We have to make this launch Big. We want to get it in the market with a bang!
Introducing the next generation of household LPG.
EC Gas.
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| Our Teaser Ad that gained a warm reception |
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| Our Pallets are waiting |
Like most opportunities, it comes with its unique set of challenges. This is where I believe I come in and this is by (by favorable timing) I join into the product launch fray.
My Role
My role is not the be the General manager, Chief Operations or Chief Financial officer. My Role is to give direction, help and assistance in whichever way possible to ensure this will be a big success. Nothing more and nothing less, at this level having a desired position is only a reflection of personal vanity but as of the moment even a little vanity is shunned. Overall, the team managing this product launch is young, except perhaps for a few members in the technical and operations department who have been with the company for at least 6 years and up. With about seven years of work experience and a master's degree under my belt I actually feel I'm one of the most senior people here.
Anxieties
I am both excited and a little bit scared, anxious. Dale Carnegie and a couple of self improvement books told me that being a bit scared is good because you have something to give a damn a bout. Its really obvious that this launch will make give a whole lot of damn about. There are many themes of thought: how can our office accomodate more staff? where will they be based? What is oir payment policy? The VAT equation is complicated especially when we do a lot of internal prodyct transfers etc...
Sometimes it becomes a bit overwhelming and I stay up awake longer lying in bed for a few hours more. I remind myself of the almost insurmountable challenges Ive been through and that ignites a spark of confidence inside me that gradually warms me to sleep.
Product in Transit
As the moment as I type this 5 forty foot truckloads of product shipments are in a cargo vessel somewhere in the Indian Ocean with cargo that's intended for Manila. At the moment of its arrival is should be met by a functioning team of operations staff ranging from helpers to drivers who will dispatch the product to our primary storage facility for record keeping and then later on to the refilling plants where these LPG cylinders will be filled in for the first time with our LPG fuel.
Birthing Pains
Like any new start there will be a lot of birthing pains in this new venture, the goal is to keep the labor and "birthing session" to the shortest time possible. The goal is to survive through the initial chaos of opening and take charge of a campaign. I envision myself as the Russian army during the latter stage of World War 2.We will prevail.
What does it take to launch this?
Guys
We are not in short of talent. We might be short of experience but we are relentless and we are adapting. I'm also doing arrangements with our Human Resource and that adds the "we are growing".
Logistics
This has got to be my favorite. I'm doing the optimization models as of this moment. I also have a DLSU intern team doing work for Cebu, I will be done with my logistics modelling by August 4.
Creativity
I am very happy that we have finally gotten serious about advertising and hired an agency. We got fresh talent on board too, we got someone who can flesh our out ideas and communicate it to the world.
Lots Of Money
Duh.
Your Patronage
A business exists only because the market dictates its relevance. Many times you have to teach the market on what should be considered relevant. It will take effort and we are willing to explain every little bit of product detail but without accepting and patronage this wont fly. We wish for your patronage in every way, be it a Facebook share or like or taking on a franchise. Were easy to talk to.
Beyond the Bottom Line Lessons I want to learn
Developing this team
I want to develop a team with a more corporate style approach. I want them to be efficient and effective and I want this team to learn how to do problem solving toge there.
Introducing structures
For the longest time, our corporate culture has been very entrepreneurial. Its not that I'm not happy with it, being entrepreneurial enabled us to see this opportunity but as organizations grow a degree of organization structure must be developed. Our market and operations are becoming more sophisticated, so must be. We cant all be salesmen.
Further Harnessing my Management Capabilities
This is another chapter in my management journey. I shall cherish every moment of it and learn from it as much as I can. I will also apply the lessons learned from my past endeavors, the Mackay and Ausa Venture. I am excited to see this project as the best real time exercise for my logistics and supply chain optimization, Ive been having a deep itch to find its application in work Lastly I wish to develop people's capabilities and management skills. I want to impart the logical and scientific approach, I want them to be oriented in the detail, while being able to be decisive. This perhaps will be my legacy here.
So Help me God.
