CSC China 15 Program Launch

Today was our first official day in the CSC program – the official program launch.

Most joined for breakfast around 07:00 / 07:15, many being nervous … we got on the bus a good half hour later, the driver making sure we reached the Wuhan East Lake New Technical Development Zone in time (even by using horn and siren).

The official meeting started at 10:00 and covered speeches from the parties involved; Emad did a fabulous job representing our team to then have every member introduce her- or himself.

After lunch we divided into the sub-teams with Claire, Sanjiev, Deepak and myself being the Manufacturing sub-team. Together with our interpreters Elaine and Theresa we left the Wuhan East Lake New Technical Development Zone and went for the one hour drive to our first customer, a manufacturer of high- and medium-voltage distribution and switch devices, as well as other switching technology.

The discussion on the way mainly dealt with what was ahead of us – but in the end there was nothing to worry about, we had a very friendly welcome, a good starting discussion with the company’s chairman and executive team. After the discussion and joint brainstorming we got a full guided tour of their show room and the plant.

For me – and for many others on the team – this day included a number of first times

• first time with external clients
• first time in a situation with simultaneous interpretation
• first time driven to work under siren and horn (felt like in a US fire truck) – and not being in firefighter, police, ambulance or military business
• first time experience of Chinese business culture

I guess, the feeling was probably like being on a trade delegation traveling to a foreign country with a high politician/ leader; someone mentioned it felt like suddenly working for the UN.

All in all an exciting day – and this is just the first one of more to come … nervousness changes to anticipation … looking forward for tomorrow 😉