Decisions In Paradise

Business Scenario

Decisions in Paradise: How To Be, or Not To Be

Introduction:

My name is Nik. I spell my name a little differently. But, with so many folks named Nicholas, Nicolette, Nicole, Nikoleta, Nikola, and more, I figure I'd let people guess.

Like everyone else, I periodically imagine what paradise on Earth would be for me. In my imagination, my trip to paradise includes having a wonderful, loving relationship, finishing my college degree, getting a meaningful job, seeing some of the rest of the world, and getting my dog, Leonard, housebroken.

Although I'd been working on all this stuff for what seems a lifetime, I couldn't believe that they all came together for me within a three week period; although, I'm still working on Leonard.

Within two weeks of finishing my degree, I landed a job with great potential in a solid organization. All the investment of time, energy, and money in school finally paid off, not to mention I learned a lot more than I thought I would. The next week I reconnected with a former "friend", that could prove to be the love of my life. Did I point out I'm still working with Leonard?

Adding to paradise found, my first assignment with my new company required me to travel to another part of the world--an island country of Kava, in the South Pacific to be exact. Now who thinks of the South Pacific and doesn't image a physical paradise - white beach, gentle surf, swaying palm trees, tropical breeze - I sure did, and so did the prospective love of my life. We agreed the first trip would be strictly business. So, I would be traveling alone. Poor Leonard. If this assignment and our relationship worked out well, however, we could spend other occasions together in paradise.

My first week of work was entirely engulfed in a brief introduction to the company, HR procedures, organizational processes, overview of Kava, and flight arrangements. Although I received a great deal of help in putting together the trip to Kava, no one knew exactly what I would be doing there.

"You'll be working with Alex, our director of strategic planning," was the short, quick, and consistent response I got. "Very experienced, very demanding, very influential executive. What an opportunity for you!"

So, the following week I was off to Kava, to meet with Alex, my supervisor and mentor, for my assignment in paradise.

I hope the love of my life gets Leonard housebroken while I am gone.

The setting:

My first reminder that life's events are not as we perceive them to be is when I landed in Kava. What I found was that this part of paradise was a mess, at least where I landed. It was a mess all the way to our company's office. It was a mess around the office.

I opened the door of the trailer, our make-shift office. The office was a mess, too!

Before I could focus myself to say anything, even to greet the receptionist sitting behind the desk, the hectic yet very welcoming voice rang out, "Greetings, I'm Alex."

I was a bit surprised. Correction: I was very surprised. People never look like you picture them--nothing is like your mind ever pictures it--but I was way off with Alex. I should have known better, but I still answered, "Really? You're not the receptionist? You're not at all how I pictured you."

"Really?" Alex responded, "How did you picture me........" gesturing me to introduce myself.

"I'm sorry. I'm Nik," I responded.

"You are Nik?" was Alex's retort. "Wow! You're not even close to how I pictured you, either."

"So much for perception is reality," we said in unison.

"Well, that was a wave of commonality in this sea of diverse thought, eh?" Alex quipped.

I quickly learned Alex loved metaphors.

"Yeah, let's see if we can have many more of these we experience," I answered, hoping my first impression was not my last.

Again with a hectic this time reassuring voice Alex said, "Oh we will.

"So, you're one of the rookies they sent me from training camp. Get ready for some fun games. By the way, I am also the receptionist."

"Let me tell you a little about Kava," Alex continued, and with a note of humor and threat added, "And, make sure you keep your eye on the ball this time."

Alex debriefs Nik about Kava.

FACTS ABOUT KAVA:

The location:

A significant island country in the South Pacific.

The people:

Over 50% under 15 years of age

Ethnic mix of indigenous South Pacific tribes, oriental (Chinese primarily), African, French, Spanish, and since World War II, a sizeable number of Americans.

Religions - Indigenous 50%, remainder closely divided between Christian, Buddhist, and Islamic.

Languages - Numerous indigenous, as well as English, Spanish, and French.

The economy:

Petroleum, coffee, cocoa, spices, bananas, sugar, tourism, fishing, and natural gas, as well as inexpensive, quality labor.

Disasters threats:

Tidal waves/tsunami

Typhoons/Hurricanes

Tornadoes

Floods

Fires

Volcanic eruptions

Earthquakes

HIV/AIDS

Petroleum spill

High risk for avian flu

Terrorism, from within and outside the country

Helping organizations:

Governmental service - local, state, and national levels--including the military

Community based organizations