Part II. The funny part. It turns out that my meeting with the Global CEO hadnt actually been cancelled but rather augmented to include an impromptu lunch. At 12 noon sharp, we were driving the visiting CEOs his restaurant of choice. This lean British man wearing an even skinnier British suit passed on Capital Grill, Hugos, Ambrias and Joes. In a nearly Cockney accent he said, You know what I fan-cee, what Ive always wanted to give a go? Some bloody Buffalo Wild Wings. What-do-ya-think CORtez? Is that a good choice? From the spacious back seat of that Porsche Panamera, I looked straight at the back of his head and screamed in my mind, Are you fing kidding me?! I fing hate that place and every bloody thing on the bloody menu! Am I being jolly spoofed here?! In reality, I cracked the rear window, took a deep, silent breathe and said, Lovely choice, I say. Lovely choice in deed! After a benign lunch where we laughed about English-American oddities and similarities, we headed back to the ranch for more intro meetings including mine at 3pm to discuss business stuff. It was clear that he had established me as a SME and vital member of his US exec team. He had done his homework for certain. I expected to meet him in the board room but at 3pm sharp he appeared in my office doorway. CORtez, are you red-dee? Bouncing to attention like when the CEO is at your door, I replied, Sure, come on in. He entered and was immediately drawn to a photo of Air Force One I have on the wall. Putting his nose within inches to inspect the plane, he notices the inscription reads Cortez, all the best to you. Barry O... He chuckles and says, Thats really cool. Whered you pick this up? From some sort of novel-tee shop? Not quite registering his assertion, I say, No, he gave it to me. He said, Who gave it to you? The President., I reply. I SWEAR TO GOD. This man erupts into laughter and says through continual chuckles says, Get the hell out of here. Youre telling me that the President of the United States signed that bloody picture for you, wishing you well? Oh really? When? How old is it? Without an ounce of animation nor attitude, I looked squarely at him and said, Its about month old. He gave it to me when he learned I was leaving Chicago to join your company. I didnt blink in the pregnant pause as he searched me. More silence still. Then I gave just a little more info, just enough to connect a few dots for him. Lets just say I held his attention for the rest of the meeting. LOL. His get me back with this parting line, [extra heavy British accent] Oh CORtez, you will be joining 5 other US VPs in Europe & Asia Oct-Dec, wont you? Its important that you understand global operations. Tea anyone?
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:28:40 +0000
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