a month? My dear wife is a nurse at Aga Khan making 60k a month. So now you have an idea of how expensive Kenyan salos are relative to India.
So why the hell would anyone invest in Kenya unless it’s to sell to Kenyans or to tap a natural resource? BPOs / EPZs do neither making the proposed tech city a spectacular white elephant.
Julius:
You’ve repeated this mantra before about labor costs being too high, but how is India doing it?
Based on everything I’ve read on the company over the last 5 years, it looks like Nesbitt started from the top up, as opposed to trying to build from the ground up. i.e.
He took out loans, emptied his 401K, borrowed from friends and family, rented this huge warehouse to house all these call center workers….all these costs before he had a consistent revenue stream.
So, I suppose the lesson here is to start small. Start in your little house or apartment with one client. Do all the work yourself before you hire all these people. Essentially, downsize. Don’t go for the corporate look/structure when you have no revenues.
If Kencall sinks, then it will be a solid proof that call centre business is not for Kenya. The labour costs are too high to sustain such businesses. This failure will eventually follow majority of technology companies. The problem with technology companies in Kenya is that they require higly skilled labour yet the margins and volumes are very low. We need to focus on agriculture and farming where we can utilise low cost unskilled/semiskilled labour.
Wah…5 years and this blog article is still collecting stats…enyewe you guy.
Next…………….
I heard through the grapevine that Kencall will be filing for bankruptcy (It’s run out of money) and so all of the supposed “rumours” about people not getting paid were true afterall.
I still maintain that the companies story is an interesting one and I’m not gloating about it’s coming bankruptyc filing. For me, it was always about the story (of success and/or failure) and what others can learn from it.
Very interesting…
I only have one word of advice to anyone working at KenCall and unhappy. LEAVE!!! Get out of there peeps. If you have been at KC for more than 2 years especially, think back of all the people you have worked with at KC and who left due to whichever reason. Aren’t they ALL doing better now? I worked there, and when I was I leaving I had no fall back plan. I was in management but I was simply just fed up of the BS spewed by the Nesbitts. I was out of a job for 3 months and trust me it wasn’t easy. I did attend quite a number of interviews and on the 4th month I got a helluva good job. The same had happened to almost everyone that had been there with me and left me there either cos of being fired, or just quitting cos of gettin fed up. Leave people, just leave instead of ‘waiting for the cheque to be out’ and even then having to contend with sijui 55 of 40%.
Kenyan Dude:
Very nice observation but very true. Educated Kenyans cannot survive on call centre salary. In India, the average call centre salary does not exceed U$300. Now pay a BSc, Bcom or BA graduate this much and you will not have after 6 months once he settles down and he learns the job market.
Then you have to look for another fresh graduate, train him then he leaves you and you start all over again. If you pay more, you kill your margins and you are out of business. Very expensive affair indeed. Unless call centre business can use unskilled labour, it cannot make money in Kenya. But this is not possible because the services outsourced require a high level of skills.
I will continue repeating that call centre business will not work in Kenya at all due to our expensive lifestyles. We borrow it from black americans. They live large even if they are poor. They would rather steal that do low level jobs such as house keeping. Thats why many house keepers in the US are latinos from south america. They are cheaper that blacks.
@Julius:
I totally agree with you. I live in a nice part of Westy (Rhapta Rd) and my Kenyan-Asian neighbour is a pilot who fixes his own car! He still lives at home with his dad, mum, bro, and sis-in-law. Of course they own their flat and it’s bila mortgage!
Meanwhile, you’ll have Africans in the same compound who pay rent but drive big used 4WDs.
My employees are 100% shagz modos otherwise I wouldn’t make a profit.
Read the article under the link below to understand more the nature of call centre business in Kenya:
http://www.nation.co.ke/Featur.....index.html
The industry is expereincing a very difficult time. The main reason why companies outsource is to cut costs. How do they expect the call centres to manage with low costs and give superior service? Kenyans are very expensive employees and cannot survive on call centre salary. Call centres will not suceed in Kenya. This is a business for indians since they have simple and cheap lifestyles e.g. A very large family can live under one roof, they do not like partying (drinking) and their partners are chosen by their parents hence they do not need to spend money entertaining potential spouses (dating). This is hard truth for Kenyans to accpet-Call Centre business is a still-born in Kenya.
I sympathise with Kencall employees and owners. I guess the company is not making enough money just like the other call centres in Kenya. Its a tough industry and what I can advise fellow Kenyans is to get out of it. It is not going anywhere since the costs are high and business volumes are low.
Honestly speaking you really have to have a heart towards your employees. We all have rent to pay, bills to pay, kids who are in school, and all you do is make Merry at the expense of your very own employees who are generating the income?
2 months down the lane and we are still waiting for our January dues – with lots and lots of debts to settle and u still want us to com to work with what transport?????
Now that the Cheque is already out, y are u still not paying u employees? Do you want them to beg for their money seriously, this has to go to the media. Its about time the whole nation knew the truth about Kencall – now we all know y uve never wanted to join any workers Union. Idiots!!!!!!
Grim Reaper:
Verbally threaten you how?
march 3rd 2011 and Kencall employees are still waiting for their january salaries. Nick nesbitt had the “balls” to verbally threaten the employees on 27th feb yet the motherfucker has kept them waiting for their pay for 2 months now.
Before this, that asswipe ceo called nik nesbitt payed his employees their december dues on jan the 22nd. Can this fool stop fucking around with hard working kenyans livelihoods.
Nik nesbitt on behalf of all your financially starved employees, fuck u, fuck eric and fuck each other.you can pick up your motherfuckin company and stick it up your erics cocksucking cunt.go and destroy other lives in hell.
Opinionated:
BPOs in kenya are very troubled for the following reasons:
1. Kenyan companies are reluctant to outsource to local BPOs..look at big companies like KCB, Barclays, KRA & Safaricom. They have their own inhouse call centres thus denying the BPOs business. Other companies like KQ have outsourced to SA.
2. International companies do not trust our BPOs since they do not have good profiles and references.
I run a technology company and i can assure you that things are very difficult due to high level of competition. You need to achieve a high critical mass to break-even. This is what has helped safaricom. Look at the other mobile operators..they are really struggling. The same case applies to the BPOs, without a critical mass, they will continue to struggle.
I cannot invest in BPO in kenya. It is an unfamiliar area that is misunderstood by many including the government. Cost of labour is also high compared to India. BPOs require employees with good skills and you cannot maintain them on a ksh 15K salary. Most of them are university graduates and as such their expectations are very high. To put more explicit, outsourcing in Kenya is like outsourcing in the US or Europe. Kenyans are very ambitious and will not work for long on 15K. Most of them take the BPO jobs as a temporary job while they look for a proper job. Simply put, no one is going to succeed in a BPO that outsources services that require skilled labour. The only BPO that can succeed in Kenya is the one the outsources services that do not require skilled labour. Unfortunately there are no such services to be remotely outsourced.
i therefore do not see the BPO sector going anywhere in this country. The labour costs are too high. Kenyans love lavish lifestyles and cannot survive on BPO salaries offered in the indian market. indians lead a simple lifestyle. Therefore, the failure of BPO willl mainly be as a result of our culture that makes us want to live like americans.
There are 2 reasons why anybody would want invest in Kenya.
1. To sell to Kenyans.
2. To tap a natural resource like fertile land, minerals, wildlife, beaches, the sea, etc.
So why would anyone want to invest in Kenya if his business doesn’t need to do any of the above? Don’t tell me manpower because there’s plenty of that in Asia and it’s much cheaper than here.
That’s why the BPO and EPZ sectors are troubled.
Julius…
you and your counterparts are misguided on ICT & BPO.Now what you should have learnt is that politicians still use divide and conquer tactics. we have ILRI & KARI that employ proffessional to research on ways of improving farming produce but no politician thinks rationally then ones that do die mysteriously.
now through BPOs in india attracts revenues of about 8 Billion dollars (640 trillion kenya shillings) yet india still struggles with poverty.
so i know we have an indequate political system that has all its priorities the mismatched.BPOs collectively employ about 2000 people. so you do the math those are two thousand people who now employment and are not relying on goverment to feed them.
Meanwhile business men will always exploit every area to make a quick buck and so long as government has its priorities set all wrong (or should i say politicians choose to make government inefficient so that they can make business) am afraid that there is no much that will happen.
there is no rocket science in making this country self sufficient in food production.
as a side note theres is so much optimism in agriculture.simple people like you and i educated and all are leasing land for agriculture so like i see it this too shall pass.
Ict is our future and our children’s future.
hope with these few words and have enlightened you.
For once i would like to chip in my opinion to this mix.i worked at KenCall for a while and brushed shoulders with Top management and key departments like finance.
There is nothing that has been underated on focus for ICT in kenya. i believe without it we will be no where in the next few years. ICT is the new way of doing things for instance i just heard that Facebook had created some interest with this investor who was willing to fork approx 4 trillion shillings for stake in the company. while every year Kenya seems to be increasing its budget. last year’s budget was record breaking at 900 billion just short of a trillion shillings. now just think about it, facebook attracts a stake of about 4 times our biggest national budget. I think that they’re few industries that that can attract that kinda money in the world except drugs and illicit arms.
Well i know that there is alot that realy needs to change in Kenya to get it to even play at that kinda level. ICT is our biggest closest catch to export after agriculture, tourism and athletes.
Now why ICT hasnt realy kicked off to the magnitude of the hype is that the government still plays alot of politics. The government has been hypocritical in its policies. the government needs to embrace and adopt ICT fully before trying to sell it (thats if they’re selling in the first place).
Think about, how efficient government services would be if they were outsourced. emergency and disaster response services, Registration services, research and medical services, helpline to take away dozens of queues from halls.Think about it, when was the last time you called the police as an emergency and the phone was picked up? how many weeks have you had to wait for your id or passport?we do not have a centralized informational system for the government and its the year 2011.Yet there is vision 2030 which i think is a hoax.
we are still haggling over useless issues.the hague being prime now in this country.
i have known the Nesbitts for a while now. they are not perfect and i know paying their employees is always key to them. But i know times are very hard now. while kenya was not hit by a recession directly most of KenCall’s international business was.Most of the money made in KenCall goes into payroll any profits that accumulate cussion the companies costs when there have been no biz to sustain costs. Half of the time the company has resisted making massive layoffs in the hope of new biz being signed which either takes too long or never comes.
last year was one of those years where everything that could go wrong went absolutely wrong. they have against all odds tried to keep this company and i applaud them for that. i also do pray for Kencall for the sake of all the people who continue to find employment and for the sake of this country.KenCall is a private company which is not listed yet so all the expenses that cannot be met by the company comes from their pocket.
All i can say is that the nesbitts have realy tried to make an honest living and some of these guys are having a positive impact in this country and what realy matters is that they are doing it honestly. They are not involved in corrupt scandals or flirting with politicians all day expecting side kicks.
i had my own business which dint work and let me tell you its very hard to run a business straight especially when we are so self righteous on corruption and doing the opposite.
i applaud everyone who continues to keep their business afloat with but a hope and prayer within them after doing all that they could.
Very soon KenCall will arise like the Phoenix and i can guarantee that because God rewards hard work and determination be it from a wicked or righteous person.
KE:
Kentech data is a company situated along msa road just near City Cabannas.I used to work there and I was very frustrated after just about 3 days…first of all it is run by indians so you have an idea every one of their family members must be in the mix…actually there’s a time a con was shipped all the way from india and he was bursted! That’s where shida zilianzia!
Ladies and Gentlemen, the ICT industry is going through hell in Kenya. It has been overhyped and overrated thus attracting all sorts of players and cut throat competition. Most of the ICT companies (apart from Safaricom) are not breaking even.
The reason Safaricom has been making money is because it is virtually a monopoly and punishes other telecommunication players with expensive interconnect rates. For the other players in ICT (telcos, BPOs, ISPs, Vendors, Programmers, there is no money to be made. We have to re-look our national strategy and focus on the right industries.
If we could spend a half of what we are spending in ICT on agriculture, we could feed the nation comfortbly. Imagine you have the state of the art communication gadget in your hands yet you have food? Of what use is it?? Technological development is good, but we need to develop the fundamental needs first.
BPO is the wrong industry for Kenya. We should just concentrate on our traditional industries like agriculture and we will get somewhere. Why set up BPOs/ICTs yet we import maize, wheat and fruits? Lets get serious with the primary production industries first then we can think of BPOs later when the local market reaches a critical mass.
I was one of the pioneers of kencall.after undergoing the rigorous vetting session(we were over 3000 guys)then the training session of which other guys were dropped,we were all so excited,filled with growing positive anticipation of a brighter future….
i mean out of over 3000 guys who honestly deserved a chance….you would understand what we were feeling!!we were even promised to be paid for the training(3 weeks).work began well and as days turned into months…guess what? no pay!!!excuse??clients have not paid.then they started giving us a thousand shillings and yet they could afford to hold bashes..
meanwhile,when we complained that we could not pay even rent,they gave us letters to take to our landlords saying that we would be able to sort out rent very soon!!!!!now which landlord would want a person who pays rent with letters!!??
to cut a long story short…it was just hell.everyone in the estate looked at me in awe and admiration and yeah distaste….i mean….dropped by state of the art taxi….yet you cant pay rent!!??
If local corporates cannot outsource to local call centres, then international companies will not do so.
The best way for the industry to win the confidence of international companies is for it to prove itself with local outsourcing first. You know most of those European and American companies will not trust Africans until they see that they can really do the stuff locally.
Annon:
If I decided to start a call center in Kenya. I guess I’d have to begin with local businesses. Prove myself first with them, build a portfolio and then branch out slowly, but how do you even identify who to pitch to?
Should you do a google search and then inundate potential clients with emails and phone calls? as in…turn into an annoying sales person?
I forgot to add that it’s important to focus your sales efforts towards prospects that are already outsourcing to developing countries. This information is widely available online, e.g. from news archives. That way, you avoid missionary selling which can be very costly.
If you start a coffee shop, you’re gonna target regulars of popular coffee shops like Java and Dorman’s. Targeting people who don’t like coffee shops would be expensive missionary selling.
Like in any industry, some are making money, some aren’t. Profits aren’t guaranteed in business, regardless of the country.
Prospects are freaked out about outsourcing to Kenya coz of all the negative press they’ve been bombarded with about Africa since they were kids, with the most recent being on the post-election violence.
The selling trick some successful outsourcing companies in Kenya are using is to encourage prospects to outsource to several developing countries, including Kenya. Telling them that you’re Kenya’s largest call centre won’t bag the deal.
An analogy is equity fund managers. The prospect will only agree to have his money invested in country A so long as some is also invested in country B, C, D, etc.
Annon:
So, are you saying that all those call centers in India aren’t making any money? I’m assuming the one’s in India that have large American and British corporate clients are making quite a bit, especially when you consider the low wages in India.
Who is this Kentech data? Anyone have more information about the company?
Local software exporters like Ascribe, Verviant, and Craft Silicon started off on a shoestring and now they’re pretty profitable. I don’t know of any successful call centres though. Call centre margins are crap and the capital needs too high. It’s not worth it.
kentech data just kicked us jana shit…
Why is the staff turn over rate simply abnormally high in kenya’s new kid on the block industry?
hii blog ina mambo hehehe
Julius:
Do you think the labor office would really do anything? And if you are broke, what lawyer is going to agree to represent you in court?
Did you see my piece on this blog called Kencall: Blood, sweat and Tears and my interview with Nick Nesbitt? I’d encourage you to do a search for these posts and tell me what you think. I got the sense that for Kenya, he had enough working capital, but maybe he didnt’.
Can you tell me what some of these minimum standards entail? What kind of infrastructure would a company like Kencall have to have set-up? And what would it cost in Kenya?
And in relation to this question, I cannot figure out how the Indians did it. I don’t think their infrastructure was any better than Kenya’s (at least when they first started) — So, what is the difference?
KE:
The problem with call centre business is that there are minimum standards that one must meet in terms of infrastructure and personnel before they can convince customers to outsource with them. These standards come with very huge fixed costs. It therefore makes it hard for an entrepreneur who has limited access to working capital to operate in the early years of the business. This is what has ailed Kencall – it has nothing to do with a wrong business model. The guys have tried but the lack of working capital keeps on hitting them hard. We should even give them thumbs up for staying afloat for this long.
Just out of curiosity: How come no one has ever reported Kencall to the labour office for non payment of salaries or even gone to court?
Julius:
This is a very good point you made, which was:
“How to run a business when you have limited revenues”.
I suggested in one of my earlier comments that excessive hiring before you had revenues was perhaps not a good idea and may have been one mistake Kencall made?
So, if you have limited revenues, don’t get fancy and start renting out large executive suites and giving yourself big name titles, etc, etc..
Reduce your costs and reduce your standard of living until those revenues start coming in, but people don’t like to do this because it’s demeaning. Everyone wants to show off and look more successful than they are (I’m not saying this is what Kencall may have done) — but this concept of living below your means is not something people easily adopt to.
I mean, how can you not pay people who’ve worked? That stuff will eventually come back to bite you.
Guys, I think we are being too hard on Kencall. Starting a business of this nature in Kenya is extremely hard.
We should even thank Kencall for the much they have managed to do for their employees; however little it is.
These guys do not have any political contracts yet they have managed to survive amidst difficult environment.
Instead of criticising them, lets share ideas on how to successfully run a startup of this nature with limited capital and revenues.
Let us not behave like armchair investors who do business in theory.
Annon:
Why would they hire all these people when they know that revenues are still a problem? I mean, shouldn’t you start small first? as in, don’t get fancy off loans or off the mere idea that revenues will stream in.
Many people I know that start businesses don’t even hire their first employee for a few years. i.e. they grind it out doing most of the dirty work themselves and only hire when they have the cash in the bank to at least pay for a full year.
I guess never fall in love with the idea. Fall in love with your sales.
The mistake Kencall is making is to offer salos when revenues are one-off. It’s like a construction site offering salos instead of kibaruas. Only when revenues are naturally recurring, e.g. outsourced customer service / tech support, can you go offering salos.
They also don’t check up on the credit rating of their prospects before signing them up as customers. This is very important because if a customer delays payment, so must the employer.
SM I wanted to apply Kencall but now Im having 2nd thoughts about it.
Thank you Miss Babes.
Welcome aboard to the real world of outsourcing !!
We were cribbing too much about KenCall,now what you have to say,This is just the begining.
I agree with one PA….Kentech is a joke. They hired us and terminated us even before the expiry of our contract. There’s a HR lady who is just a joke there gosh. Lord have mercy on her.
Hello, Any transcribers out there who are interested in getting jobs? Simple, just reach me on this email add: jklavaste@gmail.com. We are setting up, and are ready to begin working, please hurry!
theDON:
Oh….you haven’t been paid during training? Were you given specific dates on when you’d be paid and the funds weren’t forthcoming?
This could be a very interesting point. If you are in training and are not being paid, then you should have other interviews lined up on the down low. Right? Just in case….I mean, how long can you survive without a paycheck? Someone people can, but I assume if you are looking for a job, you probably need the money.
js got recruited…y isn’t kencall paying staff during training?
I brushed through this site and someone identifying him/her self as Played Again said something about kentech. Please let me know what to expect there since I applied and wanna know what to look out for. Thanks in advance.
I hated this Kenyan Entrepreuner guy, but i must admit i always like it when a comment doesn’t go your way coz your answers…..Lol.
mwaaaaaaa.
I wish i could see your face KE. You are a bad boy. You love drama. And i have a crash on u
Njeri:
I advise you to read my post entitled, Kencall: Blood, Sweat and Tears, where I interviewed Nick and where he provided what I thought were very good answers to my questions. If you are looking for substance on the BPO sector in Kenya, that would be a post to read. Do a search for it on my blog.
SM:
I’m all about happiness for my readers so keep reading and keep laughing. Laughter is good.
You look like you’re really enjoying yourself here and seem to thrive when you think a comment hasn’t gone my way
This piece on Kencall seems to have developed a life of it’s own and it’s not something I manipulated into existence. As I’ve said before, it’s just an interesting story and interesting stories capture people’s curiosity and imagination. That’s life.
Thanks Njeri you nailed it with our dearest KE in every second reply will ask to repeat the same thing again I have been requesting and suggesting KE to PLEASE GROW UP !!
Thank you for making him understand in a harsh and sarcastic way as he and his followers deserved.
Once again my dearest KE .. PLEASE GROW UP !!Thanks LOL
Mr. Entrepreneur, the problem with outsourcing business in Kenya is that it is too young. This is the reason why it is not well understood by many people especially financiers and government. finaciers think it is a high risk business while government thinks its is a mass employer and cash cow.
The potential clients cannot trust it since it does not have solid references. Its an egg and chicken situation: clients are reluctant to outsource to Kenyan BPOs since they do not have much experience and good profiles, yet the start-ups need these clients to build their profiles. Even local firms do not trust the local BPOs so they are building own call centres instead of outsourcing.
The solution lies in support by local firms first so that they can build profiles to attract international clients.
business is tough for local technology startups especially if their target clients are international. We cannot compare Kenya and India in this. Ask yourself why Indians where never traded as slaves like Africans and you will understand the west’s perception of the two economies.
Sorry I repeated my post assuming it was not published but the point is driven home.
Kencallers and ex-Kencallers, I strongly suggest you learn to make decisions in life and move on with them, take responsibility over your situations. If you are not happy with your employer or whichever human being, tell them in the best and most effective way possible to get a resolve. If it does not work, MOVE ON! You were not born to the Nesbitts neither were you dead before you joined Kencall and I assure you, you shall not die after you leave the company. Just do what you need to do – take control over your life, make decisions and live with the consequences! You are Kenyans, we have survied and thrived despite all the ills that have befallen us, surely you can do better than spend your time and life complaining for 3 years over the same problem!
Mr. Entrepreneur this will e a bit harsh. I was last on your blog about 1-2 or so years ago. I came back today because am giving a short talk on BPO’s having worked in Kencall about 5 or so years back. However, am surprised that you are still asking the SAME QUESTION 3 YEARS LATER ON with the SAME TYPE OF RESPONSES you elicicted when you started.
The sadest part of this is you have managed to get the attention of Nik Nesbitt himself BUT you are still ASKING THE SAME QUESTION 3 YEARS LATER ON. Do you sincerely want to learn about BPO? Maybe you would have enagaged this man to give you insights on the industry – after all he pioneered the call centers in Kenya yet all you could do was JUSTIFY the existence of your blog WITH NO THROUGPUT value for this egengagement.
Fine then, maybe you are intelligent and really wanted to learn about BPO’s. I understand there are atleast 3 -4 MNC’s who are conducting due diligence in Kenya. If they are imperessed they will be setting base in a year or less. Will you STILL BE ASKING THE SAME QUESTION?
I would have expected some grwoth to this trend even if it was on salary e.g., what ways can local I.T start ups attract financing or investors, in which employee engagement models would produce a win win for BPO’s including Kencall….etc such discussions will definately win you serious peopole keen to learn about this industry, the opportunities available as well as the challenges!
I rest my case.
Julius:
If you’ve tried to run a technology startup in Kenya, I’d like to hear about your experience and what you think the solution is.
Why is outsourcing working in India and not in kenya? maybe you can share what you think the problem is.
I would encourage you to read the harvard business school case study which I attached in a piece called: “Kencall: Blood, Sweat and Tears” (you can use the search function on this blog).
Guys, I am not sure any of you has ran a startup technology firm in Kenya. Its very tough as the expectations of investors, customers, govt and employees is very high. And again, such firms cannot secure cheap longterm funding like other big businesses as financiers do not understand them.
Cant blame Kencall, its a tough business around here. Most BPOs never take off the ground unlike Kencall. These guys cant refuse to pay employees if they have the cashflows. Why do we always expect technology firms to become profitable in less than 5 years whereas most other firms become profitable in 5-10 years?
What does Kentech do?
You think Kencall is bullshit? There’s this place called Kentech…….wao…
hey Rory,
Get off Google translator. You can’t write or speak Swahili to save your life.What you just wrote means nothing has no reference to anything and is completely irrelevant to this post. now say that in swahili
kweli yake bahati mbaya kwamba idiot na asshole aitwaye BOOMBERANG hawawezi kuelewa SWAHILI, mimi kitu kingine na kusema bana
Rory, what did you say? Read what you wrote and try making an ounce of sense out of your words.
SM, wewe imeonekana uhakika yako hapa kuangalia kencaller ex-yeye ni tena nia ya kuruhusu sisi kujua ambao wamelala na nani, kuja juu ya kuondoka atleast kwamba Nikolai maskini, ok yake anasema kuhusu Shamalla, Ann Kiama na wengine na kile ni tatizo lako na Edith nini Jahannamu ni wewe hivyo huzuni basi usingizi wake na mtu yeyote kwa nini bothered? tu kwa sababu yeye ni hawapendi wewe, huwezi waudhi her.Be mchezo sasa.
I agree kwa uhakika kuwa kuna usimamizi wa masuala lakini lets kuwa waaminifu hapa KenCall sio mbaya kama portrayed.Look wake katika vituo vingine simu yake ya tatizo moja kwa nini focusiing juu yao sasa ..
SM, you keep on talking about KE being childish and yapping out nonsense but all you do is just fuel a flame war. Dude, that stuff is for 16 year old kids who just landed on the Internet some few days ago and think it’s cool to punch holes at others just because they feel safe with their identity masked behind a screen.
Flame wars never achieve substantial facts and they just drive mature audiences away from an issue undergoing discussion.
You stated the point below, I wonder what you meant by what you wrote a while back since you don’t seem to be living up to your own words.
Fact is, inasmuch as Kencall may be undergoing turbulent financial times, it’s just not prudent to lay off some people, yet hire others immediately thereafter and then delay in paying up the ones remaining. If an employee is not being timely paid enough dues for work done, do you really expect that employ to give 100% in their job and still talk good of the company? Search deep within yourself and fish out for this answer.
Thank You very much KE.
I do not intend to add spice or gossip as you want neither Iam interested to prove anyone whether I worked for KenCall not it.
All you are trying to do is here is ignite the dirty passion in them to speak out nonsense which I will not I want you to keep igniting and let see how many comes to your blog and write going forward.I will be a messenger here to all not to get your comapny shame to open.
And the most obvious part is its only you and me know.So try to cry your heart out “Mr.LOSER” and again I will plead/beg/request you PLEASE GROW UP !!
SM:
I’m very sorry to inform you that you alone will not be able to kill this post. Therefore (since you obviously can’t stop reading it
) – I’d encourage you to practice what you are attempting to preach.
If you think this post, which has been going on for 3 years, is being fueled by gossip, then I am giving you the opportunity to upgrade the post from mere gossip to substance, by telling us about the BPO sector in Kenya and what you learned.
If you fail to do this, then I will assume that you actually never worked at Kencall, know very little about the BPO industry and have nothing to contribute besides complaining about the gossip.
The rest of the readers of this post know how to treat it. Those who have positive ideas to share have shared them with us here, those who are angry and want to vent, have done so here. It’s really all in your hands, but don’t think that you can tell people what to say. That doesn’t fly in the blogosphere (unless you are the blog owner and have the power to delete comments – which I do, but since I enjoy reading all the comments, including yours, I won’t delete any of them and this piece shall continue. To my great delight, I will add!)
Look at KE’s interest here.. He still want to have the GOSSIP going…
If you still want to learn about BPO join KenCall and you can learn.Thats why I have been reiterating “GROW UP KENYANENTREPRENEUR”
SM:
Millions from a simple Kenyan blog? I wish. I realllly wish.
Look, maybe you can tell us what you learnt at Kencall and why you think that experience was valuable to you. Then, we can have a more balanced opinion because everyone’s experience can be different.
What did you discover about the BPO sector while working at Kencall? And tie it into your overall perspective about this sector’s potential in Kenya.
Thank You KE,
This is exactly what I wanted to show all, Look at the frustration any matured human being can understand the real motive now.
KE, just wanted to have the gossip going on and infact was succesful from last 3 years now and helping him earn millions by now.
Friends I agree KenCall at times did had financial issues but the management ensure its was always resolved,infact I agree lack of managerial skills in managers have given rise to certain other issues too,but give a though to the hard work of Nesbitts,does he really deserves to have the company’s shame out in open when KenCall has given so much in return..don’t you feel so.
I just wanted to bring out the real intension of KE and Iam greatful to God that I was able to get it out through his own comments which is right here for all to read.
I justified why I was here now its all you bloggers to think what you need to write here.For once Iam going out satisfied and Iam greatly indebted toward Nesbitts for giving me the opportunity to work and learn how a BPO works.I once again thank all you readers who supported me and specially KE who gave me the space to write and prove his ideas wrong.
Asante.
SM:
What? You came here with an utterly nonsensical statement and I responded to you by telling you why it was nonsensical (i.e. complaining about money is not childish) and you are back to your nonsensical point.
People have a right to complain just as you have a right not to and like I’ve said numerous times before, blogs are not NGO’s or elected government officials. It’s not the job of this blog to help Kenya or to help any individual.
Blogs are simply mediums of information. To expect anything more from them is rather silly, to be honest.
KE if you are so sympathic they why don’t you get some money for them.Why can’t you get realistic and stop acting like a child and get mature and try to do something thats going to help all and not invite all to listen to your ANTI-Kenyan and venomous talks here.
Now don’t get carried away and show off your frustration as a SHEER LOSER…unfortunately you are Now your not able to put your point across as everyone has realised the truth that this blog has not lived up to anyones expectation.
Thanks for your time and KE please grow up in a matured manner Please do let me know if you need any Psychologist assistance I would be more than glad to help you out with the same money I earned from KenCall.
No SM, you’re the one who needs to grow up and stop wasting people’s time here with cookie cutter fantasy stories about the world.
How are you supposed to survive without money? That’s not childish. It’s the real world buddy and don’t come here diminishing people’s very real concerns about their not getting paid when they’ve put in a fair days’ work.
Ndugu Wasomaji, sasa unaweza kuhisi Bana na kuchanganyikiwa katika KE, ambao imeweza kufanya mpumbavu ya wote sisi kwa hotuba yake posionous na sisi got wakamchukua na katika miaka 3 wapate ina mamilioni ya chuma na sisi bado zinakabiliwa na kupata malipo yetu . yeye ni kufurahia hadithi yetu na wengine kuruhusu kujua kaya matatizo yetu.
muda wake high kwamba sisi kuamka na kusimama kwa nchi yetu ambao ni kampuni ya kazi bila kuchoka ili kuhakikisha tunapata kulipwa na kupata biashara zaidi kuhakikisha zaidi ya ajira.
Napenda kuishia kwa kusema “Long Live Nesbitts” umeweka nchi kiburi na kuanza urithi kwa wengine follow.Thank kwa kuturuhusu kupata chakula chetu na butter.Asante
Napenda pia ombi KE kuwa kidogo zaidi kukomaa na waasi wake kuelekea countryman yake mwenyewe wenzake.
PLEASE GROW UP KE
SM:
I’ve said many times before that I am fascinated by what Kencall is trying to do in Kenya. So, it’s not just simple gossip that has kept this post alive for 3 years. It’s the entire story line of this company and I think they are many lessons here for all aspiring Kenyan entrepreneurs.
Marafiki, Naomba usome kati ya mistari ya nini akilini KE, basi ni kujaribu kujaza kenyaities vijana akili kwa namna ambayo wao kukaa mbali na viwanda BPO, ambayo ina uwezo wa kuhakikisha wengi wetu kupata ajira kwa vile vizuri fedha na vishawishi.
KE ni kupata kutoka blog hii na sisi venting moyo wetu nje, kwa ajili yake Uvumi yake na starehe na sisi dhati ya kujaribu vent nje frustration.There yetu ni kitu kiasi kwamba ina iliyopita post nini tumekuwa posting hasira yetu hapa hapa lets kuzingatia wetu kazi na kuwa na mapendekezo nini kifanyike ili kuhakikisha inaboresha KenCall, kampuni No ni kamili ni sisi watu ambao wanahitaji msaada wa kampuni hiyo na si tu venting venting na kusababisha KITU!!
You wote ni matured hivyo tafadhali kutumia akili yako kabla ya kuandika katika blog hii, sawa na kuchanganyikiwa YAKO KE ya mapato na furaha .. hivyo kufikiria tena Asante.
All,
If you read between the lines what KE has to address you will understand his real motive,he needs gossips and spice going on so that he can have more readers coming and he gets paid for it.
Now its your choice Do you really want this gossip going on helping no one.
SM & Annon:
As per my latest post, I have officially launched my insurgency against boring Kenyan business bloggers and their strange conceptions about reality.
So, let’s just cut out all the kumbaya crap. If people are not getting paid, they can’t eat, they can’t pay their bills, they can’t do shit!
Why do you guys keep missing this point? The # 1 complaint has been about either not being paid on time, or not being paid in full (what they were owed) or not being paid at all and this is a very legitimate and real point.
How are you supposed to survive without money??
Same here. I believe so much good about Kencall is not highlighted as well as it should. It is a good place to excersice discipline and what you learn there impacts your life. Really, Nesbitt you are doing a good job.It may not measure up but really it depends on one’s mindset.
There you go Sir!!
This attitude of yours would surely help you in your career.
LET KENCALL BE,although am out i really thank the nesbitts for the opportunity they gave me to work for them and atleast have some experience….LONG LIVE KENCALL.
KE.. I think Kencall qualifies for a study on how to mess a business and poor business practices!! This has got to be the most volatile Company ever..
Since last year they have been retrenching people at least every 2 months.. Strange thing is that they’re at the same time recruiting new guys!!!
People are fired in suspicious manners (not always performance based) Others are hired and new positions created for them (all the time management claiming they’re cash strapped and hence the retrenching)
As of right now, employees have not been paid.. So for the people defending them, is it normal for people to complain about their pay for 3 yrs(since 2007 when the original article was written??)
All current and ex KCs have a right to vent their pent up frustrations.Its not very nice when you are exposed to such poor conditions at a company in terms of payment and general middle and upper management cruel attitude. Thesr guys need to style up..The Nesbits are quite ok but really those under them have very questionable characters
SM:
The idea that this tiny, little blog would keep anyone away from investing in Kenya is a joke.
If you think you have a good investment that can make money, you will pursue it based on your own ideas and ambitions. Blaming a blog is a cope out for whatever it is you are doing wrong.
KE,
I agree.Though you do feel that your contents are enlightening at the same time is not doing any wonders too.I have worked with Kencall and though finances were difficult,the management ensured that all are paid.Delays do happen but that happen with all organisations.
The contents surely have kept many companies away not only from Kencall but Kenya too.
Off late the discussions have been on the positive side and I really appreciate you posting Nicks Interview.
I won’t write again until and unless its really genuine.All the readers are matured and hence can make decisions wisely.
KE,thanks for your reply.
Iam trying to route some businesses to Kenya. I hope to do so with all your support and generating employment in Kenya.
SM:
My contribution has been the content you find here on this blog, which allows you to come here and not just read it, but leave your comments as well.
In other words, my contribution is informational. There’s no ghost writing what you read here. Someone has to do the work and provide the content otherwise you’d have nothing to read
Did you read through the other links I posted? They are very eye opening.
I don’t know why you don’t find this post to be brutally enlightening. I mean, it’s real world stuff: no paychecks probably because of revenue generation issues, employee complaints, anger, jealousy, brokeness..these are the difficulties all entrepreneurs encounter. What? you want a fantasy story? The world is not clean.
Nick Nesbitts contribution is definately noteworthy as agreed by you but my question still remains what has been your contribution????
I really would encourage everyone here to read my other pieces on Kencall, which included a piece where Nick Nesbitt was kind enough to answer several of my questions (& I am eternally grateful to Nick for answering those questions despite many of the things that have been written on this blog about his company).
But anyway, I have attached the links to my other pieces here and you can click on them and read them. It will help you get a full picture of this company and it’s journey into Kenya, which I believe is a fascinating story.
http://www.kenyanentrepreneur......r-in-kenya
http://www.kenyanentrepreneur.com/kencall
http://www.kenyanentrepreneur.com/kencall-2
SM:
Ah…sigh
Another African asking me about do-gooding help your country stuff. Sigh, sigh.
This post and this blog is purely informational. I’m hoping that for any aspiring entrepreneur who reads this, some lessons maybe learned about how to deal with employee’s when or if you have revenue shortfall issues. People do not work for free and to expect them to work for free (in the name of some silly thing called patriotism) is fantastically naive!! would you work for free??
You see, these comments are real. It’s not theory. If you don’t pay people, what should you expect?? How as an entrepreneur, should you deal with this very real issue?
Nini:
Why do you think you are not being paid on time? What’s going on? You work there…you tell us. What do you think the fundamental problem is?
its the 9th of June ant the company has not paid us up to date they are giving people 1000ksh ati for transport you people you have to be serious how do you expect us to survive in this Nairobi we have bills to pay plus our landlord are on our case
KE and your well wishers,
Ask yourself what have you achieved in last 2 years post starting this blog and 643 comments here other than just enjoying what few have to say about so called EX company where they earned their bread and butter.
What have you done constructively helping this country.Apart from you earning through this blog what have you done.
I pity Kenya as a whole ,outsourcing business have still not picked up and its been close to a decade now post KenCall starting its operations.No one wants to risk coming to this country mainly because of this BLOG.
So KE I would appreciate if you could let all of us know your contribution in helping build this country acquire outsourcing business.
MANY MANY THANKS…. LoL!! Anonymous, you still can manage to smile as you are a loser too unfortunately..
Lol,
K.E -Did you have to? The ‘many thanks?’.
Kencallers are so queit and happy. Shall we assume all is well and great? Strangely the ones venting are all ex-kencallers. Change the topic from -kencall is not paying their employees to Kencall is paying its employees.
SM- Are you Shamalla? Only an Indian calls people ‘friends’. I hated that Indian guy.
Many thanks FRIENDS! Lol.
SM:
I’m so sick of hearing from people who think they can change Kenya. It’s such bullshit. What the hell does that mean anyway?
Kenyans and their fake philanthropic ideas. They all claim to want to be little Mother Theresa’s.
Sigh.
Many thanks
Friends,
This blog is not going to help anyone,lets talk on how to change Kenya for good and let KenCall do what it wants to do people who wants to work definately have to right to work without any more unwanted comments.. Many Thanks.
I cant understand how you can lay someone off then delay his/her final dues..Eric and Nik nesbitt ,do you think thats fair..Ya,ll a running this place unprofessionally.This bad publicity aint helpin your cause..Get your act together and pay your redundant employees what you owe them..Karma is a bitch.watch out
Top performance:
I see.
And how did that unbearable place teach you how to make money?
You’ll all rant and make noise, KenCall shaped me to a top performer in all I do. Applying pressure and of course stress to it, I channelled it out differently and I’m making a success of myself thanks to that unbearable place. Don’t rant, make use of your time online and make money like I do everyday.
Mimi:
That was quite hilarious
So, what do you do when at the end of the month you realize that you haven’t been paid? Do you just go to work pissed off or what?
@beenthere
It’s a side hustle. Getting bargain deals and able and willing investors is not guaranteed. The problem with Kenyan professionals like docs, lawyers, IT types, etc. is that they won’t venture outside their professions so they really miss out. For example, the development of Upper Hill Medical Centre near Nairobi Hospital was funded by docs. They’re now enjoying fantastic rents and unrealised capital gains.
There’s no running away from real estate speculation in a country that has one of the highest population growth rates in the world. This is creating an explosive growth in the number of poor, middle class, and upper class people. As the number of poor people increases, so does the demand for the stuff that the poor buy. This means more jobs for supervisors and managers that work for businesses that sell stuff to the poor. This means more demand for middle class housing for the supervisors and managers, and upper class housing for the senior managers and business owners.
Its very true,Kencall delays employees salaries beyond acceptable time period..I once worked there and I know how it feels to work on night shifts and and the end of the month you have no money!
KE: sorry, what is in the brackets was a clarification just in case there’s anyone reading the blog who has no idea what cold calling is. American and British clients were there previously, I don’t know if they have any such clients now.
Anon: do you do this speculation full time or are you doing it as a side hussle together with a regular job? Seeing as property prices in Nairobi are ridiculous, I might as well make money selling property to people so that I can one day afford to buy me some…
Kencall has changed so many people’s life’s.
To owner of this blog you are not doing any good to accept comments which are outside your topic.
@KE
Oh yes, that’s exactly what I did. People with money don’t have the time to look for real estate deals so if you can find them a deal in Nairobi’s increasingly expensive real estate market, then they’ll be quite grateful.
Unlike other real estate agents who charge clients a fraction of the sale price, I charge a fraction of the capital gains. So the client is rest assured that I’m making money with him, not off him.
KSh 20m is actually crap in a country where some people my age are actually doing sales of KSh 100m plus per annum.
Annon:
Your story sounds too good to be true. You convince someone who ALREADY has money to do something with THEIR own money and then they turn around and give you a commission of Ksh. 20 million simply for giving them advice?
I don’t think so.
Beenthere:
Isn’t calling customers to pitch products cold calling?
I don’t know how BPO will ever succeed in Kenya because now, I’m seeing a lot of companies move to the Phillipines — there’s a large population of English speakers there and I assume they have decent infrastructure.
Did you have any American or British customers?
@KE and beenthere
I made the KSh 20m profit from real estate speculation. I convinced some rich dudes to buy for themselves upmarket Nairobi property at a deep discount in early 2008 when some unpatriotic Kenyans were selling and emigrating. I then convinced them to sell the property this year. They then paid me the fraction of the capital gains that we had agreed upon in 2008.
By the way, KSh 20m is crap in a country where the founders of companies like Equity Bank have shares worth billions of shillings. Whether you’re a doctor, lawyer, or programmer in Kenya, it’s impossible to avoid speculating in real estate.
crowdsourcing is a good idea to anyone with creative ideas…http://www.cooltownstudios.com/
Kenyan Entrepreneur: by the time I was leaving sometime last year, the biggest account was Orange-Telkom. Customer service, no cold calling (calling customers to pitch products / services). There was also a new account that was in the process of being set up for some bank, I think that one involved cold calling, but I’m not very sure what product(s)it involved and how long it lasted, someone else could verify. I’ve lost touch with the place since then, so I’m not sure what they’re currently upto.
Anonymous: I feel you, it’s true being screwed before you make it seems to be the order of the day, and yes, there isn’t much to be gained by complaining, though I also understand why my fellow Kencallers past and present have ended up using this forum as a space to vent. But I’m trying to help take the forum back to what I think it was initially meant to be about, which is how to improve the fledgling BPO industry. A net worth of several mil in such a short span of time seems to be a bit of a stretch, so I will join Kenyan Entrepreneur in asking – How did you do it? Assuming you aren’t a pimp or a drug dealer
, you may have some valuable lessons to teach, so please do tell, it would be great to learn from you….. 
Annon:
I become skeptical whenever people outline their “networth” publicly (easy to do, but nearly impossible to verify), but tell me how you moved from being broke to having money. That could be an interesting story to hear.
@beenthere
Sorry I took the piss. I’ve also had my down days. For example, in 2004, Safaricom blocked my PRE-PAID line because I wasn’t buying airtime. That’s how broke I was. If it hadn’t been for my very understanding paros who allowed me to freeload at their place despite being 28, I’d have been homeless.
What I didn’t do was to whine endlessly about clients / employers who had screwed me. You can’t succeed in life, especially in Kenya, without occasionally getting screwed. Instead, I moved on and focused on improving my skills. Improving skills doesn’t mean going back to school. It means using your client’s / employer’s resources to learn valuable on-the-job skills.
Now I have a net worth (assets less liabilities) of KSh 20m. Si mbaya for a 34-year old.
Let me ask you ex-kencallers a question.
Was your calling primarily limited to making calls to try and get people to purchase goods or services or were you answering incoming customer service questions?
Anonymous, as one of the more well mannered and eloquent contributors to this topic, I take great exception to your pompous comments above. DO NOT generalise all current and ex-Kencall staff into some semi-literate lump then proceed to insult us for taking up the only work that was available at the time.
As I mentioned in a previous post, most of us were there marking time while looking for better things to do. That can also be deduced from previous ‘posters’ – those that weren’t axed during the retrenchments left for greener pastures. (There are also people who work there to make some money to help them through school.) Had you just finished campus in today’s Kenya, it would dawn on you very quickly that the ‘big leagues’ are narrow and crowded, and can only take so many fresh graduates at a time.
The Nesbits and other employers know that campus graduates are a dime a dozen, that’s why we were hired – to provide good yet cheaply paid labor. Your assumption that we were ‘valued’ is ill-informed and insulting. And FYI, we know our worth. We used the place as a launch pad, so we’re now doing WAAAAAY better than we were then, and I assure you that every agent who works there now is working towards a better future for themselves. If you closed your eyes and woke up one day to find yourself in the big leagues then bravo to you, but DO NOT disparage those who have to use a longer and more arduous route to get there.
@Kencallers and Ex-Kencallers
If you guys are any good then you wouldn’t have worked for Kencall in the first place. You’d instead have been playing in the big leagues. Your English is atrocious, you have absolutely no manners, and you overvalue your worth.
How the hell does anybody in their right mind hire you, even for blue-collar work? Nick is one clueless entrepreneur for seeing any value in you.
To Slave Girl and ex-Kencall Slave: Jamani people, poleni sana. That is all i can say. The post Slave Girl posted almost made me cry. But good for you, you have moved on to bigger things.Leave the alone. They are not alone in this industry anymore and sooner or later all the clients will leave them for their competitors like Orange has already done. Eventually Orange will pull out.
Stupid Nick with his short man syndrom goes banging one of the Senior Executives “woman” at Orange, Senior Executive gets pissed off and starts to pull business out of Kencall. Na bado.Stupid Nick loses business, clever woman has two cars to show for. Mercedes and a Porsche.
Slave Girl:
I’m trying to figure out why you mentioned that you are HIV positive.
Ex, KenCaller,
I cant agre more with you but would like to say more than you did as you just touched the surface of whats happening or not in this colonial slave ship!
I got a job at Kencall and was promised a basic of 15,000 but was also promised that this was the minimum i would expect as there were commision wages on top of this pay, they said 30,000 was average.
So I went for the interview ( I have since joined a bank and realised that it was not a proper interview) I worked there doind an average of 11 hours a day ( with no overtime) and always arrived early for work as I wanted to climb up the promotional ladder, Kencall paid me back by making sure I got home 2 hours after my shift.
To put you in the picture I am a single mother and have been HIV positive for 5 years, this soounded like a good job in a industry that was growing.
I moved to South B and my grandmother paid my 1 month rent. On my first pay I didint receive because I didn have a bank accoount ( I wasnt told this at the interview) so I waited till I could speak to the girl at HR, she said dont worry I can get a cheque. She said Eric or NIK would sort the matter out.
However they were never in the office and it was now the 7th of the month, my landlord was saying if i diddnt pay within 2 days I would be thrown out.
So as you say if a agent has a problem I could come and see you, I asked the recepsionist ( betty who could not have been more un symphthetic ) and said she would call me when you were availble.
That never happened ( does anyone actually communicate in your buisness) and as me and my child were about to be made homless I walked into your brothers office. Before I was even explaining my situation he was starting to put away his laptop and was not listening to me, he said I should have had a bank account but he could give me a cheque on monday as his brother had left.
I tried to explain the situation but he said he could not do anything about it.
I got home at 2.30am to find all my beloningings on the doorstep and my mama with my baby.
I stayed at my mamas room that night apologised i could not pay her and left the next morning.
I went to a cousin I have not seen for years and she gave me the mat fare home.
After 4 months i went for a ( proper) interview with a bank and got it and i now m back in nairobi, living independantly, my child goes to day care, I have medical insurance ( would you belive inpatient as well), I get paid on or before on time and the male staff are not trying to get me into bed ( this company has ethics, dont know if you know the word).
So dont blame people you have destroyed their lives about your industry you are an evil little man with an evil brother who both act like they dont know whats going on.
Your offer to come into your office to “talk about issues) is a scam.
You know as does your brother when to “dissapear” on payday.
Your T.V Journilist girlfriend who works for an african tv company that is part of national worlwide company is stringing you along as we ( but not you ) all know.
Your wife must be deaf an dumb and as I work in a bank now i know of her…Oh am so tempted to send her an mail at DTB…oh poor girl your “short’ husband is really goin to town with you girl….( its a sayin, he couldnt not actually take you to town, to much chance of bumpin into his other girls.
An last but not least your brother ( the tall thin one) who loves the femail staff, am surprised i didnt get his “attention” due to my HIV status but he did have Pauline and the new baby to contentd with.
I have no words for him as he played me and put me and my baby in a life threatining position.
Your senior ( if you can use that word) are a joke…Shamalla…why? why? why?
Eric..why why? why? why? why? why? why/
Anne…sorry so many why’s…
The first lady…..Betty..jUST LEAVE…( OUR COUNTRY)!!!
So when or if you reply nesbit dont go defensive on me small one, you offered me a good job with security, sumtin a single mum really needs, but you sent me out on the streets…may you rot in hell!!
On all the ppeole on here ( probably shammala and pauline) who defend your actions…you can also go to hell. I make no excuses for this .
To all customers and future of kencall, this blog will be forwarded to them.Let them choose a call center that wont have their name on this!
Have a nice day now, enjoying the golf at mathagia as we struggle to live.
To all who say they have never had a problem getting paid…we all know that shamalla gets paid to sit and write those on this site.
Anyway, I have vented my anger am gona enjoy my time with my family and pray to god I never have to go through EVER EVER meeeting con men like you.
Oh nice car…real cute, the staff all loved it
http://www.nesvax.org
Hey Guys! You people including the promoter of this blog have no idea as to how bad a marketing u guy r doing for Kenya. Its not only KENCALL who shall suffer but your country will suffer more for this. No company is perfect in any part of the world. There would always be some dissatisfied souls everywhere.
Some of you have spoken about India, trust me the picture is no better here in most of the companies of KENCALL’s size. However, we do realize that its just a passing phase and we all got to cope up with it. You cannot have GOOD times in ur life all the time.
Being an entrepreneur myself and running a BPO her in India, I can vouch on the fact that no owner was a disgruntled and dissatisfied workforce for them. I dont see any reason why the owners of KENCALL should think different.
All said and done, I must say, this blog is doing more harm than good for the image of ypur country, Kenya.
Good Luck!
BTW is orange still a client at kencall or they have pulled out?
Nesbit your so called apology letta trying to justify yourself and your excuse for a bruva was so so so embarrising!!
this site is for entrepreneurs!…not half breeds like you. If paying low salaries late or in installments and NOT paying ANY staff who dare leave is in the spirit of entrepreneurasim then its an easy game, just keep tellin the staff the dream, let your small ( but not nearly as small as you) brother “keep workin those late nights” and you and you an your new car, new wife, new mistress ( has she left u, havent seen her with u recently…no probs plenty more lil rich things wantin a 3 foot dwarf) but please when you spout such things as u did remember all the people u made homeless and sent them back to villages cause YOU caused their dreams to fail. How a company like Orange can involve staff in slave labour is unbeliiavble, and I as many will be canceling my Orange service.
Hope u take this seriously and stand tall ( by sum heels)and admit you screwed up a lot of lives.
Your day will come!!..
And people, getting a good wife or marrying a rich man really isn’t a function of where you work / worked, unless your work involved selling your personal ‘charms’
. Let’s be grateful for what we learnt at Kencall, but let’s also know where to draw the line. Kudos to those who used the skills they gained to move on up to bigger and better things.
610 posts and still going on? Wow!! Anyway, having been at Kencall myself and in the spirit of taking this blog back to good old entrepreneurship issues, I will say that they need the following to prosper:
1. Cheaper internet. Let’s face it – the fibre-optic thingy is here, but net isn’t any cheaper, and the place needs super-fast 24hr internet access to prosper. I actually believe Nic when he says internet is their biggest overhead. Let the ISPs stop playing games and bring prices down so that overhead can be lower, and maybe they’ll stand a chance. Then maybe the pay will be increased again
… because when you’re looking for people who have lived and studied in the US and the UK, you need to pay them better than what we were being paid when I left sometime last year. And throw in a few real benefits while you’re at it. For instance, I’m sure agents would be a lot more engaged if they could own a part of the company they work so hard for, as opposed to restricting share-holding benefits to managers only.
2. Better management. When you have managers (from Quality Assurance upwards) who can tell you to your face that they can do whatever they want to you and you’ll have to deal with it, you will do your best to get the hell out of such a place. And if you can’t get out, you will do just enough to get by. The best companies try to get their people 100% engaged. The managers unfortunately have alot to do with whether or not employees are engaged. Good management goes hand in hand with satisfied employees. Get people with the right attitude for the job.
3. Still on the issue of management, in Kencall’s case, leaner is the way to go – the place had a disproportionate number of managers / back office staff considering the number of agents on the floor. The HR department for one had like – hmm, let’s see – 3 people more than it absolutely needed to have. And then there was this department called customer service whose JD seemed to be sticking posters and cute notices on the walls and nothing more. Don’t know if the numbers are still as high but if they are, they need to be cut down.
3. Spirited, focused marketing. The place needs to define exactly what type of clientelle they are looking for. As we have all learnt through our life experiences, when you don’t know what you want, you get nothing. Then they need to come up with a team whose work is to ensure the Kencall name is out there so that they can rope in the business. A company at that level cannot rely on word of mouth to get by, especially if the mouths will lead potential clients to this blog….
Nic was trying, but clearly this is not a one-man job, he needs some serious support.
4. I would say less monotonous / more challenging work with real room for growth and improvement, but unfortunately that’s why these jobs are outsourced to begin with – they are labour-intensive and time-consuming, yet extremely repetitive and boring…. That being said however, I think Kencall and the BPO / Call center industry at large could do with an image revamp. Working in a call-center should be seen as an actual job / career option, not a temporary thing to do while fighting tooth and nail to land a better paying / more serious job (which it was in my case). This will only happen as the industry continues to grow and improve, especially in such important areas as financial and people management, work flow planning, employee capacity building and pay & benefits. However, they can begin to lay the ground work for this revamp starting now. It’s good to see that there are people out there who now have courses for call center agents; this will ensure that the centers have trained personel who know what to expect at work and how to go about their duties the right way (without letting sexy voices and foreign accents be the only definition of an agent). Now it’s up to the BPO players to ensure that they are running operations worthy of being referred to as call centers.
As for the lady who said she would let her children work at Kencall, in the state it is in right now, you’re such a joker
… For the over 1.5 years I was there my mum considered me jobless because my pay was just enough for rent and food and I had no benefits. Even the medical cover you’re talking about was very sketchy, and it was only for the individual agent. Maybe if they (and the BPO industry as a whole) underwent a massive improvement, then in the future we’ll be able to sleep well at night knowing our children are living a good life working in a call center. But for now, there’s still a long way to go.
Maybe Kencall is too top-heavy. They need to fire all managers and supervisors and leave the agents to supervise / manage themselves. The money that was spent paying the supervisors and managers would then be split equally among all agents. The agents would have rotating shift leaders who aren’t paid extra for supervising / managing. I’ve witnessed this happen at a top Nairobi hospital where nurses make 75k and drive cars that they paid for (si ya hubby ama boyfie).
@I.M. agent, you are medically covered, and you’ve been agent for two years.Pure B.S..
I.M Agent…are you sure you are an agent? I highly doubt. You really mean you are happy with the pay? Happy with the stupid “leadership” and ” supervision” of akina Andrew Eule and the ilk? I worked with KenCall for 2 years and to be honest, much as I recieved my pay on time or not on time, there was not a single day I would not wake up in the morning and really hate the fact that I had to go to work. Mr Nik Nesbitt, clearly you read this blog. I’m sure you are well learned in management and have heard the phrase ‘people do not leave their jobs, they leave their managers’ Nik, it’s high time you fired the whole of your floor managers, starting from Account managers, supervisors, Team Leaders, and all your Quality people. You seriously need fresh and new blood on your floor management. Only then, and only then will all the whining stop about your call centre. Of course, you wont listen to this so good luck ruining your business and life.
I’m confused……Are we Talking about the same Kencall at Sameer. Where you climb nissans for Hillock which are very old?? Are we talking about the largest call centre in east africa?? Are we talking about Kencall EPZ..where i’ve been an agent for the past 2 years??? I thought we were talking about a different call centre. I’ve never had any pay issue, maybe a 1000 shs mishap on commisions which is usually rectified in the next month slalary…but 99% of these claims are not only untrue but purely fictional.. Kencall is one hell of a place, i’d recommend not only my kid’s but my kid’s kids to work here. For 2 years i’ve been there and i’ve always gotten my money, i’m medically covered, transport is provided..So for the 10 or so disgruntled employees who are reposting here just cos they were caught on facebook and got scaked or for whatever reason were let go..concentrate your energy elsewhere..As for Kenyanentrepeneur..kenya is bigger than the ratings on your blogs..Kencall is really looking for business to employ young kenyans. If the accusations were true I’d be the first one to cast a stone..so just scrap this blog. It’s not helping the youth and and YES it will boost your ratings but if you have foresight you’ll see the ramifications.
Hello Diana, you need to have a look at this book, the Little White eBook of Homeshoring Jobs. Its exceptional and should answer all your questions. Good luck!
DEM:
How do you avoid telling people where you are based? They will ask you eventually.
I don’t know how the Indians have done it. Have you ever interacted with an Indian call center worker? They’re not that good.
Maybe it’s just volume. They have such a large population that they can handle lots of volume. I don’t know.
While I feel Mr Nesbitt’s pain about this blog, I dont think its the reason Kenya is losing outsourcing business. I dont think the major decision makers are dumb enough to rely on a single blog in making business decisions.
Personaly, I think Kenyan call centers should stop selling the location (Kenya) and sell the company and services instead. I know a lot of call centers that have the “appearance” of being 100% US based, but do most of their work overseas. These companies have a US address, some US sales people and a US phone number. However all the rest of their employees are located overseas.
When you associate the identity of your company with a third world country like Kenya, many Americans will not even give you the chance to prove that you can do the work.
Diana:
What is it you want to know about home shoring? You need to ask specific questions so that people who know about outsourcing and home shoring will be able to come here and answer your questions.
I just want to be clear that I am not encouraging Kencall employee’s or anyone else to steal!
I just can’t imagine not being paid by an employer. I can understand if they gave me stock options in lieu of cash, but I just can’t imagine not being paid. I would not be a good employee.
EAD, if you think kencall is taking a hit from this blog, I think that’s well deserved. They had it coming. The guys who run the company think they are on cloud 9 and sit on the ones below so much getting all sycophant and then some more. If I was working there and had the capacity to, you bet your butt, I would steal if possible. What happened to all the people who took up loans and then resigned and went underground without ever having repaid the loans? What about the ones who got raises and got backdated salaries upto 6 months, went on leave and then resigned? Do you think this was not bound to happen? I Don’t think it’s bound to end either.
Sexysheddah:
Why aren’t employers willing to pay their workers what is owed to them? Do you think they genuinely have cash flow problems? or is it just thuggery? i.e. They know your desperate and can’t afford to quit.
If I worked for a company where my pay was being consistently docked, I would do everything in my power to steal from the company and pad my own pockets. I would go to work thinking about ways to screw the company for my own financial benefit.
If u thnk its only kencall which is not paying..u beter visit n work in some other companies where u r paid half of ur first month’s salary after 3months.n they expect u to kam jobo 8 then leave 5.30! I have never been so degraded in my life. phew!
ead.
I want you to answer these questions for me since you said you worked for Kencall:
1) If you were to open a call center in Kenya, how would you get your clients?
2)Would you begin by targeting local clients or British and American clients and what would you tell them would be the advantage of moving their business to Kenya? What does Kenya have that India doesn’t have?
Let me make it easy for you: If you were to start an outsourcing company in Kenya what would you do?
You want an honest answer? I would pray to God, Moses, Abraham and all the saints in heaven to prevent bloggers like you and especially you from attacking me even when it is not warranted for.
You have no idea how much this blog is hurting the CEO of kencall.
What i wrote above was for the benefit of the agents, not you KE.
I promised…you wanna talk about promises?
KE QUOTED: Let us focus on the outsourcing business in Kenya and it’s potential (given the fact that the high-speed fiber optic cable is coming soon).
Turn this conversation around and start talking about how to make money.#104289
Keep your promise first. You are not only hurting Nick (CEO)and Kencall, but jeopardizing hundreds of jobs in the name of
a fair forum.
I one day had to stand up and defend Kencall like it was my own Company when the Company i was working for refused to outsource in Kencall after running across this blond. And since our clientelle is all over africa, i was sure Nick would create 100 vacancies for the Kenyan youth.
That never saw the light of the day. And we had to outsource the account to the philipines. What wasted talent?
ead.
You promised to give me all this great information, then I read your response and all you’ve given me is an outline of where ex-Kencall employee’s have ended up. I mean, good for them, but who cares?
So, I’m just telling you to keep your promises. Now, come back and give me your impressions on the outsourcing industry in Kenya and don’t tell me about ex-kencall employee’s.
Let me make it easy for you: If you were to start an outsourcing company in Kenya what would you do?
Quoted by you ke:Everyone is responsible for their own knowledge acquisition and never expect someone to provide it for you.
If I was charging you to read my blog, then I’d be concerned for my income, but for free joy-riders? apana
#105416.
kwani unataka ke joyride pia? Apana. Unless you are paying me……
I already answered the 2nd question! As for the first one; i would answer but lets get real here, you are not interested in knowing.
You are “somewhat dissapointed?” I am furious that you are ”SOMEWHAT” the whole piece was supposed to dissapoint you.
Friends,
EAD is correct!!
ead.
I’m somewhat disappointed in your statement. I was expecting more (not on Kencall and it’s employee’s per se, but rather, on the whole outsourcing industry and it’s potential in Kenya)– so, try again and give me better information.
Annon:
You’ve raised some very good points. Someone once told me that the hardest thing about starting small is that your ego will take a hit, but in the long-term, it’s the best thing to do. i.e. nobody will be impressed with you for years because you won’t have those fancy offices with pretty secretaries and the executive suites, but if your clear about what you want, you’ll be able to over come those perceptions and just push through.
All these comments must be true
Njeri-Dec 18 2007…wrote….Why the long story? Things have changed. Today’s Daily Nation has a former employee of Kencall who is currently a CEO of an innovative ideas company. I hit a website with a name of someone whom if am not wrong is also a former employee of Kencall. These guys surely didn’t sit down and just bitch!!
Kencall Agents, one thing i know is that you can be anything you wanna be. I call you youngsters, not in a defamatory way but because when i joined, i was only 22 years old. I had to pay my school fees, pay my bills and i was so hungry for success. If Kencall has produced CEO’s, Managers, Engineers, Lawyers, Businessmen, etc, etc, ask yourself what did they do different that i am not doing now?
Kenyan Enterprenuer, today i took time to read most of your blogs and sad to say all of them potray 1. a negative person 2. a failure 3. an amatuer 4. a big joke.
To the CEO, you do not need to respond to this blog. When you do, you add more fuel to the fire.
What a mess, what a shame?
I know of quite a number of persons i worked with at Kencall and we are not bitter by the experiences that we went through, if at all we are greaful we had the chance to experience and encounter what we did.
I have never heard of a perfect working environemnt, truth is, even guys who are working in the World Bank, UN or “Muiltinational” will never be 100% satisfied. It is human, you can never be 100% content with what you have, so It is not a unioque case in Kencall.
One thing i appreciate about Kencall is the thorough training the recruits have to go through. If you work for Kencall, you can be lest assured you can work for any Call Center in the world. The Training is excellent and exceptional.
The working environemnt is also very good not to mention the facilities, someone told me, there is even a gym coming up.
When we talk of management, we might have a small problem here. Personally i think the Team Leaders have too much power and the agents may not have the right channel to address their grievances. Still it does not give anyone any right to come and vent on this blog and call people names.
I know Nick in person, and yes, he is willing to listen to any employee who has any grievances. I know this because i have walked up to him, he treated me like an equal ad we sorted out whatever issues i had.
The Payment Issue: While at Kencall my salary was always in my bank account on time.
Regarding the salary delays: enyone and everyone has a right to be frustrated but is this the way to go?
You asked why am i not bitter like the rest of the agents?
1. I was an agent in Kencall and left the company as a Team leader. The salary i got, however ‘MEGRE” so me through college.Kencall gave me a job, when i could not get a job elsewhere. For that i am greatful.
2. The experience i got while at Kencall, i still use todate. I am now a customer service manager in one of the leading Comapnies in the world, and yes in interviews even abroad- Kencall is recognized as a repuatable Co.
3. I made a choice not to let people i despised make me a bitter person, instead i was determined to make it out there.
4. I watched the SECRET- It changed my life. I urge all, watch the film, THE SECRET.
5. I met my wife at Kencall.( She is the most beautiful and nicest person i know).
Persons I know who worked at Kencall and have made it.
Kelvin Olende – Sales and Marketing Manager of one of the biggest Media Agencies in the Subsaharan Africa.
Sandra O – Account manager of (One fo the biggest banks in Africa)
Purity M- PR Manager
John Kamau- IT manager ( Largest telecommunications in Kenya)
Brenda Wangeci- Lawyer in an NGO, and model in a famous fashion house, and currently married to a Vice president of a well known French Company)
ME- Customer Care Manager in one of the biggest airlines in the world.
And many more, i am in touch with all the persons i have named above, and we have found that the experience we got at Kencall contributed to what we are right now.
Everything you wanna be- is all in your mind. Kencall employees, and especially agents, focus!
thedevilhimself:
What on earth are you talking about?
i can picture the future( silicon plains of masakosi, bunker data centre … serious servers … live video streaming ching ching $$$£
http://www.slideshare.net/blon.....cept-paper
Nick begining ta feel tha heat wacha iyo there is Sameer right behind u there c if u’ll keep up with ur ka sweat shop ..burger wewe
Nick:
This post was first written three years ago and for some reason (which has baffled me) people keep coming back to it and coming back to it and coming back to it. Why do you think that is? Do you think it’s all just a personal vendetta?
The second point I want to make is this: You cannot call free speech unpatriotic and you cannot prevent people from talking about a private company. It’s not an army, they’re not conscripted soldiers and they’re not fighting a war of self-defense.
To accuse a minor blog such as this one of denting Kenya’s ability at becoming an outsourcing center is really a complete stretch, in every sense of the word.
Besides, in an age where information can be moved around the world instantaneously because of all the technological platforms available, you simply can no longer prevent the free flow of information. If they don’t say it here, they’ll say it on facebook, twitter, via text messages, on forums, etc, etc.
I think your only defense is your right of reply.
**And like I’ve said before, I think the Kencall story is a fascinating one and that’s why people are following it so closely. It’s this start-up that’s trying to break into a new industry in a country beset with political and socio-economic problems, but with a large English speaking population of young people that are desperate for these kinds of jobs and that believes they can compete with India….etc, etc…
You know what I”m actually getting from this story? I am learning a lot about what it’s like for a start-up in Kenya. I’m not seeing incompetence or corruption here. I am seeing the tremendous travails of trying to set-up a start-up company in Kenya and that story remains fascinating.
I really don’t know what all of you are trying to get out of this blog. Even you, Kenyan Entrepreneur. It is really hurting our business and the BPO industry. We are working hard trying to build a business yet we have to compete with this blog in building and maintaining our reputation. As the owner of this site, it is shameful that you allow people to vent in a very non positive way. There is very little credibility in the complaints. You have a choice as to what you’re going to let the world see about Kenya and Kenyans.. What do you get out of this? Definitely not money. What? Pride in destroying what Kenyans are trying to build? Pride in preventing Kenyans from getting jobs when kenyan and foreign companies read this trivial stuff and choose to not outsource to KenCall or even Kenya thinking this blog reflects accurately what is going on in the company?
Kenya and Africa have enough problems with their reputations and the expectations foreigners (and even locals) have about kenya’s work ethic and capabilities. We don’t need those stereotypes to be propagated by an online forum that encourages unfair discourse. It is very unpratriotic of all of you!! Really shameful. If anyone, anyone, has any payment or other issues, please come to me directly. be an adult and don’t hide behind anonymity and pseudonyms. Stand up and look me in the eyes if you have anything to say about me, my brother, my staff and let’s sort it out responsibly as adults. Walk into my office. email me.
I have given you permission. I have always given KenCallers that green light, but few ever do. Make your case to me and I will personally ensure that what ever is actually owed to you gets paid right away. Almost all the complaints I hear in the hallways or elsewhere turn out to be illegitimate upon investigation, including many of the negative comments and complaints on this blog. Please, tell the truth. Have some integrity. Let’s move on.. I really don’t know what we have done to warrant more comments on this site than some of the more volatile politicians.. Stop this nonsense. Please. Start another blog about something more positive and let this one die. I don’t want to keep reading this stuff and asking for this discussion to end. We are putting on a terrible face to the world with these very immature discussions! Thank you. Nik Nesbitt, co Founder and CEO of KenCall.
Kenyan Enterprenuer,
I will give you a balanced view of both the good stuff and the bad stuff that happened while i was there in due course and give an opinion on the outsourcing industry in my perspective.
Will come back soon!
We understand when the company has to lay guys off and we dont have a problem with that, but surely Mr.CEO knowing the last pay we got was the 40% and the next thing we dont have our jobs and the company makes us to chase for our final dues for weeks?
where do we get our bus fares from? HR tells us the directors are in a meeting or not in to sign the chq’s! Surely do we have to camp there for hours to get our money!Mr. CEO if you are the one holding our payments and making us suffer to get what we earned(our sweat)then you are really to blame and if it’s not you please do something about it! Dont let people cry in the name of the Nesbitt’s. Mr. CEO you are a good person but some people are out to mess you!
I think it’s very important for entrepreneurs to be candid about their cash flow situation. When I used to work for my dear brother before I got greener pastures, he’d tell me candidly, “I can’t give you a salo. Instead, I’ll pay you 50% of the gig amount and only after the client has paid up”.
You see once I was told, I could jipanga. I could go to mathee and tell her, “Mum, big bro has hooked me up with a UN kibarua and I need something small to sukuma me until I get paid.” She’d say, “Okay son, that kibarua will look nice on your CV. How much do you need? You have to pay back every cent or I’ll never help you again.”
To cut a long story short, don’t promise a salo and then fail to honour it. You leave people in a big fix playing cat and mouse with the landlord, mama mboga, milkman, etc.
This issue of pay is very, very, important and quite interesting to me. In fact, I think it supersedes any other discussion about the company.
I know people who have worked for small start-up’s that had cash flow problems and sometimes they weren’t paid. However, they were informed of the cash flow problems and in exchange for the lack of pay, they were offered stock options. So, in this case, you had a choice: forgo present income in the hope that the company will grow and you’ll get your payout later.
However, to ask people to work for nothing is unrealistic.
How would you deal with this situation if you owned a business? i.e. if you had consistent cash flow problems, but didn’t want to stiff your employee’s?
- do you use temps?
- do you forgo your salary?
- do you offer stock options?
If you don’t pay people, they won’t work hard for you and will probably start stealing from you eventually. So, what do you do?
This is not new news. I joined Kencall in 2007 and they stll had cashflow problems. I worked for 3 months and i quite without pay and sometimes coming in bits which can help you at all coz its pocket change. Had my arrears that i tried followingup till i gave up. Something must be wrong or some one is pocketing alot of money
EAD,
First you need to get off your high horse… unless of course you’re part of the bloody management at Kencall you even sound like that Shrink over there known as Emmanuel Goetz and his Harem of ‘Back-office’ back stabbers.
One thing to note is that you’re referring to agents as youngsters in a very non-flattering might even say in a derogatory way and shame on you. Every time Eric or Nick Nesbitt have high profile visitors they refer to the floor as their production area and the last thing they want is one pissed agent.
Anyway allow me to get back to the crux of the matter, which was the reason why this blog started in the first place… allow me to sidestep detractors like EAD and focus on Kencall not paying their employees.
Dear Nik, hi Eric I’ve got one quick question for you lot. Why haven’t you paid the terminal dues of the guys you let go in December. Guys were declared redundant and that was agreeable and you were supposed to pay all monies owed but a month down the line not much has happened. Now my question to you especially Nik is why you haven’t signed those cheques, is it that someone in Finance or Projects planning is sabotaging you and the affected former employees, who needs to be fired in those Depts?
See the way you treat your employees, is not the way you expect them to treat your clients’ customers like say Telkom Kenya – I mean not even a simple feedback as to where things stand Nik? And to add on salt to injury you go on to have a party for employees who are still in your ‘emploie’ what about clearing all outstanding monies before leaving some to splash on those you intend to dump in the next couple of months?
My point here is pay up, I really don’t care much about Kencall Per se, I’ve got meself a great job now. But for you to be so insensitive as to let people go into the festive season penniless is heartless even for you Nesbitts. All I’m asking of you is closure, I’m done with you and willing to forget ya’ll (management) immediately.
Thank you, and if you feel like making a smart comment about my post please don’t cos I just want my money and if you’re not gonna tell me where or how to get it….. piss off.
ead.
You mentioned that you were a Kencall agent once. So, I’m curious about your views on the whole outsourcing industry in Kenya.
Give us a balanced view of both the good and bad points about Kenya’s potential as an outsourcing center.
Why did you seem to leave Kencall without the bitterness and anger that so many here have complained about?
ead.
I’ve said numerous times on this blog that it is not my job to teach anyone anything. Nobody is paying me to write the stuff on this blog and so in that respect, you really can’t demand anything.
If you don’t like the content on the blog, then don’t read it and find a blog that speaks to you or better yet, start your own blog and provide people with the valuable information you seek.
John:
There’s no such thing as a blog going downhill because 99% of them are simply opinion platforms of individual people who decided to put their thoughts down on the web, but just cause you mentioned it, my readership has consistently been going up ever since I started the blog, but even if it went down, I wouldn’t care because it’s just a side gig for me.
Everyone is responsible for their own knowledge acquisition and never expect someone to provide it for you.
If I was charging you to read my blog, then I’d be concerned for my income, but for free joy-riders? apana
I have read this blog several times over the years. When I started, I thought “kenyanentrepreneur” was a genuine blogger or reporter who was providing an avenue for Kenyans to have an honest conversation. Now after reading some of his dumb questions and seeing his desire to keep the Kencall debate alive, I think this guy is an idiot. No wonder the blog is going down hill.
I am with you EAD !!
Looolest! So now it is an entertainment blog? Make up your mind KE.
“Kencall, blood, sweat & tears, will have a look at it- ofcourse when i am less busy!
So after failing at making it as an enterprenuer now you have decided to dedicating your life to interviewing the successful ones?
And you are totally obsessed with this Nik guy. Is he the only enterprenuer in Kenya, or maybe he is the only one patient enough to give your 2 cents worth ‘INTERVIEWS’ a response?
I ask and i ask again- what have you taught the young Kencallers so far? Apart from whining and ******
Time up!
ead.
Ejaculating toxic substances?
Just for using that phrase, I want you to keep coming back to this blog and entertaining us with those kinds of word syntaxes (when you’re less busy of course).
Anyway, on a more serious note, I do think that the numerous complaints posted on this blog by various Kencall employee’s have given us a picture of how that company is run (from a personnel perspective)and I do think it’s been very interesting to read, actually. It would be naive of us to think that companies run smoothly and that everything falls into place like perfect circles. That’s not real life! And it’s always better to get the real, unabridged version of what really happens (behind closed doors) than to keep fantasizing about a perfection about business that does not exist.
I also want to direct you to the interview piece I did with Nick Nesbitt where he responded to many of these allegations and did in fact talk about his company. Go to the search function of this blog and type in “Kencall, blood, sweat & tears” and read that interview piece if your interested in getting more “substance”.
KE:
How old are you? Assuming you are above 20 which my gutt feelng tells me you are- can you please grow up and act your age. The last time i read this blog,you had said that you wanted it to be a constructive blog given that the fibre optic cable had arrived in Kenya. But you are so interested in Mushenes ( idle gossip) about what is going on in Kencall, who got paid what, why -constructive indeed!
Reading just half a bunch of this comments,my stomach threatens of ejaculating some toxic not very pleasant substances. I am disgusted by this blog. How have you helped this youngsters in Kencall other than turning them into unreasonal incoherent people?
Why are you so bitter with a pioneer successful enterprenuer? Learn something from him, emulate him and cease with this shit you call a blog.
You failed when you were an enterprenuer and you seriously think you can teach some young kids who are mind you trying to make a living?
Kencallers, how many of you have read or watched the film ;’SECRET?’ You know what you think is what you attract. If all you think is how unhappy and how broke you are, that is what you are gonna be. Change your perception just a little bit- think of yourself happy, with the experience that u are getting from Kencall as priceless.
Think of yourself as victors, not supressed agents….and if you can watch the film, it will change your lives.
I was a kencall agent and yes, i know what goes on there, but never at one time did i see myself as a loser, i attracted positive stuff and after watching the secret, i am one happy person, in my life and career. Kencall experience has helped a big deal. (KE-please get a copy of the SECRET, as well.
Would love to write more, but i am busy now……
Ohhh…another salary delay? right in the middle of the holiday season?
So, how long did it take to get the full amount paid?
Hahahahahaha, there’s always information only that if Nik decides to communicate to us in time we do not come here. For instance there was a salary delay last month, more guys were declared redundant and so on. Good thing is no one really wants to spend their life in a call center so people just cut their losses and move on to greater things! Happy New Year, that does not go out to the Management mind you, just the rest of us mere mortals.
ST:
Happy new year to you too. I personally don’t like the silence because it means no new information and I’m always looking for fresh info
Such long silence is good!!
“Wishing all the contributors and readers a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year” Ahead!.
Annon:
Can you just explain to us here how it all works? And don’t tell us to google it
I want to know how these systems work within the context of a Kenyan call center.
Thanks
Now some people here are spreading wrong info. Touchstar and Anantatech are two different companies. One just hosts the system for you, the other lets you host it in-house.
Mr Taneja so u admit u been fleecing Kencall in two diff names ..wow amazing
Okay, so I googled it and it says it’s open source software used by call centers with between 4-200 seats. You can have a call center with only 4 seats? hmmm
How many seats does Kencall have?
link below:
http://www.anantatech.com/aboutus.html
Devilhimself,
I pity you.God please forgive him he is just ignorant.
Anantatech and Touchstar are the same company,2 different names same functionality.
KE,
Please google the same as you seems to be too interested on this.
I don’t work for KenCall, but the software mentioned above (TouchStar) is what is used there. I am not going to tell you what it is. You figure that out on your own. There’s lots of information about it and it will only be imperatively wise enough for you to dig it up a little more and see what it does.
Annon:
Since you sound like you work for Kencall, I wanted you to tell us what software they are using and how it works.
Why don’t you Google the software for yourself. You should have figured out how to do some of these things.
Annon & devilhimself:
Is touchstar a payroll software program? I’m curious about what software drives call centers. Thought you just needed a reliable phone system.
the cause of many problems in Kencall is that F%#k up system touchstar: results in wrong billing delayed salaries en stolen commisions and support fee .it is costly not versatile and just a plain con… So Saket just shut up because anantatech can do better than u silly.
Here we go again with the drama. FYI KE, Saket represents a company that developed and supports the system that is used by KenCall agents to pick up calls. “the devilhimself” sounds to have been a victim of erroneous reporting from the system that resulted in wrong pay.
devilhimsel:
What dialer system are you referring to? You got so angry you went off on incoherent tangent, but calm down and explain to us what you are talking about.
Saket were it were not for that bogus dialler system u con Eric with, Kencall would be miles away so i dont think u helping by suggesting we get constructive while u suck valuable ruppees worth in name of support so just hush en shut the f**k up coz u r part of wat causes low pay in Kencall. Phew NKt i would ever comment here!!
above should have read:
Good to see topic getting constructive.
KE….
Nic and Eric, you are doing an awesome job. Difficulties do come and go. Everyone cant be happy.
Good to see topic getting my constructive.
KE,one request please remove the topic listed above Kencall not paying…
Nik and Eric you are doing a awesome job!difficulties does come and pass through.Everyone cannot be made happy.
Thank you
ST
Annon:
I’m not quite sure why you think that only high value stuff like software development can yield high profits.
I also don’t think the market exchange rate is affecting Kenya’s ability to make it in the BPO sector and I’ll explain why.
The Indian Rupee is floated (i.e. it’s on an exchange & can be traded & weighted against all the other major currencies of the world (e.g. the u.s. dollar, the Euro or the British pound). That’s the first point.
The second point is that the outsourcing industry in India did not start with high value work. It started with low value work and over the course of 20 years they have slowly moved up the value chain.
So, this idea that you’ll start getting high value work before you have a proven track record is not realistic and I don’t think the currency is the issue. I think it’s the lack of infrastructure combined with the high levels of corruption that just make it a very expensive place to run a business, especially a business where your competition is global.
By a high margin operation, I mean that profits as a percentage of sales should be high, preferably around 50%. This is only possible in high value stuff like software development, not low value stuff like call centres and transcription.
We have a market exchange rate, just like developed countries. Now, if you have a market exchange rate, then you need to go up the value chain so that the high margin can protect you from a strengthening local currency. In order to profitably produce low value goods and services, then we need to have an artificially weak local currency like in China.
Annon:
I’m not quite sure I follow what you are saying when you talk about having a “high margin operation”.
Some American freelance call centre workers are making $14 an hour yet Kenyan companies like Kencall bill $15 an hour. Doesn’t make sense. Some of the high margin outsourcing companies / individuals in Kenya are software houses / freelance software developers. This is because they charge a fraction of the hefty amounts charged by Western software developers, which still works out to be top dollar. They also need far less bandwidth than call centres. Some large multinationals do outsource to freelancers abroad but you have to be bloody good.
In a country where the local currency can suddenly appreciate sharply, e.g. late 2007 when Helios bought into Equity Bank, it’s critical that you have a high margin operation. That’s simply not possible with low value outsourcing like call centres and transcription.
Annon:
I saw that article in BD Africa and it’s just not accurate in terms of what I’m hearing about on the ground & generally, I’ve found the BD Africa articles to be wanting.
Basically, no amount of U.S. government tax breaks will ever be enough to reduce the amount of outsourcing that is taking place. American workers, when you add in the costs of health insurance (especially) are simply too expensive and cannot compete with cheaper workers in Asia who have the same skill sets as them.
For example, I am now hearing that Cisco Systems is getting ready for a major layoff in America and a lot of those jobs are going to be outsourced to Asia.
This is why I keep harping on this issue of the cost of doing business in Kenya. I think that compared to the other Asian alternatives, Kenya is still too expensive. Then add in the political instability (people have not forgotten what happened in 07) and it’s just easier for people to go to Asia.
Here’s a link to a story on Business Daily that illustrates my earlier sentiments in regards to reduced flow of business to Kenya in terms of outsourcing. Basically, some companies are shaken by withdrawal of tax breaks if they take business outside America. This has forced some Kenyan companies including some Indian ones to establish partnerships in America so that any outsourced jobs are not taken to have been literally “outsourced”. Instead they will be taken to be in-sourced by the local arm of the company.
The story can be found at this link: http://www.businessdailyafrica.....index.html
Annon:
The question is, how much are the large indian outsourcing companies charging per hour?
I know the freelancers charge $10 an hour, but even that is for very basic work. However, for more complex work, you might have to pay $20 an hour, which is still cheaper than hiring an American, but with the Indians, you don’t necessarily get quality. You get basic stuff, which is too tedious to do and which is cheaper to outsource.
With a qualified American, you’ll pay significantly more, but you’ll get quality and this is the dilemma for Kenyans: Don’t try and compete with the Americans. You won’t win. Instead, literally copy the Indian pricing structure and be willing to do the mundane tasks that people will pay $10 an hour for in order to give them the spare time to focus on more important things.
Don’t get fancy in other words.
Why would anyone wonna outsource to a Kenyan call centre @ $15 per man-hour when you can hire a person in your own country for the same amount?
Why do people always think that freelancers can upset an established company? The amount of output that one company can generate is much more than what some hundreds of freelancers can do. You can’t compare freelancers to companies and bet that to be the reason why a company’s fortunes are dwindling.
The reasons for that are pretty dynamic and very hard to pinpoint one single issue as the main culprit. It could do with a company overcharging a client, expensive resources, unsatisfied workforce, competition plus some more or a combination of all, but definitely not freelancers.
Annon:
Freelancers are good for small business owners who don’t have a lot of money to waste and need a very specific job done.
However, if you look at outsourcing, the Indian companies are getting large corporate clients that have huge volumes of work that needs to be done continously (e.g. 24/7 customer service centers).
E.g. If you have a Dell computer and call their customer service line, you’ll be diverted to India.
So, is Kencall’s problem really freelancers? isn’t it’s problem, it’s inability to land those large corporate clients?
Do companies like Dell computers or Microsoft use freelancers?
@KE
The reason why Kencall is loosing clients is because it bills $15 per hr and then pays graduates $2.50 per hr to do the work (please refer to the HBS case study). Then it’s forced to compete with freelancers from all over the world who telecommute in the informal economy and bill $10 per hr. The freelancers are highly motivated, charge 1/3 less, and enjoy fabulous margins thanks to telecommuting.
Clients are also concerned about political risks like riots and climate risks like floods. So instead of hiring 100 seats from an outsourcing company in, say Kenya, they would rather deal directly with freelancers sprinkled all over the world, e.g. in the client’s country, Mexico, Russia, India, Philippines, Kenya, etc.
There’s not really any other big issue financially when it comes to BPO’s other than the previous issue of bandwidth which has already been sorted out. If anything,(some) BPO’s are accorded special privileges like some tax exemption which should make it even cheaper than some businesses.
Annon:
You cannot force private companies to hire Americans. Even if legislation is introduced to ensure that jobs are not outsourced and sent to India, that legislation only applies to government jobs or to companies who receive lots of taxpayer money.
If you are a purely private company, the government has no right to dictate to you how you will run your company and this is the reason why outsourcing is still going to keep growing.
Maybe you can tell us about the cost of doing business in Kenya. I keep thinking that the reason Kencall cant compete with other countries is because Kenya is not a cheap place to run a business. Talk to us about that.
“If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it.”
Guys quit whining: Improve your skill set look for opportunities we have been there done that and moved on!!
If that is too much apply for another job
http://kenyanjobs.blogspot.com.....BPO%20Jobs
it makes no sense for Kencall to have alot of bandwidth while their client base is reducing. In any case the remaining client is a local one, so no point of having alot of international bandwidth that is not put to any use. The client in question is a local telephony company.
Internet speeds have gone down pretty much, it’s now possible to get a 1mb link as cheap as 10k. That was selling for 100k+ earlier on. It’s also possible to get decent speeds for as little as 5k a month. Granted that this has not gone to the level of someone on the lower levels of society, but the ones who have been using the Internet for a while now will definitely appreciate the lower rates. I am now getting 4 times peed what I usually used to get at half the prices.
As for the European and American jobs, legislation in those countries is being geared towards increasing employment in the home countries even if it means being underpaid as long as the economies are brought back to pre-recession levels. You should also know that many of the companies that outsource have a skeleton staff which can perform some of these jobs. It makes no sense to get other personnel outside to do the same tasks that can be performed internally especially since the tasks have been reduced to almost nothing.
Annon:
You are making some very interesting points. Let me ask you a question:
Why is Kencall only running IMB with the advent of fiber?
Which local company is this that hasn’t been affected by the recession? is it a government parastatal?
On to my previous point:
I keep reading that Indian outsourcing companies are continuing to make money and this is why:
You are right that company revenues are dropping. However, these companies still need some people to perform certain jobs. So, what I am reading is that they are laying off their expensive American or European workers and outsourcing that exact same work to cheaper locations throughout Asia and that is why these outsourcing firms are growing.
Basically, if your job can be done over a computer, it can and will be outsourced to a cheaper location.
So, again, I ask you, why is Kencall having a hard time attracting these U.S. firms? My assumption (& tell me if I’m wrong) is that doing business in Kenya is simply too expensive and because of that, a company like Kencall cannot offer the price advantages of a company based in India or China.
People got excited about this fiber, but until the cost of high speed internet goes down, you won’t see much happening.
Companies are not spending, consumers are not spending, what is going to drive demand for extra services that warrants outsourced support? The support for minimal sales is best done in-house. If you decide to team up with a call center, you will get into expensive contracts which will be hard to pull out from that it will make it more cheaper to in-source your support.
If you were in Kenya right now and having contacts in the BPO industry, you would eat yoru words. Kencall has not had any new international client for over a year now, if anything, thay have pulled out. Kencall was running on a 4mb link previously, now even with the advent of fiber, it can only manage 1mb due to reduced income. The only client keeping it afloat is a local company which has not been affected by recession. getting those American and European jobs again will be hard. The other call center that wanted to steal Kencall’s fire can barely fill up it’s 300+ seat capacity. The recession is not going to help any BPO company, the earlier you believe that, the better your chances of escape.
I know someone who was running a call center but was not reading the political signs during the American elections campaign period. I told this person that Obama’s ascendancy to power was going to prove to be a thorn in the BPO sector but I think I came off more as the prophet of doom. Well now, the tune has changed.
All other conditions apart from economic are favorable for Kenya, but there is no business coming in. We have cheap and fast fiber now, but nothing for the BPO’s to make use of it for.
Annon:
I’m afraid on this issue you are wrong.
The recession will drive a lot of work to cheaper locations around the world and Indian outsourcing companies are continuing to make profits.
The wages in the west (even with a recession) will never be as low as what you can pay someone either in Kenya or in India. Never.
Therefore, the only way to permanently cut costs will be to outsource work to a cheaper third world country where you can hire qualified, English speaking college graduates to work for almost nothing and who’d be grateful for any job.
Thats why I was asking what’s going with Kencall losing clients. Is it an infrastructure problem in Kenya? i.e. the internet services are still too slow and too expensive making it very difficult for them to deliver the work on time and at a fraction of the cost.
I think the English speaking talent pool in Kenya is there, but if you are hampered by high costs of business, you won’t be able to compete with countries that have better infrastructure and cheaper costs.
Recession will not help outsourcing companies, that’s one thing people do not seem to understand. The lack of jobs in the west mans lesser purchasing power, so why spend more trying to woo more people. Moreover, the lack of jobs drives competition higher, so companies are forced can then afford to pay local job hunters wages similar to what they pay outsourced companies. The political drive is also geared to keeping the jobs at home. For those who thought Obama would help bring business to Kenya, here’s a classical example of how that ideology was totally misplaced. Obama’s rallying call was to “bring the jobs back to America”.
Annon:
Who is the lone client that’s left?
I was asking about losing clients because I’ve been reading that the recession is actually helping outsourcing companies particularly those in India because companies suffering revenue losses are looking to permanently reduce costs by outsourcing a lot of their work to countries that can provide the cheap labor.
So, the recession should actually be helping outsourcing companies.
Recession finally hit home. Only one client left.
Annon:
Let me ask you a couple of more questions:
1) Why are they losing clients? Is it the recession? Management problems? infrastructure problems/costs of doing business in Kenya? what?
2) Are you saying they only have one client left?
They’ve lost clients already and the last remaining client has been reducing business gradually with the aim of having either all business out or just some skeleton operations running at Kencall.
Annon:
Lack of business? Are they losing clients or what’s happening with that?
It’s very difficult to fight for terminal dues’ once you’ve been let go. I mean, what can you really do? besides come here and complain?
Kencall recently laid off about 100 employees due to lack of business and more are bound to be laid off as well. The money mentioned here is about the terminal dues awarded to such employees.
Annon:
Is the complaint here about money or is it about not even being paid what little money they are owed? I think they are more peeved about not getting their salaries on time or getting just 60% of it, but who knows? I’ve lost track of all the numerous complaints.
The biggest mistake Kencall made was to hire a bunch of glorified receptionists who actually think that they’re worth more than the 15k a month that they earn. A tried, tested, and proven strategy is to hire top students who want some pocko and have a year or so to kill before joining top campos. They also won’t mind working for you for 15k a month during campo holidays. When they graduate, they’ll have starting salos ELSEWHERE of at least 80k a month as NON-CALL CENTRE workers, e.g. as bankers, engineers, actuaries, and doctors. That way, you avoid kupe, i.e. workers who wonna cling onto you for life, whining endlessly about their pay as if they’re worth more, and trashing your jina online. To quote Bart Simpson, “eat my shorts!”.
What is this issue now about not getting your dues? (again)?
Can someone explain what’s going on with that?
I don’t believe we will ever get our final dues.HR is crap! Yenyewe good riddance Kencall. you guys have never tire of bashing Brenda? Believe it or not that woman has got her shit together,whether you like her attitude or not, that is another factor all together. I hate her gutts but i admire her. And you deserved to be kicked out of the Benz if that is the shit you guys were talking in her wheels.They say bitches go far, that is what she has done.
HR as a whole is just a hoax, i cant believe anything they say. HR herself has no qualifications whatsoever regarding HR. Not even a cert
(Just because ‘x’ said-men who have small d**** result to buying big sports cars to compensate for what they do not have down there? What got you so upset that you had to kick us out of your car? Or are you now a top shot now that you are driving a Benz? Have you forgotten your roots and that you grew up in a slum in Korogosho? With all your education, accent, you still got no class.)
Ouch! You must have touched a raw nerve, comeon guys, you didn’t know her boyfriend drives a big sports car? I don’t know know the size of his princess Fiona but if you got kicked out, “x” must have had a point! But it is so funny. I hope you guys had bus fare on you.
She grew up in Korogosho? Get out of here! Why the American accent then?
HR promised to give guys 60k, it is not much but not kidogo either. Let us hope Nik delivers for once.Yes, let us stop whining and move on….
Brenda,
How do you offer people a lift and then kick them out of your car because someone commented,a harmless remark that was not even intended for you? Just because ‘x’ said-men who have small d**** result to buying big sports cars to compensate for what they do not have down there? What got you so upset that you had to kick us out of your car? Or are you now a top shot now that you are driving a Benz? Have you forgotten your roots and that you grew up in a slum in Korogosho? With all your education, accent, you still got no class. You can get someone out of the ghetto but cant get the ghetto out of someone.
I want to ask the agents at Kencall to start looking for stable jobs elsewhere.I am so happy i am leaving this hell, and i wish everyone can get a good job too. We worked our asses off for this white brothers but a boot is what we will always get. Asante ya punda ni mateke.
LMAO!! Not surprised….Being one of those who got the axe. Hope we get paid our final dues. Otherwise the white brothers will turn black!!
enyewe, kikulacho ki nguoni mwako! some people are not even your friends as they claim to be. everybody just live your lives and stop the silly winning over things beyond you!
first of all I am one of those who were recently retrenched from kencall and i have aonly one thing to say about that……good riddance!!
Kenyan Dude i am interested in doing business with you. PLEASE contact me via hustler190409@gmail.com. PLEASE.
I have no time to whine. Moving on swiftly. Kenyan Dude tufanye biashara.
Kenya Enterprenuer,
I have a question for you. I would like to know what the legal procedure of retrenching employees is. My understanding is that, the employer should atleast give a 3 months notice or 3 months salary paid. I am asking this because 2 of my friends and sister got retrenched and HR did not even bother to pay them a dime, they were told to wait till end month. Although i was spared the boot, i intend to resign by end month, as i have gotten a better offer else where, thank God. But i feel sad for my friends and all the other Kencallers who recently got the boot. Please advice.
Nick, I also have a question for you,
How can you stop Telkom Kenya and Horizon Call Center from hiring your employees with a court injuction and a few months later you fire 100 of them? Do you even have a heart? Some of this people sacrificed and gave it their all.How do you sleep at night knowing some kids will go hungry and others kicked out of their houses? You have sent 100 people on the streets and yet you say you care about your employees?
Brenda,
How do you offer people a lift and then kick them out of your car because someone commented,a harmless remark that was not even intended for you? Just because ‘x’ said-men who have small d**** result to buying big sports cars to compensate for what they do not have down there? What got you so upset that you had to kick us out of your car? Or are you now a top shot now that you are driving a Benz? Have you forgotten your roots and that you grew up in a slum in Korogosho? With all your education, accent, you still got no class. You can get someone out of the ghetto but cant get the ghetto out of someone.
I want to ask the agents at Kencall to start looking for stable jobs elsewhere.I am so happy i am leaving this hell, and i wish everyone can get a good job too. We worked our asses off for this white brothers but a boot is what we will always get. Asante ya punda ni mateke.
yep, u white!!!
Zain retreched, Orange Kenya retrenched….all over the world employees continue to be laid off- sasa what makes you guys think that Nik has an ill motive…..credit crunch calls for him to do so!
Disgruntled employee- you gotta be kidding!Don’t you think what you are alleging is insane? Why would Nik refuse an offer like? You sound dumb!
Percentages here i come- Why would the white brothers sell their own company? Guys get real….
Oh and by the way, i am black and a member! For those who asked earlier if i was white!
So what are the psycophants saying now? The “Eric people” blind prophets and prophetesses who would never stomach any negativity about the mother-ship? No, I know, those ones feel jerk, they ain’t getting the axe after all, at least not just yet, they consist of account managers and HOD’s. They are the ones drawing up a list of all who get the boot.
People, leave now while you can, from what i’m reading, the era’s of wages being paid in percentages is back. Been there, done that and it aint funny. So for those who can, please suck it all in and start tarmacking (hope you’ve been doing this all along) really hard, it’s worth it in the end. The one or two months of suffering is better that an eternity of misery. The problems have just began, and from here henceforth is full speed ahead, and before you know it, these 2 white boys have gone back to the states and sold off the company. They continue living the life, you’re left here suffering. My advise, make a bold move and leave now before you sink with this ship…
I thought Mr. Nesbit was offered a lumpsum to sell the agents to Telkom at a high fee, which he confessed to himself? Why then hold us back only to let us go a month later jobless, while he would have made his money and left everyone happily employed? I agree with the above, he needs to sack his advisory team and management first. They brought the company down.
With reference to the subject indicated above, we hereby bring to your attention that, due to a reduction of our client base, the Company is forced to reduce the number of staff employed within it entirely due to matters beyond its control.
This matter cannot be avoided and is entirely necessary to enable the Company to maintain its business operations. The selection of those employees that are to be terminated will be made taking due regard to an individual’s performance within the work place, over the last 8 months, their disciplinary record, efficiency and adherence to the company’s quality guidelines.
We deeply regret as a company to have to take this measures. We will strive to make the transition as smooth as possible and struggle to retain as many staff as possible.
Human Resource Manager
You 2 white fellows,
1.)This is bullshit if u ask me…1st things 1st, fire all Account Managers. You’re paying these clowns alotta money to ruin you’re business.
2.) You need to use your brains jus a lil bit here. Why not reduce salaries of people instead of leaving them jobless. This shows total commitment to your staff. After firing these morons u call Account managers, you wont even need to downsize nothing.
This is just a warning from the gods. It’s jus but the beginning, the worst is yet to come. Karma is a b*t$#!!!!I wonder where some of your staff will go to, considering none have papers to back them up in the outside world, jus KCSE result slips like BM watchmen…WTF?????????????
@KE
You can put a daily ad budget of say $10 and tell the system to run the campaign for 5 days. That way, if the ads don’t translate into sales, you’ll have lost only $50.
Traditional media costs a fortune. For example, a matchbox-sized classified ad in The Economist was 67,000/- the last time I checked which was a few years ago. So Google is less risky by far.
Lakini kusema ukweli there’s no point advertising if you have no track record of projects in the target country.
Kenyan dude:
You mentioned using google ad’s to find customers. How has that worked out for you in terms of price?
I assume the keywords you’d be using would be quite expensive.
I’ve tried using google ad’s, but boy…when you get hit with a bill at the end of the month it can be painful and it takes a long time to learn, so in the beginning, you end up spending a lot more than you should.
So, I’d be curious to hear what your experience has been with that.
KE I’m not sure what any of this has to do with supporting entrepreneurship in Kenya anymore. Your silence is worrying… what’s your stand?
Homeshoring is the perfect solution to unemployment. With fibre landing,the opportunities are inherent, the plan now is to build yourself into a walking resource that can be outsourced to different people for a hefty fee. However, I would like to urge the Government to up its game by sorting out infrastructural issues like elec etc… Honestly,that’s the only meaningful assistance that the Government can give at this juncture. The Kazi kwa Vijana initiative is great but as the information PS Bitange Ndemo(bless his sweet heart)once said, Kenya was not blessed with minerals,oil et al but we can be an outsourcing powerhouse, what with all the raw talent being unleashed from universities and other institutions on annual basis – Kenya definitely’s GOT TALENT.
@KE
There’s a time you had asked who, other than Kencall and Preciss, is a local outsourcing company. There’s Ascribe, a UK hospital software company that in 2005 bought Footman-Walker, another UK hospital software company that has a local code shop, for £2.6m (KSh 328.1m).
http://www.ascribe.com/cgi-bin.....tID=894796
Richard Ojany, a Brit with a Kenyan dad like Obama, was a major shareholder of Footman-Walker so he must have cashed out at a pretty penny while only in his late 30s.
Apart from Elance and Guru, I’ve received few contracts from Kenyan friends and relas abroad putting in a good word for me to people they know. I’ve even gotten a few contracts from tourists at the coast and from Google ads.
Some clients in Stato won’t outsource to companies and instead insist on dealing with freelancers (one-man shows)! They prefer to hire an American based in America to supervise freelancers in several developing countries over the net so that they don’t have all their eggs in one developing country. The fact is that a freelancer will charge $11 an hour while a company will charge $15 an hour for the same work and then hire someone at $2 an hour to do the work. So the freelancers end up outperforming the companies on both quality and price.
The contracts at Elance and Guru aren’t necessarily crap. I have to admit that sometimes I get greedy. Then others times I’m bei poa. It really depends on how busy I am.
@ Anonymous
To be honest, I’ve never bothered looking for voice work because of expensive and unreliable bandwidth. But that’s now history with fiber. So my niche has been software development and non-voice tech support which aren’t bandwidth hogs. In fact, you’re the one who should be teaching me about voice now that there’s fiber.
Some companies have been doing outsourcing work locally since the late 90s, e.g. Footman-Walker. Others only recently. You shouldn’t worry about compe. It’s a fact of life that we have to contend with global compe, not just local.
Right now I’m still a freelancer (one-man show) but there’s a lead from Holland that I’m fuataing patiently. I don’t wonna pester the prospect like a local insurance salesman or a local bar hawker. If I succeed, we’ll talk. I’m not interested in becoming a middleman so every time I get surplus work, I dish it out roho safi and you deal directly with the client.
On Homesourcing:
I have talked about this issue of virtual freelancers before, which is essentially homesourcing.
The best place to start would be to go a site like Elance.com, register as a potential customer (it’s free) and start looking at what people are ordering as this will tell you what services are in demand and what people are willing to pay as this will tell you what you should charge.
The good thing with Elance is that if you chose a bidder, it will show you how much they have earned since they joined. I have seen 3 person “companies” with earnings of over $100,000 dollars for the year – not bad if you are working in a place like Bangladesh.
The most requested skill is web designers. It’s a tedious job that people don’t have the time to do and if you can do it for the right price, they will pay you, but you do need to be able to receive electronic credit card payments.
The jobs are not glamorous. You will be doing the things that richer Americans don’t want to waste time on & think they can outsource for a small price – things like basic web design and data entry.
First of all, data entry is very good because nobody wants to do it. What I’ve seen the Indians doing is getting a contract to do data entry and then fanning out that work to like 50 people for a small price.
So, let’s say “kamau” gets a contract to do a data entry job for $500 dollars. “Kamau” will then find 20 unemployed Kenyans, to actually do the data entry and he will pay them $10 dollars or 700ksh. to do a section of the work for 1 or 2 hours.
So, “kamau” is just the sales person finding the contracts and communicating with the clients. He’s not doing the actual data entry. He finds people more desperate for money than him to do the actual work.
@Anonymous & KE,
Could you guys help anyone who needs to join that homesourcing business, where do we even start? If I have everything I need, then which site do I go to for info about getting myself in the Online Home business, coz quite frankly getting employed is taking a toll on me!
@ Dawa,
Thanks for the link mate!
@anonymous
Funny you should say that… “hate the traffic and wearing clothes”… check this out:
http://news.cnet.com/Homeshori.....99784.html
There’s no end to the innovations we can come up with. Brings to mind a recent discussion I had on knowledge workers, being able to outsource yourself and your wide range of skills to a different range of employers.
Talk about killing traditional work barriers!
@ Kenyan Dude,
I have been doing my assignment about home shoring and i am quite fascinated. Wow!Something that i intend to take up, very soon. I am in employment in a call center and i hate the traffic and wearing clothes. So working home for me would be better. I live in a quiet neighbourhood, i do not mind doing voice. I have been checking up the pay and it seems to be 8-9 dollars an hour. Is that it? Or is it less?If that were the pay and you are working from home, then we could be talking about 2,000 dollars a month? That is not crap pay is it really(or am i doing my calculation wrong?)
When you say you can pool resources”changa”for the big league contracts- is it to mean that it is an old indutry already here in Kenya?Like are there many guys doing it?
It is easier yes to use a cable now than the outdated satellite but with the current power blackouts..i a thinking it is an uphill task, but one i am trying to take.
Again i ask? How can i kip in touch with you?Can you send me your email? Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
KE; Also answer some of this questions, you seem to have a clue as to what he is talking about. I will appreciate.
@ Kenyan Dude,
Homesourcing/shoring topic.Interesting. Very Interesting. How can i reach you? Email that is.
Kenyan dude:
Elance doesn’t pay crap. That’s the going rate given that you will be competing with people from around the world and like I said, the Indians are much cheaper than the Kenyans. So, if you want business, you have to bring your rates down to their level and work on making money from volume.
Kenyans charge too much for basic things and it’s THEIR rates that need to go down drastically. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that high speed internet services in Kenya are still too expensive and you guys are trying to pass that cost down to your customers, but if you do that, you won’t get many clients because the Indians are there and they are cheaper.
The rest of the information you have provided is very interesting and I’m sure has given people some ideas. Thank you. Very good comments.
Besides Elance and Guru, where else do you get your customers from?
@ Anonymous
What happens with homeshoring / homesourcing is basically telecommuting, i.e. everyone works from their digs and liaise via the net. It works best for non-voice work because with voice work, you need a quiet digs (no crying babies, no barking dogs, no noisy vehicles, no noisy neighbours) and a fiber (non-satellite) connection. We now have fiber but having a quiet digs in Nbi is virtually impossible. Even if you can afford to live in a quiet suburb like Karen, you’ll still have noisy kids unless you’re a mzee, and you and/or your neighbours will have barking dogs. Non-voice work like programming and tech support can be lucrative. I’m not too keen on date entry / transcription / voice because the rates are crap to be honest.
You can start off as a one-man show like me with a cheap laptop, cheap Internet, and backup power (battery pack or generator). You can get work through sites like Guru and Elance but most of the clients in those sites pay crap. But at least they’ll give you the overseas track record necessary to get a profitable client if you’re lucky. So be prepared to earn rubbish for even a year as you build up your overseas track record. With an overseas track record, you can have successes in Google Adwords. To get to the big leagues though, you need to hire a supersalesman in the target market and that’s where you need to changa with like-minded people to fund the effort. I hope to do so soon.
@ KE
Your pal’s cazo must have operated when Telkom was an oppressive monopoly. As long as you don’t offend your neighbours by having colleagues / employees / clients coming over to your digs (liaise strictly via the net), how will anyone know, especially if you’re doing non-voice work?
The KSh 5.85m flats I’m talking about are in Riara. Once in a while, you’ll find an indebted landowner who really needs the cash so you can get land at bargain prices but you really have to be patient. If the land is cheap, then you’re okay, even if there’s construction inflation.
Kenyan dude:’
It’s interesting you mention homesourcing because a friend of mine told me a story about her cousing who lived in England, then went back to Kenya to start such a business. He used a guesthouse that was in his mothers house as an office and guess what happened to him? Telkom Kenya accused him of running an illegal business and disconnected the lines! I’m not sure how Telkom Kenya figured out what he was doing, but if one were to do this, how would they avoid this fate?
6M for both land and construction? where are those apartments located?
@Kenyan dude,
Tell me more about home outsourcing, shoring. I am googling it up. How exactly does it work? How many people in your opinion would be needed to start up a 100% outsourcing Co. and how much capital are we talking about here?
Husbro,
K.E is right. Atwoli maybe. However, if you want to make more noise, and stir a storm and show your bosses you mean business, and you are tired of being taken advantage of,visit KTN,NATION,CITIZEN or K24. News reporters love this kind of stories and would kill to get hold of this one.
That way, Atwoli and the Human Rights Activists will also come to know about it, and everyone will be watching Kencall.
Mama Junior, how would like it if Junior got the same treatment the employees of Kencall are getting? To answer the question you asked K.E, is “what message are you trying to send to the world?”- During dark era of slave trade, somebody had to make noise about the evils that were taking place. Maybe this blog is a way of this employees that you call Idiots and Cowards of making noise.Why are they being treated like slaves by this white brothers?
And yes, are you white or black?
Once in a while I’ll kosana with relas, friends, and clients, but I never, ever vent it in public like what Kencallers are doing here. One of the first clients of my brother and I was actually a former employee of my dad! She didn’t have the resources to give me a regular salo but the work experience was priceless. Then I later worked for my bro who could only give me kibaruas because he didn’t have the resources but I’m eternally grateful for the training and work experience. Same thing applies to my dad and other pioneer clients in Kenya, Brito, and Stato.
A problem facing us Kenyans is that we have such a lousy group ethic that we can’t pool our resources together and disintermediate the middleman. There are rare exceptions however. For example, an in-law of mine teamed up with 25 pals and colleagues and they jengad 26 flats in a nice area. The cost of land + construction per flat ended up being KSh 5.85m. If they never united, they would have been fleeced by a middleman (developer) selling similar flats for KSh 10-15m.
If people can unite and start a 100% employee-owned outsourcing company, pay would be fantastic since there would be no pressure to make fat profits for shareholders. You’d even make $29,605 a year from your digs just like me since there would be no middleman. Everyone would operate from their digs (google for homesourcing and homeshoring) and provide their own equipment and Internet. We’d only changa bobs to hire a supersalesman based in Stato / Europe and operating from his/her digs there.
Husbro:
The Kenyan Human Rights Commission? Like, seriously?
Maybe you should speak to Atwoli or something. Isnt’ he a labor rights activist? Tell him to help a brother out.
how does kencall expect their employees to survive on whateva peanuts they pay them? In kenya today what kencall pays their employees is not even enuf to cover their transportation to their work place. As a concerned party how u do u expect ur employes to give quality service on an empty stomach and a mindful of worries? let me remind u again if u didnt hear me the first time PEOPLE cannot survive on only 60% of peanuts and yet as a BPO u earn millions for each contract u land.
We are starting to become concerned as fellow citzens. Kencallers shuld seek intervention from KENYA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION or all the DIRECTORS AND MANAGERS of KENCALL shuld be audited and the KENYAN public told how these pple screw others out of their livlyhood. Mama Junior above: you say whatever u want and honestly i have a point but u don’t know shit about what u r talking about. A shoe can’t pinch if u r not the one wearing it
Ex-Kencaller:
Thanks for the link.
Kenya 1:
What do you want me to tell Mama Junior? She is entitled to her opinion like every else on this blog and if people don’t agree with her opinion that’s fine as well.
def. white, probably a rela to the nesbitt’s
@Mama Junior,
Are you white or black?
The story was in the paper edition and not the online version. However you can access the paper edition online but at poorer quality unless you pay. Head on to page 17 and check out the bottom part of the page. Small snippet of the story.
http://businessdaily.nationmed.....;BMode=100
1st timer & all:
Now I’m confused. I thought Kencall had resolved it’s salary issues, but it sounds like they haven’t or they are recurring again.
Again I ask: wouldn’t it be better for Kencall to simply have fewer employee’s? or maybe temps? If they did that, they’d be able to bring people in only when needed.
I was working on part 3 of my series on this company and this is now raising other issues for me as I think about what I was going to write.
First of all, thanx to Kencall. We are to be paid the remainder of our salaries.
@ Mama Junior & Kenya 1
Get off ur high horses!!!
Do u know how hard it is to feed and support a family on gross(bado tax) 15K?? And that’s on the few occasions that HR gets their sh*t right.
Now imagine being told on the 5th of the month that amount is not going to come in it’s entirity and that their is no known date for when you can expect the rest.
Now throw in bank loans and various other debts that need to be attended to. And what does the management have to say about this, ‘until further notice.’ I’m sorry but my landlord/bank/power company/water company/crying baby who needs to go the hospital won’t settle for ‘until further notice.’
Whether this particular situation could have been avoided, i dont know. but we could’ve have been forewarned tujipange. Frankly the reaction from the staff was drastic but called for.
If the company would allow for the formation of a workers union of some sort then they could be able to negotiate when and if they are falling on hard times financially and the information passed down to the staff but instead they ban unions and anyone who raises questions about policy is branded insubordinate and threatened with termination. That is why we end up posting in blogs such as this so that someone somewhere may at least here our cry.
‘Is this the picture you want the rest of the world to have of Kenyan Entreprenuers? Is this the way to attract future investors to come to Kenya? What message are you trying to send to the rest of the world?’
No!, certainly not. But the rest of world does not employ me, Kencall does. The company displayed gross disrespect to us by not only violating our contracts by releasing only half our dues, but also by not extending the courtesy of heads-up.
‘No one can take advantage of you without your consent!’
Very true. Yes, we being taken advantage of. Anyone with a college diploma, good grammar and mouths to feed who needs this job and can’t simply walk out and sit on their ass is being taken advantage of. Those who get a chance to leave, leave with no hesitation. Ask yourself this, why should such a ‘stand up’ company resort to taking advantage of its staff.
I remember a TL once walking into the floor and found everyone on ‘banned sites.’ He said, “You mean, all of you are looking at job sites?”
This company should start focusing on why it is so detached from its employess. Why most entry level staff give up this job in heartbeat when any other opportunity comes knocking.
I bear a great deal of respect for Nick Nesbitt. His not only a pioneer but a revolutionary in this industry. I do however bear no respect for the managers he has entrusted to run his company and who are decisively running his company into the ground.
Ex-Kencaller:
Could you please attach that link from Business Daily. I’d like to read the article. Thanks.
Nobody influenced google. This article was written 2 years ago and google’s search functions favor newer articles and fresh content. It’s a constant battle for everyone, trying to stay on top of google’s search results.
So, Nik has just informed us that we’ll get the 40% today.leaves u wondering where the cash came from, after some threatening email circulated the office. what a coincidence i must say. Nesbitts, you’re all conmen.
“OFFICIAL FRIDAY
ATTENTION ALL STAFF
This is short notice but we will be having high level guests from AGOA at Kencall on Friday. We would like to postpone the old skool theme day to a later date to facilitate staff to dress officially.
It is a great day for the organization and we would like to be at our very best.
Again please come in full official wear.
Thank you for your continued support.
HR Department”
The above is from the Intranet today. Guys, lets be smart…with 60% of our salaries in the bank, the other 40% can come in if we use this visit to our advantage. Let’s all in unison not work tomorrow and demand for our remaining 40% and i can guarantee you, it’ll be in the bank before C.O.B. tomorrow. The money is there, they’re just too stingy to let go of it. If Nik can afford a brand new range rover sports, how hard can it be to pay us out remaining 40% salary arrears??????Solidarity forever…Lets down our tools tomorrow during the :High Profile Visit”
So someone high and mighty influenced Google to drive down the search ratings for this topic and make it not appear in any search results, well here’s the clincher. Today’s Business Daily paper has a link to the Agoa posting on this blog. Considering that most of Kenyan businessmen read that paper and Kencall had decided to focus on local clientele and this blog keeps links to the most commented topics at the top of each page with this specific thread taking the lion’s share, what do you think will happen? No prize for guessing.
Worried Father of two.
Ofcourse, you can either engange with the help of a lawyer, or go to the labour courts. Problem however is, it would involve a lot of time and money and with thye corruption in Kenya, there are high chances that your boss will bribe someone somewhere, not to forget the snails pace at which proceedings here in Kenya take.
What the employees of Kencall do not know is how powerful they are. The only thing they can do right now is all go on strike and hold a peaceful demonstration and maybe invite the media. Nesbitt will not allow that to happen. Obama-on this blog had a point.
Is there any legal step we can take to contest the 60% salary pay?
KE on a serious note what is your intention with this blog? Mama Junior contributes to this blog and asks you a question and the next string is matusi!
If I attempted to reason with a goat, would it ever reason back? If I attempted to attract investors or start a meaningful conversation with an unintelligent person, would I ever make headways? This seems to be the lot (atleast majority) of the kind of people who are in your blog which you claim was to evoke discussions on exploring BPO potential in Kenya.
The Insider – I was an agent in Kencall! I am in the industry and therefore know firsthand what you are infering – only sad part is you are incorrect.
Mama Junior, to support you I wonder where we would be had the members of this blog been MP’s. Sadly enough they would be worse than the House of honourables. I wondwer how they would manage and lead were they Nesbitt. Well the answer is …we can all guess. I wonder if these are the future leaders who can emancipate Africa from it’s woes through fearless innovation. Sadly they shall always be at the bottom of the ladder expecting more pay and striking over and over again because they never had the courage to rise and claim their chances and territories.
Kenyans. You shame me as one of your own. Who lied to you that problems don’t exist outside your homeland? How many blogs have you seen of the UK, U.S.A or Germany? Do you know how bad their situation is with the credit/economic crisis? How many have tarnished, thrown blame around, abused etc their leaders or themselves on such a blog? Why?
Chukua hatua wandugu! Stop complaining and act more maturely and decisively. No one can take advantage of you without your consent!
oops i meant
a guud captain sinks with his range rover sport 
u witch, go jump off a cliff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is an Open letter to all those disgruntled employees of Kencall who think that portraying their ignorance by using fake names and insulting all and sundry on a blog and hoping that somehow by some kind of magic all their problems will vanish. Please good Women and Men allow me to call you Idiots or Cowards, or maybe both Idiot Cowards.
There was an American Scientist who once claimed that the IQ of an African man is equivalent to that of a mad White man. I was offended, and so was the rest of the world. I could not even start to fathom how a genius of his caliber could come up with such a theory. Then, I thought of the Rwandan Genocide, The post election Violence in Kenya, Our greedy Politicians and even more stupid Kenyans who are willing to kill and slaughter each other for the sake of the same Politicians. Our so ‘Decent MP’s’ who will throw chairs at one another-‘Our dear decent respected leaders’-the Kenyan youth who would rather shift blame than take accountability and responsibity for their actions,and I sat down wondering-Did the racist scientist actually have a point?
Then I ran across this blog, and my fears got confirmed.
Do you guys actually think that what Nick is trying to do is easy? Have you even read his case study to see what he had to go through to set up a Call Centre when all the odds were against him? Havard has recognized him and for that they are even dedicating their time to run a case study on Kencall. Is this a case of a prophet being recognized far away from his homeland?
Do you even think the bosses of Horizon, Safaricom, Zain, Skyweb, would ever dream of employing anyone from Kencall if they come across this blog?-(That is including the good ones) they would fear you doing the same, tarnishing their brand and exporting your stupidity and contaminating other employees with your negative vybe.
Take responsibility and be accountable of what you do but the least you can do, show some respect to Nick Nesbitt. You guys are learning from one of the best entrepreneurs, but you can’t even see that coz you are wallowing in your stupidity. Wallow alright but do not export it to the rest of the country and the world, coz anyone who reads this blog, perceives the Kenyan youth as lazy, disrespectful and hopeless. And stupid. And not all of us are.
Please take note, Nesbitt is not your father, he is not there to make you rich or give you fish. He is teaching you how to fish but you are too busy complaining to even realize it. I am sure he has a woman and kids at home he has an obligation to. His obligation is not to you.
Please people you have done enough damage. If you can’t be at Kencall leave peacefully.
KE
Is this the picture you want the rest of the world to have of Kenyan Entreprenuers? Is this the way to attract future investors to come to Kenya? What message are you trying to send to the rest of the world?
Mama Junior.
Why don’t you apply for an agent’s job at Kencall and be the change that you can be? I’m sure there’ll be lots of openings coming up in the next few weeks. Now you can finally get the job you have always dreamed of. Go answer those calls that you dearly wish for.
Hey whiners, solutions solutions! i am sick and tired of people who are always looking to pour as much negativity as possible on anything. Same people who probably too distracted to even do a simple tax such as answer a damn call, the same call that pays you. It must really hurt to watch people make it where you failed doesn’t it. We should be supporting the effort to create jobs and giving many invaluable knowledge and experience in what will become probably the biggest industry in Kenya very soon. Insider I’d really like to make some positive contributions to a discussion not rantings, as a request start another blog so we may brainstorm away.
Lets give this nonsense a break and look for solutions and market Kenya as your first call for outsourcing, your kids may just thank you for it.
Is there any legal step we can take to contest this? Last time we had to take loans to pay bills which were not paid on time because of the delayed payments. Now we have to take more loans to pay loans and still pay bills with only 60% of the salary?
KENYA 1, I think it is up to the Nesbitt’s to address this issue and NOT Kenyan Entreprenuer! If the had followed proper business ethics none of this would have happened. Why don’t you try working at KenCall to see for yourself what happens there?
CMC’s selling tag – “There’s so many things you can do with a 60% cut, but a 40% price tag will leave you with something to smile about. How you use the 60%, we leave that up to your imagination.”
Kenyan Entreprenuer,
Incase you doubt the effect of your blog to bringing international business to this country based on providing a forum for disgruntled employees of ONE ONE ONE Kenyan Company, please re-read the statement below. I think you are not serious on your administration! If they want to vent, they should have a HR who allows them to vent but by providing anonymity to these people you have done more harm while claiming to discuss or explore how we (I am no longer sure which WE is relevant)can turn the BPO industry.
The language used gives anyone a clear idea that your blog is certainly a good source for discovering employee unhappiness but nothing to give anyone a good idea on how to network or set up a business! You must reconsider what you need on the blog.
Have a successful day.
gm
July 17, 2009 at 9:01 pmWhen the issue of cutting costs in our travel company came up last year, one of the options we discused was outsourcing to Kencall. One of our executives had read the story about Nesbitt and thought Kenyan agents would be better received by our American clients than Indian agents. Then our HR head ran accross this blog. After reading the blog, we started having doubts – We were afraid that the Kencall agents would start discussing our business on the blog.
In the end, we decided to use the use the “home shoring” model. Our 60 agents now work from home accross the US. It has turned out better than we imagined.
Hopefuly Kenya will one day be able to attract more outsourcing jobs.
Kwisha maneno!!!!!!
FYI,
The Range Rover Sports came the same day the salary percentages were taking effect!!!! You give employees 60% of their salaries and acquire a car worth millions…surely Nesbitt???and u sleep peacefully @ night?????
EX-Kencaller,
Are u serious????WTH??This is absolute rubbish considering the CEO has jus acquired a brand new Range Rover Sports from CMC…then all over sudden the company is cash strapped?????talk about sarcasm. The old days are back people, brace yourself, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride
ATTENTION ALL STAFF
I would first like to apologize for the delay in salaries.
We have however managed to pay out part of the salaries, which is 60% of net.
The remaining 40% will be paid out as soon as possible.
This is due to delays in client payments.
We deeply regret any inconveniences that we have caused. Please bear with us.
Thank You
HR Manager
am shocked at what most of us ve 2 say bout kencall, for those who r disgruntled it is human nature 2 find someone else 2 blame rather than urself,for those who moved to bigger and beter things in life u will always ve kencall 2 thank. personally i ve learnt a lot by working here and the experience earned is very valuable to me. Hope none of u 4get the harsh economic times were facing @number of pple who dont ve jobs .
learn 2 appreciate what u ve then u will be blessed with more
Haven’t you seen my other posts on Kencall’s case study? I’m trying to move on but people still want to vent.
Anyway, read the case study, which is posted in Part 1 of the post on Kencall.
Kenyan,
Couldn’t have put it better. Car Sales Executive,jipe shughuli, you need help. KE,stop posting some of this comments,it makes this blog look like a joke. Everyone knows what CSE is insunuating. Lets talk about business and how to turn this outsourcing business around now that the under sea fibre optic is here.
Car sales executive please get a life and discuss issues that are relevant to this blog. This blog is meant to talk about things that affect our lives in terms of business. Alternatively please set up a P eye agency maybe you can make some money and stop being so bitter about other people’s fortunes
Okay, send me an email @ kenyanentrepreneur@gmail.com and tell me quietly (I promise I won’t tell anyone
)
Besides Kencall and Preciss, what other serious players are there?
I’m not at liberty to say
Mts:
And which firms might these be?
KE
The ones who have international clients, went the old fashioned way. They first set up contacts abroad and after initial email correspondence, they got on a plane and went to meet their prospective clients.
Car Sales Executive:
What on earth are you talking about in your second post?
Guys,
I watched this Nick Nesbitt guy on KTN, being interviewed by one of the anchors. He is so cute and looks rich. Can all the bad and nasty things that are being said about him really be true?
Car Sales Executive, why do you hate him so much? This sounds like a personal vendetta now. Like KE is said earlier, let us turn this forum around and start talking about business. Nobody cares who is doing who. Sheikhs,
Dear Nick Nesbitt?
Did you know that there is a Billi called Vasco who is mowing your lawn? No seriously. The only hint i can give is, Casino.
I don’t like you too much, and i have never doubted you are a clever fellow, so you can do the math and assignment.
Looks like i underestimated her.
I am back. I can see that nothing has changed, just like i guessed.
Instead of just whining and venting and doing nothing, you can either put up with it or get out. I left Kencall and i am doing better financially. Stay there if you have intentions of opening an outsourcing account.
To answer anonymus question, yes! The QA’s and TL’a have the power to fire.Some will even come up with the most stupis allegations, like if someone does not like you they will just cook up something, ask for you to be sent home and that is the end of it.
If you dress better than a TL, or worse even, if you are an agent and you drive, you are likely to get fired. That is the kind of empire the vampire Nick is running.
He should change the mnagement which is unqualified in the first place coz Call Centres are now coming up and clients now have a variety to chose from.
When the issue of cutting costs in our travel company came up last year, one of the options we discused was outsourcing to Kencall. One of our executives had read the story about Nesbitt and thought Kenyan agents would be better received by our American clients than Indian agents. Then our HR head ran accross this blog. After reading the blog, we started having doubts – We were afraid that the Kencall agents would start discussing our business on the blog.
In the end, we decided to use the use the “home shoring” model. Our 60 agents now work from home accross the US. It has turned out better than we imagined.
Hopefuly Kenya will one day be able to attract more outsourcing jobs.
I was reading the comments, and as i said earlier it’s indeed sad. However i would like to know, isn’t there any law that is here in our judicial system that curbs such, incase the character of someone or business is assasinated?
Can someone expalin this to me? I was suprised at one of the characters who someone said is a lawyer, model, bla bla bla,i would have expected if what was being said about her was not the truth she woulda sued the owner of the Blog. Also Nick Nesbitt, why has he sued this KE GUY/Lady?
MTS:
Do you know how the BPO companies in Kenya get their international clients?
KE, I know it sound strange that i have a passion for the BPO industry, but its all about ones personal work ethic. I have had exposure in and out of the country hence a different view of how people in general view their jobs.
Like i said i started out at Kencall as an aagent and still use what i learnt there ; as a manager/consultant in this indusrty. Yes the pay is low, and yes the working conditions were not great but i think if you do your time and concentrate on the JOB, you will get your due. I am also working hard to raise up the entry level pay for call centre agents to motivate qualified staff to do the work and raise the standard to International levels. The fibre will bring a world of difference. For starters, the line quality should be clear and that means more international clients bring their work to us. The reduced costs of bandwith should help the BPO’s with overhead costs and many more benefits that we should see happening. Im excited about it but a little disappointed that the fibre dates have not been met, been waiting for over a year now!
Is it true that a TL or QA in kencall has the power to fire? This is absurd and sad at the same time. I work for a comoany where sacking would require serious incompetence from the employee and even so, one is taken to a disciplinary committe and the last decicng factor is the HR. Some employees have worked for more than 20 years.
Reading this blog one wonders why the owners have continually ignored the problems for the last two years. What is happening to Kencall? And would i trust Kencall to run my brand or business?
Have the employees tried to apply for jobs at Zain, Safaricom and Horizon?
Sorry to the Kencallers, i really feel sorry for them.
Eagle Eye’s:
I did not remove this post from google’s search results. The search results and where you’ll rank for them are entirely left up to google and it’s complicated alogorithim system.
I think this post is just old and it’s been pushed down by newer articles on Kencall, but I’m going to try something and see if it pushes the post back up.
What TL strike are you referring to?
Eagle Eye’s:
I did not remove this post from google’s search results. The search results and where you’ll rank for them are entirely left up to google and it’s complicated alogorithim system.
I think this post is just old and it’s been pushed down by newer articles on Kencall, but I’m going to try something and see if it pushes the post back up.
And now that the TL’s are on strike or what seems to be on a go-slow, what next? Everyone will strike for better pay?
Watch this space…
Kenyanenterpreneur,
why did you remove this blog from the google search, it was second from the kencall website.
i know Kencall does not pay its employees and u r bound to be fired any minute so everyones usually alert.U would b told to go home and they were going to cal you but all was i nvain cz no one ever calls you
Mts:
I’ve never heard anyone say that they had a passion for the BPO industry, especially if they worked at a call center. What was it about the job that you liked?
Since you are in the industry, why don’t you tell us what opportunities you are seeing and how you think this fiber-optic cable will influence the potential growth of the industry.
WOW!! this blog was an interesting read!
I stumbled on it doing my day to day research.
I am also a former employee of Kencall and while i went through the salary issues, I must say my “experience” there was unforgettable. The training I recieved there is what amplified my passion for the BPO industry. I have continued over the years to work in this industry and think the main issue Kencall is facing is Management as has been said over and over again.
Having said that, the industry has grown since the first blog post and the opportunities are very many.So for all those disgruntled ex kencallers, if you havent moved on by now…google the Kenyan BPO society for a list of liscenced call centres in operation in Kenya and start from there….GOOD LUCK!!
Ati Kencall agents are paid 13k a month? My God, afadhali you volunteer at Barnado’s or something. I know mboches who make 15k a month + 90% scholarship for their kids at a school of their choice. So if the shule charges 30k per term per kid, the mboch pays 3k per term per kid while the employer contributes 27k per term per kid. Geez, u guys should just go 2 shags and keep cows coz I have relas in shags who make much more than u in dairy farming while avoiding Nbi cost of living.
Bublu:
How long is training? and did she know beforehand that she would not be getting paid for the training?
Does the training take place during weekday working hours as in, you couldn’t keep another day job if you wanted to try out the training?
I nearly broke down when i read this story on the Standard magazine few months ago.
http://www.eastandard.net/Insi.....6&a=1
There’s a friend who frequently asked me to Mpesa her yet she is an employee at Kencall. Why should you give someone a job and you don’t pay her during training?
Her transport was provided for by Kencall from town to Kencall. I wonder why victor did not talk to Kencall
To Nik Nessbit, U’re an ok guy but the problem is that u isolate ureself so much from people that’s y they’re bitchin @ this website. Further more ur brother is the real problem, he’s a real !@#$5 lemme not say It might not get posted. Nway that Mr., Goat Y’all hired aint doing anything for KenCall, Nesbitt u should talk to ur people instead of hiring someone2 do that 4 u coz so far that has lost u so much respect. And i don’t understand y pato of IT was fired and it wasn’t his fault. And another thing Mr. Nesbitt, the people Drowning ur company are , Michael Shamalla and Eric Ngecu plus Kennedy of projects. those r the biggest con artists on earth. !st the de-motivate workers and @ least u realised Shamalla is bad energy for the company so u moved him 2 b filling papers. enough said.
Cal;
I am sure that was the real Nik who replied.Why he waited for things to get this ugly we might never know. I think Kenyaentreprenuer might have a point, we have been venting for the past two years and nothing has changed.Is it not time we looked for alternatives? White collar jobs, lets not go there. At this time of credit crunch the chances are very slim.We can put up with this environment and try until we get something better.
13K per month for the rest of… God knows what? Our friends at Telkom are getting 40k for the same work we do here.
Since Kencall is full of cowards and no one will support a strike,lets be this mullattos slaves for eternity.
Nik you are the most arrogant person i have ever met in my life,the only time he talks or has use for the agents is when the clients come to Kencall or when he wants to look good on tv.
I am bored, i give up.Its fate.
I am bored, very very bored.
Nik you won.
At a time in your life either the forces of nature or human dream-killers will attempt to take back the sparkle in your eyes and the ambition in your gut. Fight to keep this sparkle and ambition; By Ryan P Allis.
Obama:
As your namesake has suggested: Yes, we can!
But on a more serious note, it sounds like your options are limited, both in terms of looking for a new job or in terms of starting a business. So, maybe you should just change your attitude and try and become more positive. i.e. downgrade your baseline for happiness.
Why are you waiting for someone else to improve your life and make you happy? That’s essentially what I’m asking you. If you’re miserable, move on and take control of your own happiness.
I really don’t think that was Nik on the blog. why respond now after all this time. don’t be cheated guys. He has to prove one way or the other that it really was him cos for all i know it could be one of his “TEAM” members who was delegated to finish the job as in cool our tempers. but we are angry, we are hungry. We are angry we are very hungry!
So do something and soon. i’m waiting for your reply. Not your team…….You Nik.
Thank you in advance (that’s in case you choose to reply)
Kenyaentreprenuer,
When life gives you a lemon you make a lemonade.If we had a lemon we would make lemonade or have tequilla shots. Now what do you do when all you are offered is a small hard stone?
We cant make a lemonade out of a stone can we? Think Man! Think!
Well, if you are miserable, isn’t the natural choice to find the source of your misery and extricate it from your life?
What do you in Kenya if you hate your job? I’m sure they’re many people who hate their jobs, but if you know jobs are limited, you don’t quit. You find a way to turn those lemons into lemonade or else you’ll be confined to your misery for years on end.
What other alternative is there? (I ask again)
You know what, most of the people who posted stuff in the older posts have already left the Kencall a long time ago. Very few of them still remain and probably more so because they can suck up, getting blinded by some cheap loans to go buy fuel guzzlers and some quarterly bonuses from management. This bunch can’t work anywhere else outside Kencall because they know no other working culture outside the one they are in. They will not survive outside and that’s why they would rather suck up till kingdom come.
The others who vent up here have no otherwise since their voices will never be heard. Venting helps keep their sanity in check as they look for alternatives. Consider jobs are not that easy to come around, so you shouldn’t be telling them to look for alternatives.
I’m not sucking up, but at this point, I just feel like the tone of the discussion needs to shift. This post was originally written two years ago!
I mean, do you guys just want to keep complaining for the next two years? At some point, if a situation is not working out for you, it’s time for you (the individual) to start re-evaluating your options and to start thinking about an alternative plan.
And if you look at my responses throughout this post you will see that my focus has always been on trying to figure out the larger question about the BPO industry in Kenya and it’s prospects. I’ve let people vent as much as they’ve wanted to (& you can still do it if you want) but let’s be honest here: nobody is forcing you to work there. If you don’t like it, why don’t you find an alternative plan for yourself?
Like I asked earlier: what are you guys going to do? do you have other jobs waiting for you somewhere? do you have money to go out and start your own call center?
Kenya Entreprenuer,
Man you are a dissapointment! You have a small chat with the “big”, well the small guy and now you are starting to suck up to him as well? What else are we gonna do? Strike.Something is in the pot cooking.Nik,you will not like what is coming to you,dont say i never warned you.
Surely, you don’t expect everyone at kencall to be driving a nice car? I’m sure there are some people who are making considerable more than others, but this is true in all companies around the world. Capitalism is not about equality.
Anyway, I’m getting the impression from reading all these comments that while many of the disgruntled employee’s may have some legitimate complaints, a compounding problem they all seem to be facing is that they are stuck in a country that does not have that many job opportunities available for them.
So, they’re frustrated, but they also know that they can’t leave because the chances of them finding another job are slim. Faced with this situation, perhaps the better option is for you guys to accept this reality and be content with just having a job that at least pays (even if it may not be on time).
I mean, what else are you going to do?
Now Come on Nik it really isn’t sending a good message when everyone in the back office is a driving a new car and your CSRs who do most of the work are still operating on some very low pay. Come on if they are buying cars it goes to show we are or you are making money. Come on send some our way and let us share the profits. And if you are giving them loans. can you then come up with a way to give some to the CSRs so they can also feel like they are part of the team that you above mentioned.
Guys,
All men are equal, but soem are more equal than others-George Orwell Animals farm.
People like the Nesbitts are more equal than the others us,us especially the agents.
We are here to lay eggs and work form them, if you do not like it ‘you die” unfair huh?
Nic or Eric dont give a rats ass about us.After all they are making alot of money, millions and they know we need this job. But guess what? They need us more than we need them. But we have acted stupid, desperate and ignorant of our own rights.
There should be an uprising of the people. When we stand up and say no-to all the lies,no to the bad working conditions, and no to the poor pay.
What would they do if we all cooperated and held a strike, all the 600 people until and unless our grievances are sorted out? We may lose or we may win. The thing is we will never know if we do not try it. No pain, no gain.
Even the Mau Mau(our grandfathers) had to do rise up for the sake of our future. If we do not stand up now, our children will be subjected to the same working condtions and the same cycle of poverty will go round.
So who is backing me up? Shall we fight or shall we just sit around like small girls and whine?
To those telling us that Kencallers rock and they loved every bit they were here, bull shit. We all know they hated it, did not need the money or the job to start with, they were here for different agendas all together which they accomplished.You know we cant trust politicians, entreprenuers and lawyers. Worst kind there ever was.
So lets put up a fight people. The Nesbitts don’t give a rats ass about us.
Why do I have a feeling this Nik Nesbit faker is our new shrink trying some PR skills on the site. If Nik had something to say about this blog, he’d have said it ages ago. He would know better this wouldn’t make a difference. Now tell us something we don’t know, if you’re really Nik. I’m watching you!
I am shocked that some of you still think that everything is still nice and dandy at KenCall. There is soo much going on “under the rug” that is impossible to defend.
Case in point: The Nesbitts employed someone from India to head the IT dept and they pay him US$ 4000 per month. The next IT person is earning KShs 80K!! (I hope he is not the one Words of Wisdom is reffering to) The so called Indian expert knows minimal stuff bout IT and spends the whole day calling friends and family in India! Now where is the justice in that. But there is light at the end of the tunnel coz “the expert” has only a 3 month entry pass that will expire soon and thanks to our ever improving government, that said expert will never be issued a work permit.
If I say anymore I might be sacked (“downsized”). But I will keep trying my best to work under these conditions until something comes up on the job market.
To all my colleagues, positive thinking yields positive results. Lets all suffer 2gether.
This is a case of three conflicting perspectives. The puppet’s perspective, the puppeteer’s perspective and the audiences’ view.
Details; when you are a KC agent (the puppet) you can’t do anything aside from what the string you are attached to dictate (and this is legal).
The puppeteer (employer) on the other hand is not to blame. It’s their show and so whoever isn’t pleased with it has the liberty to walk out. Once you are off the strings (fired or by choice) you may get into the audience if you are the type to dwell on your past and what you see may irritate you because you are now able to see the strings on another puppet that were once attached to you.
If you don’t qualify to be the best puppet then it’s advisable to keep your peace. You can make your contribution to this country by setting up a company of your own and make amends wherever you think/feel your competition hasn’t been fair. Even if Kencall has cash flow issues, so do other companies.
When the Nesbitts came back home, I believe they didn’t expect that their own kind would have the capacity to exhibit such ignorance. (I believe that’s the revelation Obama is getting that has sent him to Ghana)
Everyone is free to walk out of a situation if they feel oppressed. The fact that someone has a better relationships with your boss should serve as a challenge to you. Truth be said; that person exhibits better traits than you do
A Chinese home-schooled student reviewed all these posts on this blog and concluded that none of the contributor’s had ever been though formal education judging from the content/weight of the contributions.
That said, if this the intellectual level of the KenCall then it is needless for Nik Nesbitt to worry about the competition pouching his team and a spectator may understand why he has to withhold his operative’s payments. Chances are, no one at KenCall knows what their skills are worth.
Kenyanentrepreneur, I believe you didn’t expect that your post would take the dimensions it has. It comes as a shock
to many people. Says a lot about the basic building blocks of our Kenyan society. I don’t think it was the right move to delete people’s comments. That is taking people back a couple of decades. The human mind doesn’t let our comments that are baseless. And if they are then anyone who is offended has a right to seek for an explanation or give a counter comment. That’s why it is called a blog and not a news agency. Right?
An analyst would not see all this as a KenCall crisis. This is the Kenyan way of problem solving. Ranting for a whole 2 years??? Nik should have come up with an Article Writing account
I hope this thread will still be running 4 years today; and would have taken a more constructive dimension.
Here is the thing:I don’t believe that holding a face to face meeting with the Nesbitts will solve anything.Why do I say that?Barely a month ago Timo(IT) was sacked because the Nesbitts felt he was too ‘negative’ when all he did was speak his mind.If you express your opinons openly your ass will be so out of Kencall & they will come up with an excuse like they wanna ‘downsize’!The Nesbitts should give us an email address which we can use to air ur grievances cos I don’t think sending emails via the intranet will work.To the Nesbitts here is a word of advice:please look at the people that you have appointed as managers.Please.Please.Appoint people who are qualified.Please.That will be the first step towards reducing some of the problems that Kencall faces.It doesn’t make any sense to report to a boss who has no papers when I’m qualified for that position.The problem with these bosses is that they end up frustrating their juniors due to the fear that they will outshine them.Please Nesbitts address this problem.Do not appoint managers just because they are eloquent & can talk in front of a crowd,appoint them based on merit.Please.Take this little advice seriously.One person mentioned the payroll being done on the 26th and yet people are not paid at the end of the month.1st or 2nd isn’t the end of the month,30th and 31st is.Professionalism is a factor that every employee should adhere to.I hope you take my words into consideration.
Dear Mr Nick Nesbitt
Well said Mr Nick Nesbitt being a former employee who worked for you and gave my heart and soul in the work that i did for you in the same light that you have given your heart and soul into creating a brand new empire right from scratch not to mention the risks withstanding and leaving quite a prominent position in the states, to come back home because you had a dream, to create a brand new industry right from the scratch. That I personally and definitely i give you credit and a heads up. And i’m sure many of those on this forum who have worked for you will totally agree with me.
Ignorant I wouldn’t say I am neither being spiteful has been my way of perception in dealing with issues. I’ve always believed in dialogue and a sober mind to solve matters and it has gotten me way far in life. Honestly Nick, you and you brother do a good job and it didn’t have to get this gross and ugly two years down the line simply because us your former employees felt no one was listening, and as a result we have a very bile defamatory blog running for two years. Not that I’m justifying some of the remarks made in this forum but what i’m saying if there was someone to listen to your employees and the said person who was to listen to the frustrated employees was you at that particular time since the buck did actually stop with you.
But then here comes a huge problem, your said ” TEAM” made it very difficult for us to have access to you because they do run a well closed knit cartel that frustrates any open minded and ambitious talent simply becausd they were deemed as a threat. Personally in my case I left under very bizarre grounds that only you could have demystified the whole issue that to this day i would really appreciate a decent explanation and not to be treated how i was. Nick some of us did actually did put our lives at risk to come work for you….like i said earlier,honestly I personally would like to communicate to you but I really don’t know how exactly we are supposed to find you through other means to ask and say what we would like to you since your “TEAM” is running a cartel and only allow those who sing their tune to have access to you.
what I’m saying is, kindly have the communication channels sorted out and trust you me we won’t be having this kind of retrogressive blogs running years on end.
X Kencaller.
BTW it’s never too late to turn it around..I digress.
I know nothing will change. Just because Mr.Nessbitt has replied on this blog after a long time(I wonder what he has been waiting for since 2007?)
Kencallers should not expect much. My hunch he wont change a thing.
I wont write about the forbiddeen topic but i am seeing an exorcist soon.
What lesson have i learnt from all of this:
Touch a mans’ apple of the eye and for sure you will get a response. I deserve an applause guys.
The forbidden topic owes us an apology for calling us fat and ugly.
Change is coming my foot!
Brenda:
I’ve tried to keep up with the comments and I’ve deleted the one’s I’ve found to be the most offensive. However, the other’s will remain because this is a debate and everyone has the right of reply (including you who told us to go and consult excorcists).
This is the internet age and information can now be transmitted all around the world in a matter of minutes. It’s something everyone will have to learn to live with and your best weapon will become your right of reply and response. The small negatives of this new medium do not outweigh the numerous positives.
Yes, we want a meeting with you Mr Nick. You and your brother and Agents alone. No QA’S or TL’s or even your managers. I am the voice of the people.We need you.Deliver like we have done for you.We are expecting a meeting with you soon.
K.E
Thanks for stopping all this madness!I appreciate this gesture from the bottom of my heart.However since the earlier comments are still printed on the blog, (Plus other couple of people who have been insulted, defamed, and scandalized)i wonder how you intend to cure the mischeif that has been going on for so long if you still hang on to the same.How about you do the noble thing, and delete all those vexaxious comments that have been made in bad faith and are baseless..
Nik Nessbitt
First i wanna congratulate you for the great job you have done there in Kencall. The jobs you have created for hundreds of our kenyan youths.
my only advice to you, is that you hold a meeting with this disgrutled agents-employees and have a one on one talk, since the gyst i get is that there grievances are ignored and unnoticed. Maybe you can get to the roots of the problem and just finish this madness once and for all and lets just get constructive criticism
Lastly don’t let this bog you down…..
To the HATERS IN Kencall,
What goes around comes around, with a bang……KARMA!
To the rest of the KENCALLERS,
You guys rock, and i wish you all the best! You are doing a damn great job! I loved every bit i worked in Kencall.
All the Best evryone.
Nick:
I wrote this post almost two years ago and it seems to have taken on a life of it’s own since then.
However, if things have changed at Kencall since then or if the post has been widely off the mark about what’s happening at your company, feel free to contact me at kenyanentrepreneur@gmail.com can talk privately.
However, I am glad you finally responded because I’ve been trying to get entrepreneurs in Kenya to talk about what they are doing and so many are unwilling to do so, which is unfortunate because I do think that people genuinely want to hear about these stories and if you respond to their allegations or comments, they are smart enough to weigh both sides of the issue and come to their own conclusions.
I’ll wait for your email.
Kenyanentrpreneur.com
Let me first congratulate you for putting a stop to the Brenda conversation. That is a very commendable step.
Given your rational plea to only focus on growing the outsourcing business, many I ask you to please only encourage positive debate on this site? I have suffered terribly because of this site and the comments that have been allowed to be published for the world to see. Over 70% of what I see is inflammatory and incorrect. It hurts me that some people can be so spiteful and derogatory. I have put my heart and soul into creating over 600 jobs for Kenyans and on this site some disgruntled ones and some ignorant ones have tried al they can to destroy what our team has done. I have not done everything correctly, in hind sight. It has been very difficult leaving the States in a prominent position to come and create a brand new industry from scratch. Given the discussions on this site, it has made it even more difficult to hire some new people or win over some clients when the very first posting on Google is frequently this site with its commensurate headline. I even receive more postings than Ruto and Raila! How and why is that even possible considering their and my respective impacts on Kenya’s image..? Is this how Kenyan entrepreneurs want to be represented in the world of the web?
Can you and I speak about how to repair this damage, prevent further erosion of my brand, allow a credible “voice” on this site and promote the well being of my company and our country? I sincerely appeal to your better judgement to help us all move this outsourcing industry further, together.
I also sincerely appeal to all of those people who “know” me, my brother or our employees to please be decent, respect what we are all trying to do and minimize the hateful and unprofessional language in this forum. Please find me through other means to express what you would like to say or even ask, and I will certainly respond. Let integrity be the foundation of our discussions.
As a country and a people, we all have a long way to go. Let’s not undermine each other. Please.
Nik Nesbitt CEO and co-founder, KenCall EPZ
Frustrated Employee:
That clause that you just referenced is strange and the recruitment agency must be misinterpreting it. Kencall should not be allowed to stop you from pursuing better employment opportunities for yourself, especially on your own time even if it means that you’ll be working for a competing company. I think the recruitment agency is just not being honest here.
The only thing kencall should be allowed to do is prevent you from sharing proprietary information with a competitor. However, if you are a low level employee who doesnt’ have access to proprietary information, you should have the right to work anywhere you please.
In other words, Kencall does not have a legal right to LIMIT your earning potential. The only thing they have a right to do is prevent you from sharing private company information, but for that, all they’d have to do is have each employee sign a confidentiality agreement, not a non-compete agreement.
Non-compete agreements are usually reserved for senior managers who have access to a lot of information about a particular company and who could use that information to destroy a companies competitive edge and that’s why they can prevent people from working for 2 years. You’d have to be making a lot of money for a company to prevent you from doing that and usually, these non-compete’s are accompanied by a huge payout for the senior manager because (again) – you can’t just limit a persons ability to earn an income.
Is that the only recruitment agency in Kenya? recruitment agencies work on commission and they would not exist if they didn’t poach the best employee’s from various companies! Their entire business model is based on poaching.
Why don’t you contact Horizon directly?
annon
Now pay attention sir/madam annon! I dont know how much you’re being paid to discredit my facts but it better be good money.
I personally applied for a job with a recruiting agency online and was picked and qualified for an interview at Horizon. Unfortunately they freezed me on grounds that they didnt want to poach a “Kencall employee”. If that isnt proof enough that they have some sort of legal document holding them back from employing us I dont know, you tell me. Now Kencall’s contract on the conflict of interest clause states that “During your own time you must not engage in any employment, freelance work or business which is similar to or in competition with the company’s business unless you have prior written permission from the CEO” end quote!
Now my friend Annon I’m sure your boss is obviously not going to grant me permission to do that so why dont you come up with a solution to this problem instead of critizising an already frustrated agent. And while you’re at it let me school you on the base of my facts. The reason for the legal approach was because Kencall didnt include a very important clause in their contracts, “The employee hereby agrees not to directly or indirectly compete with the business of the company and its successors during the period of employment and for a period of … years (1 or 2) following termination of employment and not withstanding the cause or reason of termination”.
This was left out because they never deemed it necessary since during Kencall’s inception they thought they would be a monopoly for far to long for any competitor to come close to their league. But now with the coming of the fiber-optics they feel the need to hold on tightly to their well trained and now skilled work force. Or I’m I out of line here Mr kenyan entrepreneur?
Everyone:
Enough of this Brenda Stuff. If I see anymore of it, I’ll just delete it.
Let us focus on the outsourcing business in Kenya and it’s potential (given the fact that the high-speed fiber optic cable is coming soon).
Turn this conversation around and start talking about how to make money.
Hey anon? You communicating?
haters
Hey curious…drop me a line at bpokenyablog at gmail dot come …lets get this industry moving, i’ll really appreciate…
I have never written on this blog.Let us be fair to one another and stop calling each other names.Brenda is not a skinny anorexic and arrogant person as she has been potrayed.I had the opportunity to meet her in Kencall.We all got the impression that she had airs,and we hated her because of her accent,the way she looked and dressed.When you get to know her, she is the most lovable and down to earth person i have ever met.She always tried to bring the best in us girls and pay us compliments.She was the barbie doll we never had as kids. Very tiny,small waste,glamarous,articulate, intelligent, good hearted and very funny.Personally she helped me a huge deal when i was stuck for cash, i needed 16k and when she heard of my problems she helped me out and asked me not to pay it back.
I dont know if this rumours about Nessbitt and her are true but even if it were true,what is the big deal anyway? Leave her out of this.
She is a mother,a lawyer,designer and a model.I am happy for you girl.Not all of us hate you,we would kill to be in your shoes.You are still the most beautiful and confident person that i have ever met. If you bombed a building i would still be behind you 100%.
@Hahaha –
Hi Hahaha,
I cant send you my email on this blog but if u can send me yours well and good. I will be glad to give you info. holla immediately u get this blog. I think we are all Kenyans and should help each other if we can rather than dwell on past mistakes and it doesnt have to be this particular job but other places too.
@ Doc, aint working yet…that’s why I’m bumper finding out bout this Horizon joint.
Sorry, she was the face of Celtel-now Zain.Last year.
Why is Brenda denying about seeing Nessbit and she has been spotted enough times with him?To answer Curious 1 yes she was the face of telkom sometime last year.Brenda just because you are skinny, it doesnt mean you are beautiful. Big women are beautiful, we love them that way as Africans.I must admit though, i like your attitude and humour. If you were less arrogant you would go a long long way missus.How can you tell people to see an exorcist? Hahaha! Where do you work nowadays? I love that black Fortuna you are driving.Still, you need to eat more you are too thin.But Zungz like size Zero.I have a feeling you starve yourself to death.
kinda, they were calling in people for interviews last week? What positions had you applied for? drop me your mail add.
Hi i said that i was interviewed by them for all the sections a week ago. I am waiting to be called to start work hopefully. Have i answered you?
@ Curious, when was the interview invite? they called you? It’s simple just resign and tell the new employers to give you time while you clear with them? or how does it work?
How can you ban people from working where they want to work? it’s a free economy. Please double check that info and stop posting rumours here.
Hi
i was invited to attend Horizon interview and am hoping i get selected for the job and hope it doesnt get dirty or unpaid salaries like the complaints i have seen. I think the best thing is to get into a contract with the employer and in case of any misunderstanding atleast you know where to start. Call centre jobs are very demanding so they should be able to pay well.
@Hahaha
Unfortunately its in the grapevine Kencall has done it again. They have banned Horizon from hirring from Kencall with a court injunction. First it was Orange/Telkom, now horizon! I bet Safcom is no go either…. Drat!!!
Blah blah blah!!! y’all still at it??? Who knows when Horizon is starting recruitment?
Brenda:
I think you need to go back and read the earlier comments that were left by people here who worked at Kencall. There was genuine frustration about working and not being paid or working and not receiving their due commissions, which had been promised and which a lot of these people really depended on for their daily sustenance. For example, one person above said she was a single mother and when she didn’t get paid (after working) it was quite difficult for her financially since she had a kid to support.
So, the frustration was that if Kencall had genuine cash flow problems at one time, people would have preferred an honest answer about what was happening as opposed to getting shafted unexpectedly and using other dishonest means to prevent paying them.
So, instead of telling us to go see an exorcist, I would prefer it if you could tell us how the outsourcing industry in Kenya works and what are some of the challenges that you saw within this industry when you worked at Kencall.
Kenya Enterprenuer,
I am not related to the Nessbitts, they were my bosses,people i admire, look upto and have great respect for….I am what i am today partly coz of the experience i got in Kencall.
I am suprised you call this a blog where people vent their frustrations,is it really? Or a blog where tomented,neer-do-wells like car sales executive use to settle old scores? What beef do you have with the Nessbitts and how much money do you make from all this nonsense and propaganda to get posted on your blog?
Car Sales Executive;Temper, temper, temper!I am thanking my lucky stars you are not a cop,coz i would be scared of a “stray” bullet hitting me. Nways on a more serious note, why the beef gal?Didn’t your mama tell you that hatred generates premature wrinkles and chronic diseases? You have never sold me any car,and stop all this Nessbitt propaganda.Why are you lying?You are not even a real Car sales executive.
Talk to lil mama…what really is the problem>….\
Ahaaaaa…now you are talking, i promise to go through ya issues 1-by-1.
So you hate me coz -
1. You are fat, and i am skinny- blame that on your bad genetic make-up,eat less, hit the gym or fast and pray!
2.You are broke, and i am not- get a 2nd job. Work hard and smart. Spend less time on this blog.Kenya Enterprenuer gets some money anytime you post something idiotic, he gets rich, you remain poor.Digg me?
3.I am a swan, you are A swine; That aint my fault too.Use Mac products or Prada.If you cant afford that, learn to live with your ugly self.
4.You cant get a guy, well…an eligible decent guy;get rid of the demons in your system first.Inner beauty reflects the outter and the vice versa.
5.I drive Luxury cars and you Jav;its life!!We cant all be the same. I have worked hard for my money.And gal.. i dont need a man to buy me a car or make me rich for that matter. I have got my own money.
6.I am smart you are a twit;as far as having subject matter between the ears is concern, i bet you have none…sorry on that. You cant be helped. Just keep your mouth shut,people might actually confuse it for wisdom…. you know.
7. My private life is none of your business, so drop it, whom i choose to see, why and when i do, is really none of your business.
Last but not least i hope our little chat has made you feel better, see i am not a bad person after all. But to deal with your unexplained anger, bitterness, and obssession with me, please see an EXORCIST. A shrink cant help, i wont lie to you.If that doesn’t work, enda kibera na u uproot reli- i understand that’s the therapy aggrieved kenyans need nowadays.
Oh i almost forgot, as far as your pathetic wardrobe is concern, i can make yours a special and pro-bono case, you see i design clothes as a hobby-if you promise to behave i will give you ten nice outfits,taking into consideration you are sick, needy and broke. Bye and God bless you my sister.
* Dont hate the player hate the game
* Dont hate what you cant conquer-Conquer what you hate.Your venom aint strong enough for me gal!
I dont hate you, i pity you, and you have my prayers.Yawhe Mulungu Ngai fafa, heal this special child of yours-let her be less obsessed with me!!Did i hear an Amen?
I hope this made you some money-Kenya Enterprenuer. Sorry you will not get the juicy gossip you expected me to post. You are pathetic and i hope someone declares this blog illegal.And one more thing-you cant put the Nessbitts down.Look for another hobby!
Curious-Shame on you.
I love this website. Stop keeping us in suspence Car Sales-Exec; Which Brenda? Did she do a Cel-tel advert last year and a Levis jeans too? I think she is married to the CEO of AIS a local canadian based aviation company. Damn, how do you manage to get this men Brenda? Hint;
Loaner, you’re some really dumb piece of sh!t. Go learn some English first before you start posting your stupid comments on the Internet.
Loaner:
Is that short paragraph written in English or tongues?
car sales executive..
Clearly yu gat domez with dis chik Brenda.I thought d was sassy,classy and very pretty..big heart 2.I liked her but knu she waznt of ma class.unless ofkox we aint talkin bout d same Brenda?Why not sort ya shit wit her instead of doin it here??Or r yu jez jelaz kaz she’z hotter than ya an she gat d Nezbitz? 4 or itz warth Bree yu owe no-one an explanation,hu yu fuck non of nobodyz biz.
Brenda,
You size zero stupid bitch!!Stop calling people morons, actually you are the moron. For you to be so blind just because you are shagging one of the Nessbitts now you act like you are a major shareholder,you are just but a passing tide, soon you will be replaced and i would like to know the song you sing next. People have a right to address their complaints. One wonders why you left Kencall in the first place if it is so so ideal.Why dont you go back and work there?
Anyway its probably easier for you to just spread your legs apart and get bought luxury cars while the people who actualy deserve this are rotting in poverty! Style up, we dont need you on this wall anyway and i dont care whether you know me or not.The last time i checked you were married to an Italian pilot.You unfaithful bitch!Are you cheating on him or did you leave him for a richer guy i.e Nessbitt? I dare you to reply.
Geez, my folks 2 mboches make 15k a month each. And they pay 17% at any private school of their choice while my folks pay the 83% balance. My God, you guys are oppressed.
@ Avinash:
The salaries at Kencall start at
1. Manager = 70-120K
2. Team leader = 25-50k
3. Call centre agents = 15k
4. Text Messg Transcriber = 15k
These are just base (gross) salaries. There are some commission structures, however every few months that more than 25% of the agents meet the targets simultaneously the commissions are then re-calculated and re-structured (go-figure. why set goals that you don’t want met or achieved?). Its basically the greyhound chasing the rabbit. Once the greyhound catches the rabbit they can never run again. They know that the rabbit is not real and are not bothered.
Hello?
A contract is a contract.Like me i have been looking for a chance to work in a BPO but i havent found one.Could anybody advice on how I can join Kencall?ASAP
Why don’t we start a 100% employee-owned call centre. I work for a 100% employee-owned book publisher in the States lakini from my digs in Westy. They have annual sales of $140m. I’m telling you those guys r on steroids. Like you’ll find someone doing 16 hours a day, 7 days a week for 6 weeks without bitching. During their peak (Aug-Oct and Jan-Feb), I do 16 hours a day, 5 days a week without bitching.
With a 100% employee-owned call centre, we’ll cut out the middlemen (shareholders and overpaid managers) and take home a lovely cheque every end-month. Since the shareholders must be employees, there will be no pressure to pay crap salaries in order to maximise profits. Any employee who quits or is fired will be bought out by the incoming employee. Hiring and firing of employees shall be subject to a vote by employees. No employee shall be allowed to own more shares than a colleague. The marketing slogan would be “100% employee-owned, 100% quality”. Maoni yenu my dear Kenyan brothers and sisters?
Brenda,
Are you related to the Nesbitt’s?
People have a right to be mad if they are not being paid and they have a right to vent, which is all they are really doing here.
Who wants to put in the work and not receive a paycheck?
That’s not ni..ni…nice. Is it?
Car Sales Executive.
You are so so infantile. This is the last time i am writing on this wall. Its full of morons!Nakujua!!
There is no money in Kencall? Hahahaha! You gonna love this when you are done reading it.
I am an ex-kencaller, worked for the spinvox account-before it went down as i understand. Recently i bumped into this other ex-kencaller with one of your bosses, the Nezbits i.e the shot guy,I guess his name is Nikolas. She was a skinny bitch who dressed well and thought she was a model, but to me she looked somewhat anorexic, she had a weird twang too.To cut the long story short, he bought her a 4 wheel drive 2.4M cash!!!!(I know coz i sold it to them)
If agents are still going without their pay,and the bosses can still manage to buy their girls cars,what exactly does that mean? Someone answer me.
I love the Kenyan mentality…………”bitch until our voices are hoarse”_so many people are hatin on the Nesbitt brothers…i wonder if it is genuine or just sheer malice!
You must start from somewhere, and if its that bad …i wonder why so many people are still there!! Work or just shut the hell up….!!! No one puts a gun on anyones head and forces them to work for kencall.
If this was not so pitiful, i would laugh lakini…i am just suprised at the attitude most of you guys have!!
Whats everyone talking about eihh? I was always paid on time FOR THE 3 MONTHS i worked there!!
Chicken change? I beg to differ…..they have created opportunities for employment for hundreds of people who would be at home complainng of brokeness…….If you are wise, get all the experience that you can get from Kencall…….and use in in the future elsewhere. You must start from somewhere, so guys stop hating on the Nesbitt brothers!!
However i got a problem with the TL’s THERE, They are on a power trip..but other than that i think it was an okey place!!
kenyanentrepreneur:
Were you charging a one time fee or was there a montly fee that they had to keep paying?
One-off for software that I had developed lakini monthly when supporting software written by other vendors, mostly imports.
HR, please help me understand what it is that u guys do all month, such that on the 26th when payroll is allegedly supposed to be done, u still end up doing it until 31st of the month, delaying salaries one too many times. If thats not enough, some guys salaries “bounce”!!!! WTF?!????!?!? R u guys serious, ur more than enough in your department and still such nonsense happens?? Ann, u volunteer for a job and u know u aint got the qualifications for it. Do u have a sane mind really??? Ya’ll should burn in hell, all of you who claim 2 be back office staff. Shindwe. Go learn how to run a company then come reapply for your jobs, get certifications, some of you only hold KCSE result slips as ur last academic qualifications yet you call yourself managers??you’v gotta be kidding me.
Anonymous:
What’s a rotating fee?
Were you charging a one time fee or was there a montly fee that they had to keep paying?
kenyanentrepreneur:
companies weren’t paying for the software?You must have had a monthly rotating fee.
What’s a rotating fee?
Kenyan dude: Software development and tech support.
companies weren’t paying for the software?
You must have had a monthly rotating fee.
Software development and tech support.
Kenyan dude: can see where the Kencall and ex-Kencall employees are coming from. My first business was ruined by bad debts
what business was this?
I can see where the Kencall and ex-Kencall employees are coming from. My first business was ruined by bad debts mpaka I lost my ride and had to move back home for 4 years (ok, I recovered after 2 years but the free lodging at home was too tamu).
There’s nothing as bad as sinking your time, money, effort, and emotions into a jobo roho safi only not to be paid on the promised date. It’s heart-breaking and extremely demoralizing. Thank God I now have an American client that’s a popular player in the American education sector and can therefore be able to pay me well and promptly.
It’s not about whether you pay 5k or 150k a month. It’s about keeping your word and paying on the day when you promised you’d do so.
Anonymous: Kencall is the first of it’s kind in Kenya. Nesbitts were confident in their country, their people and the experience and skills of Kenyans. They gave the country a boost in employing folks
This is not really the issue because I’m sure that Nesbitt would like to make money. Afterall, he’s not running a charity.
However, based on what the former employee’s here have said, it sounds like Kencall was continuously over hiring when they did not have the business lined up to support all those jobs, which has created this system where people are not getting paid consistently.
Maybe there’s a lesson here for starting small and growing your business organically, as opposed to having grand plans, which you then can fulfill.
Anonymous:……… Human Resources is key – teach people to understand contracts, agreements and codes of being hired and what it means when one is not paid, and what it means when one is denied their share of benefits. There is way too many educated Kenyans, who are smart and able to run these kind of agencies that would result in the best asset that Kenya ever saw.
Uhmm, man, a number of Kencall employees who were denied of their cash decided to take this route in certain scenarios. Some decided to go to industrial courts, some decided to forget about it and move on. Problem is how such issues drag on and on in the industrial courts, but then why would one wanna spend lots of time and money, getting stressed and worked up trying to chase after close to just about 15-20k? It’s simply not worth the trouble. Just walk out and heap some more trouble on the same people who’ve made your life a living hell. If a skilled and experience employee walks out without notice, the company really into lots of wasted time and money retraining a new workforce, especially training those who are rewarded for psychophancy and not for skills.
It’s amazing how much time is spent talking, complaining, accusing, pointing fingers, slander and rumors…and not actually doing anything about it…again, it goes back to where we’ve come from, how we’ve watched our families, governments, schools, companies and institutions handle issues. We’ve picked up on their ways, and our way of running companies, ourselves, our public services and governing bodies is totally ridiculous.
Sad thing is, it’s like a generational curse, one that never dies, unless you move off and go live in another country. Then again, that’s running away and becoming an economic refugee, looking for a cheaper and more easier lifestyle – so we don’t have to sacrifice and work as hard….so, we make our country even poorer, and oh no…the billions we supposedly send home, how much of that goes to help the regular Kenyan tax payer. There is nothing more annoying than watching people get excited about that.
Kencall is the first of it’s kind in Kenya. Nesbitts were confident in their country, their people and the experience and skills of Kenyans. They gave the country a boost in employing folks…they had faith and trust in Kenyans, yet these same Kenyans instead of withstanding and supporting the company through hard times..chose to demean and taint the name of the company. Are they perfect?, no. No one is …not even Microsoft or IBM or google…..don’t even know half of it.
Let’s step out of the generational way of thinking, instead bring to the table solutions that would hep enhance skills and services. Bring in training agencies on customer service, communication skills and attitude. Human Resources is key – teach people to understand contracts, agreements and codes of being hired and what it means when one is not paid, and what it means when one is denied their share of benefits. There is way too many educated Kenyans, who are smart and able to run these kind of agencies that would result in the best asset that Kenya ever saw.
Nahh, not for public consumption.
EXkencaller:
Seriously? How can you not tell us the salary information?
Pleasssssssssse give us that info.
People loovveeee to talk about money here!
Avinash, I can give you that information in confidence. Email me on exkencaller at gmail dot com. The address is real, so no need to doubt it.
Avinash:
how can you work at an indian call center when you are posting this from kenya?
I still need to know what kenyan BPO people are earning. In india I pay my telemarketers an equivalent of 35,000 kenyan shillings and the data fellows 38,000 kenyan money. What are the rates in kenya. If they are cheaper then I will hire all of you guys but I need some figures people.
1. Manager =
2. Team leader =
3. Call centre agents =
4. Text Messg Transcriber =
Now u can c why I only hire shagsmodos. They’re inexpensive and very grateful unlike born taos (that’s what shagsmodos call nai-bred people like me). But then coz of shrubs, I only look 4 non-voice work, which is fine coz it saves on internet costs. Entrepreneurs, b like me n get a young dude/chic from a drought-ravaged shags, get him/her a secure digs, comp, and internet at pango, and pay him/her 10k a month poko 4 working from home. That’s more than enough for a hard-knocks shagsmodo who doesn’t have to pay for rent, transport, and suits.
Cant believe this!!! I work at Indian call center and we were intending to open call center in Kenya – Nairobi. Is this how Kenyans market their country and is this the skilled manpower I hear of? There is something called confidentiality. I guess if I asked the average earnings of you people I would get a correct answer right here. Lets try;
1. Manager =
2. Team leader (like who?) =
3. Call centre agents =
4. Text Messg Transcriber =
Lets see how much people are ranting about and how much Kencall could be owing people by now.
XX: Yes KE over 60 guys were fired but they wouldn’t go down without a fight. The management then came to the realization it was not really their fault but it was system error and so reinstated guys to work.
Why does management have to justify firing people? if you own the company you can fire whomever you want. I don’t get that part about employee’s “fighting back” — you don’t own the company. Its sounds like they just didnt want to pay commissions.
Yes KE over 60 guys were fired but they wouldn’t go down without a fight. The management then came to the realization it was not really their fault but it was system error and so reinstated guys to work. All in all they still managed to find a way kill commissions and you can believe me guys are very down abut this. Why claim system error then penalize people for it?
Fired without pay!: so has Kencall fired 64 people without pay. 30 of us are already home and the rest are still on the go home list waiting to be called by HR for clearance. does anyone know about this?
What’s this about? were you fired and still owed money and it hasn’t been paid?
Very interesting…
Fellow transcription colleagues at KenCall……SpinVox is cash strapped that is why all the houses have not been paid! This is also why they are terminating the contracts and illegally charging maximum penalties at the same time of issuing the termination notice……….ask us we know.
so has Kencall fired 64 people without pay. 30 of us are already home and the rest are still on the go home list waiting to be called by HR for clearance. does anyone know about this?
Paula if you can please make an announcement as to who is the daddy….we ask because of the large sums of money being gambled on it…heres the front runners so far..
E.Nessbit -the peoples chioce!!( no surprise there, but you always just said you held hands an that he understood you?????)
Shamalla – responsible for 4 births and 2 abortions, not bad when you consider his chat up line is “wanna be a team leader”, also taking bets on the father so this rules him out or does it?
Andrew yule- Impotent people so stop wasting your money , better chance grace has beat medical science and is the biological mother!!
Askaris/drivers – Askaris are getting more bets cause you normally get a lift home from eric. But hey if ann can get the HR position ANYTHING is possible!!
So cmon gal put us out of our misery an spill the beans..
oh an great move gettin pregnant knowin you are HIV….whats your next move…donating blood? surrogacy mother?
we all wish you a LONG maternity leave.
I wonder why some people talk bad about kencall and they have been there since call started. They don’t even think to move forwards coz they are satisfied and they have job security which is their pussies and assholes. SHAME ON U.
Quick one KE. Why do you always have this great urge to figure out how Call centers are run? What’s in it for you? How do you stand to gain from that? You wanna start your own call center? Horizon is an offshot of KenCall, founded by some folks who previously worked at KenCall.
I need to find out more about this horizon center. They don’t have a website. Who are they?
This is the finest sweetest moment that i have been waiting for, did you hear that? http://www.horizoncontactcenters.com/jobs.php ???? now this is the moment that we have been awaiting ladies and gentlemen…and trust you me this is so going to be big….now watch the massacre en masse….the exodus….I’m i hearing folks running around in panic???? huhuhuhuhu!!!!! and guess what? oh yes the cable should be docking anytime soon – 2 months max!!!! It’s about time this industry took off!!!
Thats very good of you concerned. Thanx at least people now will stop bitching about kencall. Kwanza wewe maneno matamu.
People, here are some vaccancies in a call centre coming up. Apply in large numbers, very high chances of getting in considering you all got experience.
http://www.horizoncontactcenters.com/jobs.php
All the best guys.
Concerned kenyan citizen & Wacheni
Fuck the hell off!!!!! Stop medlling our private affairs
you kencall guys and gals lack manners……..how can u dis the hand that feeds you like this???????????? what people do outside the workplace is non of your business especially maneno matamu, ‘wacheni’ you know that better than everyone, a gals goods belong to her and as long as she’s over 18 yrs, she can have a pregnancy ata ya watoi tisa mara moja……………………………. though im kinda pissed off with the opening and closing of accounts there….coz you know every citizen has to put bread on the table and going like the GOK is no way to go, Kencall……….
and again it seems those kencall bosses lack something in their recruitment of staff………either they are people who dont need jobs or are spoilt brats just there for fun and nothing else…….
All in all, I vote for Kencall even though it has its own ups and downs but at least if you havent found anything better you just hang in there. There are some months which you get paid more than you deserve and others
, but still the experience is worth it. When you apply for jobs in most companies they wouldn’t look at how many degrees, you have but how many years of experience you have.
about Kencall. Kwanza wewe maneno matamu hata Paula akiwa ako pregnant ama hayuko pregnant whats your bizzness? Ni yake kule atapeana ni choice yake ama r you aguy na ulikuwa umemuomba akakunyima? 
So I said it once and am saying it again STOP BITCHING
Rumour has it that Paula is pregnant, again. Might Nesbit be baby daddy…….. Eric, please clear the air.
Truth be told, Andrew is not a bad guy as ‘some’ of you are implying here. spinvox exits but he has made sure all of us have kept our jobs. Everyone who has left as a result of the closure has been given a chance to prove themselves working on other accounts. so if what he has done is not EXCELLENT management, then we need to re-evaluate our thinking.
i am one of the many to proud to work under him. I am happy to have retained my job. many other companies don’t do this.
Truth Hurts,you are just the one.That Andrew Eule should just be fired.In Kencall there are 4 things that you need to be so as to go far.Either you have an accent from God knows where,you kiss ass or you speak the loudest so as to attract attention.Ni hizo tu.Merit does not really count.Why do you think there are the likes of that ugly Andrew Eule who thinks he owns Kencall,cheap weaved Peninah Wambui who thinks she is all that after moving to projects & the good for nothing Ann Onsarigo who abandoned us after sensing the account will close down?Why do we have to suffer when people like Andrew & Ann still have jobs yet they are the cause for Spinvox closing down?Hata Nick Nesbitt hayuko serious.No wonder Kencall keeps opening and closing accounts every other time.
We yap about here coz a big company doesn’t even the tiniest of the suggestion box..this is our suggestion box so if you dont like what we have to say then you a punk!
Just list also the good things that the company has done for you. I know people who have gotten better jobs just because fro their cv there is the name of this same company you are bitching about..
I am suprised that Spinvox is going down without shamallas hand in it?????????????? something is not right…………….. well i guess kencall is the only company that a senior manager admits gross miss conduct and gets away with it…….
# michael shamallaon 20 Sep 2008 at 11:02 am
hi all
thanks for your comments…..but you should know that am married so if you think you can just spoil my integrity that way m sorry….yes i have shagged many including you.
Quote
Enyewe im just speaking my heart out now….thiz nigga called Andrew Eule literally is the cause for Spinvox collapse meeen….but sad though the Nesbitts will still find a spot for him once Spinvox is shut down….and then the obvious will happen. I totally like 100% blame the collapse of Spinvox to this nigga…I dont have any domez with him but truth be told and if you wanna know why im saying this will let y’all know if interested. Again no beef with Andrew but the closure of Spinvox just had to make me spill my mind out. How he manages to have the cleaners wash his car at night while the toilets need to be taken care of and still manages to get away with it….God knows. I aint got beef with u andrew but honestly you lack management skillz and you are an introvert ile mbaya. Will surely miss Spinvox bana…that account was tha ish whatever y’all say negative about it….Spinvox would have been the best account.
Obama ur the man. Nway Pocahontas get a live hatutaki mawaidha zako,,,,
Jobseeker mkate utaipata kwa shop kencall haiuzi mkate mavi ya kuku wewe
ave been checking out this blog for some time. here’s the plot: am a uni guy with IT and am looking for a jobo like many thousands of kenyans. you guys can do us a favour and quit kencall so that we can come in. ama? you sound sooooo sad. for us out here we just need some bread.
Personally, I think that Kencall for you depends on just how you look at it. All those guys that are being crucified of this forum are getting on with their lives just fine. And I think Nick is doing a good job too. Word of caution though, would HR focus on employing a bit more mature guys so that all this childish hullabaloo can come down? There is always some good in even the worst of us and in my stay at Kencall, I did find some. And learnt few tips too. It depends on how you look at it really.
2 Cent… Grow up!!!
Like i said Kstreet is just behind ur mums door… guess thats where u were concieved…
Fucker!!!!!!
Th whole of kencall sucks. Janet Omusula how can u keep a man u dont knw in ua house thn give ua son away juz 2 hv th freedom? N th blings u put on achia wanaume! nugu we!
Been there done that. I was a Kencall employee once and I can promise you without a shadow of any doubt that I never tried digging myself into other people’s business. Infact if anything, other’s dug their noses into my business but they didn’t go very far. You see the moment you start digging in, you open up your world to others. I went to kencall to work, to earn my keep, to progress my career, gain relevant experience and move up another step in my career but not to know who’s getting cozy with who. Right now as I speak, I have no qualms about how I conducted myself and I see no love lost with the fact that I didn’t get very social with most of my former colleagues. As a matter of fact, I keep in touch with very few from the establishment and even in such situations, it is strictly business save for very minute cases of acquaintanceship. My biggest fight about Kencall management (including middle management) was the lack of professionalism amongst a big bunch of the people charged with responsibilities. rewards were given to the people who could shout the loudest, snitch the most, kiss the biggest and most numerous butts and date the most powerful.
What did I gain from taking this approach, unquantifiable gains.
My take on the BPO industry, uhmmm, BPO is not really my thing, my career is not BPO oriented but is focused more on a support role for BPO related staff. I can be able to work in mostly any other organization with a different service scope out of the BPO arena. Anyway my sentiments on the BPO industry state that any companies coming to start doing this kind of thing should first of all look at establishing a local clientelle and not rush into an International one. have 2 or 3 local clients that will then help you build up your business. From there, one can then venture into the international markets, but that still requires alot of work like setting up bases in the potential markets and trying to get these clients from such bases as opposed to trying to woo them while having limited marketing strategies established in the client’s backyards. All in all, I foresee competition really build up after mid 2009 but a number of people will burn their fingers once again. Transcription is not really a big way of earning much from the industry as have most BPO centers undertaken. The margins in this skillset are very limited though most interested persons seem to be so much keen on this line, well one would argue for lack of sufficient bandwidth, my advise, leave this to the home-based worker.
Pocahontas….how bout I’m thinking some things are much easier said than done…how bout i put you at task about well spent energy in the right conscious mindset..what’s your take on the industry as it is????
you know, you guys keep talking ill about kencall and it still goes ahead to win awards. so, who’s crazy? … one might ask. all the guys i know who are at kencall have never had their pay delayed.
Why do people always have to turn critical discussion points into personality wars? Talking of Kate’s recent outburst on Timo, Jackie, Shamalla and Eric. Whatever these do in their personal lives shouldn’t really be anybody’s business. If one is to spend as much energy as one does in personality duels doing something else, I believe Kenya would be pretty far ahead by now. How someone dresses or who someone toys with should not be an issue of discussion outside tabloids. Harnessing the energies in such pent up rage would be pretty good enough to raise someone from the bowels of poverty.
Lil wayne is coming to Kenya.
Nice Kate…how bout we channel the essence of this blog to our advantage….say like we turn it around into a networking blog? More of being pro active? Say annonymous would probably share like where exactly near parkside towers? like they got a whole building to themselves?
Horizon Contact Centers on Mombasa Rd, near Parkside Towers.
Yeah Ann Onsarigo, mdosi wa Spinvox. Pauline….couldnt waste a minute trying to know where she vanished to.
LOL ..just curious…..which Ann is the said to be the new HR? And where is Pauline?( not Kamande) ..Sure Kate i hear you.. the way to go in this life time is proactive and not passive….and where exactly is Quest and Horizon anyway????
Quite honestly I admire the passion involved in the issues raised here. Anyone meeting the Nesbitts for a business meeting would hardly imagine or visualize all these stuff, but unfortunately (or fortunately) much of it is true. Kencall top management is a rot, riddled with fickle slow minds and the wrong characters for the right job. It doesnt matter if the business concept right, if we are not growing or benefitting fully with the concept, why the hell should we applaud it? Coz we win awards? As for the dirty character, ukweli is alot of growing up needs to be done around this place. Jerkin Jackie, Toying Timo, Bummy Eric, Shaggy Shamalla and the likes, it matters for a company’s moral and social reputation too that we keep our dirty pervert lives under wraps and not for everyones know. I must applaud Timo though for dissing Ann Onsarigo finally, no one knows who gave the other an STD..the usual blame game. Ati he couldnt handle her emotional fantasies…or did the hubby come scaring? Shamalla aint the only one who dots about marriage. As much bashing as we wona give others, Kencall has too many fakes and hypocrites and if we could read half the life people live underground, Kencall beats Sodom by miles.
Cashstrapped or not, the Kencall culture begs for an overhaul. I dont know about all the other accounts, but so much for Spinvox..its going down! Ann is earning 110K, check out what the agents get, then compare that to what the Nesbitts invoice the UK pigs. Word from her bi-spectacled earth moving sumo friend is that she might secure a job she’s been hunting at Horizon, clearly the pay doesnt satisfy her, or she knows something that we all dont know!! Brownie points for handling Spinvox so well. We can take that as encouragement.
To we all the disgruntled, lets think beyond the problems and get proactive. Fact is Kencall is a private outfit, the Nesbitts come first…Quest and Horizon and even Barclays and Equity are looking and paying seriously for the same services. Perhaps we can start our own too
KE
You seem to have only worked in the local market (ie:Kenya) You will be surprised to know how many Kenyans have moved back in the last few years when the American economy was doing well. Some have opened their own businesses and others have been employed by some large organizations. Anyone who moves now is frustrated at what is going on. Some smart Kenyans saw this ahead of time and make a decision to move. The same doesnt apply for Kenyans who are moving to the states. Those are who believe that America is the land of opportunities. Granted the opportunities are there however for those who have been elsewhere they see some great ones here in Kenya. Why do you think folks like Micheal Joseph, Michael Foley, Rene Meza to name afew have come to Kenya? They would have gone to the US, UK but they saw the opportunities here and they are here to stay. You would be surprised to know how many Expatriates are here and prefer to be here and have made a difference in this country. Oh don’t forget Kencall CEO.
its true they dont pay their staff
eric ngecu,we na matako ka mwanamke usije ukaharibu tigo ,mshanba mkubwa we
Ksh9 million a month with one account? If you can get the clients, you can make some serious money with this outsourcing business.
Let me add this:
Nobody leaves America to move back to kenya to “make a difference”. The only people who do that are politicians kids whose parents have stolen millions of dollars and who know that they never have to work for money in their lives.
I’d say that most kenyans who are moving back are doing it largely out of a sense of career frustration. America is competitive and tough and many think, with their qualifications from abroad, Kenya might be an “easier” place for them to make it and that’s mainly because they can network and they’ll be better connected in their home country.
Now, some of these people will eventually succeed especially if they do what the Indians have done and that is, start marketing their services directly to American companies and not confine themselves to the small and relatively poor African markets. This is going to be a key difference and it is going to happen.
.
This is trully amazing. The tough part in Kencall is that those who came a while back were very poorly paid. Getting raises for them is an uphill battle. As for Steve Mwangi. He left the states to make a difference in Kenya and now he is doing so. Funny thing is that he got a great job from a US firm who will open in Kenya. That guy is connected. He must be opening a BPO???
As for spinvox.. it was coming Kencall has been conducting itself as a knowitall and now they get the boot. Just like they do to agents they are going to loose a 9Million per month account. The falling of the rate just put them in the hole 2M. they poorly negotiated the contract and now they get the short end of the stick. Payback is a bitch.
Why would you use the name “hitler”? that’s a horrible name that connotes a horrible person. Can’t you use something else?
Jaluo:
Are you telling us that Spinvox tells people that it uses “special” technology to convert voice into text, but what it’s actually doing is outsourcing the voice work over to a company like kencall, where people like you, sit at a computer the whole day and basically transcribe that voice into text?
You have my head spinning with salary changes you just described
Why were they deducting 4K from your salary?
Pocah…..what did you mean when you said that someone was moved from one department to another.Is it the same as Ann who is an account manager & the new head of HR?How do they come up with these selections.Pocah I agree with you.They need to have internal promotions even at the accounts level based on merit and experience.Eliud & Eugne are better suited for the job because they know the work better.I have worked in two other places but never have I seen such unprofessional behavior.As msema kweli said maybe you need to know the Nesbitts so as to get far.It is not surprising that the bosses are both ladies.You never know what happens behind closed doors as they say.
hey mambo mbaya ur the man. anyway it was easy to know the payroll of everyone in the company. guys at SpinVox are all computer literate not to mention that I am very knowledgeable having been educated in IT. to KE, SpinVox is a company based in Europe that lies to it’s clients that it uses intelligent voice recognition systems to convert voicemail to texts. the agents at SpinVox sit at their computers with headsets waiting for messages from Canada or USA and convert what they have heard into texts within the shortest time possible. the recepient gets it as a text. this is the hardest job and the hardest account that has ever existed and going to work everyday is a headache. And all they did was add a stupid 3k to my salary which was 15k, then they deducted 4k and added the 3k which left me with a stupid basic of 14k which was less than the initial 15k. KenCall is just a fuck up
Mister, please read my post again. I said, no company has money like he amount suggested to give to someone with 1 year working experience. 80k is still a long shot even for 5 year’s experience. This is driven by the point that you bring out, high unemployment rate. Do you get that clearly now or shall we run that by you again?
Msema Kweli:
You are acting as if there is an abundance of jobs in Kenya. The unemployment rate is hovering around 40% and doesn’t this fact alone create a steady stream of employee’s for any company in Kenya that is looking to fill jobs?
They’ll always be a steady stream of desperate people willing to take these jobs even if it means missing one or two months of pay. It’s better than having no pay at all.
@msema kweli, you think there’s any company in Kenya that will pay 80k to an IT guy with one year’s experience? 80k would come in to people who have at least 5 year’s experience. Look around and confirm that to me and the rest. How do I know? I’m an IT professional na nimekula chumvi kiasi. The point about this so called Susan earning the same as her boss is evidence of lack of proper planning on the side of the company management. To me it comes out as some way of psycophancy rewarding, kick someone out, replace that person with someone who sings your tune (baba na mama like Moi used to say), but because you had not properly thought out a way of rewarding merit and proper projection, you bring in someone else from a different department to take over where someone has already left as opposed to internal promotions then you are stuck with a smelly rat. I wonder how the two (Susan and her boss) cope now that they both know what each earns. I also wonder if the boss will get any respect from the junior.
On another note, the whole business about increasing salaries for agents to a point where some of them earn more than their team leaders or QA’s has opened a pandora’s box. There will be a chain reaction where the team leaders/QA’s will either walk out to the competition or down their tools and demand an increment and this will spiral on to the people above them, result – a balooned payroll budget. Will Kencall be able to cover that seeing that this blog was brought about by pay issues? I see a situation where the original problem will play out again. What the management has done is opened a nasty can of worms, in the end, my friends, it will not work.
kenyanenterpreneur:
the salary should depend on the size of the company and the amount of work xperience by the IT person.I consider kencall to be a big company since it has many employees.60 k is fair if you have little or no experience and over 80k if you have more than 1 year experience.hearing that someone is getting 20 k is just depressing.helpdesk do a lot of work and they are always up and down the floor fixing issues.hii sio poa.I don’t not know what the other IT people who are not in helpdesk get but kama it’s less than 80k then kuna shida.i highly doubt they even come close to that.The omly people mentioned in this page to be getting at least salo ya maana is Yvone and Susan.Truth hurts but it is the truth.
Msema Kweli:
What would you consider to be a good salary for an IT professional in Kenya?
Hahaha….you are not being serious.You call 47K a lot of money?Enyewe IT deserve way much more.with all these call centers mushroming all over the place am sure most of the people in IT will leave kencall.what I do not understand is why the big difference in salaries.I wanted to join IT after my management training course.now am not so sure about it especially when someone is getting 47k and another one 20k.I do not want to be the one getting 20k.The good thing is that with being an agent kila mtu ni sawa.Also getting the same salary with your boss si poa.Kwani they do the same work ama niaje?Again who comes up with these salaries?The difference between 90 and 20 is big manze.Ama you need to know people in HR so that you can be paid more?If I was in IT I would have looked for another job elsewhere because kuna opportunities mob tu sana in other places.Hii stori ni refu.Wacha niachie hapo.
ha ha ha and the sweet symphony echoes….well as for Steve Mwangi…dude is a great chap as far as i’m concerned…as for James Kamande – now that’s my boy working smart – I mean look at it this way – From a mere agent who used to take home a salary of 12k and a couple of loose hundreds to I.T where he is making 47k???? WTH?? Dude is my hero..it doesn’t matter what his colleagues doing the same job as him earn..it’s all bout being shrewd in corporate today..so you go James…and oh that poaching thing is so much a reality that i don’t think folks at kencall got the slightest idea of an impeding run that’s so awaiting them….I still insist…watch this space….i’d love to see that look on Nik’s and his die hard loyal fans holding their chins in that cool air conditioned conference room as they try working out a contingency plan when agents are being poached en mass by competition and oh yes i can assure you that former general manager Neezam is sure going to be competition…y’all just watch this space…don’t say no one warned ya
then i’mma lay back pop a cold one…light up and have a good one….
Quit complaining…start your own businesses…employ 400+ people and let us know how that works out in Kenya!
In terms of his IT skills, steve mwangi was a nobody in America and the reason he moved back to kenya is because he couldn’t find a permanent IT job while he was here.
If you have good IT skills in America, you don’t move back to kenya to deal with slow computers and low level technology. You stay in America where you can easily make upwards of $100K a year while being surrounded by the best software developers in the world.
You gotta be kidding me!!!! You mean i make more money than the IT guys!!! and are these the same people that the nesbitts trust with their call center with all their equipment while they go rest their silly heads in bed. Mangai!!! ningekuwa IT akina nesbitts wangenitambua!!! No wonder Steve Mwangi did what he did. and with all the knowledge this guys have in regards to call center technology, what would happen if a company poaches all of them ki Econet on Zain, God only Knows.
Word has it that the salos leaked out after the new HR manager got careless and left payroll data lying on her desk and the night shift guys had a blast scanning through it.
kenyanenterpreneur:
I have my facts from a reliable source.this is not a case of mudslinging.As unknown has said these people are always in a bad mood.they always work as if they are doing you a favor.hata nguo na nywele imeparara.thooo!I am not feeling sorry for them.when you work like that what do you expect?You reap what you sow!!!
Now you understand why they are always gloomy and in a bad mood 24/7. This is surely brought about by their poor and pathetic pay.
Please Work hard and Stop Talking.
Inseptka:
That is hilarious. If it’s true. How do you know how much people make anyway?
Blady:
Is spinvox a kenyan company and what was kencall doing for them? cold calling, customer support what?
Here is some juicy stuff from news just in.You thought that there is inequality on the floor?Look no further than IT.It is shocking to note that the IT manager Yvonne Awiti earns the same as her employee Susan Nyaga which is 90k.If that is not funny to you I don’t know what will be.The rest of the team members are wallowing in salaries that are almost half that.Another discovery was the helpdesk team where the highest earning is James Kamande with an impressive 47k.Again the other members are in the 20′s and 30′s and yet they do the same job.With good commissions we could make more than they do.As I said before if you don’t find this to be hilarious then you have no sense of humour.
kencall is useless period……….
Well pay rise? But catch is you gotta have worked at the spot for an year??? Mhhh I’m thinking WTH?? I mean there’s a call centre @ Visions Plaza on 4th floor paying the 18k for Agent position plus throw in the spiff payable at the end of the week…the writing is on the wall..It’s your call y’all Kencaller’s
LoL…..and I still stand by – Work smart not hard….more of predictive thinking…
Do you know that KenCall is cancelling their contract with one of their biggest clients, SpinVox? By March, the huge ass account SpinVox is dead, yes over. Just the other day, they were recruiting with a passion. Just goes to show how fickle BPO still is in Kenya. One day you report to work and the next day, 150 plus agents are jobless. Apparently, SpinVox was offering peanuts in exchange for overworking the agents by sending volumes of traffic, taking up bandwidth(SpinVox consumes the highest in KenCall). Akina Nick decided it was not worth it. Lucky for SpinVox agents they move to other accounts.
Let me tell you, its true that guys have been given a pay rise, but 3/4 of those who are working in kencall havent attained a working experience of 1 year in kencall. So for this increase is all BULLSHIT, until you work for 1 year is when your basic will be 18k but until that you will still get the 12k.
Can you imagine, other call centres are paying better than kencall, e.g. the main client Orange and Telkom, zain and safaricom and other small call centres. First the main client orange and telkom, their workers are being payed more than 30k and know the same kencall is paying its workers at 12k after deduction of whatsoever money.
Let me tell you, they way am getting this feeling about kencall is that, when the new call centre will be opened i do pray to God that kencall will sustain this impact because the plans that am getting from the current and the former employees of kencalls is that there will be a damn impact.
THIS GOES TO SHAMALA, JUST BE PREPARED BECAUSE THE DAY IS COMING, NA LISEMWALO LIPO NA KAMA HALIPO LIKO NJIANI LAKAM TENA NA PUPA MOB TUSANA.
Makii:
Are you making money on the internet? If so, kindly tell us how.
Michael:
Interesting to hear they got a pay raise. Was the raise about 30%? because you know, that’s the rate of inflation in Kenya. Any pay raise that’s below this rate of inflation will make very little difference in terms of your ability to afford goods, but I guess it’s a start.
I still believe the dilemma for Kencall is to try and get the big American corporations to leave India and to outsource to Kenya. I was just on the phone the other day with a customer service rep for Dell computers who was based in India. Let me tell you, that call was a complete nightmare! There’s nothing worse than being stuck with an Indian customer service rep on the phone.
A lot of American companies are now bringing their customer service jobs back to the country. It’s gotten that bad. There’s an opening for the Kenyans here because these companies can’t afford to pay americans the salaries they are demanding along with all the benefits that come along with it. The economy is not doing well and they are STILL going to have to outsource, but India is losing it’s touch when it comes to call centres.
I’m beginning to realize how the Indians have done it — they actually send sales rep’s to America for one, two, three years and tell them to aggressively market their services to these large corporations. They literally start at the bottom by cold calling people at these companies.
i see people are yet to do a lot of growing up……….somehow am not shocked. ujinga ikiingia in your adult life amending the issue is another problem generally. ……..
Aheim Diana you just did put it spot on – Now Neezam..I’m looking all over for this dude..anyone know where i’d possibly find him…and i can’t so wait till he puts up shop…any clues any one…by the way the industry is already flowering…y’all heard bout the multi million call centre that former GM Dave stewart is putting up – just to quote what was in the dailies – State of the art call centre and it’s in the tune of over 40m…Aheim…drum roll people
Wow.
I was googling for Kenyan outsourcing companies and came across this post. I just came back and I have to say. Wow. Business ethics in Kenya are trully lacking from the employer to the employee.
I am looking for a few guys who are good in writing, web marketing and web designing but after reading this I don’t know if I can find anyone.
Is it the Kenyan business culture to just employ people for the sake of employing them? I don’t see how you can employ new people every week and expect to survive. I just can’t…
Are Kenyan offices all about sex? Really, really. There is too little time for me even to bother about sex at home. Most of the posts here hating on Kencall are all about someone’s big butt, or sleeping with one person or the other.
Is 100k really a lot of money in Kenya? Now I know why guys go throw stones in the streets instead of working.
This kind of posts which I can see has been running for over a year is an eye opener on the Kenyan business culture. In short it is terrible.
There is a lot to be made in the internet. You really do not need a job at Kencall .
Buy yourself a computer. Save some 50k for internet access for 6 months.
I promise you, you will make what you wish when you want to. Blaming kencall for your problems is just plain not realistic or honest. They are there to make a profit and if screwing you brings a profit, believe me, you will be screwed.
I won’t have a problem showing anyone who is realistic how to do it. I won’t sleep with you either. lol.
the internet is supposed to liberate you from working for people you don’t care about. Not to get paid and go out to floss. No wonder I found South B is full of very young people really getting drunk. They must all be working for this company. lol
anyone interested can email me emasaa80 AT yahoo dot com . Its not a job offer please. Neither do I ask anything from you other than your time.
Excellent gesture from The Kencall management. Most of us who are still working here are VERY appreciative of the Pay Rise & the hard earned resources that Nik & Eric invested and are still investing in us & in the lives of our fellow Kenyans.
A big thank you to you again. We look forward to climbing to greater heights next year.
A pay increase at last for workers over one year in kencall, and every other year after that!!! I think this blog did work it’s wonders. Thank you all for all your venting and contributions… it goes without saying that all this bickering must have got to the management somehow. They do know this page exists and ashante kwa kenyanentrepreneur for starting this debate. For once a reason to smile!
its tru what ‘Candy Gurl’ sez,this helps no one!i dont even work thea and i now know so much sleeze,eiiih guys!Bad rep…
{EMERGENCY EXIT}if you hate it that much…
Quit
We are all stuck here if you aint the doors are wide open. Or as Nik says u have a problem tell it to a person who can do something about it.
Jaluo you have a lot of personal issues you need to resolve. if you don’t like what you see then avoid it as much as you can and concentrate on your job. remember you can quit at anytime you feel like it unless you are depandant on the little money kencall pays you.
KE employees are proud to be associated with companies that perform otherwise people would not be so eager to get jobs with such organizations as Safaricom, Pricewater, EABL and the like and of course they look at the money but there must be something else otherwise they would stick there once they get the job but they tend to move on to other organizations. Like wise be proud of your achievements at Kencall then look for an alternative and leave the place better for the one who will occupy your place once you leave.
I didn’t ever want to comment on this blog ever but I just have to. I heard that shamalla is now begging guys to stay in kencall cos majority of them walked out on him and went to the real Orange and Telkom?!!! Thats what they will all do once they can get somewhere where they are treated like people and not dogs or slaves. Black people can’t be slaves no more. Just wait until Neezam launches his new call centre; kencall will get some rude shock………an account with 98% abseintesim…
let me tell u the new account telkom is trying to improve on the commissions package but the limitations that are there for you to get those commissions only God knows how the kencall sets them that you will work the whole month and get no commissions.
Plain ice cream?!
That’s blasphemous. Really quite unacceptable. In lieu of a regular paycheck, you at least deserve some walnuts on top of your plain vanilla ice cream.
no toppings nothing
Janice:
Ice cream? awww…did someone in human resources tell him to do this? I swear to God those HR people are pathetic. How is ice cream going to boost morale when those niggers ain’t getting paid? I aint saying, I’m just sayin’.
Did they have toppings? you know? walnuts, chocolate fudge, toffee, peanut butter crunchers? please tell us they had extra toppings and they didn’t just get plain ice cream.
ati nezbitt was giving out icecream on the floor on fri. guys bitch alot more on that.
Jaluo tell em’!
Jaluo, seems like your brain works like your fingers while u type trash cos that’s all that’s in there. all this bitch ass complaining, damn boy get a life!!!!!!!!! only a moron like you would think that someone’s ass makes tenzing seem like an orgasm. which world did u come from and which one are u living in dumb ass?????????
this is so funny… 70 million and the crap u get in kencall God knws what…. but there is something Y”all ex kencallers should appreciate. Kencall paid ua bills for the time that u worked there. It gave you all a sense opf belonging. somewhere u woke up and went to. something to add to ua Cv’s Dimwits…. yeah just called u all that… wherever u are at least u have that experience thanks to the Nezbitts please stop being hard on them… they too are making money like any other kenyan. BO Ho
I highly doubt Kencall is making 70M in profits. I’m basing this assumption on everything I’ve read here so far: Which makes it sound like a startup with cash flow problems, not an established company with a set profit margin.
There’s nothing wrong with people venting, sometimes you have to and to be honest, I think a lot of people are enjoying the info they have received so far (it’s the highest rated post so far if you look at the comments!)
I mean people really? Clearly this blog has lost it’s bearing…..well just a thought..you think if I was running a company that is making as someone put it 70million turnover in a month give two hoots about such a blog? naaa dont think so!!! not in this life time…for all i care you either do what’s required of you when in my company or you walk!! Dynamics here are pretty much simple….I’m thinking this blog is vent out release…if I was dear agents..i’d spend less time here and focus all this energy to making things work out for me and busy networking on what is going on in the industry and making myself relevant prior to the bloom of this industry come next year with the arrival of the cable….just my 2cents!
Seriously the best call centre in the world, outside of Europe, and you’d think we’d even get a raise of only a G ! and as if that ain’t enuff, the company suppossedly makes more than 70M in profits, need I say more?
Say it like it is Jaluo….but…..
I know who you are XX so please don’t let me start with you ok? Anne gets like 30k a month while others get 10k a month, the least she can do is change clothes,,,,,not wearing the same clothes to work everyday, it’s unhygienic. God knows if she rewinds inner wear as well. Cyprine you were looking hot all of last week, you make tenzing like an orgasm.,,,,,,, ohhhhh, when i see you!!!! anyway Andrew has got some nerve doing what he did recently. we don’t need your laced (with poison) sweets now you’re trying to change the past. i still remember how monstrous you were even though recently all you ever do is zubaa with your laptop. grow up. And who would forget Eric Ngecu!!!!!!!!1 the advice he got was on point. he should never step his big ass in Mombasa ama atamangwa big time. he was such an idiotic moronic bastard. And to peaches the baby that you killed i doubt if it haunts you, kazi yako is just to force issues with your boobs all over the floor. they are ugly so don’t waste your time.n since you thought Nicoli would fuck you, too bad he’s gone to Telkom so n the rest of us guys really aint in2 u. who here finds Ann onsarigo sexy! damn she’s hot. Bt Cyprine don’t worry, you’re my number one still. And Grace Obongo, bitch please you’re an eyesore. to those complaining about the unproductiveness of this blog,,,,,,,,, fuck off.
XX:
I’m amazed that you are telling the employee’s of Kencall to be happy because Kencall has “obtained awards”.
Do you honestly think any employee cares whether or not their company attains an award? I’ll answer my own question: employee’s don’t really give a shit whether the company obtains zero awards or 1000 awards. They just want to get paid and the only way to keep employee’s happy is to pay them. The only reason 99% of us work is for the money. If you don’t own the company, it’s only the money that matters. Why don’t the Kencall founders understand this?
These business awards in Kenya are so overrated.
I know there are a lot of frustrations that go on as the job aint easy in all the accounts since people are struggling to achieve the set targets but throwing out insults will not benefit anyone. Vent out issues constructively. What does the way someone dress have to do with performance and attaining your goals? Jaluo be constructive. your sense of style is not everyone’s sense of style and you don’t know what her money is being used for. Clothes are not everything she may have more pressing or better things to do with her finances. Lets build ourselves and those around us not destroy them. Come on people! Work towards getting a place you will be content. In the meantime do the best you can of the bad situation you feel you are in and stop making matters worse. Whether you like it or not you have played a role in making Kencall obtain it’s awards these past few months so talking about it badly makes no sense. build yourself as you build it.
Upuzi wote!
by the way Njeri is on point if she’s directing her comments at Jaluo.
So still on the leadership issue again. northing’s being done. maybe as the man in charge nesbitt should even do some discreet digging around to find out if there’s some basis to all this ranting. Maybe where he grew up he’s never heard of a version of the the saying ‘usipo ziba ufa uta jenga ukuta’ If nesbitt is looking the other way ignoring the grievances taking advantage of the fact that the agents have nowhere to go no alternative but to stay, then the day however long it takes, the day that a serious competitor enters the market will begin the unstoppable count down to destruction for Kencall. This saying he definitely knows a stitch in time saves nine. Borrow a leaf from Safaricom. Take care of your assets, NOW cater to them even if there’s no competition when competition does come they’ll huff and puff but your house won’t come down
You know people are mostly promoted to senior levels in Kencall based to a large extent on their performance. But it’s not always the case that people who perform well as in have the most sales, or have the highest scores or are the best transcribers make the best leaders.
There should be a system put in place to evaluate employees to determine who has the best characteristics to do a good job.
Wow amazing how much time we spend complaining about others yet we don’t look at the issues we got with ourselves. Stop fuckin(pardon me for cursing) complaining. Instead of bitching on this damn blogg take an action about it or shut tha f up. I mean roho safi if you at KenCall and bitching then why tha hell are you still there… Stop complaining about whatchu ain’t got and appreciate whatchu have cos that’s pretty much what you will get till you start appreciating it and then maybe you will grow. God will not award you if you do not appreciate what you have now…
Geez people chukueni chill pills.
people people is this the first time u hearing about this?this started awhile back and am surpried thta now is when it gets here?try 4years back my friends……………..
Yes i am in deed horny
Now my problem is that most people at kencall are fucked up. first of all bn there for a long time to know all tha shit that goes on. someone has been weareing the same clothes tangu the days of earth link and DTB. lemme just tell u her name. ANNE IRUNGU. BITCH get some new clothes. you’ve been having the largest commisions n u cnt afford some new clothes. you look like an old hag n u stink by the way. just because you’re fat doesn’t mean u wear the same ol clothes. for instance Cyprine has a big ass body (which i happen to love) and she always looks good. Anne you are an eye sore n please screaming on the whole floor won’t get anyone’s attention cos no one wants to lay you. same goes to peaches the bitchez. bitch give it up,,,,,, u’re lousy and i will never look at u twice so give it up. and making advances at Andrew will get u no where. Cyprine I love ure ass……u’re so sexy and yes,,,,i wanna bang you.
to those who keep telling kencallers to just quit,
does that mean you are offering us a job?
Cos if you are please tell me where to apply because i dont have a mommy to take care of me and pay my bills while i just sit on my ass.
we have families and we have to provide for them and the kencall management know this and they exploit this to the fullest and as a result this company will never grow since the employees do the bear minimum that they are required to do maintain a job. if i had the financial backing i’d go off and start my own but until then i’ll hang on to the 15k oh sorry 12 after tax, HELB, taxi fines, so called system problems that HR somehow manage to find every other month.
Enyewe we’ve said a lot. But I hope there’s a TL out there reading this..We should learn to co exist with each other. Lazima tuishi pamoja…Kuna ma TL wengine hu get off on other people’s mistakes. They know themselves..True, us agents piss you off sometimes and even land you trouble..Having a one to one with that agent won’t make u any less of a man or woman….but at the end of the day we need to strike a balance..Kissing ass will only take you so far….SO MJIpange or else ndawapanga….BE WARNED!!!!!!!!
John:
I would not say Kenyans are lazy at all. Why would you come up with that statement?
Could it be that kencall’s employee’s are so frustrated at not being paid and are so frustated with the management, that they see no need to give that company their “all” if they know, they’ll get nothing in return?
Truth is – Kenyans have a very bad work ethic. It doesn’t really matter how much you pay them, they just do enough work so as not to get fired.
The only reason the Nesbits are able to bring the jobs to Kenya is because the price of labor is cheap – otherwise the clients would keep the jobs in Europe or US. However, even if Kencall was somehow able to pay each agent a million shillings a month, it would never help. Kenyans are habitually lazy, are usually thieves and just want to make more money for nothing. A good example is the Kenyan MPs. What reason do they have for their laziness and incompetence.
I applaud Nesbit for the courage to run this business in Kenya. It takes courage to deal with Kenyans.
Someone needs to come up with some law declaring this blog illegal….there was so much hype about it, I wonder why, i coldnt even go through half your comments… A bored bunch
tuhepe:
Tell us more about skyweb.
Kencall wanafikiria hawana compe kenya and thats why the are treating agents badly. We should all go to their main competitor Skyweb tuone kama wataendelea
bullshit kencall
watu waache ushoga. kwani is it hard to leave my brothers and sisters?
No its not you can leave if u choose to. Just work your ass up on finding a better paying job and surprisingly you’ll find it sooner than you thought
And if Kencall is so bad, where else can i go to seek a similar jobo?
Cellulite reeling lesbian?
Hilarious
Ill tell you what,you can see it for yourselves,Shamalla the Account Manager,Nick Nesbitt’s Right hand man,can come up with such comments,need I say More………Nick has allowed that to take place under his nose,I know he is intelligent enough,Eric is also quite brainy but the shocker is,they let their Huge investment be run by such ‘Personalities’!Im not at all surprised with the sentiments that I am reading here,Im not,so guys give it up they aren’t worth your better judgement,let them roast with that place once the likes of akina Jeremiah have run them off the map!Jeremiah!Kudos man,Thank you for proving to all theses incompetent boot lickers that talent they have but they always look thye wrong places for it in the Likes of Jackie Kamau,Ann Kiama,Michael Shamalla and Grace Obong’o the Cellulite reeling Lesbian,alafu that Mary Kamanda as mentioned up there,you must be a joke you are fine enough,the Men are there and they I can confirm,offer more plus your conscience will be intact
Ohh and queen B we know who you are or should we call you bumble bee.
i read with awe in this Thurday’s Newspaper dated 25th on page 4 , in the Money magazine that Jeremiah Okello 31, was once an employee at KenCall. when i started working 4 spinvox,,,,,, i was told that a certain nigger (Jeremiah) who was an agent but very bright tried to hack in to the systems and even download Tenzing and was found by IT . he was dismissed by Nesbitt himself. this tale was passed onto everyone who was from the transcription training and about to hit the floor in a bid 2 discourage people from doing anything with the computers and to show that the dude had nowhere to go after dismisal. but lo! he must’ve heard about this vybe and so he decided to tell the whole world how much he’s progressed without Kencall and yes, the man’s call centre is lucrative with him raking 700,000 a month and on the side he get’s 600,000 a month .so that’s 1.3 mil a month!11 beat that!!!!!!!!!111 even the stupid agressive Andrew aint close to that. so to y’all Kencall is just a stepping stone for more and greater things! someone has gone from earning a mere 15k to 1.3 mil!!!!1 so pliz i wish to commend Cant even remember for yes describing all that goes on there. the company aint the end of the world even if they figure out eho you are!1 so what/!!!!!!!!
what a waste of time.
dudes, idont know you.my gal applied for a job there.she is a graduate.was that a bad idea?and could someone please give me an estimate of what u guys are paid?thanks
i wanna hear somthing abt betty tomlinson fro guys whove been at kencall. i have never worked there. but pals talk all ill aboout her. and one conc story i can tell is that she believes she owns kencall. the old swit 16 mama. i dont know coz av not ivn seen her. but dammit i cant work for kencall after all these stuff in her. and worse, wat i hear about her. she decides for the nesbitts??????? lucky her. hahahahahahahahahahha
hmmmm, But I did think those brown brothers were kinda cute eh?…
LOL sad they have such useless Ass-wipes running their company…..
Those Nesbitts…
……………………to be continued…………………………
(Pardon me, but at the moment I have better things to do!)
SpinVox, Tigo, CellFish, EarthLink, Telkom (Now Orange) just to name a few.
sasa huyu shamalla nini mbaya na yeye??? gatho. people were actually trying to dicuss something with sense then ana toas blonde comment ka hii?? no wonder kuna those storoz are being said abt him. anyway…
Phuex!!
and yu haven’t shagged me yet….
hi all
thanks for your comments…..but you should know that am married so if you think you can just spoil my integrity that way m sorry….yes i have shagged many including you.
Yes that’s my name. As bold as usual and will always say the truth as it is. We must all understand that the Nesbitts started this company and it’s their right to run it as they wish but Nesbitts there is something called Human rights. If these agents were your househelps then pay them as you pay them now. but these great people are making you millions. Atleast appreciate that and pay them back. But once again it’s your call the Nesbitt’s. Kencallers the door is wide open and opportunities are knocking at your doorstep. Look beyond Kencall and you’ll see. I think in life you should always learn to try enjoy what you do. If you can’t then that’s the wrong place for you. Otherwise agents from Kencall you’re great. Some managers without Managerial skills, fuck you! Are you trying to be King Herod? That’s how backward some of you are. I won’t mention names but with the little cash you earn and you think just cause you have a title manager you can harras other? No wonder you have no career. Take a second look at yourself. Otherwise sina ubaya!
KE:
you dont care about agents working environment? you really dont???
this is very interesting. interesting indeed. from your line of thought it’s like you want to know their clients and then pick them up for yourself?? or what?
interesting.
very interesting.
Boomerang:
You said:
“The number of agents streaming in for interviews every two days is enough testimony to these claims”.
Hello? what’s the unemployment rate in Kenya? I’m assuming, if you advertise for jobs, you’ll always get a long line, especially if they are entry level jobs, which many people believe they are qualified for.
I don’t really care about the agents poor working environment. I don’t. If they don’t like it, they can leave. I am more interested in finding out about their business model and the only thing I’ve gotten so far is that Earthlink and Telkom Kenya are two of their clients and that they have no sales department. Interesting.
and with little pay. and Grace paid to talk? what do these managers do except gossip. the only person i see working is Andrew….roaming to and fro looking for people to bust…..what a waste. what do you write in your cv as your job description..roaming?
I know KenCall is doing ok, with some planned expansion and usage of money for quite a number of things that would not have been previously thought of, what more evidence do I need for that.
When this blog started, it was at a time when KenCall employees were going home with percentages of their salaries. it would be very right then to say that viewed in that light amongst some other few issues, there is no cash crunch.
This has been a pretty good year for KenCall seeing that no clients have closed up shop all year long compared to last year. Infact, with the bagging of Telkom Kenya, things don’t look so bad on the financial side. The number of agents streaming in for interviews every two days is enough testimony to these claims. The big numbers of these new agents mean that there is more work coming in which means more manpower, more income….
The fact that the company owners don’t have time to get involved with their employees means that they have to get some other people (the so called foot-soldiers) to handle the situation on the ground on their behalf. The problem comes in with the selection of these “foot-soldiers”. The process followed when doing this is highly questionable and below board to say the very least. You will realize that most members of this team have been at KenCall for pretty long to earn the “favourite” title from the view of KenCall’s founders.
This issue can be looked at from very many angles, but for now, you need to chew on that info and see life from the agent’s perspective i.e. lack of professionalism from their bosses and unfounded favouritism towards others from the same bosses. This leads to the big issue of agents being treated with little if any or no respect at all despite their potential which no one cares to realise.
Boomerang:
Why are you so sure that Kencall is not facing a cash crunch? Do you have access to their financials? or better yet, do you have access to their client list?
However, let us assume, for the sake of argument that you are right. If it’s a question of leadership (as you put it) why haven’t they figured out that the high turnover rate is creating a problem for them?
Additional information you have provided here is also quite interesting: that they do not have a sales team to speak of. So, if the founders are in fact the sales team, when do they have time to manage their employee’s?
All these agents and no sales team. It’s actually kind of shocking.
@ Kenyanentrepreneur.
KenCall does not have a sales department. The management i.e. the Nesbitts are the marketing arm of the company. They solely source for new business for the company.
You still haven’t gotten one point straight yet. THERE IS NO SHAKY REVENUE STREAM. KenCall’s revenue has been on an upswing since the start of this year. The problems faced by agents are no longer issues of constrained cash, delayed salaries but rather an issue of leadership. Once you get this point, you will change your school of thought. I Insist again, KENCALL IS NOT FACING A CASH CRUNCH!!!
Enterpreneur I wish to fault you,the Agents in kencall are the ones who maintain any account that they have and that is the reason they recruit when they have a campaign they are anticipating.Trouble is they cant sustain the accounts too well since the agent s who are supposed to be the backbone of a case in point should another client be approached are so disgruntled all of them nearly are looking for jobs,so they cant give their 100 percent.
Recommendations will be given but the Nesbitts wont do anything about them,they will leave those self professed incompetent managers in place much as these are the ones frustrating the agents and hindering them from progression.
Now to all the guys in Kencall,my advice to you,do what you can,but dont worry the market is opening up obviously most of the other call Centers opening up are run by ex Kencallers,we will jump off this horse so fast theses guys wont know what hit them.Take Hurt do not despair,this experience is necessary for us to go give it best to where people know our worth.
I know it is so demoralizing to see people who have actually worked as opposed to gossip and be malicious in this Company lose their jobs whilst the incompetent Boot lickers who know nothing to do but incite the Nesbitts to get rid of the real People who made true Sacrifices and offered sometimes a lifeline idea to this Company,are the ones left behind reaping those guys hard earned Sweat,but that ought not make you feel discouraged.Learn to be Just people of Great Integrity,let the Nesbitts rot in their own waste since its their Company they are entitled to their actions,but they will Pay in every way for the Innocent Hearts they have dented and we will Leave intact with our relentlessness,and God shall surely make us know that in Justice and Service he rewards,so lets not cry like we do lets be and Stay Strong,for God shall surely deliver us
Mickey:
I don’t think anyone is belittling the kencall employee’s. I believe some of their complaints are legitimate. However, what some are saying here is that working there was an exercise in free choice (i.e. nobody forced them to go there and nobody is forcing them to stay). So, if they are unhappy, they should leave. Unfortunately, the employment climate in Kenya is difficult so many of them don’t have many choices, but what are they going to do? They’re constant complaining isn’t working. So, they just have to move on.
The backbone of the company is not the agents. It’s the salespeople (if they are any) who are bringing in the clients. Without these salespeople, nobody would have a job (and it sounds like this is where the fundamental problem with kencall is: they’re just not bringing in enough clients and that’s why their revenue stream is shaky).
KE and Final MT,
You arent entirely correct you know. While it might be ssomewhat true that the CEO doesnt care about the agents welfare, how about caring abt the welfare of the business…. Ever thought that maybe the reason why there is never a time when the business reachess its peak is because of the high rate of turnover. Experienced agents quit everyday hence forcing the company to start all over again recruiting. If the employees didnt keep quiting then there would be no need to post expensive adverts for employment on the papers thereby costing the company a lot of unnecessary expenses, and lets not forget all the time used by the trainers to coach a new lot of recruits every 2 weeks or so, or the overworked HR dept that has to interview new prospective employees every other day … I mean is anyone seeing where I am going with this?
I would like to commend Ann Onsarigo for her most mature display of professionalism. She takes just a single day in a long while to go round her account agents work stations to make sure every agent is on point. Why would we ever find something to complain about if everone treated each other maturely like she does. We all know what took us there, not to lounge but work… n hence the request for work ettiquette. And not to mention that kencall if full of learned individuals. If the agents all dont have Degrees its coz they are in campus working to get one. Lets not belittle the working force of this company that is the agents. We all know they are the backbone of the company and without them there is no kencall.
Slim dont include yourself in the idiot list! Am out of Kencall and I dont care whether they identify me or not! All tht I wanted was jst to make the above few famous!
The last user who posted must be a real idiot, calling others idiots but then goes ahead to put out facts that clearly expose who the person is. What makes you think that Grace will not be able to figure out who you are if you mention a fact to do with the time she spoke to you about your typing speeds? She probably remembers that very well. Then you go ahead and mention that Sam Onsongo owes you 5k. What makes you think that the two won’t put their heads together and figure out who you are? Woe unto you if you are still at KenCall those are grounds for summary dismissal. What’s more you could be pushed in for criminal proceedings, “hacking into systems” as you purportedly put it is a serious offence, character assassination is another issue. Just pray hard that your post can somehow disappear before the forces that be catch up with you.
PS. I am none of any of the people you have mentioned so don’t get sassy trying to hit back that I am either Sam, Grace or Samira. I am just watching from the sidelines and this guy’s idiocy caught my eye. Some food for thought, who’s the idiot now?
Yeah! This blog makes the kencall management famous and its very unfair not to make some account managers famous.
My life in kencall was somehow soft until a bitch by the name of GRACE OBONGO passed near me during one of her rear supervisory tasks. I remember her asking if I could type 10WPM whn I was already typing 40WPM. All in all I managed to see the next day. Although I was not attached to the IT department, I managed to hack the Intranet and got a view of her payslip and I was shocked to see some big amounts of cash. ksh. 127,000 for the month of April, ksh103,000 for the month of May and ksh. 97,000 for the month of May!!! Where does all this cash end to??? Making her BIG ASS much BIGGER? Worse enough that she still rides on a “BODA BODA”??? Shame on her!
Grace is in kencall to spread the “gospel” of AIDS! I might sound as a detective but at one time I went to the washrooms and found this funny letters addressed to several TLs and a few agents. The letters contained a list of those working under the Grace Syndicate! She controls a group of chiqs who have to fuck some guyz and also chiqs and keep the gospel spreading. Its unfair to mention the names coz the victims are innocent!
When the first group was bn laid off, She (GRACE) went on leave and left a fellow Fucker, Idiot Sam Onsongo to implement the task of elimination. Shame on Sam, by the way he still owes me 5k and I want to get it b4 he is swallowed by the gospel.
Sam may look innocent but as the saying goes “Don’t judge a book by its cover”!!! He is a cold blood muder and hell will have no pity for him nor his flesh if not his bones!!!! Instead of considering the so called performance (QA score and the Stats) during the elimination, he was busy looking for the best ****** to Fuck! and fortunately he managed to land his D**k to the Chapati faced Samira!!!
Samira can only b described as a dick sucker who will alwayz do all that she can to get a promotion, ask Sam and he will tel u that Samira is the best QA around especially after giving me an Auto fail without bn my QA!!!!
I hate the above three (Grace, Sam Onsongo and SAmira “chapati”) and if I could get the chance to supply them with breathing air, Carbon Monoxide will work better for them!!! If this floor managers get out of the job, then kencall will b a better place.
All the Agents Rock!!!
GRACE OBONGO, SAM ONSARINGO AND SAMIRA CHAPATI: You are famous!!!!!!!!!!!
Toddler:
You never, never, go to HR to complain. It will always ends up in the gossiping pit. I’ve seen it happen to so many people over the years. Why would you do that? HR is useless.
A couple of years ago, this guy I worked with went to HR to complain about his boss! we all looked at him like he had gone mad. Needless to say, he was outta there within that same year. The info got back to the boss
If you don’t like your job and there are no issues of racial or sexual discrimination, then the only option is to move on to another job. HR won’t help you because that’s not their job. Even in the west, if there’s a claim of racism or sexism, the only thing HR does is immediately get in touch with the companies lawyers and even then, their only goal will be to settle the case financially so that you can move on and so that the info doesn’t get into the news. So, they’ll offer you a cash settlement, but before they hand you the money, you’ll have to sign a non-disclosure form saying you won’t talk about what happened.
But in kenya, the chances of filing a successful case of sexism or anything else are almost nil and maybe it’s the reason so many people steal from their employers: They know they have no other options. I mean, if you know you’re about to be fired, you might as well clean them out and make sure your finances are in place before they give you the boot.
I’m beginning to assume that if kencall keeps treating employee’s like this, the employee’s will deal with it Kenyan style: They’ll start stealing shit.
Guess that’s why they call her baby HR!
Kenyanentrepreneur
I have been reading your comments with interest. The suggestions that you have are very noble. I only have one question to ask anyone who is willling to answer me. We all understand that kenya is full of unemployed people today. with or without their degrees.
my question is, what do you do when you work in a company like kencall, you feel that your immediate manager or supervisor is treating you with no respect and you have gone to even to some extent the owner of the company (nesbitt) but the situation remains the same?
the person you are complaining about still treats you the same same way and you are trying to be polite and mature about it?
you also realise that you need the job so you dont mess it up by misbehaving or being immature?
you dont want to quit. you just want to be treated with dignity and respect but this doesnt happen.
I went to HR to complain about how I was being treated and after being promised “something will be done” i found the HR person on another day gossiping about the same issue to the person i was compalining about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chicken:
What on earth are you talking about?
Hey, whoever will get to read this as much as u guys at the back office feel good, let also others feel good. Do not keep cash to urselves. what i mean here is that try and pay up guys on good time or may be open up and let them know whether the cash is not there.
Or do u feel guilty when the other agents get bakes? what if, if all agents decide not to work? will ur so called team leaders have the courage to make them work?what about the account managers. and by the way, this goes out to the account managers, without mentioning names, treat ur agents well without provoking them for u may never know what there intentions are. u can be heard without being loud!!!!get this……
My advice to u guys is that u try as much as u can to make out the best out of what u wish to achieve. This could be by finding a way to scrap this page. It is unfair to ur company!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KE what you have just said is so true…those who are still in KenCall should get down to learning the processes and trade of the call center from a sales point of view…It is true that the Nesbitts are all about making profit and so that should be also the case to the agents who need to make that extra thing on top of the Basic Salo they take home….focus on what the company makes for it to pay you and you will never feel bad about working there…..Most of you….Sallie seems to be one of them….need to sit down and think why you have good scores and still get frustrated @ work….maybe you just couldn’t measure up or something. Those of us who worked there and had a good time also had those bad days..and just for the record do not forget that there was a time you were desperate for a job and KenCall was there for you…OEB you are so right that people need to change their attitude if you cannot change what you seem to think about KenCall. It was time you stopped complaining!!!!
It’s still amazing to me that in all the discussions of Kencall that have taken place above, people (mainly the employee’s) seem not to have figured out what the role of an employee is.
The Nesbitts are not trying to make you rich. They are trying to make themselves rich.
The Nesbitts probably don’t even care if the managers are hurting your feelings. They care about making a profit. The bottom line is the bottom line.
So, if you are at kencall and you accept your role as an “employee”, wouldn’t it be more prudent for you to just take the shit and learn about how that company functions? in the hope that you’ll be able to take what you learnt from there and maybe one day compete with them?
No one has yet given me the sense that they know how the company operates, especially from a sales persepective (which by the way is where all the money comes from).
Sallie sorry for the situation you found yourself in. This happened not because you did anything wrong (taking your word for what it is) but simply because both your account manager and the hr were in effective and to also deter such tendencies.
It’s a rather crude way of management and totally unfair, and I hope the situation has changed.
OEB i tried to practise what you’ve said-ati working on my off days and you know what? i was sent home!!!!!!!that was total bullshit if you ask me!!!what the hell???and it aint ati my scores werent good. no, cos i’ m a performer so they were reassuaring. so my statement still applies
>>> @ kenyanentrepreneur
Kencall doesn’t have the kind of stream that you are suggesting, but yes, the current ones seem to be stable, with the exception of one that seems to be shutting down business gradually. EPZ companies (Kencall being one of these) have the option of seeking some business within the country but this is not to be more than 25% of the entire business. It is for this reason why Telkom has contracted Kencall to handle its customer care service.
The reason why Telkom didn’t handle this on its own is because it is much more cheaper to have another company worry about staffing this kind of work while the company is left to deal with its core business of providing telecommunications. If a company deals with so many issues at one go, it runs the risk of screwing up with all if not one. This might prove to be Safaricom’s undoing in the future. Safaricom’s competition seems to be picking up pace and it seems like Safaricom is already feeling like it has lost the communications arm of the battle and thus is seeking to consolidate its hopes in the banking arm of M-Pesa. Telkom is picking up pace at a considerable speed and will prove to be a thorn in Safaricom’s flesh.
Sallie, no one is not overworked and underpaid. Most of those people started out as agents and have one quality that seems to lack in the rest AMBITION.
I understand agents at times work for long hours. Compensation for the same is at the discretion of the employer, either you get paid or get extra leave days or both.
The onus is on you to find out which applies and use it.
KE, I don’t know which and how many HR departments you’ve interacted with but I happen to know of several great ones.
As a systems specialist I understand they fail or misinform. The best way to resolve such a bug is simply for the team leaders and account managers to run a manual register for two weeks and compare the two. Only then can you really prove the system is at fault. Any manager worth his salt will never accept a “my word against the system” argument without facts.
Outsourcing is a concept that’s rapidly catching on in Africa, however, it’s one not clearly understood by all. To most of the adult population an 8-5 job is a normal job not unless you’re a pilot, nurse or doctor then everyone understands the need to work odd hours. Until such a time that people understand the concept call centres will continue to employ young people not only because of the hours but the flexibility that comes with it.
I agree with you that this view needs to change. The only way to change it is to ensure that there are policies in place to cater for the well being mature employees. The cost of employment will definately rise and it’s an inenvitable fact not only for Kencall but also for any startup.
Call centre business is a volumes business hence the huge number of staff required. There’s nothing conventional about call centres just as it was about JIT 20 years back. With time the industry will set its own path, define its own rules. Just like in war there’ll always be casualties, collateral damage and winners. The Nesbitts have been doing this for the last 4 years and by all standards have done a great job.
Power in an organisation is not wielded by the one with the biggest balls regardless of the department. In your case it’s sales … HR in any organisation constitutes the largest budgetary expense and cannot be underestimated.
OEB, to answer your question, such people stay because for one they’ve been there for years and so are used to the frustration and secondly, if you look at the names you’ve mentioned, none of them are agents. they are all people of a rank higher than that. get it?
they are not he people being over worked and underpaid
OEB:
Yes, it does matter when you get your salary because many people need to plan their financial lives. Besides, if you are an employer and you tell someone you are going to pay them on the 18th, then you don’t pay them, but do come around with the pay on the 30th, you may be able to get away with it the first time, but if you start doing that 3, or 4 times, it begins to say some things about you, the employer or you the boss, namely:
1) That you are disorganized and perhaps irresponsible, not just about money, but maybe about other things. It just makes you look bad.
2) If I were an employee, I may begin to think that the company may be having cash flow problems and my commitment to the job may be affected.
However, you conveniently failed to answer the questions raised here, which is that people are not even getting paid in FULL and the computer, which is supposed to be accurately recording their time, is malfunctioning and under reporting it, meaning, they are getting paid less than they are supposed to. Address that issue.
On the HR issue. I’m surprised to read just how much stock you guys are putting in an HR department. Everyone who has ever worked anywhere knows that HR is the most useless departmental division within any company. That’s not where the power is. Those guys are just paper pushers! They never solve any problems and if they are legal issues, well…they get the company lawyers to deal with it.
Besides, if you are the founder of a company that is having personnel issues, that is not something you can blame on HR. Afterall, whose company is it anyway? I assume personnel issues are things the founder needs to be aware of and needs to address, but I don’t even care about the HR issues because it’s not my company and I don’t work there. I just wanted to make a general statement on the total irrelevance of HR departments the world over.
Also, in a country like Kenya with a high unemployment rate, why are they hiring 18 year olds? I’m sure they could get a 26 or even a 30 year old, with a college degree and one who’d be very willing to do that “entry level job”. And with older workers, you get more maturity and more focus, since they’d presumably have more to lose if they lost their jobs. e.g. they may be married with kids, they may have mortgages to pay,….people with these kinds of responsibilities tend to take their jobs more seriously (not cause they like them, but rather because they need the money more).
This idea that all call center jobs have to be staffed by youngsters may not necessarily be true in a country like Kenya where you have lots of older, educated workers who’d be willing to do those jobs.
It also sounds to me like Kencall just has too many employee’s and this goes back to the point I raised about starting a business from the top up as opposed to from the bottom up. When you start a business with someone’ else’s money, it’s easy to waste it. However, if you start with very little money, you are naturally forced to find creative ways of keeping costs down and you are also forced to run a lean, mean, machine. i.e. no fancy offices with executive suites, no silly HR departments full of “managers” with silly job titles, etc, etc…
Does Kencall have a sales department? If you want to talk about power, that’s where it is – in sales, not in silly HR.
I thought the comments in this blog were just ravings of disgruntled employees. However, it seems that its gotten a life of its own.
KE it’s refreshing to see your attempts to addressing real issues rather than dwelling on the misguided attacks on people and their personalities.
In today’s business world every organisation is focusing on its core activities and outsourcing what they can. Telkom, Safaricom etc are no different. One of the EPZ requirements states that at least 25% of your revenue must come from foreign countries. It’s not easy convincing a foreign client to bring business to Kenya especially after the POE early this year.
Kencall is a service provider and like any supplier they get paid when the invoice is sent to the client. It takes at least 3 – 6 months for an account to break even considering the amount of cash spent in infrastructure and recruiting cost for any new client.
As a former employee, I was involved in several account setups having spent days and nights trying to everything right. It’s true that salaries are late not because the Nesbitts have paid themselves simply because the clients have not paid up. It’s amazing that people expect their salaries at end month but does it really matter when you get it as long as there’s a 30 day difference between pay dates? A little patience and understanding goes a long way!
Kudos to the agents for keeping the company alive. I used to randomly look at the QA scores for some of them and its amazing that those with the lowest scores are the ones ranting and raving!
Kencall’s biggest resource is the leadership provided by the Nesbitts. The middle management team may not be made up of people of great morals, but it delivers. I personally worked with each and every HOD and account manager and can vouch for their performance. It’s not easy managing a team of 18-22 year olds who are always looking for an opportunity to skive work and still get paid.
A suggestion to the Nebitts would be a rework of the HR policies. There was a HR manager by the name Millie who really tried to setup proper policies however she left before they came to fruition. Her assistant Kageni has done a great job despite the challenges she faces. Am sure by now if her accomplishments have not been recognised then it’s just a mattet of time before Kencall loses one of her greatest assets.
Policies are not created to make employees happy but to ensure the survival of the organisation. To those who don’t like them I’d suggest you either shape up or ship out.
If Kencall is really that bad, why have great men and women like Pauline, Paula, David, Kennedy, Paul stayed that long?
If you don’t like something change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain!
Boomerang:
Okay. Let’s go with what you’ve said i.e. Kencall no longer has a cash flow problem. So, does that mean they now have a steady stream of clients who are paying them on time? and if yes, who are these clients? I’m kind of confused about this company. I thought they were seeking American businesses (cause Nesbitt went to school in california) but it sounds like they are looking for kenyan based clients. e.g. telkom kenya.
However, why would telkom kenya outsource (or is it in-source?) their customer service operations when they could do it themselves? Afterall, they are based in Kenya and they could take advantage of the cheap labor on their own.
Also, based on what Mickey said above, people are still not getting paid their FULL amount. It sounds like they’re still getting screwed because the computer is apparently not logging in their total number of hours.
Are you guys paid per hour or are you paid a set monthly fee?
I keep saying that the fundamentals of this company aren’t making sense mainly because the costs of running such a business in kenya are still too high.
But the employee’s of kencall all seem to be focusing on how poorly they’re being treated by management. But hey, maybe the managers aren’t getting paid on time either and they’re simply transferring their frustrations downwards.
Everything at a job begins and ends with pay. If people think that they’re getting jibbed financially, they’ll never, ever, be happy.
@Kenyanentrepreneur, you are still dwelling on the fact of poor cash flow. This stopped being an issue many months ago. What now persists is the fact that employees are treated like trash. Kencall has the cash to do a number of things even to the point of having expansion goals. I think some big client is being nailed in the next few months so the management is trying to be proactive in readiness for the big catch, but hey, what if this client being anticipated is the one that pulled out some few days back as put across by one “Anthony Sebathina”. remember the 900 seats that were rerouted to Ghana and Uganda?
Bottom line is, Kencall no longer has a cash flow problem as was the case when this thread was started. The problem that exists at the moment is mistreatment of staff and lack of proper management across the board.
Pliz don’t feel shy to changia what you think about KenCall if you are or have been there because I know it will only make the Company better…….
……….What I have never understood is why should a person coming for a voice account interview do a typing test???
Log in at the front desk with the guards, log in with a thumbprint at the front door’s Biometrics, log in to your computer on the whatchamecallit profile tracker thingy on the comp desktop, log in to Tenzing, log in for breaks on the breaklog sheet, and of course log out of all those all over again …and then at the end of the month you are going to tell me I did not accumulate required hours to get my basic untaxed 15,000 which after taxes, NHIF, NSSF, (not to mention i hear they don’t count in a an EPZ company) comes to a little more than 13,000 and so from my remaining 13 K and a few shillings minus the log in hours one of the faulty login procedures failed to record, brings my total salary to a mere 6,000/=.
WHY DON’T THEY JUST THROW THE 6 Gs TO MY FACE AND TELL ME
“THATS ALL YOU ARE WORTH TO US” ?. !!! @#$^*%@!!! GRRRR….??!
Kudos to Sally, you are a champ, I wish I was there to see you wipe the smirk off the face of that manager…
take heart guys. we know you all are good workers. so put your best to it. some one some where will one day appreciate it it may not be at kencall but some one one day will.
cheers
ps the team building was great!!!!!
for kenyanentrepreneur-the problem is that the management treats people like crap. they take advantage of the fac that there are no jobs in kenya, so people will stay there cos to be employes at kencall all one needs is an ID card and a bank account. so yeah. oh and also the fact that they do not pay on time one has to keep hustlin cos they pay at the beginnig of the month as compared to the end of the month. so ther you have it those are the major problems if you ask me…..
Based on what I’ve read above, it sounds like (& kencall employee’s can correct me if i’m wrong) – it sounds like Kencall’s main problem has been getting clients. Specifically, getting the kinds of clients that the Indians have. i.e. American or European based businesses that are looking to outsource their back end customer service needs to a cheaper location.
It also sounds to me like Kencall set-up this “big” office environment (renting a warehouse in industrial area, hiring all these staff members, etc, etc) with money they got from VC”s or loans and they did this BEFORE they had gotten a reliable stream of clients to sign up.
It sounds very similar to the dot com stories of the 90′s. They got all this VC money and they never learnt how to bootstrap their operations. Then, instead of focusing on your core strategy, which should always be getting clients, you instead end up spending more and more of that VC money on irrelevant things, which you incorrectly assume will get you the clients. Things like fancy offices, big job titles for staff, etc, etc…thinking of course, that these “outliers” will show any potential clients that you are a serious business outfit.
However, the problem with this strategy is that it never focuses on the core issue, which remains getting the clients. There’s a reason more and more people are saying that entrepreneurs should reject those millions in VC money, at least in the initial stages of their business. The money gives you a false illusion of success.
You are literally better off starting out in your basement with no employee’s and no offices and building your business up slowly. One client at a time. Then, when you have a “book” of clients that starts demanding MORE services, you can hire employee’s to take of that and maybe get offices, but don’t do it before then.
I also think Kenya is a country that likes formality and the idea of starting a business in your basement may not have caught on yet.
That’s my two cents. The Kencall employee’s should tell what they think was the core problem.
cldn’t agree more.
It’s about time we got constructive and i’ll try and take up that initiative and try turn this around…
Dorothy fo instance, how about you share with us how the industry is fairing on given that it’s still at it’s infancy stage, the challenges both positive and negative, given that you are one X Kencaller who chose not to get caught up in the rat race but rather choose to steer you destiny and took up the initiative towards your circumstances and turned it around and did set up shop. Yes we can still make this a networking blog for us who see the great potential in this industry that is about to take kenya by storm…It’s never to late to make that turn around.
@ Kenyanentreprenuer – maybe perhaps you could kindly delete the Juvenile posts that we have witnessed quite recently from the likes of 2cents and et al???
Cmn lets make that turn around and have this blog take a constructive and meaningful turnaround.
I stand by my word… ata dinywa na the worst cld happen. Im saving the brother . don’t be so uptight nyar wahtever yu are.
i think anyone who is bitchin abt kencall is just being a sour puss and an ungrateful brat. the honest reason y most of us have or have had any connez with the place is coz we needed a job and it was available there right? no one promised u milk and honey just a source of income which mark u u have 2 earn. no one told u u were enrolling in a convent where sexual liaisons of whatever manner were unheard of………so y r u expecting something else except what is happening everywhere else? u watch ur words that they don’t become your undoing, a hindrance to a better life. we are very young ie kencallers and ex kencallers and when we start biting the hands that feed us at this age…………i really don’t know. the same God who sees all the misdeeds we encounter in Kencall is the same God who gave that job to u and is the same one who is watching u bitch on a professional website in a more often than not unjustified manner. there are 2 options that have been resounded over and over but no one seems to be taking heed. for those of you inside_ mind your own business. there is no kid working in kencall…….y r u babysitting grown ups? for those of you who have had enough injustices_ quit. si tuna shida zetu tusikize zako kwa nini? for those of u who left under whatever circumstances_ deal with it. see a therapist or something but just get over it. so life threw lemons at you, make lemonade for pete’s sake instead of making it ur life’s agenda to be an anti kencall crusader. am not saying everything is fine, am there and i know it’s not but heck, this is simply not how. that’s my opinion, u r all entitled 2 yours but eyes on the prize people. cheers!
yup!!!perfect advise right there Clepto. just QUIT!!!!you are all better than that. kencall is the first salary, first account, first job kind of place. not a place where one should intend on retiring from 20 years from now!!!!!
Hey, one things u guyz should do is quit!!! if u think the chums aint enough just walk out and start ur own thing like I did!!!!! I had a good time in Kencall and it helped me Big time but as time went by en the cost of living went up thats when I decided to quit en started my own kencall en am doing just fine!! so stop shifting blames, u know uv gat uself to blem if u ever fail in this life!!!
This is for 2 cents
GROW UP… IF UR ON HEAT U KNOW WHERE KOINANGE STREET IS.. THIS SITE IS FOR MORE MATURE AND SERIOUS PPLE…
WATCH UR LANGUAGE….. ITS NOT FUNNY
ErIc NgecU….
Some advice for yu….
ile tu serious. 
Dont ever go to any where near teh coast cos jo….hio rasa yako uta dinywa mbaya!!!! na utapata ball.
this call center has one of the best proprietors but the worst thing of all is the incompetence of its staff. Why should the so called HR recruit in a huff just to please the clients? Don’t you have a reputation to protect. Kweli INCOMPETENCE will never end at kencall. The bad thing is that thye Nesbitts are out of touch and cant be reached for anything. I am leaving the company at the end of the month and i cant wait to leave. Was just wasting my brains there. Good Luck to all who remain.
ERIC NGECHU u can keep bitchin the way you fired me and ati am stupid!!!!lol u know what mother fucker i’m EIGHTEEN!!!!!!!!!! 1 8 !!!!yea!!!!i have uni 2 join and get a DEGREE unlike you who is at kencall with the tiltle manager and no papers to his name!!!i do not need a fuckin recommendation letter from you cos i’m even more than ashamed to say that i worked there. i will never ever quote it in my CV nor need a recommendation letter from you.you can shuv it up your ass!!!!!
all i can smile about is the pple i met while i was there. u can bitch all you want. i know i worked well i mean i was a team captain!!!!and i was not there to suck ass!!!!so whether u say i quit or u fired me makes no diffrence to me!!!!!!!
jus sit your fat ass down and shut the fuck up!!!!when you grow some height then u can halla!!!!it true ladies short men have pyhscological issues!!!BIG TIME!!!!!
These “managers” should know that kencrap is not a high school where they are prefects. They all suck
hehehe!!Anthony, it’s good you sat and re thought about your decision-very wise of you. i worked at kencall for 5 months!!!!in fact, i just quit cos i almost lost it while there!!people are treated like babies with absolutely no respect and yet we’re all there for the same purpose to earn a living.
personally, i wont take working at kencall as a regret, cos i met very many lovely people there. Irene is just the BOMB!!!!yea u go girl!!!with an attitude and spirit will like that you can be hired anywhere!!
as for Ann, who Everyone keeps praising, funny enough i never spoke even one word to her while i was there. i doubt she even knew who i was.
andrew eule…………..i have no words for you.you call yourself a supervisor???yeah right!!you should meet the people who supervise constructors and know what a supervisor should do. you are there to help us but all you did was sit down and change the rota as if you had nothing better to do. you favour others while making the decision as if others are less important than others-if you ask me that’s total bullshit!!!!!
Eric you can go screw yourself you short bugger!!!!!!!!i am not your child and you will not talk to me like that!!you here me!!!!just sit your fat ass down and leave the “managing” to ANN ONSARIGO!!!
as for my fellow AGENTS- what can i say?? you guys are the bestest!!!!for those of you who are almost clocking a year there, i wish i could shake your hands!!you guys deserve………i cant even put it into words. i give you each MAD respect for putting up with the working conditions there and still stand strong.if only there was a golden handshake for that.dont loose hope. i remember there was once a saying like when the going gets tough……..yea so keep on keeping on!!!
as for baby girl, yeah you know who you be, mad love for you.
Alex my sweet banana, it aint over girl. just hang in there. got mad love for ya!!!
yuhuu my sweet, hehehe-yup it’s me alright!!!!of course tutaonana. this world is absolutely roundest!!!!
So Earthlink was one of their American clients? I don’t think that company even exists anymore. They probably got killed by much larger internet providers that are bundling their services for very cheap prices (e.g. tv, phone and high speed internet for a mere $100 dollars a month). How can you compete with that if you are a company like earthlink?
Who are there other clients?
This must be a very tough business. Trying to get American clients to leave their cheaper and more established Indian outsourcer’s and move to Kenya (which still does not have cheap high speed internet services).
And now, I’m beginning to see that I am being increasingly diverted to the Phillipines. There’s another competitor for you. The Filipinos are not only more pleasant than the Indians, they speak much better English.
If your going to start an outsourcing company in Kenya, make sure you have a u.s. based representative or sales person. That’s how the Indian companies WIPRO and Infosys did it.
The benefit of having a u.s. based representative is that they can tell you which companies are having problems with their customer service just based on their daily experiences.
KENCALL IFUNGWE MARA MOJA…
NO MONEY NO PEACE 
… KAMA MBAYA MBAYA … YAWA…
Wacha .. me i worked for kencall and to be precise – the account that i was working for made more money than any other account under that Kencall roof..
We worked our asses off, sold enough and made enough profits for the company.
The profits the company got .. all they did fst was to pay the top managements who felt sweet for nothing. then later on in the month the Agents on the floor who worked their asses off are either not paid or paid half there salo’z
But believe u me what the HR / Accounts department would do is LIE AND LIE AND LIE DAY IN DAY OUT.. they could only promise us the kawa salary and it could come in halves.. atimes they could announce that we go check in our bank accounts ( Diamond Trust) ati there is money.. but wapi.. man that life was BAAAAAAD..
Mark you, pple under that roof had rent to pay, school fees to clear, food, upkeep and even fend for our own families..
I think for KENCALL to get back its praise.. they should hire MATURE TEAM PLAYERS.. People who can actually behave their own ages and do their jobs rather than LIE..
Then another thing Nesbit should organise a team of PROFESSIONALS that can LISTEN TO THE AGENTS PROBLEMS .. NOT JUST LISTEN BUT LISTEN, UNDERSTANT, EMPATHIZE ………. THEN SOLVE THE PROBLEM..
For me i never bothered to chase up the money coz i knew… it was over..
Earthlink account was closed and yes I worked my ass under that account.. once Earthlink was done.. the company saw SWEAT… earthlink ROCKED!!!!!
I wonder what excuse Nesbitt will have coz whenever Agents on the floor are not paid there saloz in good time .. he is no where to be seen all we hear is that he is out of the country trying to negotiate SHIT…
Why does he have negotiating meetings out of the country when its pay time?? why??? why can’t he just seat his ( u know what) and face the HUNGRY KENYAN FACES.. OR KAMA NI NGUMU THEN HE’D RATHER CLOSE THE DAMN THING…
anclnacklnKLACNLnclNCDNknacknCNknckNDCN
SO DOES IT MEAN THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS SEEING SOMETHING GOING WRONG IN A MANAGEMENT TO JUST SHUT UP?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU WHO ARE PRAISING THE MANAGEMENT OF KENCALL PROBABLY ONLY MEET WITH THE NESBITTS AND THEY TELL YOU GOOD THINGS, BIG PLANS THAT THEY HAVE AND A FEW OF THE SO CALLED MANAGERS WHO COME MEET YOU WITH SWEET WORDS!!!!!!!
IMMEDIATELY THE MANAGERS COME BACK TO THE CALL CENTER THEY ABUSE US, HARASS US, TREAT US WITH LESS DIGNITY AND THOROUGHLY THREATEN US WITH LOSING OUR JOBS.
YOU GUYS ARE NEVER TOLD THIS
SO WHEN WE STAND UP AND SAY THIS IS WRONG YOU GIVE US LECTURES ON MORALITY?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN AN AGENT IN KENCALL JUST SHUT UP!!! I DONT CARE IF YOU ARE THE CEO OF THE PLANET.
THIS IS OUR ONLY PLACE OF AIRING OUR GRIEVANCES WHICH NOBODY CARES TO LISTEN TO.
THE NESBITTS AS SOMEONE SAID DONT CARE. YOU EITHER BRING THEM MONEY OR YOU WALK OUT. WITH THE CURRENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE MOST GUYS ARE STUCK HERE.
SO WE DO NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO POINT OUT WHAT IS ROTTEN WITHIN US???????????????
SHAME ON YOU.
KENYA
Firstly i would like to express to the Kenyan people after the rut your country was in 6 months ago and the rapid turnaround taken within 60 days to resolve the war outbreak was amazing to see from this side of western waters and so pleased the resolution was as immediate as it could be, my partners and I see Kenya as a great outsourcing location not for price but for various reasons that makes a destination people, technology, stability and so forth.
We are going to outsource 900 jobs to EA by Jan 2009 with 500 to follow by Q2 2009 and central business management unit setup by Q3 August. We selected 2 potential sites one of them being KenCall Epz about 4 months ago and have not made any announcements to the media. Today we are extremely disturbed to have found this link via our research department, it is not the matter /concern why the organization has not paid employees (we have seen many companies/partners go through this globally) it is not the concern of people not being heard but a indication of them/group or union not channeling their concerns to the right people to solve, but in actual fact it’s the type of people some Kenyan’s portray of the greater community.
It is of no doubt now that we have witnessed this for ourselves after being told stories before of how far back the culture in Kenya is, that it actually exists. Many organizations that have made it, some who have fallen, have all experienced challenges like these, which as executives say – rule out the roots that are not creating prosperity and water the ones who are trying to grow during these tough waters.
I am sad as a Kenyan who has made it to the top in the West that our people are still so small minded back home, the days of picking fruit and leaves for most of us are part of the past as generations above us have tried to pave the way to create new opportunities for generations to come, and yet when they evolve, what do we as most (caught up in culture differences) Kenya’s do, what most of our families have done for years when we were dominated by other countries trying to teach us of the future, talk about what no one is doing for us and what we expect but have no clue of what we doing to help grow the bigger dream.
I have great admiration to management and senior committee of KenCall, and have had the opportunity to dialogue with many of them at several functions and my partners were impressed with the level of knowledge and experience that existed in your country/company and management levels which we have not seem in most other developed markets explored in eastern, northern and southern Africa.
To my point earlier, if Kenya people are to succeed in life, (ones who portray a bad reflection on the country as per this message board) we are to lose the mindset of our past, and stop living as immediate need people and do what the rest of the world has done, think of the future.
Because of the above we have rethought our outsourcing strategy and plan on sending 65% of our work to Uganda, Ghana and the rest Kenya split to Telco’s (Technical work only) with contact center jobs to the other countries. Our reasons for this again, I say in bitter disappointment are for the reasons above, the culture of people are just not worth the risk and the rest of the worlds tolerance level for people like this is give them cleaner jobs it’s all they worth for, which is not true but the moral of the story is, you costed your country +- 1000 jobs that would have great investment after to help light the community and more importantly are a disgrace to the Kenyan people due to your lack of manners, respect and business etiquette to your superiors.
My dream as a Kenyan, as I described the above with tears in my eyes to my wife, apart from how I was the laughing stock at the outsourcing strategy function held in Chicago, of driving our company and steering it to outsource to Kenya, has killed my spirit as a Kenyan, with everyone saying he is trying to help those people who know nothing of culture or business and risking our future, which I am now looking for a other job as my career has been cut short and leaving my company in 60 days due to the risk I could have caused.
My dream is to create jobs for our people but if our people can’t change then we as the few left Kenyans trying to change the perception of the world of our country have to think of ourselves and not our people which is sad…… Every act, every though or every wrong has repercussions – I ask of you to people please refrain from this sad practices and help us all for the greater good of our nation. My god be with you all and forgive us for the loss we create and help us to CHANGE.
Alex Anthony Sebathina
Yoh Kams,very brilliant guy or girl I see,U did your home work,so which position is tht U were called in 4 coz we can only help U knowing which guys U are 2 work wth,as mentioned above by Ema pay is a smaller point,the guys U R coming 2 work wth the so called management is so fucked up,the Nesbitts may mean well,but the rest of the batch from Reception down 2nearly all Heads of departments wth the exception of Projects&Finance,all the rest R so Bogus&unprofessional.Wth the rest here,dont dare quit ur job
Hi all,
For those of you who may feel disgruntled angry or frustrated… I can understand where you are coming from but it will never justify writing things and threatening people. These personal attacks are unhelpful and based on rumours.
I always tried to be fair in the decisions I made (based on the info I had at the time). This is not to say that my leadership was without faults. I am human after all.
In every job one does, you do the best you can in an imperfect world and try to leave the place better than you found it. I love the fact that we started with 30 agents on the account and grew that to 140. That’s 110 jobs created not to mention the people who we promoted.
I’ve moved on to bigger things… I hope you’ve moved on too.
Regards
Recently, I was called for an interview by kencall and decided to google and see what they are upto before attending the interview, only to be shocked by this blog. Honestly, the sentiments herein put me off, and I just went for the interview shingo-upande. Can someone please clarify if the issue of non/late-payment is still existing or are things better this year? I wouldnt want to leave my current employer and go to a place where I’d get problems getting paid. My position though, was not as an agent but in the management unit. I really need someone to convince me before I make one big mistake. We are yet to agree on the salary, but I mentioned I need a net of 50K and they raised their eye brows, kwani whats their average pay?????????????
NowThat they’ve had you are popular for the right reasons,the Bitches will come after you so hard,and as he the Nesbitts and even Steve Liggins cant figure it out,they might succeed to get you fired on’performance’grounds so Ann start looking for a place that will recognise your talent and appreciate your in put because its the right thing to do not the ones who’ll let you Succumb to the incompetent management team because its the easiest thing to do,but whatever happens Ann!Keep on being an Angle you are
He!he!he!now I tell you….bile unplugged!ehe?tell them!Im extremely amused to see that as all this was supposed to be an open minded discussion….a few others are taking it so personal!Cmon guys lighten up!Why paint a wood that’s rotten already.Others talk of Solutions,do you think the Nesbitts will care to do anything abt it yet they have people like Shamalla &Eule here saying they are untouchable!Giv it up guys just make sure U use this Kencall as a Highway 2 better Onsarigo watch They’ll cam after U
Jay,Spinvox hasn’t been in Kencall more than one Year,lie to guys who haven’t been here long enough.Earlier mentioned was the point tht Kencall now pays on time…..blah!blah,do U kno ther are guys leaving Kencall for less saying jobs if only to hav some professionals working wth them?so let the Njeris and Mt15s of ths blog nt think thts all!the title may not communicate the comments tht are listed forthwith but its worth noting tht Competition needs to kno where to come 4seasoned staff MANAGEMENT?NO!NO!NO!
Louissa!clearly you do know tht you are shooting urself on the foot right there,notice how all the guys U are coming out to defend hav been listed as having been involved in…….Sexual Scandals!!Ofcourse we who know and have worked wth you all kno where your bitterness is metted,lazima kujitetea tunajua ukweli Petronilla only snatched the Condomiser off your hands but if Shamalla worked as well as he does the things he does to get even fine looking Mamas like Pet to fall for them Kencall Wud hav an asset
Ann Onsarigo is just a Saint……that is all the Nesbits have ever gotten right in picking a Manager…..Irene,Oliver and Ofcourse Neezam are some of the few right choices in managers they have made since as for what they have left…..eeeh Nesbits mjipange!
Ain’t this some bull…..you’ve attacked Peaches.has it added or subtracted years to your life?doubt it!what she chooses to do is her biz,right?
i can’t even defend andrew cos i got long standing beef with him.
Anne O. rocks….period!
i say we need to psyche ourselves up and find ways to fend off the negativity.remember there is one of him and loads of us…..let’s try the ‘ctrl + alt + del’ angle with eule….ama?
Teamleader:
This is the blog of political incorrectness. We don’t apologize for “hurting people’s feelings” here.
Apologies to all I never wanted to hurt anyone .My intension was just to expose the malicious few and their wrongdoings under their job title.
Clearly…
Ya’ll are so DUMB. I just don’t get it….if you have a problem with anyone just walk up to them and fuck their face up. Kwani nyinyi ni makende aje??? Whoever wrote that Peaches story is such a bitch. So what…Peaches alitoa ball? I mean people do it all the time….i’m not saying it’s ok but kama uko na shida ambia Peaches live live. I dont know why ya’ll are so scared i guess it’s because whoever posted that is probably lying. I also donated money for her and if i had evidence i would have made sure she refunded the money. To whoever started the story, go mustarbate let it all out and enjoy it while you’re doing it……believe me that’s what i do when shit goes down…it helps…
This debate has been going on for one whole year. Do you notice that? As an independent observer, I have some startling observations. ME is really the person who lost the job at Kencall, not her friend (notice the passion and inside knowledge of the operation of the industry). There are some spectators too, but most contributors here seem to be Kencall folk venting. ME; whatever beef you have with Kencall, give it a break, its been a year since I read these posts! Move on, it is a better healing process than hating on your former employer. There are indeed a lot of idle folk here with a lot of time on their hands! This blog is veery resourceful, but the venom around this topic is astounding.
Dorothy & Louisa:
You both seem to have adopted a healthy attitude towards your jobs at Kencall and it seems to have paid off for you. I suppose the other disgruntled employee’s should take a lesson from your experiences.
You both recognized that you didn’t own the company and while it would have been good to get paid on time, you sucked it up (because kenya is a tough place to find a job & something is always better than nothing) and you took the opportunity to learn as much as you could about this new industry.
Perhaps this is the attitude all employee’s should adopt: Your bosses are not there to make you rich. You’ll have to do that on your own. Also, don’t ever expect loyalty from your bosses. There’s a reason people are called “wage slaves”. Your working to make the Nesbitts rich. It’s not the other way around (read felix dennis’s book and you’ll get a very honest sense of what most entrepreneurs think of their employee’s. Don’t believe that crap that human resource people put in the handbook!
To Dorothy:
I’m curious since you said you are hitting back. Did you leave kencall to start your own outsourcing business or are you employed at a different outsourcing company?
Hey all,
tarmacking or trying to work at some measly paying job elsewhere…
It is amazing what the world holds in form of human beings why the hell would someone’s health status be a laughable issue??? all of us are bitches and evil and bad people at times but gosh non of us deserves this kind of trashing…
This is a professional site and if you hadn’t buried your heads in the sand, you would have seen that we who are still in the industry were still intending use the site to network but Teamleader you just trashed my name yet I don’t think you even know me at all!!! I may have left Kencall in a huff, even left some of my cash there but I still respect them because I have kept working in the industry and know what it means to even have a 100 agents work for you and they have forged ahead in this, in Kenya and no matter what you say you are cowards and this is why you won’t have your names written out and I bet you are all probably small timers
Hit back when you have reached a level closer to the Nesbitts’, I am proud to say that despite what I went through there I consider it a good lesson because, I today treat my agents with a lot of respect and I am invited to the same events as the Nesbitts’ so meaning I am hitting back, in a small way maybe but still hitting back, it beats getting nasty on a blog!!!
To Team leader, i must congratulate you for spelling my name correctly. You are one of the few who do, that must mean that you know me very well and have worked closely with me too. So if you do what makes you think that the people you mentioned above slept with Michael Shamalla?
To those of you who are hating on Paula, mind your own business. You have nothing better to do than to trash people who have never done anything to you? What is your problem? Just trashing Jackie, Paula, Michael, what satisfaction do you get from this. Is it burning your heart that you never got a good position because you did not deserve it? Most likely. Yes that is it.
I worked under Michael Shamalla and what i know about this guy is that he is a hard worker, always able to bring up an account. Worked closely with Paula, she is very good at what she does. Jacki, very harmless person who has done nothing but do her job well. So please for heavens sake, stop trashing these people. Have we nothing else to do with ourselves?
If you have a problem with Nik or Eric Nesbitt go handle it with them and stop attacking people who have nothing t o do with your pay. And for your information, these rumors about who sleeping with who, are totally over rated. I mean, when did the topic change from payment to who is sleeping with who?
Always talking about the problem as if you are the experts, and if you feel you are give the appropriate solution. Personally i thank Kencall for the knowledge and experience that i got because it has made me who i am. In fact the above complaining must have come to work at Kencall when things became better money wise.
Some of us went to work at Kencall because we enjoyed our work not to spread negativity everywhere. POISON POISON POISON. that is what your mouths are full of.
As i said, if you have a problem with Nik and Eric go tackle it with them, do not involve Michael, Jackie, Paula or anyone else in this, because they are not the ones who pay you, Nik and Eric do.
Worked for Kencall for more than a year SpinVox account. Had major beef with the pay but they came through. HR may be a pain but they do come through eventually. If u havent been paid yet your cheque might be waiting for you. Believe it or not things did change last year and Kencall does have one of the best working environment anywhere.
ATT: SPINVOX AGENTS. IT’S OBVIOUS U GUYS ARE REALLY BORED WITH UR JOB N URSELVES SO U TAKE IT OUT ON EACH OTHER AND SPILL EACH OTHERS GUTS OUT. AS MATURE AS U MIGHT LOOK “JUST WONDERING” IT EINT LIKE U GOT A LOT TO HIDE EITHER SO JUST TRY NOT TO GET THERE AND KEEP STUFF TO URSELF IF U WOULD.WHAT GOES AROUND DOES COME AROUND EVENTUALLY BIACH!!!!!!!!
If you want a company that pays good START YOUR OWN
Maybe all the kencall employee’s need to understand what they really are. i.e. nothing more than wage slaves
If you don’t like working there, quit.
this fuckin kencall aint paying shit!! why the fuck do you think the age group of their employees is somewhere around 18-25. they be poaching for young people who they know they can oppress and who kind of like still dependant on their folks or freshers from higher learning they go for people who do not have no prior work experience and who maybe are afraid of speaking out. kencall management are a bunch of conmen. how do you explain people getting paid your salaries after after 6th of the next month and when you get your cash it’s not even in full. the HR management is fucked up!! either this Nesbit or some1 out there knows they are screwing young kenyan’s out there. i know cos i ‘work’ there.
all of you who are going on about how we should “focus on real issues i think you had better wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
real issues are these when we have incompetent supervisors who throw thier tiny weights around and harass everybody./
if Andrew has never harrased you unnecessarily then you should shut up or stand up for the rights of those he harrases. if he changes for you your shift and refuses to do so for others, what criteria does he use?????????
aren’t we all supposed to be equal?
this goes on everywhere in kencall
transport slut jackie kamau favors her kikuyu clande and when you ask her all you get is a ………shrug of indifference. this is bullshit.
jackie should accept that even wainaina is a human being who has experience in that particular field. every time he tries to give advice he is told he is warned of insubordination.
Ann kiama ….. as somebody rightfully said is too old…. she should just retire instead of pretending to be young over there and behaving like the devil’s wife………….
shame on you all
the following is what andrew is saying about himself in brighfuse.com
imagine “• Nearly 3yrs professional experience as a Manager of the largest Call Centre in Kenya.”
what got me mad is that he has a “• Proven ability to work in unison with staff at all levels”
just read below.
TALK ABOUT KUJIJENGEA CV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HE HAS NEVER WORKED ANYWHERE BEFORE!!!!!!!!!!
THAT EXPLAINS A LOT
from the info below he is trying to give an impression that he is the overall manager at kencall. manager of all managers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
……..”as a Manager of the largest Call Centre in Kenya.”
stop bullshiting eule. you can do better than this
About Me
• Nearly 3yrs professional experience as a Manager of the largest Call Centre in Kenya.
• Ability to initiate & direct complex projects from conception to full operational & profitable status.
• Goal & results oriented individual with strong leadership abilities.
• Organized, motivated, and able to turn challenges into opportunities.
• Proven ability to work in unison with staff at all levels
Work Experience
*
2007 – present
nairobi, kenya
KenCall EPZ LTD
Call Centre Account Supervisor
• Oversee the daily operations of a team of 142 Customer Service Representatives, 14 Quality Analysts and 8 Team Leaders; to ensure quality service delivery as per the set key performance indicators, evaluate their performance & report on their progress.
• Provide administrative & managerial support to the Account Manager, Team Leaders, Quality Analysts and Customer Service Representatives.
• Monitor daily revenue generation, production & quality output.
• Check and respond to all client queries and concerns, internally and externally and act as a liaison between senior and mid level management.
• Formulate, organize & regulate staffing for new and existing staff required to meet job demands into shift patterns across 24hrs, 7days a week and supervise the shifts on-site and off-site.
• Compile reports on adherence, performance & discipline and Conduct weekly performance reviews for Team Leaders and Quality Analysts.
*
Sep 2007 – Dec 2007
nairobi, kenya
KenCall EPZ LTD
Call Centre Account Manager
• Daily operations & management of the call centre through effective use of resources.
• Setting customer service & quality performance targets and formulating plans to ensure that they are attained with speed and efficiency.
• Handling the most complex customer queries & concerns.
• Coaching, motivating and training mid-level management staff, co-coordinating bonuses, reward and incentive schemes.
• Forecasting and analyzing data against budget figures on a weekly and monthly basis.
• Developing implementing and reviewing performance and quality standards and making decisions based on the findings.
I’m reliably informed that a Kencall Agent in one Spinvox account just became the latest con in the establishment after Steve. This dumb chick told jamaaz ati her siz is dead and in the spirit of comradeship fellow kencallers within her account changiad several thousands to console her and help with the funeral arrangements and she even applied for an ‘EMERGENCY’ leave that was hastily approved (while guys have been kept on hold over leaves) so she could attend the burial. Kumbe this mama took time off to go flash of a toi of a fellow Agent within the same account (name withheld). Shame on you Peaches. You give us chicks a bad name. How just do you get pregnant ‘unexpectedly’ in this day and age!!!??? Kuna cd bana n contraceptives are virtually free!!! Then kuna AIDS!!!. I feel sorry for you madam. Just wondering howmuch of substance you have between your ERs miss MWALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????
RUDISHA PESA ZETU FALA!!
ALL THIS HATE Y THE HELL WOULD YOU KEEP YOURSELF IN SUCH A PLACE.GET THE BOM OUT!!!
Njeri thank you so much about your 2 cents worth of advice for us to grow up….ever heard of liberty?????? Of course we pretty well know the blog is listed!!! Isn’t a it a little obvious??
Andrew Eule….simply just shut the FFFF up!!! Don’t you even dare bring God’s name into this….ohh noooo dude you stupid or what???
The stuff that Toddler is talking about – MISMANAGEMENT – is what is the downfall of Kencall….with such sheer utter incompetency, arrogance, myopic and idiotic antics that Andrew Eule and his irk display around at kencall is what has kept this blog run for a whole damn year….Njeri are you listening????? U think ehhh before your brilliant light bulbs light and start blabbering on how people should grow up!!! Get it snow white???
Andrew Eule, dude you really need some serious urgent professional help in form of psychiatric help….you past has quite a truck load that has eventually played a big factor into the evolution of the idiot that you are today….you typically display all the classic symptoms of a man who has sadly out of his sheer stupidity got entangled in the whole Short Man Syndromme …..can’t you copy a leaf from your CEO and try emulate him???? Cmn man thinking is free, so think!!! Get yourself some form of basic education and you need to wake up to the fact that you are dealing with employees who have dreams and ambitions to make materialise….
“EITHER THEY RESPECT OR FEAR YOU” Dude, are you stupid or what?? and ohhh you keep decieving yourself that Kencall can’t fire you and that you are indispensibe right??? Nick and Eric Nesbitt…are you listening the kind of people that are running down your company??? you pretty much trash Agents…..which affetcs the production…client pulls out the company is affected right? wise guy huh? Run down the company cos with your silly ego you think Kencall is therefore you right??
For once snap out of this whole silly egoistic illusion with you retarded power illusioned mind and figure out that karma catches up sooner or later and look at you former side kick Lucas Ngugi??? Silly Lucas comes to work drunk thinking Kencall is his favorite local…..and he’d talk about being proffesional?? Yet 2 weeks back he fired an Agent for coming to work drunk!!!??? Guess Lucas you didn’t think you’d get suspended right? cos you thought you called the shots right?? And you felt that Agents owed you one, right Lucas Ngugi?? So what really transpired?? You quit cos all the bullshit you used to splat @ Agents finally caught up with and the embarrasment way too much to hold right?? Or did you get fired big shot?? See how you goofed and it all caught up with you!! I bet it stung right??? Hope you learned yo lessons man….I’m one Agent if you were to meet me today I bet you would run…ha ha ha ha dude you won’t look @ me in the eyes that I bet money back guarantee….we both know this cos all the bullshit caught up eventually….Andrew Eule are you listening you idiot….man I was razor thin close to giving you an ass whooping on that gat damn floor…it was really close…you pretty lucky the stars shot your way and I left kencall….
Is it me only or is everyone seeing the way this idiot of a person Andrew Eule is really affecting how Agents work through toddlers thread and the many other agents that haven’t quite aired it out??
Nick, really there are 2 options with this Andrew Eule idiot….either take the idiot for a serious hard knock management training boot camp, the kind that K.R.A employees are undertaking for 6 months or Simply fire him…..it’s a ticking time bomb and it’s really matter or time before the irreversable damage is done…
But I’m pretty sure Nesbitts have a game plan in mind….they know come next year they gotta reorganize stragies and priorities in the firm when the fiber optic checks in……of course right now at the moment due to the virtue of being the pioneers and there is no serious competition and there is an already avaible human resource, they can afford bragging rights at the moment and everything elso doent really matter…
Ann Onsarigo……One hell of an outstanding Manager, this lady is mwaaa…Kudos….I know no one could work with Andrew Eule given the jerk that he is, so you being the nice person that you are took him in and now you are stuck with him…..get rid of this dude….all he does is mess up agents and with his silly goofy grin tells you that everything is just fine…..I told you that if were that acccount 2 sink, it would be thanks to the effort of the alleged “supervisors” Lucas Ngugi and Andrew Eule. Lucas did himself in and got what he deserved….now what’s remaining is for Andrew Eule to follow in the footsteps of his side Kick Lucas Ngugi of which he will this i guarantee you sooner or later. it’s just a matter of when, then the Agents can give a stand ovation for doing himself in…..Just tell HR you don’t need that idiot working with you cos he is frustrating your efforts and let them create for him a post like Head of security…yeah that with the kind of attitude and personality he so arrogantly flaunts!!!! Andrew Eule, this dress down is not coz i have anything against you…it’s the Idiot in you out of choice that is a complete no no no no in this day and age…you think this is 1910???it’s freakin 2008 dude!! snap and wake up!!
Agent’s and employees who feel this management thing is way a pain in the toosh, y’all hang in there….if Nick and Eric Nesbitt don’t do a thing about the management issue in regards to Andrew Eule and Et al ….hang in the …..big things popping next once that fiber optic cable checks in next year…i’m closely monitoring the industry and as we speak..the coffee is already brewing, I’m already smelling the aroma….some big ass investors be coming this way….already there is a firm that’s rolling out proper training starting October and they giving out scholarships for BPO/Call centre Agent training..so y’all keep yo eyes glued on the media….besides with the Kencall experience it’s a plus eiii
Cmn Curious ….a degree doent have to do with nothing …no one ever gave you an insight and told you of bill gates and Richard Branson
Wasn’t Steve Mwangi just a regular employee in the u.s. who got laid off from his job as an IT employee and moved to Kenya when he couldn’t get a job in the U.S.? The guy didn’t even have a college degree. How did he become Eric Nesbitt’s best buddy?
Njeri
Get over yourself girl. Ati grow up. What’s more grown up than talking about business and money? Girl please. What do you think life is? a cinderella story of valentines and roses? Your the one who needs to grow up and get real.
Can you handle it? Most people on this blog have been abused at least once (including me) but they get over it and eventually come back. However, when they come back, they are better prepared and know not to bore us with politically correct B.S. We like the real shit over here and if you haven’t figured that out already, you soon will.
Look guys, first things first….the truth one day will be revealed. Times are over for us to just sit and let stuff happen to us. We need to air out and if the Nesbitts cand read this or do anything about it well someone somewhere knows exactly what’s going on here. So Njeri no reason to tell us to grow up you thumb sucking mamaa
So let’s start here, Andrew Eule, there are some things I wouldnt do if I were you top of which is to walk in public without a mask.
Shamalla quite being so incharge and get some dye for your hair
Anne Kiama……..no words for you….u are beyond repair if you know what I mean
Nesbitts….recruit people who will make their agents talk good about your hard earned sacrifices
Agents…the bomb
Guys this site is listed number in Google results under Entrepreneur Kenya, it’s number two in business entrepreneur Kenya! What you say here is being read around the world under KENYA BUSINESS!
Grow up people. please!
KenCall currently has no cash flow problems. As from around January 2008, Cash flow issues have been a thing of the past. The current thorny issue that is messing up the company is lack of proper leadership. There is just too much arse kissing by “mostly” unqualified/unskilled/inexperienced personnel in return for rewards in high positions stemming across all quarters. This is one of the reasons why there is alot of bile from many employees (read agents).
Not only do these agents feel the pinch when accosted directly by their direct supervisors (TL’s, AM’s, Account Sup’s) but this comes in also from a number of back office personnel who have direct contact in how the agents work. By the way, this lack of proper leadership affects staff across the board and not just the agents. Credible sources confirm that most of the back office staff is also affected by the same problem.
For those who care to know which clients are served by KenCall, there’s a local telephony company, a Tanzanian one, an American Mobile content provision company and a British voicemail transcription company. I am not going to list the names of these companies for obvious reasons.
This is to all the Kencall Employee’s:
It’s obvious from reading the comments above, that many of you are disgruntled about personnel issues. However, if we look at his honestly, one can say that at the end of the day, you are all “just” employee’s and in situations like these, you really only have 2 choices:
1) Quit your jobs and find something else that will give you what you want (or);
2) Remain at Kencall and put up with all the complaints (e.g. lack of pay, long hours, over time without pay, etc, etc) and hope it gets better.
The dilemma most of you seem to have is that you are stuck in a country with a very high unemployment rate and the owners of Kencall know this. They know that most of you don’t have better options and they also know that if you quit, they’ll be 100 other people lining up outside to take your jobs.
Is this good for Kencall? No. Will it hurt them eventually? Yes, but only when other players come into Kenya and enter the outsourcing market as competitors. These competitors might start poaching employee’s from Kencall, but this is years away.
It sounds like Kencall is just straight up having cash flow problems and it also sounds like they hired way too many people. If the business cannot support all these salaries, then I can’t understand why they just won’t lay off some employee’s.
Unless you are a salesperson and you are helping them get clients, there’s really no reason for them to care about what you think and perhaps it’s time for the employee’s to realize that.
I still want to know who their clients are. Why haven’t any of you employee’s told us this? This is the key to any business because without the clients, you’ll have no revenues.
as you know that where there is smoke there is fire. So about this andrew issue there must be something to it . I myself work under him. I don’t have problems with him myself or with most people (refer to my screen name) but I might have a problem with how he’s management style if you can call it that and how he treats other people. All those people surely can’t be wrong or ganging up on him for no reason. There simply isn’t enough time to plot such things with our kind of work.
To prove this you just need look into the retention rate of the specific account this man is found in. 6 out of 10 he directly or indirectly influences an employees decision not to return for good.
Tye solution I propose is for the owner ensure that persons that are placed in such delicate positions to take mandatory management courses . This is his business, true and he bleeding the most valuable asset of any organization, – the employee. So from this angle this must taken very very seriously because the same employees also market your organization and if disgruntled and the top management ignores their genuine cries for attention, the long term health of the organization is at risk ….
Why does everyone have something bad to say about Andrew? A person can’t be bad all round and I for one happen to know he’s a nice guy cos the few times I’ve had issues with my shift or offs I just explained to him and he changed. And no I didn’t have to kiss his ass and no favors were exchanged cos I’m sure some people think so.
Instead of bitching about one individual, let us talk about issues that affect us as Kencall employees . Like the crappy policies HR has on absenteeism and quite recently advance!!!!
you see i dont think attacking anyone wildly without proof of what you are saying is very intelligent. on the other hand i am not for the idea of attacking personalities and who or who not they sleep with. that is purely someone’s business.
I wish everyone in this forum would focus on real issues.
THINGS THAT AFFECT THE WAY WE WORK!
someone like Andrew Eule, he is insecure in my opinion. This comes out clearly in the way he handles people at work. He is very unreasonable. let me give you an example.
In the account he works in, he is incharge of making the monthly schedule or rota of how guys will work, off days, bla bla bla.
But apparently, when he gives someone an off day which they are not comfortable with, he cannot change this even if that person has found someone who is willing to swap with them!!! the surprise comes when this particular person goes to the account manager and explains themselves. Calmly the account manager listens and responds ” alright, if you have found someone to exchange with, there should be no problem”. This is so mature and a good example of a good leader.
ask yourself why Andrew did not just do that before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andrew has a poor management style. the reason we always say that these poor so called managers who are affecting morale at kencall will never go anywhere is because numerous complaints have been brought forth about Andrew but nothing much seems to be changing.
There is a particular incident when he told agents in a preshift that he is so important to kencall that he cannot and will NEVER be fired. if the account he works in goes down, kencall will simply transfer him to a different account and the losers (agents) will go home with their tails in between their legs!!!!!!!!!
you see what i dont understand is if these kind of people like Eule understand that agents are the footsoldiers in kencall. he has so much disrespect for agents (anyway all backoffice guys do) until it leaves you wondering whether they really understand that as much as they might not dress in designer clothes, these agents are the ones who are making their salaries. without us people you have no jobs either.
The arrogance of Andrew is such that he once told a group of agents who were trying to tell him he had wronged them that “kencall is recruiting every single day! if you feel you cannot take it anymore just walk out”!!!
You always wonder why a “man of God” should be so insensitive to this level. I AM SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT HE IS A PASTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IS THIS REAL?
The God that you serve must be a very different go from the one I know. Who encourages respect, tolerance, love, fair treatment and above all Love!!!!
Eule you sit there and feel nice really nice when someone is begging you for hours for something. you feel very important. very much in control. but remember one day it will come back to haunt you.
When so many people are hurting with your name on their lips, just look back inside of you and wonder really how am i treating these human beings. IF TRULY YOU ARE A PASTOR then your calling should extend everywhere, let us see it coming out even at your place of work and how you treat fellow human beings.
I can publish a book right here about ANDREW EULE!!! i have proof of a girl he was trying to hit on, as i said, i wont go into details cos she was a friend of mine that is why i am truly shocked to hear he is a PASTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God forgive you Eule like he forgives all of us including myself daily!!!!
Humble yourself and you will not force anyone to respect you, it will come naturaly.
You once told someone that you olnly have two ways to deal with people: EITHER THEY RESPECT OR FEAR YOU.
let me explain to you the error in this theory of yours: RESPECT is earned!!!!!!!!!!!!! you earn it from people. you dont even tell them or command them to respect you!!!!!!!!!1
Well if you want people to FEAR you……. that speaks volumes about your personality. i wonder why i should fear a man of God!!!!!!!!!!
Your arrogance one day will cause your downfall. and the words of hurt and hatred that come out people’s mouths because you have refused to reason with them will one day follow you.
what is so hard about dialoguing with people and coming out with a solution? you believe in DICTATORSHIP.
if you incoporate people in your decision making (after all these decisions are going to affect these people) believe me you will come out looking like a great leader and everyone will RESPECT YOU.
but throwing your small weight around wil not help you. you brag that you are just doing your job, but you see, part of it would come out excellent if you allow people to be part of your “power world” unless of course you have this syndrom like Jacky and Ann Kiama that anyone with a better idea than you is insubordinating you therefore they are threatened with warnings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this company is very sick!!!!!!!!!
INFERIORITIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ann Onsarigo as far as listening to people and really incoporating their ideas is concerned is the best person i have ever met.
………………………………….. let me save my fingers for the next chapter!!!
.
God is by my side.
Yeah that BITCH…….
haha..
this is very interesting
why isn’t anyone commenting abt that pain in the ass Andrew Eule
did anyone know he’s a pastor??? shit . who goes to his church…his family i guess…how can anyone be so be crippled in personality and ugly at the same time..yuck his wide mouth.
Gosh short guy(SMS) get a life.
Ha, ha, Ha:
So, let me get this straight. Kencall is actually not outsourcing. It’s in-sourcing? i.e. it is getting previously bankrupt local companies like Telkom Kenya? how is that a big ass account when telkom kenya is getting killed by the mobile phone operators? I mean, isn’t Telkom kenya LOSING customers, ever since the mobile phone operators came into the market?
No, that doesn’t answer my question. If your going to make it in the BPO industry you have to get British or American companies and you have to offer lower prices than the Indians.
I’m tired of listening to all this shit about kenyans having better accents and better climate and this and that. No. Everything comes down to price and if the kenyan companies can’t compete on price, they just won’t make money.
Last time I checked Kencall was running Telkom Kenya customer care ….that’s one huge ass account considering the making over that telkom kenya is under taking, they have an american chat account and Spinvox a voicemail service that’s a British account, blue chip matter of fact …Ke – does that answer your question? if you ask me it still and I insist it all boils down to the poor lethargic gross management at the joint…well @ Curious – The I.T manager as someone put it was Eric’s right hand trusted man …..so it’s quite possible that he was in the loop of the company’s vital dealings( I think so – guess lenny will have to shed light on this) Well Ann Kiama, I once as an agent had a brush in with her……trust you me – she displays what we call – COMPLEX INFERIORITY…. that’s the xplanation of her egocentric arrogance. Well Nessbits, it’s never to late to make the turnaround….. Just overhaul haul your bloody management and y’all gone be on the path home…
How does an IT Manager (aka Steve Mwangi) get fired for stealing? He’s not an accountant who may have access to the company’s bank accounts or other financials.
that cucu called Ann Kiama, if only EVERYONE in kencall was a kikuyu like her, her sunset years probable would be much happier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go rot in hell cucu with your foul language. shame on you with your maliciousness and style up for your age’s sake
Ha, ha, ha..
I’m not doubting that the person (s) above worked for Kencall (he or she) seems to know what they are talking about, but they need to stop using multiple names and multiple personalities (& they know what I am talking about).
I still want to know who Kencall’s clients are because if they are having cash problems its presumably because:
1) their clients aren’t paying them on time
2) they don’t have that many clients
Who are the clients you serviced when you worked there? why isn’t anyone answering this question? I know the ex employee’s want to vent and that’s fine, but I want to move beyond the venting and get to a point where you guys can start giving us more information about how this company is set-up.
kenyanentrepreneur – I beg to differ whether the above that you’ve listed are pseudonyms, especially as for Micheal Shamalla, Team Leader and Lenny. I don’t think it’s the same person….Yep and I concur with you on the bit about whether the latest posted threads are based on facts or mere perceptions?? Lenny, probably if you made this clear since from your posts you seem to be pretty much in the loop. As an X – Agent from Kencall…. and reasons why I think there is an overdrive of people venting it all out on this blog is due to the pure mere fact of poor communication from kencall and utter gross mismanagement of whereby The back office to account managers and their team leaders have built cronies that only employees who kiss their ass and suck up to them, get to make any development or should i call it growth in the company.
The bit about this lady called Betty, it now totally adds up based on Lenny’s thread. My time there I’d see her carry herself around with some sense of arrogance that sayed you can’t tell me nothing like she owned the building….I’ll give a practical example whereby she runs her dynasties at Kencall. – For instance, there is a Team Leader called Aisha Ali who is connected to Bettyin Spinvox who got to be a Team Leader in 3 months flat while I’ve known agents who’ve been on the Spinvox floor for over an year and they are still agents by the time I was leaving…not to mention that this are up to par agents who deserve to be either Q.A’s or Team Leaders in their own rights due to the fact that their production speaks for them…. As for Aisha Ali it was due to the express fact there is a relation between her and Betty… just to back up this fact, early this year, there was also an Agent who was connected to Betty was getting to the Team Leader position in less than 2 months that she had hit the floor…..
What I’m trying to say is – The Nesbitts ought to probably get a little hands on in the running of the company and get to the grass root meaning the Agents… have open sessions with them and hear them out …coz the people he calls his management team are incompetent….they mess up on the groung and suck up to him that everything is okay…in my opinion what is needed is a radical overhaul of the whole back office and promotions ought to be on perfomance and not based on dynasties and cronies!!! A blog that runs for a whole year based on one single company is an indicator of Houston we got a problem….
To the following person aka persons, who appear to be one and the same, but using different pseudonyms:
Njuguna
Team Leader
Lenny
Michael Shamalla
Joker
Headlines
Lavender
I like the information on this blog to have some level of veracity (aka truthfulness) so, you better cut our your foolishness or else, I’m going to start deleting your comments if you keep using fake pseudonyms and fake email addresses.
BTW – Did you get fired from Kencall and find a new job in Bangalore, India? or are you a kencall competitor based in India?
I wonder if Nik, might need to expand his board of directors, if he has one. A good board of advisors/directors can help in bringing in business, ideas, etc that really work. I really hope that what is on this site is not true, it would be a disaster.
Wondering, if when he is in the US, would a tour of major cities, and an invitation of Kenyan investors, say if he offered bonds, to cover cash flow if that is what is the problem.
Whaaaat??? Steve Mwangi I.T manager got fired??? And Oliver left…..Yap …as some one put it….The last Kicks of a dying horse. And definitley Nick is all too aware of all this… Talk about Corporate Drama… HA ha ha ha and the plot thickens…
Soo for someone on the inside none of you have hit the nail on the head.
What really are your issues? Is it rumor mongering, breaking homes or blatant complainers afraid to get up and stand up for your rights but hide behind a blog site?
If your contributions would help build a better working place then the time has come to stand up and get counted.
You have insulted, generally decent people who have many a time stood up for your very own rights but alas it sounds like you are in the last stages of your very insignificant little battle on this universe and it sounds more like “the last kicks of a dying horse”
KenCall never paid on time up until January 2008. Now its just like clock work. That got sorted so your sorry and undignified minds settled on personalizing issues. These people don’t respond to your jargon coz all you talk about is trash and they know it. They stand up and smile daily because they have all the support that is required. Dont you think they are probably doing the right thing considering their positions and your sorry state? Problem is you shall always be in that position because you sound like losers. If Ann is a grandma then get up and take her job. If shamalla is no good a manager and has resorted to stealing but is still in charge of 2 accounts he must be doing something right. Spiffs will always be a reserve of agents, team leaders & QA staff. Dont tell me account managers at Kencall are paid too little that the parties they throw are from spiff money?
Cheap shots losers.
Lets open up real comments………………………..
What are you saying ? Is this true if it is lets ensure Nesbitts are aware of this. spiff are only for us and not for the managers to enjoy
Lenny,after hearing you its just not steve mwangi who used to steal kencalls money.The biggest thief is Shamalla.He along with Kim used to manipulate SPIFF money of tigo and when Kim objected it he was thrown out of Kencall.I think all his friday ,saturday bash are sponsored by Kencall spiff.
How the hell in this world I forget to talk about Betty.She has a sugar coated tone that helps her to soften others.I think everyone is aware what happened to Eric’s trusted IT manager STEVE MWANGI,HE WAS FIRED as he was caught stealing kencalls money and I heard he was caught by none other than nik nesbitt. Should this be a wake call for the nesbitts.Mr.Nesbitts do not trust anyone blindly even betty is such an ass. You will never know when she will bitch and runaway.Do you know she has informers in all the account and then pass it on to the nesbitts when in real she is an aged recepecionist and go on bitching everywhere as she has nothing else to do in this world at this age.This is no joke
Nesbitts are you listening !!!!!
Lenny,
ur one straight up lad. I applaud you for that. calling a spade a spade. hats off!!
Jamo,
am with you on this one. that mathe (Betty) is a real pain, REAL pain. problem is she can’t and wont go anywhere unless this place closes down.
Everyone has mentioned everyone’s name but I think there is one name everyone is forgetting I term her as the most malicious lady of KenCall its BETTY TOMLINSON,a family and close friend of Nesbitt and gets everything what she desires COMMENTS PLEASE…. This godmotherly lady of kencall is the most malicious ass
Lenny,you always strike the right chord man cheers
Hey Tafutabiz,
Even if we complain it to any MP’s nothing is going to work as Nesbitts have strong false connections.YES you are correct employess are under presure to perform,Shamalla daily hunt to get a new chic,Jackie’s hunt to get a Hard Dick,Ann Kiama’s hunt to get someone to shout and insult ,Pauline Kamande’s hunt to get someone with whom she can sleep without anyone knowing it and once done fire him.Pauline Nyambura’s hunt to get information and pass it on to Eric Nesbitt who can then decide to fire somebody and anybody.Look at his trusted right hand Stephen Mwangi finally shown doors reasons only known to the Nesbitts and Pauline Nyambura.
Yes all the above are working under pressure to perform the above tasks.
Its realy unfortunate that you guys are discussing company shame on a public domain.I think this is not the right forum to insult other employees who are under pressure for results. If you could direct this energy to your MPs at http://www.bunge.co.ke would better. Thanks
AMUSED, I would like to know whether your NIGHT is made with Michael Shamalla with you or WITHOUT. I guess it has to be WITH HIM
Lenny,
u’v killed it. Reallity at its best. u’v made my night!!
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly, that he brought home.
One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours. It struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther.
So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily, but, it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.
The man continued to watch because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would open, enlarge and expand, to be able to support the butterfly’s body, and become firm.
Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a withered body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.”
What the man, in his kindness and his goodwill did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening, were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings, so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes, struggles, hate, criticism, jealousy are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been. Never been able to fly.
So next time when you are faced with an obstacle, a challenge, or a problem, remember the butterfly.
Struggle – then fly!
Iam so proud that you people love to speak about me in this forum.
I know you people have nothing else to do so I do not mind you people writing any rubbish about me. Iam not affected at all.
KenCall is only suviving because of me today and come what may no one will ever dare to get rid of me….
So carry on Iam enjoying it .
Michael Shamalla
Guys,
Please can we stop this bullshit its simply not worth talking. Iam proud to have worked for Kencall and yes do intend to be back if Nesbitts requires me.
I have worked under Shamalla he is not as bad as you are portraying yes he likes to sleep with multiple partner and Petty is aware of his deeds why are we talking about it now.Please leave him alone.He can hire and fire anyone thats becuse Nick Nesbitt trust him and others cannot build that trust even though he was responsible for Earthlink agents to create issues last year and was moved off his poistion.
I have worked under Pauline Kamande and let me tell you there is no trainer in Kenya who matches her skills so however she is deal with it or get someone who is better off. I can vouch on her saying she is simply the best.Jackie is cool as well do not write anything against her if you want her go and convince her if not SHUT UP !!
Ann Kiama just wants kikuyu in her department and thats her nature and thats very much evident as well so whats your problem if Nesbitts are fine with it.Its there company they want to run in that way thats it just SHUT UP !!
Are you people who are barking here have the guts to invest if not GET LOST !!
I will not stand anyone writing nonsense about my kencall and my people.
Thanks you.
Iam surprised to see that you people know many things thats happening around.
Iam shocked why can’t you people raise this to the Nesbitts.They are not foolish having insane people to work with.
I would suggest an immediate replacement for Ann Kiama (though she is Eric’s chief commander) and Michael Shamalla with immediate effect (though he is Nik’s cheif commander)
Sometime i feel this is hand in glove. I just pray for well being of KenCall as this where I get my bread and butter.
Hi Interested Party I have heard you rather loudly,one thing it is Kencall has them all in th ewrong places,from Lesbian Account Managers who corrupt young Gals just because she believes in favors but Mary Kamanda you are truly Messing your life,for instance has anyone seen Grace?????can any sane mind,with Men Ill understand she may have some Cushioning for******But For A Chick?Mary how will you live with yourself after you have been Grace’s Wife?Meanwhile Nik and Eric,Steve Liggins can you guys get serious and style up,your Entire Back office is ruled by Kikuyus who cannot let anyone get beyond them incompetent as they are,Now how can you bboast of having the likes of Ann Kiama that Granny who speaks Vulgarities because someone lied to her that that is hip,she doesnt realize how low it is,but why Im I sounding Surprised turn your backs guys and the onmly thing you will hear is that One is judged by the substance of the products,but try this with me
Sarah……….Finance She seems more like it but with herr Kikuyu Counter parts she tends to get derailed
Steve Waweru……..IT MAnager(he looks professional but can do better to look mre presentable
Pauline Kamande……Head of Recruitment and The H.O.D Training(Now with such a malicious Woman running a department that sensitive,it is a No wonder you guys lose talent before you can get them to make you any money,because Malicious Bit****** cant take any Competition,be it Dressing or Personality eneni Dukani Mutanunua na mpatiwe Change si munajionanga mouko kwa position ya Pesa
Ann Kiama………CuCu Witu,Thie Moshie,we ne Mzee ya kutosha acha Watu wenye Nguvu,Hekima na Heshima waweze kutekeleza kazi kwa njia inayostahili bila Wivu,Chuki na Uchcheaji…Nesbitts PliiiiizRid yourselves of embarassment
Last and Least and a Must Go JACKIE KAMAU….Transport!!!!!THis is the I.C.U The Slut cant even perform a simple duty of being a proper slu,,,,,Losing even the easiest thing that god would have reserved for her as a last resort,she cant hold a man down long enough to give him some average Loooving,si atleast mtu hujaribu kuwa na kipawa kimoja,kama ni Kazi ya Transport!Salimu Amri wachana nayo enda Mwenyewe kajitoe Manake Kazi Umeshindwa Mama Huiwezi,ulithania Kumchochea Irene KUngekufanya wewe uendelee,Yeye Msichana wa Kijaluo Aliiweza hiyo kazi haswa,Hungemchochea Kwani now you are so exposed and the Nesbitts and everyone in Kencall whom we are capable of Getting People to See,Lets Censure Jackie,she cant manage Transport or any other job her incompetence and 2 Cents worth of Personality is just enough to make her render that department numb.You Guys Advertised for a Transport Supervisor…let me tewll you the Secret behind all the Capable Assistants that better desrved the Position Jackie Holds right now what ails them is Jackie makes it so difficult for them to make vital,viable and sensible desicions that she is totally unable to make herself,because she fears that they could look good before the eyes of those who matter and she will lose her job and even Koinange Street proves to be a Vacancy that her Skills are unable to match up to the competition,so she would rather have the Good guys go having done absoulutely nothjing just to save her face and yet she is risking millions of Shillings for the company to safeguard her own worthless self.
Truth be told People we were here with Irene in December when the Slut apparentely went on Leave,for the while she was away,not once before the post election Crisis did Irene ever fail to get the agents here on time or when it was time to go home she did it so well….notice this,Jackie was no where in the pictrure so Irene made independent decisions and succeeded to do the job very stress free.Wainaina can attest to that he was with her and the guy was all so relaxed nowadays the poor Guy has lost so much weight,is stressed at all times and is drowning himself in Alcohol as he tries to hide from the frustrations caused to him by The Slut Jackie and ati the Nesbitts care about their employees each and everyone of them……Wake up and smell he cofee boys kumenuka Back office its a Kikuyu affair
Pauline Nyambura….The Alledged H.I.V Positive Mistress,If it is true…na ufe tukuzikilie Mbali,you are not only a B****** but you double up as a Witch,this woman is so Malicious as she dresses like her Grand Mother and going around poking her nose and infected****into places she has no buisiness being at,We should see you in the obituaries soon I could buy a Cow for the purpose of celebrating good Riddance of Lousy Rotten Garbage,,,Die Woman Die,but please dont take Eric With you,Whatever did he see in you?
Michael Shamalla….Only knows how to run accounts down and sleeping around like a Rabbit on Heat,What Nesbitts are you guys for real,that guy is possibly older than Eric but does not have neither Vision nor mission,can you guys noyt hire better?but with Oliver Gone,you lost a Golden Chance to make Proffesional Replacxements Kamande Pauline will bring you some incompetent Kikuyus to help run your Business down..so Poleni,cant you guys overhaul that Back Office and Hire Proper Professionals within a whole new Criteria,possibly get vewtted individuals from Job Link or sMan Power coz Guys you are doing Badly,those guys you call managers make you look too Kienyeji
Though Maybe you are under duress Nesbitts I understand that there are some Prominent Kikuyus who are Investors and Share Holders in Kencall so Possibly you will have to grapple with the fresh Wave…Luos are getting into Off Shore and you may need to move with the Tide exactly there….Offshore
Anonymous,you rae strongly vouching and if your English is anything to go by….that best explains why you think Jackie and Shamalla are Performers!!!!Nesbitts if you do know whats good for you,it is people with the titles of Managers without Character and expertise to show for it who are earning you guys a bad name,because honestly I think you guys know that you can do much better than Especially JACKIE!!!The Woman Dont know Jack about Planning,and her Personality????Goodness,she is weaker than a chicken atleast chickens can wait to get rained on,the Girl…Woman,whatever she is got to go before you guys can have atransport Department that is effective,for crying out Loud how difficult can it be so that atleast Someone like Wainaina who knows abit of what he does since he can tell the difference between Umoja And Eastleigh,she is trying to frustrate!!!Shame on you Nesbitts for letting someone who knows nothing to her name runa department tjhat deals serves everyone in the Business get run by such incompetence.
For Shamalla you are too old too slow too malicious Pelaka Uluhya Uhindi Mbali,and start by growing up alafu jaribu kupunguza Ukimwi Kenya…Petronilla Are you for real are you saying you could nt find Better?coz you definately know you landed a raw deal!
Hey Guys,
I was an employee of Kencall as well let me tell you one thing lets do not criticise anyone as every organisation has its advantages and disadvantages.
In fact we should be proud for what Nesbitts has done for us starting a call centre here in Kenya giving employment to so many kenyans . Imagine our situation before the year 2000. I do not think anyone will want to go back.
You people are unnecarrily targetting Shamalla, he has been the most effective manager. Whether he slept with Nina,Louissa,Dorothy,Noleen,Caroline,Jackie and many more thats is his personnel life and the girls as well wanted to do so we are no one to interfere in his matters.
We are unneccarrily targetting Jackie as well why is she linked with all. Ok we all know Dave ditched her so she as well has desire so what if she slept with Michael,David Mureki or Timothy. Look at her work she has being handling Transport department single handedly.
So I beg all not to write any wrong thing against anyone.
I have being reading all the comments and it has made me speak my mind out. Jackie the transport chic need someone every night after Dave Stewart ditched her later Michael Shamalla as well so she is always on a hunt (IT guys are you listening) as these are the people who makes the most .
Lavender, you are correct Shamalla is a complete womaniser someone who cannot leave any chic alone even noleen before karumba took over her. I hope nesbitts are reading this and plan to get rid of condomspree Shamalla.He is a real virus , an ass …..
hmmmmm!!!
This is really interesting.Firstly I havent seen Pravin for ages,I guess he has left but he was a very good manager.
Though I feel Brenda was outstanding and womaniser called Michael Shamalla be thrown off
Hey Guys !!
Interesting to read your comments. Today I have an interesting thing in my mind . Lets discuss who is the best,worst and useless account managers. Is it Michael,Grace,Ann,Eric Ngecu,Becky,Pravin(Is he still working with us
or Brenda
This will be interesting as if we want best people to lead us ,lets support then by raising our voice or we will just end up writing blogs here…
I’m still at this abyss
called Kencall and God help me since if it were not for survival and other gates opening up it’s a nightmare esp after introduction of a reap off called “New commission structures” can anyone assist? KHRC? RED CROSS+?
Yo Harry, so what’s this Scam?? I’ve tried Googling for that storo lakini wapi!! Is it the scam 2 do with the former Big American account??
Ive read most of the comments here and also read about a scam nesbitt is involved in with an american firm blaming them to be robbing them of million of dollars…….
Are these guys really that bad?
Hi guys! A lot on Kencall!! One thing I must say is that Kencall is in a business that no one else has been able to sustain! Kudos to the Nesbits!!
That tells you that it is not easy to put up and grow as much as Kencall has in the last 5 years. What Kencall has gone through in these last years has been what we call teething problems which someone has so rightfully said that all new upcoming companies go through that.
I personally have been to Kencall and what I know for sure is the the owners of Kencall have a very noble idea and are yet to go places that I know for a fact being the only ones in this business that have succeeded so far. Others are struggling to start and I will not name names here and are not getting anywhere yet. So for those who think you leave Kencall and go to other companies that are starting the call centre you are in for bigger shocks.
Having done the research there are individuals starting a similar kind of business and asking people to pay 1500 shs for interview. There are others asking people to pay 10,000shs for training. WHERE ARE OUR KENYAN LABOUR OFFICERS?! EXPLOITATION!!!! This to me completely contradicts the business. Are they in the business of recruitment or training or what on earth are they doing? This to me is not call centre business!!!!
All said and done what we should agree is that Kencall has been the best example in the business, not without mistakes agreed but I also know that they are working very hard to sort out the payment issues and I can say that to date employees are paid in time. It is good to see that an effort is being made.
However Kencall should guard against people who will spoil its reputation. Kencall employs over 500 employees and so the proprietors may not have control of what goes on on a day to day basis. These investors depend on their employees to run the daily business and of course do the overall supervisory role. Some of Kencall’s employees in either Team Leader level, Supervisor level or Manager level keep what I would refer to as their own ‘Dinastys’ or ‘Kingdom’ and people who are not like them or do not share their ideals are victimised in pretext of “performance”. That I know for a fact as someone who has been there.
Kencall tends to loose people who would otherwise make a difference in their business because the employees put in responsibility to push them ahead will often have their own personal interests and will shan down those they think may do better than them.
Employees put in such responsible positions should be people with the proper PR to handle people in the right way. A lot of employees end up being mis-handled by them and they either leave or a sent away for all the wrong reasons. Some control should be put here you have a very weak HR department!
Interested party
Slave quoted saying “To anyone thinking of working at KenCall….DONT!! NOT UNLESS YOU LIKE LATE PAY, YOUR SALARY PAID IN BITS, YOUR COMMISIONS WRONG, YOUR COMMISIONS NOT INCLUDED, WORK PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FOR NOTHIN EXTRA….OH YES THE LIST GOES ON”
Late pay means you won’t impulse use your salo. So i’ll take that as a good thing. Commissions are always payed pronto. I think you have issues with Kencall. If you were fired cos you were not performing just take it easy. Stop saying crap about this place cos i’m having a ball.
YOU THINK SO…MORON THAT STARED A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO…SO DONT TELL US BULSHIT……YOU IDIOT
Slave, Since when were you not paid extra for public holidays? Stop lying and tell the truth. I believe all agents get paid double pay for working on any public holiday. As for not being paid “a thing” before the holidays, that’s another lie. I know so and can say that with utmost confidence that people got paid some money before the holidays.
This is all shift you guys are not forced to work for Kencall GO and resign and your space will b replaced by some else either from outside or at training. STOP kiddin….
Do not Get into the van when the Driver comes to pick you.!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why are we wasting our time with this bullshit?
Hey Nesbit hope you are enjoying your holiday in Mombasa with your brother. Must be great to go there an eat in nice restraunts an have a good time….We ( your employees/ slaves) are not so luck, unlike most of our friends who work for other companies you did not pay us a thing before Christmas. We think this is disgraceful especially after we havent been paid on time all year!!! And yet you expect us to risk our lives going through riots to come to your sweatshop??
Yeh well you didnt think the elections would cause you you so much did you?? Do you honestly think that after the way you treat people that we are going to risk coming here when we have no gaureeentee of getting paid???
The truth is we would have done, like we did last year but with you and your brother’s attitude towards people we just said…**** you!!!
To anyone thinking of working at KenCall….DONT!! NOT UNLESS YOU LIKE LATE PAY, YOUR SALARY PAID IN BITS, YOUR COMMISIONS WRONG, YOUR COMMISIONS NOT INCLUDED, WORK PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FOR NOTHIN EXTRA….OH YES THE LIST GOES ON.
Anyway you have yourself another cocktail on the beach while we get evicted from our homes and have no food on our table….
Boring! Boring! Borng!
The lot at Kencall surely aint made up of fools that much I know because I worked there and I still know some of the guys up there…kudos for keeping going strong. I think they are worth more than they are displaying on this blog. Kenyans complained for a straight 40plus years about bad leadership and oh my when I was growing up people didn’t even want to be identified as Kenyans. They wore “I love New York” T-shirts, listened to Western music and thought it shao to speak local languages or to even eat traditional food. Right now???? Who wouldn’t stand up anywhere in this world and declare I AM KENYAN given the chance?
Why the long story? Things have changed. Today’s Daily Nation has a former employee of Kencall who is currently a CEO of an innovative ideas company. I hit a website with a name of someone whom if am not wrong is also a former employee of Kencall. These guys surely didn’t sit down and just bitch about their situation.
People, I will not disagree that some things may need to be rectified here and there but I’m against undercurrents caused by unhappy weaklings who can’t speak out diplomatically and professionally about their issues. We MUST learn to settle for nothing less than the solution whether short term or long term.
I would like to hear as the founder of this blog requested a few weeks ago the state of the company right now. For ONCE don’t complain, give updates on the call centre industry and potential in the country as you see it. You are the guys on the ground, what do you see, what do you know that you can share for our good (enough of the bad for a while tafadhali). Note that you are talking to people ALL OVER THE WORLD and not your smoke break-next cubicle-collegue.
As Still going strong and Kabari say, SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS!
Proud
its amazing how you mix your faith and defamation; on one hand you speak of your God and giving people guidance while on the other you go ahead and make defamatory remarks by mentioning names of persons working at kencall and what they are doing out of work(which is none of your business)… when WE read your post it doesn’t mix at all. Wherever you were working earlier where employees were not as active as you saw it at kencall, then i do know that you were not in the mix there….every company large or small has business mixed with pleasure so wherever you are working get to know people and they will reveal what really goes on.
So much about small talk; Njeri i wish everyone was thinking like you because right now we would be in the league of Singapore, Malaysia South Korea e.t.c forward minded Kenyans who think of what can be done and not what hasn’t been done…. Solutions will not come about by moaning about what isn’t there, and that is why the owners of Kencall started the business in the first place; to create a solution. If we look at successful company like Infosys (which if you scroll up and see it mentioned), which mind you started as a call center and now is a leading business partner to fortune 500 companies, they did not get there by worrying about problems but by looking and implementing solutions..solutions …SOLUTIONS!
The grass always seems to be greener on the other side. I applaud the Nesbitts ( + equity investors) for investing in Kenya. I also applaud the employees for sticking in especially thru the very rough patches.
At the end of it all, LIVE and Let LIVE. If you don’t like it at Kencall, fine. Your options are ;
1. Gunner (..lol) up some financial support and startup your own business
2. seek employement elsewhere.
Be your own solution provider !!
I just recalled a few mornings ago watching a program about how mitrix.com in Japan started. I also remember last week listening to BBC and they were featuring how Facebook was started by a group of students from Harvard.I’ll not forget the stories of Yahoo, Google and our very own Africaonline. Does anyone know about Microsoft, Ebay, the telehone invention, Henry Ford, Mr Kirubi, Mr Adan Mohammed…etc?
The point of naming all these companies and personilities is because in situations of lack they created luck or rather what most of us would like to term as luck. In essence luck is just opportunity meeting with preparedeness. Yes, I want to lecture.
i don’t agree with injustices neither do I support cowardice, complaining, nagging and bitching without providing solutions. All or most of those who have participated in this blog MUST learn not only to raise issues but raise them with answers.
This week was the end of United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali. A friend of mine – Kenyan happened to have attended. I am made to understand these world conferences involve serious negotiations by different nations. Unfortunately I am also made to understand with no reason to doubt that Africans tend to omba omba pesa. Does that attitude reflect in this blog? I think so. Why do we beg for funding yet Africa has one of the lowest Carbon emission rates. Why are we asking for help when we know USA and China are some of the largest contributors to the Greenhouse effect? Answer – attitudes such as the ones displayed in this blog.
I am strongly urging and speaking to the young lot in Kencall to take a seat back and rethink their potential and options. Engage and again I say, engage positively. When I was in campus, guys would go out and burn private vehicles as a means of communicating that there were no lights, those were the same young Kenyans who would later sit and complain about our politicians ludicrous acts of acting with impunity! I am afraid that by adding more s@#$ on this blog you are sweetening a pity party.
In this regard, 1. I challenge some of you to openly and formally write to the owners of Kencall with your issues. 2. Challenge you to think of ways and means of improving communication amongst yourselves and those purpotedly indifferent to you as pointed out in this blog. 3.Stop hiding behind anonymity in this blog and address your damn issues or move out of the company.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and rational voting driven elections.
Njeri is right. Too many Kenyans bitch about what they are not geting – but rarely to they offer any solutions. I applaud Nesbitt for the courage and patriotism to invest in his own country. I know thousands of kenyans in America who do not have the guts to do this.
Starting and running a business is tough. Many small business owners (I’m one of them) have a daily struggle to pay their bills ans theywait for vendors to pay them. Most of my clients take 30 – 60 days to pay me, even though my landlord and employees expect to be paid on time.
Fellow Kenyans,
In your frustrations which are justified, you have managed to put for the whole world to see an image which CNN and BBC would LOVE TO AIR on their shows! They don’t need to report the potential of outsourcing in Kenya while seeking for something discrediting about Africans. They have all it takes right here on this blog! How many people believe that every single multinational and successful company in the West was all smooth? How many of their dirty stories can you pull for me off the net?
Let’s get some facts right, the Nesbitts ARE KENYAN! Kencall is a Call Centre and a business. Kenya DID NOT have ANY BPO business before Kencall. I believe that the business relies solely on revenue collection as opposed to financial injections which would ensure timely payments of salaries. This is something the Nesbitts have openly told us every time we have had a problem. FYI I’ve worked in Kencall since last year but resigned mid this year.
Kenya DOES not have the infrastructure to support this kind of business unless it invests heavily in an celestial internet link which they are currently doing.Mind you the process has taken longer than expected. To my recollection, we would be having a marine fibre optic cable by now had it not been for the South Africans wanting a bigger share of the ESSAY project including owernership. This then means that the owners of Kencall have had to constantly pump in their own investments and cash just to proof to the world that it can work in Kenya. And what do they get in return? A blogspot with all the dirt the world can afford/love to hear.
The kind of discussions I see flying around this blog leave alot to be desired from those speaking. It’s evident that most do not have the simplest idea about running a business nor do they even have ethical values to standby leave alone authoritatively speak on a subject other than sex! This shows you the calibre of Kenyans/Africans we are listening to; no less than our politicians. Young guys whose next shot is getting another employer to take them in because their previous one wasn’t paying them…all this in a country recording over 6% economic growth.
Allow me to raise a few questions. Who has spoken on the legal aspects of the views aired here? No one, the best I’ve read are threats to walk to the ministry or labour to ask them to start a website for a privately owned company so that staff can raise their issues! Did you guys go to school? Who has spoken about the PR aspects of the mud smearing campaign I tend to think this blog is made of? None, the rhetoric is one allegation after another to the extent of naming personalities whose integrity is now put into question based on suspicion and no HARD CONCRETE evidence. Mere suspicion.
I’m sad that most of you like the most of Africans since the Pan Africanism begun with African Americans have done no more than spend most of your time, energy and writing prowess to delve deeper into the problem rather than offer solutions! You are just that and shall remain so for the rest of your lives unless you change your attitudes! GIve some DAMN SOLUTIONS Kenyans! A few have requested that management style be changed, kudos for the ideas for the rest…..wallow in your issues. Infact you shall not have any difference wherever you get your next job regardles of whether you are paid more, on time or not! You shall seek to highlight your plight and issues and never offer solutions. All of us can guess where we shall then be 5years from now.
I still wish Kencall all the best in it’s endevours and congratulate the Nesbitts for being strong to walk on despite s@#t being thrown at them from every side. I hope I live to see the day you shall pay and treat your employees at world class standards because you are making enough money. i resigned from Kencall but would go back if not start my own call centre in the near future. While at that, I long to hear young Kenyans fight tooth and nail to be heard because they have solutions to issues affecting them and not some weak and feable lot whose best shot at giving solutions is complaints! Check in the Bible what actually angered God about the Israelites, it wasn’t just disbelief, it was their nagging!
In as much as people have issues with kencall and how it pays its employees i dont think its necessary to insult innocent stuff or mentioning names about who’s sleeping with who. But anyway it clearly shows that people have nothing better to do. God forgive you all.
crap crap crap its all crap
yes guys its the 6th of the month an still no pay!!!….no shocks eh?
they want us to give a 110% but not pay us on time.
“anonymous”….I agree with you all the way man, the account managers are a waste of time perhaps 2 are worth the pay.
“Proud” I cant argue much bout what you said gal but was it really nesscary to name jackie kamau in name??? there are lots like her in KenCall an i dont think it suits christian values to have done that…think about it.
“ex-worker”…. you have hit the nail on the head, you speak the truth man an if you got any tips where to go afta the sweatshop finnaly pays i would be in your debt.
Lets hope when we get off the sinkin ship we can all stand on the shore an watch it sink with the nesbits facin the same s**t we have had to…..
later….
I have worked @ kencall for about a year now, and i agree that LOW & LATE pay is the song we sing day in day out. the nesbitts really know how to screw aroung with your mind and make empty promises. the worst part is at the end of the day when you’ve really been working your arse off and ur tired like a donkey, the nesbits are smilling all the way to the bank. we are making them more money than Kamlesh stole from kenyas economy(goldenberg). how can u tell your workers to be patient and that u’ll pay them half their salary and still expect them to come to work therefter?after paying rent, where do u get busfare to come to work?u dont even know when the other 50% will check in. will your landlord be patient with you, or will nesbit spend the nite in the cold with you when your kicked out of your digz?does he go without a single meal at any one time when you have to sacrifice and forego some meals in a day so that you can just come and make him some extra dollars? we should also involve the human rights in this situation, not only the Misnistry of labour.
My other opinion,is it fair for team leaders and account managers who do nothing all day but just yap yap yap and scream at agents to be bagging 70-100k+ net salary? the agents are the ones working their arses off, these others are just like ticks, living of others sweat.
i wont mention names, but wanajijua. account managers who are illiterate, as in furthest education level is high school!!!!! this is 2k7, these guys are betta off being touts or drivers, not account managers!!! if the company doesnt have these lazy bustards lying around, will it still continue operating or not? get rid of unnecessary staff and do a thorough overhaul of the entire management @ the firm. my two cents worh.
Having worked for KenCall for about 18 months, I do understand and sympathize with the situation. They are both financial and environment.
KenCall’s problem is not financial but managerial. There’s so much need to impress the client that the staff come second. I’ve worked on numerous projects for the company and seen their deployment. Management deems it fit to roll out new accounts on the fly without informing the actual implementers. Recruitment, training, setup are all done in a huff.
The staff are left fighting fires with the client when the agents and/or systems fail. When your boss lies to the client and tells them everything is fine and yet the client can very well see that the volume has decreased and no explanations are brought forth then you beg to wonder how does KenCall survive?
The result of such unplanned implementation is un-budgeted expenses, loss of client confidence and staff morale is low. Add this to the late pay (as a result of un-budgeted expenditure) and you have this blog as a let out point.
In the next two years KenCall will lose its boasting rights and even disappear in the face of competition unless the management realises the importance of human capital. The HR department is a serious joke and needs a lot of improvement. There’s no need of having a HR Officer who has absolutely no power.
Placing executive authority on 3 or 4 individuals in an organisation that has over 100 staff is realistically a joke. The organisation needs to relook at its management structure and future plans if its ride the current wave and come out on top.
The environment is really a personal issue… who sleeps with who is a matter of choice and to give credit to the people there, there are a lot of decent ladies and gentlemen. I conquer with Anony that if you don’t like the behavior of certain people you can walk out. My encouragement to sister “proud” is to change the organization from within. God has given you a mandate to influence the rest of the organization through your behavior. I’d say you pray hard ask for the humility of purpose and HIS grace and wisdom.
I’m currently working at Kencall and sure, pay is always and I mean ALWAYS and issue. After working your ass off under very stressful conditions, only to be told you didnt get commisions and the pathetic basic pay is delayed for half a month, trust me, no one would laugh about that.
“In the know”, my friend, who gives a sh*t about the sex going on in KenCall? All we care about is our cash. If you want to screw the transport chicks and they have refused, move on idiot.
Corporate sex scandals are the norm everywhere. I’m surprised that you think it is a big deal.
So grow up and get a life… or better still quit KenCall and go to the company where people dont screw each other, assuming you will get one.
Not that I have a chick in KenCall, I’m just pissed at people who can never mind their own business and have to poke their noses into affairs that will never benefit them as far as earning their salo is concerned.
in-the-know, I soo feel you yaani. I hv worked there as well, for almost a year and trust me it was like sooo not fun!
Dude, pliz giv me feedback, I’d like to b one of us goin to the labor dept coz enyewe, I have been shafted mercilessly. Pliz hit me on ‘malainedawgsup@yahoo.com’ on any details u feel I should know as one of us and I’ll def be glad man. I am sad sad sad sad sad!
I have been reading this site with all the comments from kencall staff ex and presant with interest. firstly let me say Lou i feel you and echo joels comments about how God will take you in your path in life if you let him.
In responce to “in the know” everyone knows what you are saying and there are no surprises in your soon to be “revelations” I have been working at kencall for over a year now and was shocked by the behaviour of the guys an gals there. When i started my new job like most people you want to be accepeted by your new collegues, so I was invited out to have a drink after work by the group in my team we went off to a bar toghther an when i ordered a soda i was laughed at!!…it soon became obvious that the purpose of the social event was for the staff to pair off with each other and i watched as they shamlessly made no secret that they were all heading off to have one night stands. That was the first an last time i went for drinks with them!
let me tell you “in the know” the transport girl jacki kamau an irene are not the only kencall gals doing there thing, almost all the guys are sleeping around they have no shame. Something seems to happen to them when they work there, I have worked at a large organazation before and it had as many staff as kencall and the girls ( and the guys for that matter) would not behave in this way. it seems aceptabe that if you work here this is how you must behave. why???
I was brought up a christian and live my life accordingly through god i know i will not contact a STD or worse. Having kencall on your resume might help you secure another job but it will not help you secure a good man, word is around what the gals that work at kencall are all about. It comes from the top when you have one of the directors playing with a member of staff who we all know is HIV positive…is this what they are saying is the right way to conduct ourselves?? This man has a wife an family so if its ok for him you can see why it sends the message out to us agents.
On the matter of salarys, yes we dont get paid on time an i can almost agree with you Joel that we should stop moaning, i do not spend all my salary drinking an going to clubs, i leave enough money to allow if i am paid late. The people that moan are the people that I have mentioned above ( the majority of staff)
I have pride in the work i do for kencall and have taken the lies, late pay and constantly wrong commisions but I will not let it get to me. I have trust in my god that I will follow the path he has chosen and I pray that my fellow workers stop what they are doing as I know you were not like this when you started,so be stronger and do not give in to temptation!
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
..Am so sorry about your situation Lou, i had no idea you’re a single mother. Well, don’t cry and don’t despair;just trust in God, He’ll surely see you through,He always keep His word,you can count on that.
Some people think being a single mother is a drab but we never know who the kid might out to be!
All people have problems whether personal or general but (hard) work is such a damn reality if you want to attain and maintain some standard of living and make a difference to other peoples lives (if ur charity minded that is). We are supposed to work,and seek knowledge, till the day we die and the sooner we realise, accept,and learn to deal with it, the better
8hr night shift,12hrs personal projects(including hassling aimlessly looking for opportunies),comunity work,religious duties,networking at the end of the day, u got 4hrs left to rest, if ur lucky,each and every single day till you lose track which day of the week ur in.And all this just to get your talents noticed and hopefully to turn them into profit in future,hopefully.
You cant back out now, u can never back out. till u die!
YES…YES YES…AT LAST I HAVE MANAEGED TO SECURE ANOTHER JOB!
yes people just got a call today saying i have been sucesful in a new job with a reputable company who will actually pay me and give me medical cover( those not at kencall wont know what that is)…I am going to leave as soon as they pay me my next salary so I was not able to say to my new employers my actual start date, I know there is no chance we will get paid on time and in full.
I have been messed about by kencall for a year an a half now and enough is enough…the atmosphere is not what it used to be its just a sweat shop with everyone bitchin about everone!! No one is now in charge since the manager left an everyone is tellin you different things.
when i leave I am gonna spill the beans about what i know an let all you left work it out for youself. You dont get nuthin but lies from the nesbits so heres is what you gonna get from me….my parting presant to u all……
1. why our biggest client left..the real reason.
2. where eric nesbit an his girlfriend hook up an what they do.( an it aint holdin hands)!
3.How one member of management makes more than his salary providing staff to other companies.
4. why an where the finance team left before the shit hit the fan
5. why the transport manageress an her asistant cant keep there legs closed an that the “favors” they do means we are left waitin for transport home.
6.what the drivers say about how they get paid cause of kencall not payin them an how they plan to get revenge.( this is juicy an will have serious impact on kencall.
7. I wont name the names but will let you know how many ex staff are still gettin paid even afta leavin the sweatshop ova 4months ago!!!
8. how much nik nesbit as spent travlin the world while we wait for our money.
9.how my friend slept with a member of managment to get a team leader position
10. how ex staff are forming a group to go to the ministry of labor an set up a website for ex an current staff to air there views.
If i say i am not doing this out of vengance it would not be true but after been lied to, cheated and treated like a dog I want the chance to tell what it is really like to be a nesbit worker.
It used to be a fun place to work an i have made many good friends but i have learnt a valuable lesson…dont work for low pay, no pay and liers!!!
WATCH THIS SPACE…..
Joel, You sure talk sum **** boy..let me tell you how it really works an ansa you comments
1. i WAS NOT FORCED INTO EMPLOYMENT…yes you are correct in the sense that nobody physically forced m in the door but as a single mother i was not in a position to not take a job. The nightshift hours suited my life so I could still spend time with my child and have him looked after. When i got the job it was the one of the happiest days of my life.
2.I BECAME A LAZY TYPICAL BACKWARD AFRICAN AND STARTED TO EVERYTHING FOR GRANTED….This one really got to me, lazy????..at kencall you have to get to work 1hr before you start ( or they sack you, and yes you dont get paid for it) and when you finish work you have to stay working if the next shift has not turned up ( which is almost all of the time) so on top of the 9 hr day ( what happened to an 8hr day???) that you are supposed to work you are in the building foe 11hrs and you get dropped off 1hr 30mins after you leave??…so I am away for 12hrs 30mins per day.
3.DO OVERTIME WITHOUT PAY…I think i have justified this above!!…but just incase you dont get it heres how it works, commissions at kencall are very eratic if they dont want to pay you cause they havent got money they dont!!! my basic salary is 15,000 I get about 11,000 after tax I have rent of 6,000 and pay out 2,000 for childminding and 1,000 for transport to work per month…this leaves me with 2,000 to feed an clothe me an my son. So when they dont py me in full an they give me little bits. It really hurts an when they lie to you bout when you gonna get it an it dosent come what do I tell my landlord??? what do i tell my son when there is no food to buy??? I have no parents to rely on its just me bringing in the money so when you start at kencall an you believe the dream you think your live is gonna get better not that you will be lied to an cheated. If you leave you NEVER get paid they just let you hang around the reception an ignore you!! I cant afford to leave an not get money even if I had another job to go to!!
I cry at nights thinking about my situation, I am in despair.
The nesbits are just the same as our colonial bosses of the past they dont give a s**t!! As long as there pockets are lined they will NEVER go through what I go through! That joel is not really the way japanese bosses behave I bet???
Joel, You sure talk sum **** boy..let me tell you how it really works an ansa you commets
1. i WAS NOT FORCED INTO EMPLOYMENT…yes yuo are correct in the sense that nobody physically forced m in the door but as a single mother i was not in a position to not take a job. The nightshift hours suited my life so I could still spend time with my child and have him looked after. When i got the job it was the one of the happiest days of my life.
2.
Stop this stinking shit about kencall sore losers. You were not forced into employment in this callcenter, you dragged your desperate asses to this place looking for employment because you needed it. Now that you got it, you became lazy-typical backward african nature- and started taking everything for granted.
If where you were before kencall why dont you go back there or better still look for employment in other call centers or any other place for all i care. Running business can be tough at times and we we have t0o persevere, you wont realise this till the day you will be doing your own start-up.
You might say am being naive but we must take the example of the japanese- people do overtime without pay,come to work when sick,accept paycuts just to keep ‘the company’ afloat- take care of the company and the company will take care of you.
What kind of society will this be if the (mostly young) people wont grow up and prefer partying when they are supposed to be on duty? Open your eyes and as Gates said young people should stop thinking its easy out there- in the corporate world.
For the record, though delayed, you got your money and still lucky to have your jobs in these times of layoffs and downsizing…
Am not done here yet, gotta log in, i’ll be back!
Just got my 40% of salary for last month yesterday!!! the excuses that they say are just that…EXCUSES!! everyone is sick of this! the lies that they tell you, even my manager is looking to move!!
Eric nesbit just hides in the office now and sneaks out to meet his girlfriend behind the building as she gets into his car!! I can bet he dosent have his landlord throwing him out!! The magic has gone and when i eventually get my remainiing pay I am off!!!
still NO PAY its the middle of the month NO PAY!!!.How can they come up with an excuse that the cheque sent to BOUNCED? have pity on your rep.I have given up! use the money to open another account to handle employees distress.
jkamau…would you by any chance be john???…if so i know you, if you remember falling off a bar stool whilst watching a certain football match in May…let me know the initials of the bar and i will get back to you.
I am still here at Kancall, its really bad now we have only been paid 50% of our salarys and no news on when the rest is due.
dave steward the manager left( what did he know)?.. and lots of the accounts are folding up or being reduced. I started on a new accont this week and am training but the whole place is just talkin about money and everyone is lookin to get out. Nobody seems to know whats happening and nobody tells you anything.
so get back to me with those initials an if you are who i think you are then we can catch up.
tHEY DONT PAY!!!….BELIEVE ME I WAS OWED MONEY FOR 6 MONTHS AND STILL AM GAVE UP LONG AGO!
THE NESBITTS SAY ONE THING AN DO ANOTHER…FINANCE DEPT..JOKE…ERIC NESBITT…JOKE…DONT TRUST THEM!
Having worked at Kencall for a substancial amount of time It is true that they have an issue when it comes to payments. As A BPO centre their number ONE resource should be their staff and their needs should be taken care off first. As an agent on the floor, what would be my motivation to hit target knowing that i will probably not get paid for it. To date I believe there have been over 2000 people who have been in and out of those doors and that is since October 2004 when they began their operations and that includes management that as a staff turnonever figure is quite high for any organisation ( unless your running a prison) and a majority of these people have got jobs elsewhere but they are still dissapointed at they way things were dealt with at Kencall. I applaud the Nesbitts for being the brave ones to entre the call centre industry as commercial entreprenures however we also have to note that call centres have been in Kenya for over 10 years supporting like Safaricom, Telekom, Kenya Power and Celtel however we do not hear these kindof issues arising from them .
In Short KENCALL HAS TO STYLE UP
Okey all. Im glad someone finally woke up and hit the nail on the head. True True very True i was woking for kencall and upto date i gave up going there for my money infact i decided to let it go. coz its all a waste of time.No pay is true,no communication very true.But twas a great place to work the work enviroment is great but at the end of the day we all work for money but when you have to keep borrowing fare from people to go to work it is hell.Youd rather just stay at home.Though i belive they can work on it do something,if it is the clients find some mode of payment pay before they are submitted with the work done haaaaa.
This money issue is killing the company’s reputation i only worked there for 3 months the account i was in pulled out.Suddenly now we havent been paid our october salary.We are also supposed to be paid for november, because of the sudden job cuts.I just dont understand why we havent been paid since we worked till the last day of the month and why havent the other employees in other accounts not been paid and they have nothin to do with the closed account….By the way is the management being paid 50% also?? hmmm.
Just to add on that – I can demonstrate how I have made hundreds of bucks as a freelancer, and which I still do, at home. But I would use some business mind like me for synergy and all. Plus also some connections.
J
Ladies and gentlemen – I have just found this blog. Well. This is November. I just joined Kencall a week ago, as an agent, after 3 weeks training. I was lucky to get through. Guys are squeezing through the door to get in here. The door being training.
As of NOW, November 4th, 3:34 AM, there is some sort of go a slow because guys have not been paid for last month’s salo, apparently which was to come in before the 26th last month. Nearly 10 days there.
So yesterday they were told that (No on Friday), that they would be given 50% of their salo, because the client has not paid.
There is not one client at Kencall. There are different accounts. Different clients.
No one has been paid. Freshers like me are worried. But not much to do.
Guys, if anyone is out of Kenya, we could have a good business idea, an outsourcing idea, which can work simply, and efficiently, and can make some good money for both of us.
Write to me at diamind at postkenya dot com.
Kencall doenst look so prospecting right now.
Thanks.
Anonymous:
I couldn’t have put it better. The place is real nice to work in and the mamas……DAMN!!!!
Need I say more.
Out!!!
Ok, y’all, here is the truth. I hv been watching all this unfold, and hearsay is one not even close word to describe what I see. (Seesay?)
The majority of the workforce at kencall are of course the agents who generate the revenue for the organization. You asked for a breakdown? Well here it is.
On average, an agents basic pay is 15k. This agent is also entilted to commisions, based obviously on the performance and quality of his work. Hit targets but with wack quality? Comms will of course be nyongwad. Hit targets, good quality, go laughin all the way to the bank. Now for an agent to make less than 5k in comms, there would be something quite wrong right there. I’m sure that is what M15t3r was trying to make us see but of course we either were misinformed or just not at a level to understand the technicalities of commissions and all that.
There are the IT techies; these guys realy do make some good money as well, seeing as IT is what really drives the company.
Kencall is a fun environment to work at.
I do not wish to report on each and every department
The major hitch that this company suffers from is communication. Bad bad communication.
Oh, and just a by the way, The fliest mamaaz in Nairobi work for kencall. Anyone want to differ with me on that??
Kimani:
There’s a reason people called the information on wikipedia – Wiki-ality (it takes on it’s own form of “reality) – not a good example on your part.
After all the posting and everything. No one has told us how much guys make at Kencall.
No one has given us any breakdown of any sort.
Because most of the guys posting stuff here don’t know what they are talking about.
Next time please post with facts sorta like the way things are done at wikipedia. have some references.
Probably this public comment thing should have a url pointing to ones sources.
Or like they have it at yahoo answers.
Anyway,
The blog says so much about us as Kenyans. (Faced with an issue we are more interested in correcting other peoples grammer and saying how much we earn rather than solving the real issues.)
We never address the real issues…
we never address the real issues…
we never address the real issues…
we never address the real issues…
This country will only move forward when we start addressing the real issues.
Just take your time to listen to BBC world have your say.
You will notice that the most important thing is the way you feel about an issue than your skin color, your education or broken english.
Can you guys try doing that here.
Address issues not peoples’ personalities.
Thanks.
I know its grammar not grammer.
You see what I mean?
the core of the matter is that a guy making real money is riding on many backs and that is NOT the way to build up an industry,whether in Bangalore or in Nairobi. that’s just what i’m talking about.
to the complex mi5r & company who seem to love kencall so much; one thing you’ll have to accept is that kencall does pay LESS than 20k and the fellows collecting ’58K’ plus are a minority (
Oh! sorry to “Misunderstand you”. So this was an entertainment blog?
Thanks for clarifying that point. Now please entertain us with some of those antics you have up your sleeve. Or have you ran out?
Oh Formula – stop it!
you want us to hold hands and sing “kumbaya” everyday like nursery school children? that’s not real life. In the real world people have disagreements and differences of opinion and sometimes even differences over the facts.
Like I’ve said before, everyone has the right of reply. If you think something has been said in error, present your point of view and people will make up their own minds. A blog were everyone agreed would be utterly boring.
Hey all,
This is starting to get boring. the starter of this blog seems to like moshene. just check how he encourages moshene threats by ‘M’…
You guys need to get a life. including the starter of this blog. Face it all. This was a blog to discredit Kencall. Was started by someone bitter about it.
Face it . you lost… way too many good things being pointed out by people who seem to work for this company.
Go Mi15t3r, GO!!
Let Em Know!!
M, this is a fact, people hv made comms of upto 58 K.
I should know!!
Yes – I want you to point out the other “interesting” things that have been happening there ( by all means, point them out…
M15t3r
u & i know that i have spoken the truth about whats going down , do i have to “run a business ” to point out an ill? btw this salary issue is just one of the things that happen, do u want me to point out other interesting things that have been happening there?
M15t3r…
You said “Go setup your own business”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m afraid to let you know that your comments are very immature.
Argue based on facts and do away with the insults.
When you dare tell “m” …”Get your facts right before you speak out anything.”….Just what?
the HELL are you talking about in comparison to what you write???
Do you listen to yourslef when you speak(type)? Doesn’t seem like you do. You just blabber out anything that pops into your mind.
Get your facts right before you speak out anything.
Go setup your own business that will not abuse Kenyans then start ranting.
look dude nobody has ever taken those “commissions” since inception in 04, so the basic still remains at 12k but i as i said keep it up , u are actually beginning to believe uaself now. i dont have any beef against “investors” who create jobs but i am against those who abuse the kenyan workforce by not paying salaries on time & paying them very little even in local standards.
When I said 20k I was taking the commmissions and bonuses into consideration. Do I have to break everything down for you to understand all this? Can’t do some math on your own?
haa haa , i know everything going down, so tell us another lie , u had said it was 20k, now down to 15k………………….u may begin to believe its true,keep it up.
15k basic a month for an agent+ commssions. Some agents make commissions of even 45k.Attendance has an impact on both basic pay and commissions. Taking the kitchen sink on a single day results in an automatic deduction of an average of 700/=. Commissions get a beating if attendance falls below a certain level. So ‘m’ if you are one of the people who disappear once the mid month cash checks in and fnd up getting 12k, don’t assume that all other agents go home with a similar amount.
i see my error,and concede (kenyan ,not american)
all the same 12K IS peanuts for brain-work rather than brawn-work.
Just What ….et al..
Just where in this thread did i state, imply or assume that 20K = peanuts/ chicken change/ measly pay???
I mentioned chicken change and Mr.Complex himself (M15t3r) LIED to us that the least paid employee takes home 20K.
Where is the correlation???
PS: I am brown and Kenyan but NOT American
the ‘brown’american-kenyan ought to understand that 20K isn’t exactly peanuts in nairobi,move upcountry and the effect of purchasing power makes the 20 feel like 40.
all the same,12K is like the hamsters wheel, turning but going nowhere.
and for the guy with the complex name (mi5-what?), what opinion isn’t prejudiced? so let ME sing it out…
You said……”I could bet my arse on it that you even have no idea where Kencall is let alone having stepped thorugh Kencall’s doors or even on a far fetched position, having worked there. ”
FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS!!!!!
Lets stick with the issues young man.
You said……”but then again, I can bet teh whole world (if I owned it) that you will never work or even step into Kencall.”
This is NOT rocket science…i will NEVER work at Kencall.
So what???
You said…….”Ohh and by the way, living in America making 5 digit figures in American dollars, you don’t have much moral authority to be criticizing someone paying a worker in Kenya upwards of 20,000/= a month. There are many many people who would go to extremes to make that kind of money. ”
“5-digit figures???”
Says who? It could be 4-digits….or 6-digits
You said…..”You dont have much Moral Authority?”
NIgga Pris Pris….Tuheshimiane!!!!!!!!!!
My comments are very simple so stop trying to make them as complex as your name “M15t3R”…:)
Baseless Opinions?
I know MANY people who work for Kencall and for you to come and lie to us that….
“The least paid employee takes home 20K”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The least paid employee takes home 20K”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The least paid employee takes home 20K”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“ME” you have completely lost drift of this discussion. You have turned this into an emational fight beating down Kencall and anyone who’s coming up with positive sentiments. You seem to have a prejudiced opinion of how everything at Kencall is in the doldrums.
I could bet my arse on it that you even have no idea where Kencall is let alone having stepped thorugh Kencall’s doors or even on a far fetched position, having worked there.
I guess you have a friend who once worked at Kencall and couldn’t take all the pressure combined with the thought of not getting their cash at the end of the month. The ones who left during the crisis had tehir right to, the ones who stuck around also had teh right to do that and I can bet you most of them don’t regret it.
One thing that you might not understand about Kencall unless you have worked there is about the entire experience. This I cannot explain to you, you would hafta live a day at kencall to know what I am talking about, but then again, I can bet teh whole world (if I owned it) that you will never work or even step into Kencall.
Ohh and by the way, living in America making 5 digit figures in American dollars, you don’t have much moral authority to be criticizing someone paying a worker in Kenya upwards of 20,000/= a month. There are many many people who would go to extremes to make that kind of money.
Miss, this is Kenya, 20k is alot of money for someone who is not assured of a high level job at the end of one’s college life. By the way the situation ain’t really that much good in organisations outside Kencall. I’ve gotten offers from multiple organisations to work for them, but looking at all things combined, it is not worth it. Some even have the guts to offer me less than what kencall is paying me.
Now unless you have lived through that, most of your opinions are just that, “baseless opinions”.
least paid employee doesnt get 20k , thats a pure lie, he/she gets 12k and is told to live along msa rd. or eastlands so that the company doesnt incur transport costs.
i have noticed that alot of those defending kencall’s working conditions with a sycophantic style, nways keep it up , someday you may actually start believing that its true…………
Manyee…
“Check the spelling of the word”….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“”Bang you head on a wall”….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of all the comments you could write was that the best you could do???
Didn’t you see that i put the word in inverted comman……FCOL pliz, pliz,pliz dont turn this educative debate into an English class. I bet they teach those at Kencall
.
Free of charge…
The word hullabaloo is an English noun meaning an uproar or fuss.
I repeat…..
Tell us something we dont know.
Keep the “hulabalu” to yourself !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You have ellegations from at least three people who are not aware that things are very different at KenCall.
Have they called to claim their dues and been told they wont be paid?
Moving on….what are the staff turnover figures for KenCall for the last six months? What were the reasons staff left? What did it have to do with pay? Someone pleeeese tell a lie on this one (as it seems to be the trend on this topic). Am not taking sides but i would rather have concrete evidence over blind speculation anyday!! Without facts, its plain daft to say this and this company has the highest staff turnover. And, to make it worse, link this,by innuendo, to salaries issues is more stupidity than i can fathom.
KenCall had 100 employees enf of Feb this year, now i have confirmed from them that they have 430. To have the highest staff turnover in Nairobi and retain that level of staffing increases beats logic. Oops, some people might have shidaz understanding the abstract concept of logic…..
Come on guys…
BTW- what the heck is “hulabalu”. check the spelling of the word and then check the meaning. then bang your head on a wall!!!!!!!!!!
Manyee…
Allegations? And we have evidence from at least 3 people???
Tell us something we dont know.
Keep the “hulabalu” to yourself
Funny how people are making comments based on no information.
that must be the reason why there are so many retrations and changes of tack.
Guys, guys guys!! These are baseless lies, made worse by a few individuals who cannot resist the urge to bond with their keyboards.
If we are going to start rumors that can seriously hanmper the growth of a business, could someone PLEASE get their facts straight, not jump on their keyboards straight from bed? At least have a cup of coffee and be able to substantiate these scandolous allegations. You are making it sound like the Nesbitt’s business model is not to pay. CRAP!!
Get proof before opening your traps. alegations are just that, allegations.
Leo….
.
thanks for your input.
ME is a she and not a he.
YES, my job is cosy
M15t3r…..
“The least paid employee takes home 20K”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The least paid employee takes home 20K”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The least paid employee takes home 20K”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nuff Said!
Quote :” ME | August 15th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
What is the difference between negativity and constructive criticism???
“The least paid employee takes home 20K”????
An average Kenyan teacher makes about 10-12k a month. You call 20k peanuts? I bet that teacher who teaches kiswahili would be willing to come to Kencall and spend 8 hours answering customer care calls where the only skill that is required of him is to know how to speak kiswahili.
ha ha ha
Are we from the same country?
Once again, who is fooling who?
I live and work in the US and i am the only African in my company. (NOTE: We are No.1 in the Fibre Optic Industry) Actually, out of approx. 150 employees there are 8 blacks and 1 brown (Me..:) ).
Need I say more? You shoot yourself in the foot by your own words in the same post. Why do I need to expound on this any further?
I am also a practical experiental employee of Kencall and can attest to what M15t3r says. Oh by the way, it’s now 6figures. Yes the Nesbitts are Kenyan and they also did go to the extent of paying guys off their pockets. We are talking a workforce of upto 300 people being paid off their pockets.
These guys work an average of 14-6hours (the Nesbitts) to see their dream come true and the few occassions when people came in to complain about pay they would do something about it. I know they did about me!
Bottomline is if you have been in entrepreneurship which I have been and still am, there are facts you have to face such as parting with a your own cash to meet business obligations. That will also include alot of beatings from people who do not share your vision.
ME is talking from his/her cosy job and environment of employment in the States. Unfortunately in this blog, there seems to be mixed reaction on the issue. Yes I believe the Nesbitt’s have the ability to withstand your blog – after sustaining a workforce that big with cashflow issues and now sailing through global accolade.
Dear Mr or Ms M15t3r…….
What is the difference between negativity and constructive criticism???
“The least paid employee takes home 20K”????
ha ha ha
Are we from the same country?
Once again, who is fooling who?
“Kencall is one reason why Kenya’s economy grew by 6% last year”
First….NYT has been wrong on many counts but thats a story for another day…
Second…The key word is “ONE”
This could mean that their contribution to the Kenya’s economic growth could be 0.0000000000000000000000000000000009% of that 6%….go figure!
I usually do not comment on blogs because i keep things real and minimize the excitement. Thats why my name is “Me”…coz i am just “Me”
Many people do not like hearing the truth.
KE & I are not hating on the Nesbitts or Kencall. I believe in Kenya/Africa/Outsourcing etc but i have zero tolerance for bad business practice. Employees are a company’s greatest asset and every entrep. should know that.
I mentioned s’where that my b/f is setting up a BPO in Kenya. He is also experiencing the same challenges as Kencall (infrastracture, internet, and what not) but employees are never not paid. He even goes out of his way to PAY EMPLOYEES OUT OF HIS OWN A/C. We are talking 6-fig salaries and not the 20-80K Kencall pays so…whats so special about Kencall ???
Unlike Cold Tusker, I DO care who owns/runs a firm… coz i have ZERO love for Wazungus or Wahindi’s coming to the motherland to treat us like slaves.
I live and work in the US and i am the only African in my company. (NOTE: We are No.1 in the Fibre Optic Industry) Actually, out of approx. 150 employees there are 8 blacks and 1 brown (Me..:) ).
Kenyans are a bright crop of humans and we are capable of setting up, managing very successful companies….w/out the help of any foreigner.
I dont know if the Nesbitts are Native Kenyans but maybe if they were i would have had “some love” for their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Thats why i have MAD LOVE for Tuskys/Tusker Matress coz the owners are “Wasaperes
“
One thing I notice here is just too much negativity especially from kenyanentrepreneur and ‘ME’. I have worked at Kencall for over 2 years now and still there. Kencall has gone through worse times but there’s alot of change now. We get paid by the 30th of each month and in full. Employees are more happier now than they were a year ago. With over 400 staff all paid in full and on time that’s definitely a huge improvement. The least paid employee takes home 20k. Some make close to a 80k. In a country where half the population eats less than a dollar a day, 20k take home pay is something remarkable. Quoting the New York Times ‘Kencall is one reason why Kenya’s economy grew by 6% last year’.
CT:
Nobody was attacking the Nesbitt’s! we were attacking a situation described above (not paying employee’s) — that’s a legitimate “attack” if you want to use that word. Besides, a blog that’s always polite and diplomatic would bore me to death! I want people to freely express their opinions, whether good or bad and let the chips fall where they may. No sugar coating here! (if you want politeness, go to bankelele!)..oops, did I say that? absolutely!
Annonymous:
Well, that’s interesting and good if Nesbitt did in fact tell his employee’s what was going on (although it conflicts entirely with what others have said here, so who knows?)
BTW – tell Nesbitt to visit this blog and leave his comments. We’d all love to hear about his entrepreneurial ventures in Kenya (I’m sure he’s a big boy and can handle whatever “criticism has been leveled against him here)
ME;
I like your passion and strong opinions! don’t water down your comments to appear more polite (that’ll bore us).
ME: Mea culpa… MEA CULPA…
The mzungu part was misplaced… it was meant to be supposed to be 2 “mzungu” dudes… only reason I used “mzungu” was coz people think of EABL as always being a Diageo firm when it was not…
The forerunner of EABL was Kenya Breweries with the famous “Tusker” being their first or 2nd product!
I (generally) do not care who owns/runs a firm… pole sana!!!
Coldtusker….
Tusky’s formerly Tusker Matresses is not a mzungu company. It is owned be a Kikuyu Family.
As for Nakumatt, its a “Patel”…………and not a mzungu.Same thing for Mabati (Chandaria).
Lastly, I was NOT attacking the Nesbitts. I was simply stating FACTS and people have come here to prove me right.
I have been an entrep. for many years so its nothing against anyone. I would say the same thing for any company, any Entrep or any CEO…….so its nothing personal against Kencall or the Nesbitts.
STOP misunderstanding me, please!
ME: Nesbitts AMONG other mzungu entrepreneurs including ScanGroup (Thakrar & White), EABL (started by 2 dudes back in the day), Mabati (Chandaria family), Equity (Mwangi, Muguku, etc), Nakumatt, Tusky’s… etc!!!
Never said the Nesbitts lowered unemployment down to 40% solo… AMONG other entrepreneurs…
Don’t forget the various dukas, kiosks & exhibition stalls… all are entrepreneurs! Kenya has 1000s of these… including the farmers & Mama Mbogas…
P.S. I do not count thieves like biwott, moi, kenyatta (well, his dad), merali, etc as entrepreneurs… coz they used political connections & shortcuts!
ME: Just making a point about entrepreneurship. You were attacking the Nesbitts (I have no connection!!!) but I am a fan of (most) entrepreneurs. They have vision which most of us lack.
just what is ‘chicken change’? 10k per month? or maybe 20k? surely its in that range,no?
Probably my last comment so lets see how this goes….
KE…….Yes, Kencall is getting publicity for some of the reasons you’ve mentioned. However, we’ve seen businesses come and go hence i still see no reason for anyone to get overly excited. We have seen companies outsource and many others insource. Once that fibre optic cable is laid many more BPOs will appear…and maybe…just maybe Kencall will disappear
….
Agent……When you say “My point, measly pay? Not quite anymore”…………….
does this mean employees salaries were revised upwards??? Why do i doubt this!
“Keep watching this space”………as i said, wacheni mioto….we have seen the high and mighty come and go so my eyes are indeed wide open. I’m not a pessimist. i’m simply a realist. As The Donald would saiy, “Its business, its not personal.”
Coldtusker……… for you to insinuate that i said “6-figure salary” = “hand-to-mouth for most Kenyans.”….i am speechless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You said…..”If not for the Nesbitts (among other “hated/reviled” entrepreneurs/factory owners/retailers, etc) the unemployment rate would be 60-75%.”
So does this means that Kencall has reduced unemployment in Kenya from 60-75% to 40%?
Dude, are we from the same country????
Then again you go on to write ….”If you, I or KE thinks we can do a better job than the Nesbitts, then we should start a Call Center”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What happened to constructive criticism?
Isnt that what blogging/commenting is all about?????
Nuff Said!
Anonymous……………chicken change is chicken change.
Based on its previous cash flow performance as well as asset value a company CAN walk in and get an OD. So what in God’s green earth are you guys talking about???
In a nut shell, 4m reading your comment……
you are stating the obvious.
you totally misunderstand me
i will not be at pains to xplain myself.
As you said “Lets start thinking beyond our noses” …and re-direct this “excitment” to the Safcom IPO….
kenyanentrepreneur: employees were not left hanging becouse they were all called into a meeting and told what the deal is, I was there when it happened before i left to pursue my own stuff. Everything was broken down to us by the Managing director himself stating what is going on na d the solution….we were told ROHO SAFI if guys dont want to stay they could leave instead of suffering but guys continued those who left well left while those who stayed are still around enjoying solid payment, some who have the plaesure of being paid twice in the month….hey what a turn of events HUH! Thats the honesty you wanted to hear then there you have it……
CT:
I’m not knocking the nesbitt’s entrepreneurial balls (more power to them!) – what i’m saying is this: if they are going through financial hard-times (which many, many entrepreneurs go through) isn’t it better to be honest with your employee’s about what’s going on (instead of doing what appears to have been described above? – i.e. leave them hanging with no paycheck and no info?)
But then, like you said, with an unemployment rate of 40% and above, the nesbitts know they can do whatever the hell they want. if you can sleep at night knowing that you’ haven’t paid some people, then hey…every one has a right to define their own consciousness.
So, this discussion was really not about criticizing their business model or their risk-taking (it’s really about how to approach this sensitive issue of pay when you have cash flow problems)
BTW – this is why I want to re-start my internet businesses! no employee’s and no inventory! who wants that stress?
And what is chicken change ME; all employees sign a contract which clearly states the term and conditions which i might add has the gross pay indicated in bold; I know i signed one when i was there, from that point on you earn your commissions and the key word is EARN dont expect to have poor performance rewarded. So if someone complains about earning chicken change he/she shouldn’t have signed the contract in the 1st place and what is this HEAR SAY VIBE…. I heared Kencall employees do this or are done that…..
ME:a company,which includes Kencall does not walk into a bank and request for an OD, just as coldtusker said, infact thats would be disatrous for the company as those facilities are expensive just like the communication infrastructure that Kencall has set up on its own.
Since Kencall is a private company it is rather obvious that the net earnings would go back to the pockets of the private investors who took the risk in the 1st place; if you started your own business with your hard eaned savings, would you want the revenue to go to your neighbour or the government….?Didn’t think so either…
….The fuss is that Kencall is a pioneer in it’s field; India’s metoric economic growth was spurred on by successful call centers eg INFOSYS, a long while back and now play an integral part,not just customer service but providing efficency systems, consaultancy services in Multi-Billion dollar companies that are in the developed world. So their ripple effects are well know and documented in regards to technology transfer e.t.c ME you get my drift.
Lets start thinking beyond our noses and as Stephanie said lets move on if it doesn’t work for you it just doesn’t, try something else that will.
ME: You said your friend was making a 6-figure salary… That sure ain’t hand-to-mouth for most Kenyans.
ME: Entrepreneurs take risks. We do not know how deep they (Nesbitts) were in debt. Do you have more info? Did they have a stash of cash elsewhere?
How can a company get an OD unless they can prove they have the means to repay the loan?
Few banks will take the risk to lending to such businesses. Banks “borrow” from the public & have to follow regulatory guidelines on lending.
Uchumi was a lesson that KCB does not want to repeat. KCB was also burnt by the loans to mugoya’s companies.
KE mentioned a 40% unemployment rate in Kenya. Sometimes employees in such economies suffer because they can be replaced easily. Of course, they should be paid but what happens if everyone is broke?
Is it better to have a job with a measly (subjective) pay or no job at all?
Not all firms will be bailed out like Uchumi. The government should NOT be in the business of bailing out sinking firms. It ends up losing even more of the taxpayer’s money. Which is likely to happen from what I have read!
I respect the fact that Nesbitt’s are trying against all odds to bring jobs to Kenya. Poor roads, poor infrastructure, expensive broadband, insecurity, government apathy, high taxation, etc all conspire against them. I wish them success so they may create more jobs for Kenyans.
If not for the Nesbitts (among other “hated/reviled” entrepreneurs/factory owners/retailers, etc) the unemployment rate would be 60-75%.
If you, I or KE thinks we can do a better job than the Nesbitts, then we should start a Call Center. I don’t think I can do better than them!
Most folks do NOT have the guts to be entrepreneurs. Ask KE about her experiences even though it was only part-time.
ME:
here is wat you kinda dont seem to get. I did say measly pay, yes. Measly pay to that period when all the tish was goin down.
I really do not know where youre coming from but Im gona tell you thing.
There are people who have families and they are getting by quite well from what they get here. My point, measly pay? Not quite anymore.
“it’s a pioneer company in a pioneer industry in Kenya? one that people are watching keenly to see if or how it will take off?”
As i sed, keep watching this space!
Entrepreneur got that ponit correct.
Stephanie:
How easy is it for people to “move on” in a country with an unemployment rate of 40%?!
ME:
Wouldn’t you say that Kencall is getting a lot of publicity because it’s a pioneer company in a pioneer industry in Kenya? one that people are watching keenly to see if or how it will take off?
I have heard that employees at Kencall are paid chicken change. Agent confirmed the same by saying….”Measly pay, yes”
When the rest of you keep braging about Awards, Big name clients, technical expertise, hundreds of jobs and what not……..aren’t these guys increasing the demographic of the working poor????
Walmart has one of the biggest names as a client but the employees working in its outsourced factories in China are living as slaves.
Anonymous….
I dont need greater understanding or the REAL STORY of this issue.
If employees are not being paid, they are not being paid.Period!
Why didnt the company get an OD facility?
As i said, many Kenyans live hand-to-mouth so companies should be more considerate.
I said it b4 and i will say it again, there is nothing special about Kencall. Its a private company and the $$$ is going to a person/family hence i dont see the reason for all the excitement.
good one agent and Stephanie; the “very important issue” is just but one aspect of a business when things do not go on “everyone has a comment on how things should be done……” but the bottom line is that period is over and with the awards and big name clients bringing business, technical expertise and most importantly JOBS in the hundreds this is the i don’t think this blog will have the kind of headline it has it would be more of the Business Daily headline….
ME…i belive for greater understanding talk to someone whose been there from the beginning, you will definately get the REAL STORY!
Steph, I truly agree with you
The salary aspect is just one tiny little factor at kencall. Once again, I can confirm that. Ok, correction, WAS!
Me, Entrepreneur, im not answering your questions. I’m just a person that knows the truth!
There are people who have worked at Kencall since it was established. Why are they there? Well, the simple fact remains they are in it for the whole experience! Once again, I would know!!
There are people that were there even when the financial set0backs were still being experienced, peeps who are making a good buck out of it now, since they hang on in there!
Just keep watchin the business environment guys, Kencall is comin up FAST!! And its way ahead!!
Does any of you keep up with the news? Business Daily Anyone??
Stephanie,
Short-mindedness???
I hate this type of BS in the name of a comment.
The one-aspect of a company that we are talking about is VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!
We are discussing the issue at hand -KENCALL- and would do the same for ANY company.
“Let the Nesbitts do their thing their way?”
Call me a communist/socialist or whatever but that statement is sheer CRAP!!!!!!!!
Tell us something we dont know, keep the matusis to yourself !!!!
i think dwelling on one aspect of the company-delayed salary payments-is a reflection of your short-mindedness…….no offence guys. been there,if it doesnt work out for you…hello…move on,i did. Let the Nesbitts do their thing their way.
company with the highest turnover in nairobi? that tells u much but nways whatever agent says the truth is out there, sooner or later ua wrongs catch up with u ,even james mugoya is now in remand.
ME:
I think people do understand your points. They are disagreeing with some of them (which is fine) so I’m not quite sure why you keep saying that they don’t understand you.
Agent:
Do you work for Kencall? Are these guys your buddies? hmmmm
Bukusu:
what?
its easy for cats to kill other cats. its only the dogs they have trouble with
- fugees
I said it before, i will say it again………………”I write in such simple and plain english that i’m surprised as to how people misunderstand me???”
Nway…..
Dear Agent…..
ME is a she and not a he.
I did mention (very clearly in my first comment) that my friend worked for Kencall so its not me.
You said, “No pay,that is not true”….and yet we have an example of 3 people saying the same thing??? Who is fooling who???
You said, “If, on the other hand, it was the friend, then that is a definite lie!!. Months? Define months. How many?”
Whether people are not paid for 1 day or 10 months is besides the point.
Dyou know how many Kenyans live from hand-to-mouth?
Do you know that could make a difference between whether they eat that day or not???
You said, “…………..she might have quit without giving adequate notice to the employer. In this case I guess it would only be fair for her to forfeit her pay.”
You think “it would only be fair” as who ?
Are you one of the Nesbitts? HR?
Is the requirement to give adequate notice stated in the employment contract???
Is the term “adequate notice” clearly defined in the employment contract???
Thats why i mentioned that there is no labor law enforcement in Kenya. Thank God for the same in the US. There is “employment at will” and the reason to give a 2 week notice is only good so that you can get a good reference when you leave the company. Besides that…”employment at will” rules!
In a different company, my pal gave “adequate notice” but they still refused to pay her because the company wanted to renegotiate her offer. We are talking an upper 6-fig salary and they literally refused to pay!!!
Thats the level of madness that needs to be straightened out in our Beloved Jamuhuri.
Quite amazing this thread, guyz.
Some of it here is true, some of it, well, quite baseless. I can confirm about the cashflow problems, experienced especially in the second half of last year. Led to all sorts of problems. No pay,that is not ture. Measly pay, yes, subdivided into divided partitions through sometimes 40 day period (wondering how that could happen,while a normal month has a max of 31 regular days huh?). But behind all this lay a genuine problem.
Now what I dont get quite clearly is whether it was ‘Me’ who did work at kencall or it was his friend. If it was ‘Me’, then Id say s/he was lying about not having been paid for months. If, on the other hand, it was the friend, then that is a definite lie!!. Months? Define months. How many? All that has changed though. People are making money now!!
Jenny, I also do not completely beleive in. The reason that comes to mind (which I have seen enough times) could be that she might have quit without giving adequate notice to the employer. In this case I guess it would only be fair for her to forfeit her pay. Now I am not saying that this is the case and I do beleive that she can clarify this.
Kencall is a different place now. The management might not have improved all that significantly but Pay issues have become a thing of the past. There is money, and the only other valid reason that an employee might not get pay could be a payroll/HR error.
Bottomline, shafting employees is quite the wrong word to use.
let me tell u something back here in kenya u can do anything to ua employees, and drive audis& landrovers & play golf while not pay salos for 3 months . Labour officers dont do jack around here.
ME (testy, testy…grrrr):
My general point was that Nesbitt, who spent half his adult life in America, should perhaps consider offering more “creative” payment solutions to his employee’s (out of a sense of general human compassion/dignity)
I don’t think Kenya’s labor laws would interfere with these creative arrangements, but I do get your point about the environment his working in.
KE, KE, KE….
I write in such simple and plain english that i’m surprised as to how you and CT misunderstand me???
When i said “Your 2nd paragraph, sentences 2-5 shows you’ve been in the US for too long.”…………it was in relation to your comment which said “And when you have cash flow problems aren’t you supposed to pay your employee’s first and tell the vendors to wait? or why not lay off the employee’s? or just be honest with them about what’s going on financially and let them decide what they want to do (work part-time, work for stock options, etc, etc)”
How many employees in Kenya work part-time?
How many companies in Kenya offer stock options?
How many companies pay their employee’s first and then tell the vendors to wait?
Your views may be viable based on ur exposure to Corporate America but just how feasible is this in Kenya…currently?
Thats why i said, many Kenyan employers give a rats ass about their employees. It has alot to do with work culture, absence of labor law enforcement…etc
Does this make sense or should i speak in Swahili?
Cold Tusker….
“Erm, what has being a Stanford MBA got to do with a firm not making money?”…………..
Nothing!
The point i made was in relation to “management” and not “making money”
You mentioned The Bill and The Dell. These are entrepreneurs who hire MBAs to run their companies….back to my point…management!!!
I’m not hating on the Nesbits. Despite being pioneers, i think there’s nothing special about them or Kencall. Esp if they are not paying their employees or paying them chicken change…which only goes to increase the “working poor” demographic.
Kenya has a myriad of challenges for EVERY business so lousy/expensive internet is no excuse not to pay employees. There are ways to work around these challenges but refusing to pay employees is definately not one of them….unless Stanford changed their curriculum . (LOL)
Sijui…
We are in sync. I have always said setting up a TEMP agency in Kenya is the way to go.
I could be wrong but i heard Safcom wants to outsource its Post Paid Call Centre Service. I wonder if they are considering Kencall.
I also think setting up a “Middle Tier” Recruitment Agency (not the expensive ones like PWC or Manpower) is viable.
M, Jenny et al……
Yu guys should write to the media (Cutting Edge,Watch Man etc) whats going on.
This is 2007 and everyone should have zero tolerance for such absurd business practice.
Tuendelee Kujivunia na sio Kuvumilia!
ME:
Your contention that “being in America” makes one unrealistic about the importance of paying employee’s is odd. It’s not about being in America. It’s about human compassion and dignity. I don’t know if I could sleep at night knowing that people who’ve worked for me are going without a paycheck and possibly without food!
However, let’s take your point that Kenya is a different country and use Nesbitt as an example. It looks like he went to college in America and spent most of his professional life working in the states. So, one would think (based on your contention) that this American exposure would change his attitude about shafting employee’s (particularly those in a 3rd world country). However, it has not and I am saying that if Nesbitt is shafting his employee’s, it’s because he lacks that basic human compassion (has living in Kenya turned him into a soul-less, heartless businessman? You’d probably say yes. I’m saying, it shouldn’t have (it probably existed before).
I’m sure Nesbitt is not going without food.
P.S. Did KENCALL not just win a prestigious award under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi? Hey I’m the first to acknowledge that entrepreneurs have to make a dollar out of fifty cents but shafting employees seems like a very short term fix to obvious problems.
Erm, what has being a Stanford MBA got to do with a firm not making money?
Have you heard of Bill Gates, Michael Dell or a hundred others whose firms make oodles of cash… & are not MBAs (from any college)?
I do hope the Nebitts succeed coz they are among the pioneers of Call Centers in Kenya… I am sure the lousy & expensive internet connections are part of the problem… How do you attract clients when you can’t provide decent service e.g. call quality?
Sorry guys but I need to revisit an earlier thread that is tied closely to this one……..
M, I need to qualify my answer regarding the International Development Industry and financing. In Africa, the International Development Industry did not finance such projects until TAH DAH! the massive incursion of China
You are right, commercial arms such as the IFC have eagerly financed such projects in Asia, Europe, Latin America et al but in Africa the best you’ll get is money to build a road. Hence the reason why many governments are now pursuing sovereign bond placements and dedicated equity funds for infrastructure.
Now the IFC is falling over itself to get in on the action, I just read they are providing an eigth of the investment for EASSY….the competing project to TEAMS…..
Disapointing about KENCALL but not surprising, I agree RED FLAG about management stewardship. I don’t want to be an armchair general but how about downsizing considerably to a skeletal staff and then hiring people as temps on short work assignments when they have high volume.
HEY GUYS BUSINESS IDEA…STARTING A TEMP AGENCY FOR THE NASCENT BPO SECTOR IN KENYA
I am sure there would be use for this even in other sectors.
its a very depressing state even after all the good they claim they are doing………i am also one of them who has nearly given up following my arrears.
Bankelele….
“Candid talk”??? Business men can talk all they want but results is the name of the game.
Despite occassional cash flow, how in God’s green earth are employees not paid for months? And the CEO is a Stanford MBA….and Dartmouth BA??? Jayzuz!!!!!!!!
Despite being No.1 in the Fibre Optic Industry, my company is not making profit yet. Payroll is a significant expense but have you ever heard of employees not getting paid in the US???
I could be wrong but i hear Kencall is paying its employees “chicken change”. I also hear that their internet costs have been subsidized by The World Bank. And they still have cash flow problems????
Jenny…
Thanks for sharing your personal example. Sad….Very Sad indeed.
I also worked in Kencall for a few months and have been following up for my payments for almost five months in vain! Av ended up using lotsa lotsa going to their offices and calling, wapi. I think there are very many guys out there who Kencall owes alot to them. Am almost at the verge of givin up, coz it has become a rat race. I think ur friend was right.
Nesbitt gave a candid talk at TE Global (Arusha) where he mentioned the occasional cash flow & survival problems the company has faced in the quest of obtaining and retaining outsourcing contracts
Disclaimer : I did mention that my pal said he was not paid for months while working at Kencall but whether this is true or not is beyond me.
If it is indeed true then i am dissapointed. Despite huge capital outlay, BPOs are making mad cash…(esp Call Centers which are employers of cheap, low skilled labor)….and for Kencall to have cash flow problems….red flag!
Many Kenyan employers give a rats ass about their employees. What they fail to understand is that turn over is also costly. Its a man-eat-man society.