Getting Serious
Fri Jul 16 2021 22:25:00 GMT+0800 (Malaysia Time)
Greetings from Malaga airport - 5am.
It's been a hectic week.. lots happening at the Spain warehouse.. and lots to sort out.
But now I'm on the way to Slovakia - our other warehouse in Europe.. from AW-Artisan to AW-Gifts.
The flight is at 6.10am which means getting up at 2.30am - which means it's hardly worth going to bed.. I didn't sleep at all, just an hour or so full of restless thoughts, and fears of oversleeping.
But here I am waiting for the Ryanair flight..
Last week I was telling you about the "Phoenix Effect" at AW.. and how lots of apparent setbacks have actually turned out good. I explained the set back that gave birth to the team that is AW-Artisan. You can read about it here.
But you know no matter how busy it gets in Spain.. there is always time for a party... or two.
On Friday a container came from Bali, during the week a container from Morocco, a shipment from India, two trucks from the UK aromatics factory and today a container from China. Non of those shipments was straightforward; each one needs special licenses approving, clearance documents, stamps and verification letters. It's complicated.. but Toni, our man in Spain is getting adapted to getting all his stuff in order..
Despite all this we still had time to organise and celebrate the birthday of Attila. Attila is originally from Hungary.. so we can call him Attila the Hun. He doesn't seem to mind :)
On Friday a container came from Bali, during the week a container from Morocco, a shipment from India, two trucks from the UK aromatics factory and today a container from China. Non of those shipments was straightforward; each one needs special licenses approving, clearance documents, stamps and verification letters. It's complicated.. but Toni, our man in Spain is getting adapted to getting all his stuff in order..
Despite all this we still had time to organise and celebrate the birthday of Attila. Attila is originally from Hungary.. so we can call him Attila the Hun. He doesn't seem to mind :)
He's a great guy - works very hard in the warehouse. Last week I was telling you about taking the team out to dinner (another party) and whilst there Attila, unfamiliar with the area, had parked his car in the wrong spot.. His car got towed away, it was a bit of a shock and must have spoiled the dinner for him, but he put on a brave face. Later the team had a collection, (I chipped in) and we raised the €150 that he needed to fork out to get his car back.
Toni privately gave him the envelope - but Attila whilst pleased that we tried to help.. was having none of it - he made a speech to everyone about how this was wrong - he must take responsibility and he didn't want the money. Because if he did - how would he ever learn from his mistakes.. Like I said.. a great guy..
Birthday party in Spain, Attila is the guy in the football shirt.
We put on a good spread for him and sang him happy birthday in Spanish and then again in English..
Those eastern Europeans are so serious about honour and integrity.. but I think Attila actually smiled.
And now I'm on a plane to Slovakia.. land of the serious.. where the Spanish team work hard and know how to have fun.. In Slovakia they work hard.. and know how to... erm.. have a serious discussion over some seriously strong drinks..
No seriously.. they are a great team, work very hard and seriously.. it's been two years - and the team has gotten much bigger than last time I was there. So I'm looking forward to meeting all the new faces, and making a plan for the future.
Tomas will meet me at the airport (hopefully) and we will go straight to the office.
Last night Tomas forward several emails with details of large warehouses.. we are thinking of moving.. upwards and onwards..
It's time to get serious in Slovakia.
I'll give you a full report next week.
Take care and stay safe.
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