Beauty from Ashes

It's Simple But it Ain't Easy

It had been several weeks since Kongpob embarked on turning the Chiang Mai office around. During this time Kongpob and Apinya had been behind closed doors meeting with all their clients to introduce himself as the new Division Director. He laid out his restructuring plan to let them know how their accounts would be handled going forward. So far, clients had been responding positively. They all felt confident that with Kongpob in charge they would soon see a turnaround yielding healthy profits.

The challenge was going to be convincing the Executive Team. From everything he'd learned from Apinya and his other assistant, Boonsri, they were a grumpy bunch who were reticent to change. Bringing them along was going to be like taming a wild bull, but Kongpob was up to the task. He looked at the clock on his desk noting the time.

"Apinya is the Exec Team in the conference room?"

"Yes Kongpob. They're waiting for you."

"Great. I'll be right there. Make sure Boonsri is ready with the handouts and the presentation."

"What about lunch?"

"I want them concentrating on the meeting; not their appetites, so b  ring in the food five minutes before the meeting is set to end. I'll leave you and Boonsri behind to sit in. As they eat, they will undoubtedly discuss me and my plan for the office. Take note of what they say but be surreptitious about it. I don't want them to know you're spying on them."

"But isn't that exactly what we'll be doing?" Boonsri was genuinely confused.

Kongpob couldn't help but chuckle at the young wide-eyed assistant. Apinya shot her a side glance, deeply annoyed.

"Boonsri, Kongpob is asking us to listen to the Exec Team's reactions to his presentation to see how what he said was received. He needs us to be his eyes and ears when he's not around. Get it now?"

Apinya rolled her eyes and facepalmed. Boonsri looked down embarrassed.

"No need to be embarrassed Boonsri. That's why you're working with Apinya. You're here to learn. If there's something you don't know or understand just ask. I will always answer your question. Okay?"

Boonsri looked at Kongpob with bright eyes; all embarrassment gone.

"Kongpob, it's time."

"Great! Let's head into the lion's den, shall we?"

Kongpob clapped his hands together and headed to the conference room.

As Kongpob entered the conference room, he did a quick headcount and noticed a member of the Exec Team was missing. He turned to Apinya who consulted her iPad.

"Kongpob, I just received an email from the missing member saying he cannot attend today. He is working under a deadline and needs to finish his work."

"I'm sorry. What did you just say? What does he mean he's working on a deadline? As the Division Director, I set the deadlines. If I ask him to attend a meeting, then he needs to show up. Where is his office?"

"Down the hall, third door on the right." Apinya quickly turned to follow Kongpob as he charged down the hall.

As he exited the door, Kongpob turned his head and called out over his shoulder. "Stay here until I return. Do NOT move! Boonsri stay here."

Apinya was shaken. She had never seen Kongpob angry before. It was a little scary. As Kongpob made his way to the errant Exec Team member's office, he was fuming. People parted like the Red Sea, quickly moving out of his way. He finally reached the reception area for the Exec Team member. Kongpob blew past the young man who served as the executive assistant. He jumped up from his desk and ran to follow Kongpob. Apinya stepped in front of the assistant to stop him.