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

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.)

AMAZING HUGE FANTASTIC NEWS!

I can hardly contain myself. After only 3 weeks of searching I have found my oasis in the desert, my version of disneyworld, my home away from home....
And it is called Beligan Beer Bar.

(Pause for Reaction)

For those of you who know me well, one of my major trepedations about moving to the UAE is lack of access to decent beer. Before I boarded my plane, my family took me to to a local brewery so I could have one last sip of a toasty lagger and chocolate stout before my departure. Now an overpriced glass of Chimay Blue is only a cab ride away.

Oh... and it gets better.....

They have Pork. One of the entrees on the menu was call the "pork festival", which included everything from ribs to to pork chops.

There are no black lights at this bar. No white couchs, blaring techno, or flashy patrons sipping blue cocktails checking out "the scene". Just wooden boothes, jeans, french fries, and Kenny Loggins in the background.

I could complain that the bar was smokey or they over did it on the "beligan" theme. I could comment I've had better ribs or larger beer selection. But I would be lieing to say that a little taste of home didn't make up for all of it.

You don't have to be living in the Middle East 7000 miles from what you know to appreciate the things that  make you feel at home. From experience, I know this is the first stage of adjusting to a new culture. I know eventually after some time the UAE will start to feel more like home for me.

But for a night, I got to go back. Now if I can just find  a place the employees people with southerm accents hug you when you walk in the door, I'll be all set.

And Today’s meeting was brought to you by the word ….Integration

On the way back from my first Arabic Class, I was lulled into a contemplative state by my Taxi driver’s mix CD smooth hits from the early Eighties.

“If ever you’re in my arms again, THIS TIME I’LL looove you forever.”

I was trying to put together all the pieces of the puzzle I’ve gotten a hold of thus far. Every day I get another factoid that I try to add to make the full picture. Here’s a small sample.

(Warning: Any lazy college students who find this buried in the internet should not use any of these as a reference. I can promise I haven’t fact checked one of them.)

1. The Unemployment rate for Emiratis if 45%. The vast majority are Emiratis are unemployed by choice.

2. The average net worth of an Emirati is 17 million dollars.

3. Over-sensitively to porn can impede your entertainment choices. Do you really need to cut out the peck on the cheek in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants?

4. One of the key elements of a contract agreement with an Emirati company is the “Emiratization” Plan. This entails how the international company plans to hire and employ nationals.

5. The average productive hours per year budgeted for each American worker if 1850. The average productive hours for an Emirati worker are 1100.

6. 80% of the people in the UAE are from another country. Almost all of the taxi drivers, waiters, retail salesman, and nail salon attendants I’ve met have families and children at home. In many instances, they can return to their home country for years.

7. Arabs love their children. Seriously. The first world I learned in Arabic here is “Jahel”. From my understanding its used like the terms “hunny” or “sweetheart” to small children. The direct translation “one who does not know.” Children under the age of 5 are let to roam free and are never punished severely.

8. Many plans and schedules made by Emirati and other international company are initially unsuccessful due to a culture class of expectations. It is advised for American companies should triple their initial timelines and forecasts.

9. The second best thing I’m glad I have at my disposal is Skype loaded on my computer. The best thing I have is disposal income.

10. BMWs have week air-conditioning systems yet it doesn’t stop anyone from buying the car.

11. I wish I had brought more DVDs, CDs, skirts, Arabic languages CDs, decent beer, pictures of my friends and family, and my friends and family. I wish I had left half my clothes, half my shoes, and any expectations about the UAE.

Last the NV launched and announced it new company name. The executive team set up a all hands meeting with all the local employees to introduce themselves to their new employee and present their vision. As would be expected, this didn’t go as smoothly as planned. The new local employees were trepidatious of what the affects would be on them. As luck would have it, this is the third buyout these employees have experienced in 3 years. At today’s All hands meeting with all the American employees, George led a frank discussion of what each group had discovered during their early stages of investigation. The challenges the NV had inherited were numerable. Lack of standard work processes, too much documentations and bureaucracy when you didn’t need it, and not enough documentation when you did, disgruntled employees, low moral… and the list continued. After about an hour of “they do this” and “they don’t do that,” George, the head of customer service, made a good point.

“As of Thursday there is no more “they.” It is now “us.” We need to integrate.”

Integration is key to any new organization’s success. Even internally between the groups at the NV, this is an on-going challenge. George took the issue head on at the All Hands today.

“We can’t keep acting like silos. There is no hand-off. If you need input from another group, set-up a meeting. If we can’t intergrate with ourselves, how will we do it with the rest company?”

This rule apply not only to business. I have also taken this lessen to heart in other aspects of my life here as an expat. I try to take all the facts and information I gather each day and see how they fit. And in the end, I try to figure out where I fit in the puzzle too.

World cup Mania!... more photos

This it the view from the hotel pool. Across the street from Bubble Bar hotel is more development. The skiline is layered with cranes that light up at night. A Ritz Carlton is being built acroos the street. On the other side is the UAE Military Goverment Headquarters.

Ok. this is extremely hard to make out sine I took this picture with my phone. Walking around the Souk, Mall posing as an arabic market, a restarant was advertising a new exotic twist on an indian meat dish.

I am not opposed to vension. But do you really need to show me a picture a Bambi before I eat it?

This is my work computer! Arabic and English! I don't know why its exciting but it is. 

 

I love the world cup soccer so I can appreciate and the hype. Some friends and I went to the Shangri-la hotel where they had set up a tent outside to watch the game. "Tent” isn’t probably the best word. Maybe a large trippy canopy with black lighting is a better way to describe it. The walls were lined with flat screen televisions. There were specials on Budweiser’s to appease all five Americans in the area. The hotel offered themed snacks for each team that played. (For the US it was hot wings and hot dogs.) Sheesha smoke filled the air. If you can imagine a hybrid sports bar and a Moroccan night club, that’s what this place felt like.

We watched the England vs. USA game. 40 minutes before the game the tent filled with loud unlike sportsmen-like Brits. They booed the 5 of us Americans as we stood up during the national anthem. The 1 to 1 tied was a sweet enough victory.

A Scenic tour of Abu Dhabi....Meet the Team!

Remember the old Garfield cartoons when the Dog or the cute kitten character annoeyed Garfield? Without fail Gairfield would box up the adorable creature and mark the box Abu Dhabi. I was a big Gairfield fan when I was younger. I think there is some irony in that.

My trip thus far has mostly been taking in all the information I can and trying to understand the new world I live in. Some things are too far out for me to comprehend yet. Abu Dhabi is a place filled with contrasts. Things that you wouldn't put together align themselves naturally here. The 120 degree heat outside paired with the ice cold offices and hotels. Nightclubs with happy hours until 4am next to prayer rooms. Women wearing abayas (See pictures) with full veils covering every inch of their bodies shopping for short shorts. TV shows are editted for anything physically initmate ( from a peck on the cheek on) but never a moment of bloodly violence is missed. Young Emirati women respecting culture with traditional dress while flashing their Gucci spiked heels and Louis Vutton purses worth tens of thousands of dollars. An entire city being built with no street signs or addresses. Labor camps on the out skirts of Palaces.

The contrasts extend to my day to day life as well. I live in a goregous multiple star hotel whose name I'm not going to disclose at the moment.  I can tell you the name of my new home sounds something like "Bubble Bar". 

 

So in the Bubble bar hotel you receive a cool cloth when I walk in the door.  The lobby is scented with fresh jasmine. A glass elevator overlooking the Grand Mosque takes you to your floor. All the lastest ammidties are provided. But try making a phone call in one shot.

 Speaking of the day to day, I should take a moment to introduce some of the charaters in my story.

Mohammed – The upbeat Marketing manager from Texas who knows how to break tension with a good pun.

Erica – Material logistics associate and my new partner in crime from Alabama.
Katrina – Chief buyer in the Procurement department and my former colleague from my company alma mater.
Abdul – The Emirati HR manager who always surprises me with smiles and handshakes.
George – Head of customer service and my new boss.
Lisa – Procurement manager with extensive international experience and a work ethic and attitude to back it up.

 Next up: A Glipse into the day to day life of an NV Employee, Pictures World Cup Mania equiped with Sheesha and Tents, new project as turnaround consultant.

On more parting thought...
 

Not my picture but I saw this today. You can't make this stuff up.

Plans, Schedules, Analysis, and Procedures… but above all “Inshallah”

I’ve been trying to spend a lot of my initial time here New Venture (NV) observing what is going on around me. In many instances, we see to be preparing for the unknown. Within the last week I've seen more presentations with Strategies and Schedules than my last position. Many of the roll-out schedules don't include dates. This is due to the fact that our official launch date is contingent upon finalizing an agreement between the my American company and the company in the Emirati company. All the different teams assigned a task continue to prepare, analyze, and re-assess their strategies awaiting the launch. Each group continues to create a plan awaiting the green light.


Due to the fact we have yet to launch, our company does not yet have a name. For the purposes of explanation, I will call the pre-launch organization NV. NV is broken down into groups which manage each division of the business, including finance, legal, operations, material logistics, facilities, procurement, business development, human resources, communications, and so on. Each group has a leader, and they are in charge of developing the strategy and plan within each phase of the new organization's start-up. The Team leads meet every morning to provide status updates and stay up-to-date on the most recent changes.

Procedures and Work flows are created in order to streamline nonexistent processes. Analysis is done on all the raw data available. Although everyone know any work completed might need to be changed at a moments notice, the prep work is continued in order to hit the ground running once the sign from above given. The term used to describe this is "In šāʾ Allāh". In Arabic, it means "if it is God's will". This term is usually only used between Western colleagues as it might be offensive to the locals.

"As of today, the communication plan will begin its roll out to the customers 15 days prior to launch. Inshallah."



إن شاء الله

Good link to better understand the phrase.

http://www.theamericanscholar.org/inshallah/