The Speech

Still wonder what to say in tomorrow morning farewell speech. Out of a blue, I received an invitation mail two days ago from the department secretary, asking me to give a farewell speech in front of all department members.

Being 6 years in the company, I have seen many retirement speeches in the department, but not once a resignation speech. As in the Japanese culture, a resignation (vs retirement) is not something blessed for. So whoever resigns, will leave quietly, without alerting anybody…

I think I am lucky. Resigning for a reason, a reason not because to abandon something, but to strive for something. Something that still obscure that I need to figure out at a different platform before I decide where to go eventually. And luckily I have the supports from my fellow colleagues, and my bosses, who despised my decision at first but showed their appreciation and blessing at last.

I feel thankful. Thankful to the company, my fellow colleagues and my bosses. Throughout my life in the company, I have learnt so much from them. One thing I like the Japanese so much is their generosity in sharing their knowledge. And what’s more is the friendly environment that I can work comfortably. Work itself is stressful, but due to the Japanese “helping each other” culture, there is never a one person problem, there is only a team problem, where all team members share the problem and solve the problem together. And I always believe that the generosity and the teamwork are the two main characteristics that make Japanese strong.

Spending almost 10 years in Japan, I am leaving a place where I love so much which I am not sure whether I will be returning in future. Sounds paradox as you may ask why leaving a place that you love so much? Well, my answer will be, the outside world, whether better or worse, you will never know without exploring. Through continuous expedition, then only you will find your true love, whether it is your dream job, your dream life, or simply the place to settle down.

So, what should I say in tomorrow speech? The reason, the thank you, the don’t forget me…? All these are just not sufficient to express my real feeling. A feeling that is a mixture of pain for parting, anticipation for new life, and anxiety for the future… I don’t know what will happen after the MBA, where I will go and what I will do…

But one thing I know for sure is, from the deep of my heart, I sincerely feel grateful of joining the company. So, whatever the tomorrow speech will be, I think the key message will simply be “nagai aida osewa ni narimasita, hontou ni arigato gozaimasita, korekara mo zutto zutto yorosiku onegai itasimasu!”

  

What is consulting?

Just finished reading this book “What is Consulting” written by Kouichi Hori, previous president of BCG Japan, and currently the chairman of Dream Incubator (DI). He has been working as a strategy consultant since his graduation from the Harvard University MBA program 30 years ago. Some notes on this book:

Essence of consulting – thinking what is the problem?

Why need consulting –

1) Company may not really understand the customer need

2) Company tends to be bonded by previous success (experience)

3) Consultant pursues thoroughly the cause and causation

4) Consultant owns the skill and experience for strategy planning

Consulting process –

1)       Interview : find the gap in understanding/needs/feeling

2)       Accumulate facts

3)       Graphing : determine the x and y axis

4)       Present

5)       Implement (by Company)

Pre-requisite to be become a consultant

1)       Intelligence : logical thinking

2)       Flexibility : willing to hear what others say

3)       Diligence : curiosity + inquiring mind + hard work

4)       Toughness : able to work in pressure, able to stand up after fall down

5)       Luck : gambler luck?

MBA graduates promoted averagely after 3 and 7 years. But the “UP or OUT” is common within the consulting field where half will out within 3 years and half of the remaining will out within 7 years. But most OUT will still success in other fields because the logical thinking and look big perspective learnt in the consulting will help in any other fields.

Consulting fee – Manhour rate x Manhour x Multiplier

Multiplier > 3.0 accounted for overhead and benefits of the consulting company.

What is interesting about consulting – a consultant alone can bring a significant change to the company

Safety Net

Eventually I decided to tear off the safety net, the safety net that will guarantee my employment after my MBA. Well, may be you will say I am stupid. I can just be silent and make the decision only if I found another place to go after the MBA. But I just want to play fair with my company, a company that I love so much that I even have the feeling of being a betrayer by speaking up the resignation.

My immediate manager was angry. I understand his feeling, he is the one who most support my decision for MBA study, which involve a temporary leave from the company for a period of more than a year that busy schedule due to new projects is expected. Being a typical Japanese, he simply believe that I will return to the company as soon as I finish my study.

And I myself also thought of returning to my company, although my company rejected my application for company funding for my MBA study, by saying that there is no such a system of education funding in the company. Nevertheless, it is a comfortable place to work, with friendly people, challenging international mega projects, decent pays and benefits which no one should have think of leave at the first place.

My manager asked me what changed my mind? I honestly told him that I have been struggling for this idea for a long time. Spoke with several MBA alumni and students, attended several MBA career seminars, all gave me a clear message that one should try to embrace as many new challenges as possible in the MBA program, which can be a perfect platform for transition or I would say reborn. And that is how one will eventually find out what he loves the most and does it for life.

I am still in the quest - the quest for my perfect career. Therefore, I need a reset. Start with what I have so far but without need to look back. And since there will be no safety net, the only choice is to move forward. Move forward for new challenges, for new knowledge and skills, for new friendships and networking. And who knows, I can still contribute to my beloved company in future, whether I will return, or work at different a company as a partner, collaborator or even customer to my current company.

My manager looked at me calmly this time and said, it is very hard for me to say yes in my position. But since you already make up your mind, I respect your decision. But be reminded that this is a Japanese company, once you leave, we will not accept you again even if you willing to return, no matter how competent you are.

I told him, I love the company, and I just need to find out what I love the most. If I eventually find out that here is where I should return, I will still try to return, whether you are welcoming me or not.

He smiled.