Interesting stories

So, we were talking with our Mayor today (yes, there are mayors in Singapore, strange as that sounds), and got an interesting nugget of information.

Ikea competes with travel agents. Strange yes? Any ideas why that is so? Will leave you to mull over that till the next blog.

Which will likely be in 2-3 weeks time. Why? Going to Japan on vacation! And spending time with H. Very exciting.

That said, the run-up to this vacation has been absolutely monstrously hectic. Tons of stuff to clear, with meetings up the wazoo. It's been challenging though. One minute, I'm interviewing staff for the organisation, the next we're re-visiting the vision and mission (that has remained untouched and unused for 4 years), and then i'm working out the budget for this year.

Someone asked me what I had learnt so far in the Community Development Council. Three points come to mind.
a) Implementation - it is important to bring the same rigour of thought to both policy and operations. Only when our details are aligned with our intent, can implementation really happen.
b) Organisation development - i've had the chance to review and start re-looking structures, training, budget and other corporate matters in the CDC.
c) Challenge - to manage a group of 60+ staff, a budget in the millions, and manage multiple stakeholders, is an awesome opportunity for a young staff...

So yes, I am glad that I took this job. It helps that the culture is really fun, and allows me to be far out and wacky. Where else would the Mayor ask the General Manager to highlight his hair? :P Which i just might... tomorrow. Hahaha. And where else would the Deputy General Managers call their boss an idiot and a spastic (in loving terms of course), and smack him for being silly.

On that note... this spastic General Manager is signing off :)