Diary of a CEO

Brave and Courage.

From the TV news the day before and last night, I witness and follow the story of bankrupcy of " Cha-Chin Health Club "; the dramatic story reflect to a few impression which I would like to touch upon, and these element will circle around " Brave " -
the bankrupcy of this 29 years old history health club was due to over-expension and non-efficient cash flow management - the major contributor to the falling of any corporation; this is no exception. what touched me is when the news highlight the son of the owner standing still in the center of its Flagship shop - the 101 store, those angry employee who were mad and losting control of their behavior, yell and shouted at him, not to mention in the end, one very mad employee approching him and taking his neck by 2 hands, she had the intention to strangler the young man. and he stand still, no bad face, no bad talk and no back up; news repeatly hightlight this episode, I am impressed about this young man, taking all the blame from her mother and facing this uncomfortable situation alone with calm and mature manner -- This is one angle to observe " Brave "

His mother show up by 4 am in the morning, joined with her son, they take a deep bow and show their apology to the employee -- all of them didn't receive their pay check for 3 months, some of them even lent their money to Teacher Tsai - they used to be respected founder of Cha-chi and now being accused as a liar. His son stand still with her mother, holding her hand so tight, mother said, she's being watching the news and checking the development and then decided to turn herself to the angry audience. -- the second phase to check " Brave "

Taipei City Government - Labor and Social Section conduct a meeting for the empolyer and employee for a day, the meeting break up after first 4 hours of negociation, employee asking owner to announce the bankrupcy of the entire businee and to shut down the last resort - 101 Flagship shop immediately, in order for them to claim the unemployment conpensation from City Government'; Teacher Tsai resist to do so, she want to hold on to the last land and to consider a come back in the future, she won't surrender even under such a pressure. a spirit of entreprinureship - never give up, this is the third angle to watch " Brave " - she didn't committe suicide, in the process of negociation, she still calling all the friends, associates asking for immediate cash injection, to solve the urgent problem. all the effors were in vain, she must losing all her credit now.

Lessons from this ture and vivid story : cosmetic your business will lead you to a land with no return; borrowing money from your employee who trust you is the least thing executive should do; over-expension is the killer for man / woman with ambition; never over-estimate the political-relationship you build if you were a pure business man.

Now let's go to the courage part : RAY band release their debut albume on May 20th, they promises to their fans on the day President Chen making his anniverserly speech, with be the day their album born; they keep their promise and Yan overcome a lot of obstacle in the process of making one albume - from production, promotion to distribuiton.

in the night of album lauch, I asked my wife buy me a bunch of flowers, I wish to present my wish with flowers to him, to show my respect and my friendship to an old friend of mine; the lauch party took place in a tiny little pub call " River side ", by 10:00 pm, my wife drove me to the front door of the pub, I walked in with the big flower on hand, the packed audience look at me, how come an mid-age man carring flowers to this " Young crowded party ", they must have lots of question in their mind, when Yan sing his first song after the opening insturment, I walked up to the stage and present him with the flower, the surprise did surprise him, I am not taking this action for surprise him, but to do something I want to do, my heart beat faster, breathe get intense and I am a little bit nervous, this is my first time to present flower to someone on stage, this is courege - for both of us , he live in his believe and perform his belive in the way he believe; I equipped myself with a pleasant I seldom take and exercise my emotion in the way I seldom make; I did stay long, after presenting the flower and his short speach on stage, I walked out the door - I didn't belong here, or I should not be here alone. I can feel those young strange eyes watch my back and they didn't know why I did it; I just want to do it.

The educational session for new Chairman of the Taiwan operation went smoothly, before the presentation, I told him that we have quality of time, this is the last session in the evening of Friday evening, We were not in a hurry to finish the presentaion, then I can tell he is nervous, my physological approch tactic works; we have a lunch appointment on Sat. with the head of music company, when told him I choose another fish restaurant for him, he didn't moved, after the meeting, he came to me and whisper to my ear asked if we may change it to " Dim Sum " What ? an adventure person and culture appricator can't stand to have 2 seafood, this is one month away from our first meal already, and he just can get away from it; or he prefer to be in-control?

Lunch was good, I didn't talk much, he is the explore, he do all the asking, head of music company respone to him and guild him through the music industry in Taiwan', I can feel A. is pretty tired and he must perform some eyelid surgery, I can see the cuts in his upper eyelid - for rejuvilization or for health reason or for the outlook? I am not sure; didn't want to go anywhere, straigh home; wife was not expecting me to be home so earlier, well, I need to prepare for the big night tonigh, one of my colleage is getting marry and I was invited to be the witness person at the wedding ceremony; a honor you can't ignore; I worte down what I plan to say and will leave it as one sovirnier to the bridge and Gron.

COO will stay one night at Spring Park Resort tonigh, calling the GM - considerable a good friend of mine to prepare one bottle of good red wine for the couple; this is what a friend for, don't forget to return the favor on Monday.

A lot of issue wait for next mangement committe, a long debate discussion is expecting. this is how we worked in corporate - make your point, make your presece and make your day - not someone elses' day.

posted by Roger @ 5/21/2005 03:35:00 下午