On the plus side, I am sitting in the Air France lounge, which is not too shabby. All you can drink Perrier and all you can eat finger sandwiches; what more could anyone want (besides maybe a newspaper that is in English)?
Back to the question at hand, "what the hell am I doing?".
Well, let me try to explain in a few words.
As most, if not all of you know, I have been working for Best Buy for nearly the last ten years. For the last few years, I have been running stores in New York (specifically Long Island and Brooklyn). Time came for me to look to expand my horizons a bit; so the story begins!
About six months ago, Best Buy Europe became a reality. I can remember the week in early May, we were in our annual company meeting (this year it was in Anaheim). One early morning (surprisingly I can still remember that morning) Best Buy announced the had bought half of Carphone Warehouse (CPW), the largest mobile phone carrier and store in Europe. Five minutes after that announcement, I texted Liz "want to move to London?". At that point it was just a joke (kind of). The reality was, BBY bought half of CPW for one reason: to enter Europe.
A few months go by and the thoughts were lingering.
August came and I got engaged to my lovely wife Liz. That is another whole story for later....
A couple weeks later, maybe one week later, the job to open London was posted. What timing!
So, it was the moment of truth. Liz and I talk it over, go over the pros and cons, and eventually decide that it is worth applying for. I mean, applying for a job doesn't mean you are going to get it, right? We were conscious of the reality of what I was applying for, but it was just an application!
The process began!
Many, many, probably too many people applied for the job. Ultimately, 96 people applied for two jobs! At that point, Liz and I were very pessamistic. Usually five or six people apply for these jobs. Almost 100, that is crazy. Either way, we were involved in the process, the long process!
A couple months went by. I had multiple interviews with several people. Every time I had another interview, more people were eliminated from contention. Every time I had an interview, the chances of me getting this job became more and more real. Every time I had another interview, Liz and I starting gripping what reality could be.
Then came the moment of truth.
They offered me the job of General Manager International Assignment.
IT WAS ON!!!
So I got the job! It was such a great feeling! I felt like all the hard work I have put in for the last ten years had all paid off!
The job in a nutshell:
My role is to go to London and build an operating model. We have no stores in Europe, these will be the first. We know only what the data tells us. I, along with a peer, need to get into London, understand the competition and the environment, build an operating model to open a BBY with. When the model is built, we need to help the people running the stores open the stores and create sustainable business. Ultimately, create a foundation for the rest of Europe. That is all :)
So, the job was mine. Originally, the plan was to spend the next month on and off in Mexico (where we are currently opening stores there for the first time too). After that, we were going to spend a month in California. The plan was to fly the managers we hired in London out and spend a month with them in BBY stores in the US. After that was over, I was to have off for Christmas and eventually move to the UK at the beginning of January. Liz would then move to London at the end of February or the beginning of March.
That agenda came through and it looked great. Not only would I be able to start traveling and immersing myself in my new role, I would also have time at home in between trips (usually 7 days). That way I could see Liz, move, all that good stuff. Sounds great to me!
At this point, Liz and I go into high gear trying to figure out when to get married. We came to a mutual agreement that we wanted to be married before we moved to London. So, we were trying to figure out how to work a wedding into my travel, and do it before December.
It was tough. We were having a really hard time figuring out a wedding conclusion that worked. It became clear that if we wanted to get married, we were going to have to do something quick and simple.
Then came the phone call.
My new boss called from China one night. I thought he was just checking in, saying hello!
There were alternative motives.
He called me to plead with me a bit. Turns out that we got some permits to open stores about six months sooner than expected in China. That is great! Unfortunately, being that we were expecting another six month delay, BBY only hired the store manager a month ago!
My boss was a bit concerned, to say it mildly.
He posed the question:
"I want you to think about helping us out in China for a couple of months."
There was no pressure. Only a desperate new manager and a tough situation.
We already have one store open in China and it is crazy. For us to open another without strong leadership would be a recipe for disaster.
The choice was in my hands.
The choice was a bit loaded. They offered my business class direct flights to Shanghai ($$$). Then they offered to fly Liz out to China for a free week vacation....not bad! Plus, there was the experience of CHINA!!! Who gets that chance?
Liz and I began the decision making process.
She was all for it the moment I hung up the phone. She couldn't see me turning down the opportunity....thought it would be stupid of me.
I was intrigued.
Ultimately, I agreed with Liz. I would be an idiot not to take the opportunity!
So, I accepted the opportunity. Then Liz and I went and got married....time was a bit limited!
That was last week.
The week since has been crazy! Preparing for the trip. Buying supplies, setting up a moving company, getting ready to go, dealing with old business from the previous job, going to dinner every night with one friend or another. It went by quick.
Today came. It was hard on the family. Liz and I were sad that I had to leave. We spent the day together and did the best we could.....Nigel too of course.
Now I am here, at JFK Airport.......and now my flight is boarding.....yeeha!
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