The week that was, September 1-4th
Singapore, weekend 5-6th September 2015
Tuesday 1st September, Singapore – Back to reality I arrived back from Europe early this morning, all bearded up, after a really enjoyable few weeks away…it had been long in the planning, but actually going away for a month and really shutting yourself of from work seemed a nearly impossible task. But I wanted to do it, make that break to taste the other side of life where work is not the first thing on the day’s menu. On my little farmhouse in the South of France I had no radio, no TV, no phone and our little village has no street lights, no shops, no church, just a few houses and some friendly neighbours that I have known and who have known me since I was little…a place to recharge and reconnect. While I did have my mobile phone and a prepaid portable internet connection, I used these only sporadically, preferring to connect at a local café with more reliable wifi if needed, while having my morning coffee and croissant. The de-connect was very relaxing…admittedly possible because of my great team holding the fort in my absence.
Living with nature (no alarm clock to wake you up), taking morning walks at sunrise, watching unbelievable starry skies at night where you can actually see the Milky Way with falling stars every now and then just makes you realise how the world has changed…not being in an airplane or airport lounge for one month was also kind of a novelty! It certainly made me realise how quickly we adapt to life’s circumstances. In a big city we are used to light pollution, continuous noise, etc…back there it is pitch black at night, but interestingly you adjust and even with just the bright starry sky you can find your way around without a torch! You can count the sounds on the fingers of your hand, distinctive sounds like a bee humming, or a dog barking in the distance or the wind rattling the leaves…but other than that it’s just you…
Now it’s back to reality…and back to work!
Wednesday 2nd September, Singapore – Landslide After a relatively good’s night sleep, which is not evident because of the strong jetlag when you come back east, I went back to office and my first task of the day was to update myself on all projects with my team. It took a good part of the morning to go through all project matters and while everything seems to be under control my travel schedule for the coming months looks quite heavy. Our working territory is rapidly expanding to locations now a day travel away rather then just a few hours with new projects in the Middle East and Caledonia.
As a novelty in project delays, I got to know that one of our projects was put on hold due to a major landslide on the site, to such extent that the local government had taken possession of the site until such time it deems it safe to return. I pity the owner who has invested heavily in the project and with control now taken out of his hand being forced to watch from the side lines till the government allows him to return to the site…luckily we are more or less paid up on our fees, but it remains a shame as it is a really cool project, on a really nice site…I hope it will all work out… Flooding in Nanjing…
Thursday 3rd September, Singapore – Building and maintaining relationships In our business a lot rides on the relationships you build and over the past few months we have been appointed in several new projects purely as a result of the continued relationships and appreciation built up between our clients and key consultants we have worked with. It is nice to hear that your work is appreciated and most of all the service and support is highly trusted and valued. We provide expertise yes, but most of all we provide a service which means our response and response time in supporting our client is crucial. We have found time and again that replying and putting our clients, but also our fellow team consultants and operators, at ease, has been key in forging durable relationships. Most of the projects in which we have been appointed lately are the result of trust, past work and support quality. It makes me proud as a business owner to see my clients happy.
But not all of them are happy of course and we also lost a few projects before reaching the end; here as well it came down to relationships…in this case failed relationships. There are always situations where it does not click, where the services you wish to provide do somehow not satisfy the client’s desires, realistic or not. Most of the time it comes down to the client not showing respect for our expertise, your time, wanting unrealistic targets and budgets. We are in the business to satisfy our clients but there are obviously limits to how far service, quality and costs can be compromised…we are fortunate though that these clients are few…with most we have great and respectful relationships…
Friday 4th September, Singapore – Elections and seniority Back in Singapore I realised I missed Singapore’s big 50th anniversary birthday bash which was followed swiftly with the announcement of general elections to be held next week, no doubt with the aim to ride on the festive mood reigning in Singapore on the back of the feel-good anniversary. Adjusting back to life in the relatively fast lane being Singapore, I had two interesting “discoveries”.
The first when I went shopping this week was from a cashier at NTUC’s supermarket across the road asking me whether I was a “senior”…I quizzed her about the relevance of her question, but unfazed she told me that if I was 60+ I would qualify for NTUC’s senior Tuesday discount…haha…great way to get back to reality. I said yes and got an amazing $1.37 discount! Guess I have reached seniority in life…finally 🙂
Finally reading up on the elections…a soap opera in its own way…I noticed that LED has made its way there as well with supporters to the ruling People’s Action Party (the PAP) proudly brandishing LED party signs!…LED technology has arrived in politics as well!
Have a great weekend… The week that was…
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