02.02.07 Your Workplace Is Not Your Bedroom – Never Dose in Public

9. The Business Tender and the ‘Sleepy’ Syndrome

Sezi called his father to give him the good news.  Their company had just won a tender to provide transport for delegates during a month-long series of international conferences.

The road to winning the business had not been smooth-paved, due to high competition.  In fact, many companies had eyed the opportunity, with some even risking to import new cars before being selected for the tender.  

But fortunately, Sezi was renowned in the city, since his family had been in transport business for generations.  His father had retired only a year ago, handing over to Sezi who discernibly replaced the entire fleet with new cars.  Therefore, when the awarders of the tender did their ‘due diligence’, Sezi’s firm was undoubtedly in the lead.

The news of the tender had been timely to say the least.  Since the new fleet had been financed through a bank loan, revenues were needed to foot the ambitious repayment schedule.  And, the business opportunity would be one avenue for contributing towards that demanding commitment.

The days that followed saw Sezi making rigorous preparations for providing transport to delegates… sensitising drivers on how to handle such clientele; servicing cars; checking schedules of who was to arrive when and to be ferried to where…

Before long, the day for the arrival of the first delegates was nigh.  Good for the firm, day one went smoothly.  However, on the second day, one of the drivers fell sick.  This was a challenge, since although almost all the delegates had arrived the day before, a VIP group had to be picked from the airport the following morning.  

But the experienced Sezi had arranged for a ‘stand-by’ driver, Yokana.  So, he (Sezi) summoned the driver, giving him a few ABCs on protocol; the delegation’s estimated time of arrival; and, a Placard that bore the name of one of the guests.  “Since you stay near the airport, keep the car overnight so that you can be on time tomorrow”, Sezi instructed.  Yokana was visibly grateful for the job as he had been out of work for some months.

The following morning, Sezi called Yokana who assured him that he (Yokana) had already departed for the airport.

With that taken care of, Sezi devoted his energies to ensuring that the delegates who had arrived earlier, were transported to the conference venue.  By mid-morning, all guests had been catered for; and it was time for Sezi to ‘catch his breath’.  But his momentous rest was short-lived.  For no sooner had he sat on his desk than the Conference Coordinator, Magdalena, called.  And from the sound of her voice, Sezi could tell that she was very disgruntled.

“Why did you not pick up the delegates from the airport?” an alarmed Magdalena reprimanded Sezi.  The transporter explained that he had actually sent a car to the airport, well before time.  But Magdalena reported that when the guests arrived, there had been no one to receive them.  In fact, after waiting for a while, they had hired some other transport.  

“We have been grossly embarrassed, as the delegates included the President of a mega international organisation”, Magdalena disclosed with furious disappointment.  “We may have to reconsider whether you will be able to handle our transport requirements”, she added.  And from the tone of her voice, it was not hard to tell that she meant what she said.

As soon as Magdalena hung up, Sezi called Yokana, “Where are you?”  Yokana explained that he was on the way back to the transporter’s office.  As Sezi heatedly quizzed Yokana regarding what had happened, the driver reported that he had arrived at the airport on time, only to be told that the flight was delayed.  Then he had resorted to waiting in the car.  “To be honest boss, I closed my eyes for only a few minutes; but by the time I went to check if the flight had arrived, all the passengers had already left”, Yokana said, defensively.

An irritated Sezi wrathfully shouted at Yokana, blaming him for playing around with business.  “You had better return the car keys to my Secretary  ASAP…”, the transporter screamed with seething anger.  “I do not want to set my eyes on you ever again”.

The worst part came later that afternoon, when Magdalena informed Sezi that the coordinating committee had decided to use another transport company.  

And during the weeks that followed, Sezi regretfully watched as his competitor reaped the fruits that would have otherwise contributed to paying the bank loan.

This story reminds us of employees who have the notorious habit of dozing off on the frontline, with detrimental effects on the quality of services delivered to internal and external customers.  

Not only does such a ‘sleepy’ syndrome paint a ‘laissez-faire’ picture of the organisation where the person works; it also taint’s one’s professional image, making him or her appear unserious, disorganised, careless and lacking in self-management.  

Therefore, such employees should discipline their bodies to be alert all the time.  After all, under normal circumstances, no one ever gets hired to have a nap in the office!  Yes…, sleep is a human need; but definitely, ‘not in the work place’.