"I'd need to be in a job that has access to their servers. A technology assignment would work great. I'd need access to all their facilities, maybe tour the plant at least once or twice. Maybe launch a technology initiative that involves the plant, especially the metrics they use to measure the business, including quality outputs." She smiled mischievously.
"I'd need some freedom of movement, from corporate to plant and back. I'd need exposure to what Dr. Barnaby tells his executives, so I guess this translates as access to leadership meetings, even if it's on tape, after the fact. I'd need the use of a lab, outside of the office, that can run quick tests for me, both physical and software." She paused to catch her breath, saw the empty cup in front of her, and continued. "Oh, and I need a cup of coffee, real bad."
"Thought you'd never ask," Steve said, standing up with his empty cup in his hand, grabbing hers, and turning toward Tom. "Anything for you?"
"No, I'm fine, thank you." Tom opened a folder and examined an organizational chart with several spots circled in red marker. Steve came back, carrying two steaming cups of fresh coffee.
"There happens to be a suitable opening at NanoLance," Tom said, pushing the organizational chart in front of Alex and Steve, "one that would fulfill most of Alex's needs. It's the director of infrastructure and support."
Alex struggled to contain a smile. Wow, she thought, my first executive role.
"There are several advantages to this position," Tom continued, undisturbed, "mainly the fact that the role is already open, and Dr. Barnaby doesn't have to interject and create it. This role reports into the chief technology officer, Dustin Sheppard, one of your least favorites, Alex."
"I'll manage," Alex said, smile gone, replaced by a sense of doom.
"The role doesn't bring the freedom of movement between corporate and plant that you require, but this is where Dr. Barnaby can help. We will ask him to become more involved in the hiring and termination of executives and, as part of their onboarding process, to allow all new executives to spend time in all critical areas of the business, plant included. This can be easily done." Tom looked at Steve and asked, "Anything else you'd like to add?"
"Yes," Steve said. "Alex, we'd have to get you prepared to interview and get the offer for this role, ideally without any intervention from Dr. Barnaby. I'd like the two of us, and maybe Brian if he can find the time, to train you some more, offer some insights into leadership in companies as large as this one, and give you some more books to read. We have a couple of weeks, but not more. You do realize how pressed for time we are on this case. However, before anything else I'd like to know how you feel, Alex. Are you ready for this?"
"I am. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared a little bit, but I'm also excited to go in and find out what's going on. I love a good mystery, love the challenge."
Tom nodded, with an encouraging smile. "I was counting on your enthusiasm," he said, "and I am sure you will get to the bottom of this faster than any of us could. Tomorrow you'll be working with one of the best résumé writers I have encountered — my wife, Claire. She will write a résumé guaranteed to get you an interview for this job. The rest will be up to you, and you'll do just fine, I'm sure of it. But, before we proceed with this client, do keep one thing in mind, at all times."
Tom's voice turned grave, as he continued. "The issues you will be investigating are serious. One is a potential major fraud, the other one has a potential connection to the recent drone incident that led to the loss of innocent lives. The person or persons responsible will have a lot to lose if they are exposed. Be very careful."
…26
Starting a new job usually brought Alex a mixture of excitement and energy, fueled by her hopes that the new opportunity would propel her career, while she would be recognized and appreciated for her hard work. Starting fresh, with her innate optimism, was a sure recipe for exhilaration, not shadowed by any self-doubt, or fear of the unknown.
This time was different though. The excitement of entering a new organization, dimmed by a cautious, rational alertness, was barely surfacing. Alex had to make a conscious effort to show the full-blast enthusiasm of any new hire — especially a younger one. Focused on the image she was presenting to those around her, she had barely noticed the imposing building that housed NanoLance headquarters.
She approached the high-rise office building in a state of growing vigilance, not paying much attention to the sun's reflections off the turquoise glass of the upper floors. The reception area, wide open, was flooded in sunlight reflected by shiny blue-gray tiles. The gleaming tiles forced Alex to focus on keeping her balance, while walking on the slippery floor.
Oh, yes, she thought, the ultimate form of discrimination in the workplace… expect women to wear high heels, then shine these darn floors until we can't move anymore. She approached the reception desk and gave a quick sigh before stating her name. The massive piece of furniture provided some relief in her efforts to maintain her balance on the gleaming floors. She gladly leaned against the desk.
"Miss Hoffmann?" a voice from behind her asked.
She turned to find a young, neatly dressed woman holding a clipboard and a file folder, with her hand extended in her direction. "Yes," she replied, shaking the hand offered to her, "I am Alex Hoffmann, nice to meet you."
"I am Kathleen Bentley from human resources, nice to meet you too. Please follow me."
Kathleen led the way down a wide corridor to a conference room. Alex followed closely, noticing the flooring was different. Carpeting. Yes, I like carpeting, she thought, straightening her posture, regaining her confidence.
She sat down at a conference table, across from Kathleen, whose smile seemed to be permanent, without variation, the typical professional smile that people-facing employees develop as a second nature and wear without any effort.
"Alex, please let me start by welcoming you to NanoLance. We are excited to have you here. A professional of your caliber will bring significant strength to our technology team, and we have all been looking forward to your start date."
"Thank you, I am excited to be here," Alex said. "I was happy to hear that you wanted me to come to work a day earlier."
"Yes, indeed," Kathleen explained, "we like to get the human resources paperwork and orientation out of the way, so on Monday you can hit the ground running, in a manner of speaking."
"OK, this is great!" She refrained from commenting on how unusual this practice was.
"Good, then let's start by filling out these forms," Kathleen said, pushing in front of her an open folder with paperwork in both pockets. "On the right side, you have tax forms, non-disclosure, non-compete, and emergency contact forms. On the left, you have benefits enrollment forms. All these need to be filled out and signed before we can proceed. I'll give you a few minutes," she said, promptly leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
Twenty minutes later, as Alex was just putting her pen down, Kathleen entered the conference room, wearing the same unaltered smile. "Are we ready? Great! Let's go for a tour," she said, showing Alex the way toward the slippery lobby, where the elevators were taking turns at loading and unloading hurried people.
They entered a luxurious elevator, complete with a flat screen TV showing the news and the stock-market ticker. On the back wall of the elevator, a mirror reflected Alex's image. She was dressed sharply in a Jones New York charcoal business suit, white satin shirt, completed by Gucci shoes and a briefcase. She smiled back at her reflection, proud of the image she presented, and reassured she looked her part.