Ogakijin Blog

Wait... still Thursday - how come I think it's over? The week is really over?
Not quite. Not so fast.
Well, I feel like it were done, though.
The reason is very simple. Just finished 3-day session and I have spent all energy that I had. Indeed.

Yeah, it was quite long-exhausting facilitation that I had to lead for these days... That's why I feel like "it's done." See what I mean?

Anyhow, had a big bowl of noodle for lunch. At famous "Tsurutontan" noodle place.





Probably, ice cream was not quite necessary. Hahaha.

Had a great time with ex-collegue... fun talking to nice friend like him.

Long day with lots of thinking for me.
The question is ---

How to bear the value for my client in terms of my service?!

Tough to answer, huh! Indeed.
It has to be me... no one else to do the job...

I have to tie my strength such as skill or technique with goal of mission or tasks. I have to take advantage of my pro to come up with the wanted solution by client...

Is this truly possible for me?
Am I in right place?

Oh boy... maybe in big mistake? Hmmm.

Am I being the best I can for the delivery? I should think simply and look for right answer to it.

Working so late...
Sorry, not in the office. Had a meeting that lasted until 9-ish... after that, outside the office I worked.

HOW?

for WHAT?

Yeah, yeah, those are regular questions... huh. In Japanese culture, there isn't always either in black or in white. Something in grey are still part of reality. Comprende??? (How come in Spanish?) Hahaha.

Not truly entertainment for client, either. Though, full of drinks tonight.
I even missed the last train for the day. Only the option to go home... is the taxi ride. Oops, expensive ride only?

Ladies at the club didn't realize it was same person about me.

What's the difference from last time?

-Tie
-Glasses

They made such difference? Yeah, they did. Really.
I looked much more matured and serious tonight... said ladies.

Meaning... I was like a boy last time? Not so serious and easy-go kind of guy? Hmmm.

Came home around 3am... WOW!

He's experienced business consultant... yeah, he's coworker... used to be my counselor.



Does he look good with my red eye glasses??? Hmmm.
What do you think?

I used to sell businesses...
Now I have to sell again? WOW...

Yes, my current role is the delivery... means providing possible solution to the issues client may have.
Sales is actually next stop, indeed.

Though, I better get this started before too late.
So this is not too early for sure.

Soon will be selling is part of my responsibility... oh boy, I can be even busier?
Who knows... God knows.

New week new story? Seems all same routine again for this week.
Oh, at least I have something new... sales meeting at my firm. Learned a lot from potential clients or projects. Very interesting. My input is rather limited and, most of time, I was the listener.

Surely took some notes. Yeah, I was serious student always listens to teacher.
Sorry, I wasn't quite so while in Thunderbird! (BANG)

Happened to drink after that sales meeting. With managers and director over drinks... talk was rather interesting.
Wait. Still Monday, right? Hmmm. I better watch out. Have another 4 days to go!!!

Interesting Okinawa (Island) cuisine. Loved it.
It was near Hamamatsucho station.

Well, have 8am meeting tomorrow morning. Meaning, I better not stay late. Surely not.
Came home around 10:30pm. Yeah, under GOOD control.

One last thing today.



"Visualization - the process to make strong company"

This is written by famous management consultant. Good structure and easy to read and understand.
Very useful for sure. Recommended.

I will come back to read this again on future project for sure!

Presentation material production... got complete before the deadline!!!
Thank God!

Meaning, today's work got normalized? Not so fast.

I had to deal with client's initiatives for coming fiscal year. Wait. Not even Q4 started yet. Hmmm.
That wasn't that tough... because it was merely high level (not in detail).
Though, I had to create supporting document by noon.

Yeah, by noon!!!
Created several slides in PowerPoint. Made it at noon. Yeah, I barely made it. Hehehe.

Well.

Everything got normalized in the afternoon? Sort of. However, I have to take care of headache... not physical one. Pain from the project. Some proposal has to be made by next week or so. That requires, of course, decision, which is extremely difficult. Really.

Oh boy. Better concentrate.

Well, decided to leave the work early... came home around 3pm.
Sick? Sickened and tired of working? Hahaha.

Totally untrue. Don't have such luxury!!!

Somewhat expected to support the presentation material. Data collection got complete yesterday or so and I received the result this morning. Deadline? Originally I was told, "Thursday."

Not much time.

However, this story came to the sudden change. Totally unexpected.

Got a call from HKG lady... she asked me to finish my work "by tomorrow (Wednesday)."

Proposed, noon on Wednesday. NOPE. Negative. Not good enough for her who owe report to her boss immediately.

So she said, "Can you make it by 9am - your 10am?"

Hmmm. I hadn't even started that work yet. Really. Though, she is my client... have no space arguing with her.
Thus, my answer is... nothing but YES.

Left work for home right after lunch. I wanted to have "secure" environment to get that task done.
Since then, I have been working like crazy...

Difficult to deal with...
Deal with what?

"Education."

I have two youngsters in the group for the project. They're still green like new grad. Surely, entry-level consultants.
Well, better say, "analysts."

One has a bit of business experience.
The other is right off the graduate school.

For me, very difficult to spend much time with them for the education.
Thus, I have to tell them what to do time to time.
I don't expect that they can work catching up with the speed that I go. Though, I really want them to build business fundamentals quickly. Though, very difficult to raise them. Hmmm.

Because of such business environment and expectation set by client, I have no luxury. You know what I mean.

Unfortunately, they make same mistakes over and over. Why? Just because they're young and still immature in this profession.
How much time I should give to them? How much patience required?

If this were some job other than consultant, I may have been much easier.
This job doesn't allow much time... every three month... some "outcome" required. If two out of four in the project team are slow... the other two have to go really fast to make the deal.

This is annoying...

I guess, it wasn't meant to be TGIF or even Happy Friday. Rather, sort Dark (not precisely black) Friday...

My client gave her performance review on project in general and on myself... to my boss, Director of the Firm.
Were they all good? Better than I thought?

Hmmm... now you know why I said dark... or grey.
Not that clear yes or no... But I'd better say that there was not 100% customer satisfaction.
In other words, I have to fill that blank space in customer's perspective.
Still some area need improvement!!!

Also as business consultant, I need to improve my skill set. Client clearly pointed out my cons... I have to pay more attention to improve that. Really.

The way I talk is very logical... but, as my client said, I have to adjust the way I talk depending upon to whom I talk. I thought that I did okay in that perspective... but customer isn't that satisfied.

Hmmm. My fault.
Now I acknowledged the fact given by her... thus, I need to face up with that fact.

Hmmm. Not that easy job to do.

Because messy morning by yesterday's snow, I refused to work? Oh maybe because project went down as deep as it possibly could... No more motives for me... that's why I refused to work?

Obviously, didn't show up to the project site for the day. Not at all.

Instead, I went down to my firm's office for meeting. To be precise, they were meetings! Included some spot interviews.
Did they go well? Hmmm. No comments. (BANG!)

Anyway, secured several consultant candidates for my project.
Now I have to prepare the proposal... Let's say, "Turn Around Plan." Hahaha. Funny, huh!?

Spent most of time for the day in the firm's office. Yeah, longer than expected.
Then, stopped by the hospital for check-up. My finger of left hand still bears pain... irritating. I need to get rid of that.
So I saw the doctor. He wasn't that interested.

"Oh, trouble in your finger? No physical cause? Must be something else... usually hard to diagnose."

Yeah, didn't even see my finger much. Just told me, "DIFFICULT."
At least he looked at the X-ray result... Didn't tell me anything, either.

(It was obvious that there was no broken bones in my hand.)

Tell you what! Never go back to that doctor!!!
Yeah, got medicine. Will see that work or not. Hmmm.

Hi, folks. It's cold night here in Tokyo... some snow is even expected tomorrow. WOW! Am sure that it will snow... but not much. Though, everyone at least can enjoy the severe cold winter? Hmmm, don't think so.

"Did you see Kangaroo?"
"Did you hold Koala bear?

Wait. This was how my client thought I would while in Sydney?
Wrong imagination... or expectation, right?
I went down there because of the conference... yeah, strictly business. Not much free time for that kind of activity.
Trust me. It's true.

Even today I showed up to the office as the first person... remained in the office as last person to leave. Even after coming home, still stuck with laptop to sending email messages, creating some slides in PowerPoint, and organizing some information related to the project.
Now, I think I cut this off... to close a working day!

This business is too tough on me... time to time for sure.

In the conversation with my client this morning,
"You can organize the team as you like..."
"You should reduce your own workload by passing it down to your subordinates... why don't you bring one or two under yourself?"

This conversation was quite flattering to myself.
Full of trust in client's word to me. Fantastic.

Though, this is actually double-edged sword to me.
Currently at my firm, no resource available. Yeah, ZERO right now.
If plenty of people are available for new assignment, I can bring up so many different skill sets required to work for me.
Now, no such luck... or even luxury.

If remains everything same as it is today... I am going to overflow for sure.

Even bringing new people in to the project, it's going to be crazy for a while... since I have to give lectures... knowledges, etc.

Thus, whatever I do for this project... it's like a boomerang. It's going to be on me anyway!!!

Not fair? Not really.

Hi, folks. Obviously, I am getting a sick! Yesterday, I felt like that would be happening. Today, my body ensures that I have a cold. Hmmm. I cannot be sick because I have to go to work to get some tasks done!
Constantly, am taking medication. At least not worsen this sickness.

Suddenly, new country name showed up on my agenda. This time, "KOREA." Not North Korea but South.

Remember that I organized Japan Tour back in August time... Even didn't participate myself. Just organized then and went to Singapore for another mission.
Today, Korean Tour becomes official. So suddenly? Not that surprise to me, though.
Similar to Japan Tour, Korean Tour is 2-week-long road show.
This time, I can take advantage of that past experience. I once again become busy from now on.

Time wise... the tour is in January. Yeah, same month when I am expected to be in Bangalore, India. Meaning, I have NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER to be in Soul, Korea. Hmmm.

Will see if I can bring them together... so that I can go both places.

Extra day off (PTO) for today. Good for me. Wait. I feel a bit sick. Having sore throat, I am coming to a bad time with sickness? Let's NOT. Of course, am already taking medicine for curing.

Found interesting article in weekly business magazine called "Diamond."
The article covers "Japan Needs Big Integrator as Contender to Majors."
Majors indicate, obviously, about FedEx, UPS, TNT, and DHL.

Japan... have lots of small forwarders... and no major carriers for freight.
Though, we need own when measuring future success of business in general... We need to have such capacity to control own export/import... all Japan-related international business.

How can we make it happen? That's the question. That's the question hasn't been answered for a long time. Too long. Need answer immediately.
M&A is the key for answer. Everyone knows about this for long time as well.
Key Players?

Nippon Express
JP (Japan Post) ; recently privatized
Kintetsu Express (KWE)

The article didn't conclude the combination of best case. Actually, several possible cases there.
Either way is fine. Need to make it happen... Otherwise, other countries get so advance by suitable supply chain leverage.

In my opinion, three together would be good. Other biggies like Yamato, Sagawa, Seino... not big or good enough. Yamato should seek way to get along with government first.

This is the most interesting topic in my field. Will see what to be next movement.

Equal distribution of work for myself is important... You know, everyone would say, it's wise to prioritize work... so that you can measure of your productivity, etc. Also, wise enough to finish all works by deadline.

What am I thinking? I messed up all things... not in order.
Some stuff I have interest... can be done before other stuff that I think "hectic" to do. Even though I know how to solve that piece of puzzle... I don't touch until I really have to.

You know what I mean.

Though, this isn't something I think leave that way. I have to stick with professionalism.
I have to have better control about motivation of work to myself.

Please... don't even think that I am capable for anything.
Executive called emergency meeting because he had to gather information and present that to other executive at the end of day. Yeah, before tomorrow. It is for today!

Hmmm.

Gathering information means getting consent from those who concerned.
Presenting that means I had to create PPT slides.

Wow, urgent work!
Ended up skipping lunch.
Started around 11:30am... finished around 3pm.

3 hours or so... made 12-page long presentation.
Thank God... I made it. I hate such deadline... Don't you?!

For next time, please hold enough buffer!!!

Too many career opportunities? Contacts from recruiter / head hunters are really endless. I got another one telling me that I should apply to BCG. Yeah, Boston Consulting Group. No way! I never thought that I would be contender for a position at that kind of world renown company.
Of course, I am still consultant who faces things in learning phase. I should take time for next step. That's how I think... at least today.

Here is an issue.
Now it is pretty much official that another resource is to be added to the project. It means that I am going to supervise someone...
My project manager told me that I should train that person because of not experienced much.

WAIT!

I personally just started this career. How in the world I can be ready to train someone else! Let me concentrate what I need to do so that I can bring out necessary outcome for this project so that I can make client happy.
Now, it is --- I got extra hardship. Hmm.

Don't even know who would be in that spot. As per project manager, I can be part of interview process. Will see what I can do with this. First, I have to clarify what competency that person should have at minimum.

Funny fact found today.
I usually work on 26th floor. Happened to stay on 24th floor... where sales people have desks.... GREAT VIEW! Not necessarily for the one through the window. Just look at people working for the section. I mean female.
Almost all (some exceptions) are so good looking!!!

Since I am classified as "Mobile Worker" on corporate registration... I can work any place on any floor. I can stay on 24th floor all the times without supervisor's permission. Really.
Don't know if I have guts to do this, though.

Something totally unexpected. My client pop it up to me.
What popped up? Well, new deal. Current project that I am in requires additional resource. Yeah, one more consultant is required. At least client estimated so.

So what my clients suggested was totally out of the blue... WOW.
Her idea was that I should give interview to potential consultant since that person would come under me. Yeah...

It should be like "double-edged sword." Yeah, it is my responsibility about that consultant... his quality and everything. It means I have to cover that person's job if he fails... WOW.

Though, I am in the position that should take such risks. Told client, "Be My Guest."
Do I mean it? Not really. Hahah!

Will see how this is going to develop hereon. Yeah, this is interesting...

About time! Finally!
Today, I can call the end! My 2nd project as consultant is officially over!
As per contract, I should have been released from the job yesterday... though, had to extend it by one day.

Last day... for this project... I made the Project Room LATE. Remember that I went to bed late... aroudn 5am. YEAH 5am. Then woke up at 10:20am.

WAIT!

I was supposed to be at the Room by 10am. Totally late. Man, I turned pale.
Rushed and mae the Room around 11am. Hmmm. My bad. Totally.

Work went well. Lots were done. We should be able to wrap it all up and did as much as we could for the day.
Now, my contribution is over! Thank you.

It was very tense time... three complete weeks. No weekend... working through and even spent night for work sleeplessly.
Good and interesting experience.

This is my final deliverable:



Hahaha, just kidding. We saved empty bottles like that. For what?

New week... seems to be tough, particularly after long holiday! You know what I mean...
Well, contrary to such belief, I had very... extremely easy start today. How come?

It's called BENCH. Other consulting firms may call this AVAILABLE.

Yep, that is the status of "not assigned to any task." Am perfect fit to that definition for now.
Between assignments.

This status automatically lowers one's performance since no work! Hehehe. This may result getting paid less if the period of "bench" is extensive.
What am I going to be then? Don't know yet.

I spent the day for "own assignment." Studied ACCESS application for the all day long. Need to master it.

"Did you gain (during the holiday)?"
Hmmm, shocking.



Started drinking the healthy tea AGAIN. Yeah, need to continue doing so!!!

Left office at 5:30pm. No need to spend any minute over time!
Am expected to be BENCH status for two weeks...

Let's keep fingers crossed for me NOT to lose the job!!!

As of today, February 1, Ogakijin finally gets back to the realty!
Woke up around 6:30, got dressed, and went to WORK! Yeah, work. It means that Ogkaijin start making money ONCE AGAIN!

Commuter train wasn't as crowded as I expected. In fact, much easier than I thought.

Got to the work place around 9am... 15 minutes or so early.

Today, I spent time for orientation. From Administration to Finance Department, I got lots of different lectures about the company, position, and the like.
Difficult? Well, it was in fact interesting.

By 5:40pm, all scheduled events were held... and Ogakijin was released. Wow, quite early... truly.
Tomorrow, some more session to take place. No serious job yet? Well, next Monday it is!

Came home around 7pm. Easy night. Watched some TV.

Welcome to the realty! I went up to the office of company that I start working for from February. For what? Serious meeting already took place. Oh not, it wasn't administrative issue. Rather, it was of the real case that I have to face immediately after joining this firm. Facing the Manager for the project, I was given hour-long lecture about client and mission of the project.

Did I get good grasp of the project? Fully understood the scope of project?
Well, let's put it in this way:

There is a framed paint on the wall. I can see the frame clearly. However, I cannot tell if the drawing is water or oil painting. The paint is still vague because I see it from far.

I better say, "So far so good." Nothing to worry about. Let's worry once start working! (BANG!)

Interim conclusion: Supply Chain < Strategy

Dustin Overbeck, welcome to Japan! Too bad that you don't come to Tokyo. Instead, he stays in Osaka.
He told me in email that he was very impressed with Japan about technology, customer care, and train system.

At the same time, he must be disappointed with cellular phone system in Japan - not compatible with European and American phones. Yeah, we have to close our market to protect from world competition! Hehehe. True, though.

Rolex - I made a stop-by at the Service Station near Tokyo Station. Left my Explorer II for overhaul. Will take a whole month for the service. ETA is 2/23. Cost? $380. More than I thought? Hmmm.

No apartment hunting? Well, called up several agencies for information. I now schedule tour tomorrow afternoon. Yeah tomorrow, its going to be another busy day!

Man, big celebration on New Year's is almost over! In reality to where I am about to go back, everyone gets back to work either tomorrow or day after. I have a plan to go to City Hall and Police station tomorrow. That's not because I have done something wrong... I have to go for registration in the city and renew my driver's license.

I may have done something wrong like having made many girls cry on me who couldn't afford myself more than one girl at a time

In side bar on this page, you can see "2007 Resolution."

2007 Resolution
Books to read: 3
Golf play: 3 rounds
Saving: 100K
Pro sports game: 3
Weight: 143.5 lbs
Movie: 18 movies
Travel: 2 times

Well, as a result of 2006 Resolution, I made 5 complete out of 9 tasks. It means that I didn't stay behind. This time, I raised 7 tasks for the Resolution. Hopefully, I can keep the trend move forward this year as well. Need to win on 4 or more tasks. Saving of 100k seems tough one because I have to pay the debt back throughout this year. Saving some money should be difficult. 100K may be too much to do. Will see, though.

Weight is never be under control so far. Last year, I lost some weight during the MBA time... not enough, though. Hmmm. Now am back on wrong track. I should reverse this trend immediately after New Year's holiday!

What about book? Haven't I read enough books during the MBA year? What happened? I hadn't learned enough? Well, learning is yet lifetime work and I should keep learning! 3 books aren't enough for sure. Though, I have to make reading be my habit this year. I haven't decided what kind of books I should ready to qualify the task.

Of course, Japanese animation doesn't count for that. Am not that bad...

Hey, I don't see any comment on this new blog-style website. How do you like it? Please feel free to leave any comment about my writing! Always welcome!

MoonFlower had a great shopping day today (without me - probably this is good idea...). Went to a big bargain place for her clothes. Wait. She actually got new shirt for me too. Oh don't get me wrong. I owe her for that. 120-buck shirt. She sent me a photo of the shirt to my cellular phone for my okay. Yeah, I granted right away. What do you think? Do I have choice then?