Thinking Straight

I have to think more on the different perspectives of the business, instead of focusing too much on just solving one problem.
I also have to stop just taking the information from my RGMs and regurgitating, and put some thought behind what they say to see if it will be applicable.

I think I still have a tendency to trust too much what other people say.  That includes both RGMs and Jo, actually.  So before I make a decision, take a step away from myself and ask "would I tell Kev this is a good decision?"

In the situation that happened today, I think I am not that good when the arguments are not my own.  If I am representing someone else, then my arguments are not cohesive and thought through.
The problem with this specific issue is that I think one of my RGMs is tuning out or actually acting negatively to any idea that comes from the boss.  Which is no good, as it means that even good ideas or thinking are negatively viewed.  In this instance I think I was trying to help out the situation by attempting to mediate, but in reality I just myself look like I hadn't thought the issue through.

Going forward, three things:
1. Do not get involved in a dispute unless I understand both sides of the equation.
2. Do not try to represent other people's views.  Encourage them to express their own view instead to the people directly.  It is very hard to represent properly.
3. Think as an outsider:  "does this improve the business/guest experience?" vs "what is the operational cost to do this?" and then make the decision based on that.

Ready for Korea

Korea is becoming more definite, say Aug to end Nov.  I can feel it, even with additional opportunities, I am not that keen to explore.  What I do need to work out is some structure to how to manage the business when I am overseas.  I will need to introduce some more documentation on troubleshooting for things.  This is what I provide to people at the moment, and it's easy for them to call me and I will sort it out.  Especially the IT support component.  I will write up all the information, and then have a standby IT support person as required.

I am not sure how the people in my team feel about it.  It was funny, they were joking yesterday about when to visit that I should have a spare room for them to stay in.  So to a certain extent they have come to a realisation that it will happen and are adjusting.  Key would be making sure that Mary is sorted out, and that she is emotionally to take more ownership of the corporate team.  I think she is mature enough, and Jo definitely trusts her, so I think it will be ok.  I am very lucky to have a person like her around, who is committed to this company.

I will also keep away from the outlets a bit this month, to see how it is without me there and if it can still function.  To be honest, the outlets do function already, it is just a matter of how good or how bad.

With Jo, I am not sure how he feels about it.  I think he accepts it, but I am sure he is not super happy about it.  We still have not discussed the pay situation when I am away, although it is realistically only 3 months.  It will mean that I will be unable to help with any new outlet that we get this year.  But looking at our finances we are not in that good a position to expand another outlet, unless we get heavy external funding.

I believe this adventure is worth it.  Worth it just because I want to do it, and that's all the reason that is required.

The other part of this is to be realistic/clear on what I will end up with at the end of 4 months.  I think I will still be a very basic speaker.  But if I am able to get around Korea by myself I will be super super happy!  In that case then the key is to get useful information as quickly as possible so I have the confidence to keep talking.

Two paraphase some guy on a forum I was reading:

Do academic study for a year, then after attaining upper-intermediate proficiency, mainstream yourself. Sign up for hagwon classes in cooking, art, technology etc. alongside Koreans. Join clubs. Sign up for Korean online games. Rent an apartment with Koreans. Get a job that isn't teaching English, like at a restaurant or a 7-Eleven. Scheduling yourself with tons of immersion activities is probably more useful after the initial year of study than another year of dry study.

Directness

So I see this girl at a club.  A bit of eye contact, a bit of a smile.
I was (as usual!) dancing by myself.  She ends up dancing next to me.  More smiling, more dancing.
The following conversation occurs:
K: "Hi, what's your name?"
Girl: "Hi I'm Chrstine."
K: "I'm Kev, nice to meet you."
Girl: "So am I hot?"

What?? To be honest, it was so out of the blue that I was a bit shocked.

K: "hahahaha, Ok lah!"
Girl: (turns away)...

Yes, it was in reality the worst of all answers that I could have said.  There is a concept of honest vulnerability that is not as much "game" but rather just being yourself, and be willing to own up to your thoughts and actions.  Thinking this through a bit more, I need to embrace that honesty more.  Truthfully she was hot, and I thought she was hot as well.  Yes, she was fishing for a compliment.  But fine, I will give that compliment, and I should not care about how she takes it, because the compliment is what I feel at that time, without reservation.

So I think the best answer would have been:
K: "Yes you are, but why do you ask?"

Practising Negotiation #2

A surprising shift in the negotiation process for OC.

What they had previously said as "cannot ever happened", they are willing to accommodate now, with only a minor change.  I must now remember this:  "never accept a 'no' from a person that cannot say 'yes'".  Only then will I be able to negotiate successfully.

Perhaps the other takeaway is to only get involved in negotiations where I really want to drive an good outcome, but if it doesn't happen then it is ok.  If I don't care enough for a deal, I give away too much.    But if I care too much about a deal, then again I give away too much to make it happen.

Two ways to do this:
1. Negotiate as though it is on behalf of someone else, but with some stake in the outcome.
2. Always be looking for an alternative.  Funny enough, the alternative to this deal is not another location but the ability to go to Korea!

It was good to re-read the "Bargaining for Advantage" book.  It is key to keeping high goals in any negotiation.