Thursday, July 29, 2010

The secret lives of camels... The "boondoogle"

Abu Dhabi Playlist: Winding Road – Bonnie Somerville, Waka Waka – Shakira, I Will Follow You Into the Dark – Death Cab for Cutie, Gettin Over You - David Guetta Feat Chris Willis and Fergie, Still - Matt Nathanson, Honk Tonk Woman - Rolling Stones.

Press release was issued and now the world knows our company exists. I was reminded yesterday by my boss George this is the first time in history any company has attempted what we are attempting to do. Yes, there are new ventures starting all over the world everyday. But this would be the first time two companies join together, one from the U.S. and the other from the Gulf, to provide the service we intend to provide in the Gulf region. Our task is to take the skills and competencies we have and apply them to this new challenge. For me, this speech was empowering. Its not very often you get to be a part of something new.


I have been learning about the role that perception plays in the function of the company. Any one who has worked for a large multinational company has gone through their fair share of CEO fire drills. Without having all the information in hand, one executive causally mentions to another their perception of a certain topic or department, then all hell breaks loose. People scramble to show the work they've been doing. Sometimes the perception is correct and changes need to made. Other times they are not. What I have learned perception and expectations have to be managed through steady communication at all levels of the organization. This may be as simple as submitting a weekly report( which I hate) to you management regularly to having a powerpoint presentation stashed in a drawer just in case. The catch 22 is that those who are in the upper ranks of management tend to not want to be involved in the details and sometimes base their perception, not on data, but how they feel. Who knew that emotions had so much to do with business? If the decision makers don't "feel" good about the business, perception will be skewed. Our job is to educate them with just enough information so they understand things are being taken care of. Everyone has their own way of managing perception. Some take what I like to call the "Inshallah" approach. Their feeling is that they are doing what they can in their job and how they are perceived is out of their control. Others lean toward micromanagement and try to control as many details as they can in hopes their work will be perceived as exceptional. From my point of view, there needs to be a healthy balance between the two.

Back at headquarters in the States, rumors have been spreading that we have been spending company funds and that individuals on this project are basically on a boondoogle. I'm sure the story goes that most of our meeting are held pool side sipping pina coladas contemplating how we waste away more of the companies money while the real work is being done by folks back home. Oh if it were true. This perception has made its way of the executive food chain and generated concern. So now the NV is the ring ready for another fight.


In this instance, the perception isn't in line with reality. This place is a pressure cooker. We all are pushing to make sure this company successful. We understand there many opportunities to fail. The extra work is is obligatory. The phrase I hear often is do more with less. Those who come over believing the rumors, looking to get some sun and improve their golf game don't last long.

What I find interesting about writing about your life is the more you experiences you have, the more you want to write, and less time you have to write about it. I’ve had many experiences thus far that I wish I could capture, shrink them, throw them in a suitcase and keep them as little souvenirs. A side bar conversation, a piece of well meaning advice, a secret shared, every unique experience has its value. Not all of the experiences have been pleasant. In fact, as the pace of company quickens and the pressure to succeed mounts, the experiences I’ve been having recently feel more like surviving a fist fight than getting a hug. But even the tough days have a lesson at the end. I try to adhere to my two goals for taking this position: to learn as much as humanly possible and building relationships both personally and professionally. With persistence and humility in hand, I will forge on.

What I’m reading: “Don't They Know It's Friday? Cross-Cultural Considerations for Business and Life in the Gulf” - Jeremy Williams

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Back to School....

Abu Dhabi Playlist: Matt and Kim - Daylight (Troublemaker feat. De La Soul), Sheryl Crow - Run,Baby,Run, Lebanese Pop in various Taxi rides.

It’s been over three weeks since my last post. What has thus far happened has been expected. I've gotten wrapped up in the people, work, and distractions that come with moving across the world. A few subtle changes have occurred.

Getting a residence visa, UAE drivers license, learning about my co-workers, starting new projects at work, exploring the area, taking Arabic classes, finding my new routine, and FINALLY getting a car (my discount BMW) , are just some of the things that have occupied my time. This post is about catching up on what going on with my life now.

I've spent a lot of time pointing out the differences I've noticed between life in the states and life in the UAE. (My hair is darker. I feel naked without eyeliner. I've turned my patented extra-freckle tan. I never leave home with my silver necklace with my name written in Arabic.) The truth is, in many ways this experience has paralleled other times in my life. While the culture and values are vastly different to the "Hard work and American pie" culture I came from, the day-to-day has almost been a flashback to the good ole college days.

Ah yes... After surpassing several adult milestones I've reverted back to my college life style. Who knew that my experiences as a college freshman would come back to haunt me? Nevertheless, here are a few things about my life now that many of us have experienced...

1. You all live on the same floor.
While life might sounds glamorous in the "Bubble bar" hotel, more days than not it feels like we are living in an overpriced dorm. Most of my co-workers live on the same floor. We all see each other come and go and there in minimal privacy. Sometimes I find myself sneaking out the back exit just so I don't have to bump into people I work with. Don't get me wrong, I like who I work with. But does everyone really need to know where I'm going?

2. People hang out in the common area.
The Bubble bar lounge is the watering hole for the NV team. We all log our time here reading the newspaper or having an afternoon cigarette. Unlike the dorm, our lounge come equipped with a bar. Needless to say this area gets used plenty.

3. There is an "RA".
Arnold, the floor manager and head consieger keeps track of all of us. “Heading to work, Ms. Hensley?" “Little too much sun today, Ms. Hensley?" "Did you enjoy your shopping trip at Carrefour, Ms. Hensley?"

Don't be fooled by the friendly demeanor. While customer service is key to his daily function, so is keeping order. If guests misbehave, he will intervene.

4. You all go to the “Caf” together for meals.
Because our rooms lack kitchen facilities, we all have to have our meals elsewhere. Typically, my dinner consists of complimentary heavy hor'dovres offered at the lounge. Sometime we venture to one of the restaurants in the hotel. All we need is a meal plan.

5. You have to get a Medical Exam when you get started.
This I didn't expect. When I arrived, I was informed that in order to receive my UAE resident visa I would need pass a required medical exam. The company driver escorted to the facility. The place was packed with foreigners all queued. The layout was a cross between a hospital and a DMV office. I was asked if I'd like the VIP service. (They have VIP for EVERYTHING here.) Skipping the line I was led upstairs to the VIP lounge. Five hundred dirham and 45 minutes later I had completed the exam, which included blood being drawn, an interview of my medical history, and a chest x-ray. At each station I was asked if I was married. You'd think they would have written it on my chart by the second of third station. I think this was the politically correct way to ask if I could be pregnant. (Being pregnant and not married is illegal in the UAE.) After the exams, I took my card to the veiled lady at the counter, paid my fee and left. The rumor I’ve heard is they check you for turbercious and HIV.

6. You have homework
One disadvantage of being separated from your friends and family is most people assume you don't have any responsibilities outside work. There is no separation between work and home. Homework is very common. Much like study hall, co-workers meet in the common area to have teleconferences with the States and prepare for the next day's presentation.

7. There are cliques and "dorm drama".
No matter the age, it seems that people never outgrow clichés. Many of my co-workers cling together and exclude others. I think the drama extends from spending a little too much time with your co-workers. Personalities have more oppurtunities to clash. People rub each other the wrong way. I've never been much for cliques so this isn't one of my favorite elements.

8. There is always booze available.
This can be both a blessing and a curse. Fortunately for us, gone are the days of wine coolers, cheap bear, and trash can punch. Still, freshman has the hardest time holding their liquor.

9. There is the "freshman 15."
No kitchen + only takeout + easy access to drinks = easy weight gain. Sad but true.

10. People get away with things they can’t do at home.
The first time you see one of your colleagues, sometimes married, sometimes older than your grandparents, hit on an unsuspecting coed at a hotel bar, if you’re like me your eyes widen a bit. The quietest people you'd never suspect change their behavior when they leave home. And the rule still stands true. The more restrictive their home life is the crazier they get when they leave. What happens in Abu Dhabi stays in Abu Dhabi.

11. When people get in trouble, they get kicked out.
When I first arrived, I heard a story of a consultant who was having a little too much fun while out on the company’s dime. I won't get into the gritty details. He wasn't breaking any of the companies written rules, just the unwritten ones. When you work in the UAE, you're personal life does have an effect on professional life. You are not allowed to flash bad behavior. And if the right locals hear about it, you’ll be gone. They don’t need due process in HR. For the most part, if you don't act like a college freshman with no classes before 10am, you'll be fine.

12. No one is permanent. Eventually, everyone leaves.
Living in a transient community adds an interesting dynamic. The UAE has a large expat community and most people are here temporarily. Like college student, unless you plan on being a professor, it’s very likely you will leave campus.

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Abu Dhabi Stats:

Places Visited:
Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa, Dubai
Boudoir in the Dubai Marine Beach Resort, Dubai
Fish Market and the Yacht Club in the Intercontential Hotel, Abu Dhabi
Sax in Le Royal Meriden, Abu Dhabi

What I've been reading:
http://desperateindubai.blogspot.com/

Note written on my welcome card from the hotel:
"Gorgeous Lady Kate welcome home."

Best Advice I've recently received:
While attempting to conquer one intimating round-a-bout on my way to work one morning, a co-worker gently reminded me, "Remember, you are water. You just flow through."

Shock of the Weak:
The friendly HR assistance was processing my request to visit one of our parent company's facilities. I noticed a flashy Ferrari watch on his wrist which sparked my curiosity. Later while at the mall I checked out to see if they had the watch. They had it alright. 300,000 AED (That's about $80,000 folks.)