Diary of a CEO

Communication Starter

Inviting 2 Japanese expetraites for dinner last night; presumely, I want to hold such a dinner before departure of COO, however, due to one important new business launching conflict, we have to postpone it until last night.. well, things not going well in our end, the new service didn't launch on schedule, which cause another expatrate late for dinner again, T. came to join us by 9:30 pm; the same situation happend as before.

The window gave me and K. another good chance to talk - more casual then formal meetings, as I turn down his entertainment expense report yesterday afternoon, I knew he will asked why and find a sneaky way to probe it; I am right, he begin with why the group company's meal can report for expenses; I explained to him that the " Subject " must be corrected, it should re-write to " entertainment expense " instead of meeting fees. since the Japnese white collar developed a " talking business in second round " culture, they are customed to drink wine at bar -- sometimes with female waitrerss accompany; I honestly told him in our company, we didn't take such an expense a normal situation, even when COO worked with us, he never report such an expense before, the exceptional is whenever there's a need for entertainment , he will report to me in advance and advise the budget. I simply deliver a lesson the K. and have him understand the new " Rules " in the company.

as the same time, we were in fond of talking business in much relax enviroment, it build less defensive and less tension for both party, so I suggested to him that we should create such an opportunity for us in order to conduct business in right mood. the 2 hours conversation educated me a lot, I knew him more and aware his seniroty in the company, his background and of course - his mission to help me -- in my positive thinking.

Forward my International Music Festival plan to C. a simply yet comprehensive / constructive plan, I knew it will help her create her own version with insights - I foucs on her idea -- Dreams - how to chase / build / fulfill / continue / repeat the good dream, and turn it to reality.

Last night, I pick Thai and Thai for dinner, as the restaurant will be closed y Sep. 9 - due to the re-construction of Mandarin Hotel, so, I brought them to this special restaurant. they love it, I encounted with Gina - an old colleage when in Sony Music days, I bought them for dinner as well, it's hard for me not to run into people I familiar with.

Christian's contract issue resloved last night, I play the role as her remote manager and guide her how to achieve this mission without fail - she made it and get rid of this worst contractural obligation with her previous manager, now it's my turn to think whether to take up this mission, I talked with my wife and think how to develop such an relationship ., inviting her over for lunch today, see what happened.

Recorded one spectacular in the office D, last Friday morning, the big sun shed in the office, when looking through the window outside, the reflection of the sun shining back to the office directly - the timing were perfect, it seems like a sun falling in front of you., the reflection of the sunshine from the oppisite glass-wall building make me feel somthing unique. just unique.

HR manager is risked in leaving, she's been tolerate with workload / people / family, I think now it's the breaking point, I am not sure if I can retained her with us, but I fully understand her situation.

By the Way, I need to establish the communciation channel with Aita-san on regualr basis and to put myself in buidling E one day a week.

posted by Roger @ 7/26/2005 08:17:00 上午