And the Creator said, “let there be light.” And the flickering screen was alight.
Archive for November, 2007
November 23, 2007 at 10:41 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
In a recent unveiling of Nestle Professional, formerly known as Nestle Food Service, I held a vital realization of the new group.
The event included the essentials of a usual launch with team-building activities days after. Launches and team-building activites were usual for me, and past events have become so routinely mechanical and mind-numbing monotonous.
The dinner too was usual for me. Though the grandeur of the ballroom at Vivere Suites was astounding: Fabric-covered balls of light permeated the room with subdued hues of orange and yellows; the Philharmonic Orchestra filled the ballroom with musical elegance and class; the menu was its day’s best. Nevertheless, this dinner was usual.
In the course of the Nestle Professional event however, I was blown away by the surprise it had set. The dinner was transformed into a significant gathering, if not cherishingly memorable. When all of Nestle Professional teams and personnel were eagerly waiting for dinner to be served, the business executive manager took the microphone and told us a short speech that lingered in my heart long. He shared that service can be best expressed if service starts from the top trickling down to each employee. And one by one, each manager entered the room as waiters, each dressed in classy white with black trousers and bowtie to match. Each then served the glasses and poured a sweet Nestea concoction. I saw the business unit’s heads handing over plates, waiting others to be in line first, ensuring all had eaten before they would. I was in awe once more. Never have I imagined and never in my career that a superior humbled himself, waited on, and served his subordinates.
The business executive manager then proposed a toast. We held our glasses up high, not filled with high-grade wine but with simple sweet Nestea drink. The drink was not expensive but the experience was definitely priceless.
True leadership expresses itself when the ideals are put into examples for others to see and emulate. Cheers to that!
November 17, 2007 at 10:32 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
A couple of days ago, several colleagues and I had coffee with the Chief Executive Officer of the company, a middle-aged man of Hindu descent. Being new in the company, having coffee with the CEO is a privilege. Yet, more of being a privilege in itself, it has become a serendipitous moment to learn.
The CEO briskly went to the room and immediately updated us of the company’s accomplishments and plans for the balance year. Interrupted by momentary sips from his coffee paper cup, he addressed several concerns and entertained inquiry from us. In the course of our coffee time, a woman behind me raised her hand and threw a question. She was one of the business units’ staff following up on an initiative that seemed to be forgotten. I was struck with awe. A CEO being followed up by a staff in front of his subordinates surprised me.
Much more to my surprise the CEO addressed the query with humility and tack. “That’s right,” he acknowledged. The CEO recalled that the initiative has not progressed. “Nothing happened to it,” he further politely admitted. Then he pointed to the personnel-in-charge of the minutes and told that the question earlier asked be put in record to be discussed.
The CEO’s coffee time with my colleagues and I was a real pep talk. The managers were enthusiastic. The coffee tasted well. The group was brewing with energy. Nevertheless, my drive to excel at work neither came from the managers’ enthusiasm nor the coffee’s aroma but came from the CEO’s example of humility and professionalism. Because, no matter anybody puts it, being accountable to others and to his responsibilities is a wake-upper no coffee can match.
November 10, 2007 at 7:34 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
I am now on my second day keeping a meek net cafe my family has recently put up here in my hometown. While I am on vacation, I decided to stay here and help. The coming week will be busy and staying here will be a good respite from the usual hectic grind of reports and field work.
Now where are those customers?
