Winter is over....

The weather has broken here, those cool winter day's with the highs reaching the low to mid 70's are over, the forecast for this coming week - Plenty O sunshine, highs in the mid 80's, lows in the upper 60's....March is definitely beach weather here!
Nick Dean started with Transmed this week. This is the 3rd different company that Nick has worked for/with me. At SYSCO St.Louis, Nick was one of our leading sales Reps while I was his District Manager. While I was Director over the state of Florida for Buckhead Beef, he was my Regional Rep. and did an excellent job there, now he has come to Dubai for hopefully a 3-peat of success. As they say here, In Shalla (loosely - As God wills it).
On the employee score board, there are now ten Account Executives reporting to me, all of them fitting in nicely. I have also already hired two more, Lauren and Haley, they start in late March and mid June. Have in the budget, additional reps in Abu Dhabi, The Northern Emirates, and the bordering Islamic Kingdom of Oman. Sales are really strong, February sales are approaching a record, I will of course let you know our record growth number next blog - In Shalla.
The Gulf Trade show starts this weekend here in Dubai. It is a very large event that all of the Mideast participates in. There are a lot of American Companies that are exhibiting, so I expect to see a few of my old friends from the states. Roy Mitchell (Buckhead Beef of Florida) a chef that I worked with for a year will be here. I will surely see more of my old friends. Richard is mainly responsible for the show, he is showing a little strain, fighting illness on the shows eve. Hani, Bob, Richard, Karim and I had dinner with two SYSCO executives last night (one of them former NFL player AL Kelso) at Sammach (Lebanese seafood restaurant).  Tonight Bob and I are having dinner with Sam Hodge (I worked with Sam at Buckhead Beef of Atlanta) at Al Jarmen (upscale Lebanese dining) at Dubai Mall. Tomorrow night McCain is hosting a nice dinner for us. Sunday night is our Customer apprecitation dinner at the Grand Habtoor Hotel. The set up for the show is in the morning with the show through Wednesday. Really stressful, busy week! I will have a picture taken of our current sales team at the show, and post it on Facebook. Then as I share stories, you may put faces with names. They say the funniest things in that translation becomes a part of, this week Ceren,(Our young lady from Turkey) was excitedly sharing with Kelly that we could sell dried grapes to one of her prospects. You might know dried grapes as Raisins...
Sorry, not much fun in this weeks blog, mom and dad and my brother Mike visit in 2 weeks, I am sure there will be things to share. I need to hop in the shower, and head to dinner! I will see you soon....In Shalla.
John

Prophets's Birthday...

Well today is a holiday, we are remembering the Prophet's birthday in the Muslim world. This is the point in my blog that I usually weave some history and give some incite to my friends back in the USA. Well sadly, I don't know....It apparently is a decently important holiday, because I kept our customer service and our warehouse open, while Richard and I caught up a little at the office - business was dead (mental note, next year I will close and give the team the day off)...live and learn.
I can attest to the parents are still with the blog, this past Monday was their 58th not 56th Anniversary...ooops sorry folks...would enjoy hearing that some of the rest of you are hanging with me....
I spent this evening reading the Cincinnati newspapers on line. The Reds have opened up spring training in Goodyear Arizona, and I am missing baseball...little melancholy. I wonder how my years over here will affect (or is that effect-could never quite get that straight, similar to principle and principal,,lol) for my love of Baseball and American pro football. If my heart will wonder away from my Reds and Cowboys...It sounds silly, but part of being a fan involves keeping up with the teams that I love. You might notice more my passion fade for them than I do. (still haven't gone to a cricket or soccer game here.)
I was calculating my future the other day, I am asked frequently about how long I am planning on being here. I love the opportunity I am enjoying at work, but it is laced with how much better I will enjoy my life in America financially secure. Of course the trick is earn enough but leave soon enough to enjoy my time back in America. My contract is up December 31st 2013. I should be out of debt in America by summer of 2012, and I have zero debt here. I am positioned well in my career to stay here long term, I don't honestly know if I will be here (by my choice) 3 more years or 18 more years... most probably somewhere in between...I guess it might depend on my social bonding. I have been dating more than I did in America in the last 10 years...who knows (and no, I am not sure how much I will blog about that)...I may pontificate more,,,we shall see.
I have scheduled with Bob my return to the USA this summer, I will be leaving the UAE in late July (around the 29th) and stay until approx. the 11th. I think I will try and visit several cities...Lebanon, VA, Knoxville, Atlanta, St. Louis and Cincinnati...(definitely take in a game or 2 with Fred and Danno).
Things are calm here, but with 85% of the residents of the UAE being from somewhere else, the unrest in the Middle East makes us nervous. Bahrain is less than 150 miles drive from the UAE border, and Oman (lesser problems) is within walking distance of AL Ain. My company is owned by Lebanese businessmen, and there is unrest there also. So, when I am pondering the duration of my visit, there are so many unknowns...
Juan and Ceren have had really good starts to their Transmed careers. They seem to be fitting in very well. Nick leaves (keep your fingers crossed) Florida this Sunday. The Gulf Food Show is here in Dubai and starts the last weekend in February.
Oh well, going to watch my tapings of American Idol, hope this is a "Prophet-able" day for you!
Warmest Regards,
John

Helping America's unemployment rate one person at a time...

I think I have spent more time in the last three months interviewing and hiring than doing anything else at work. I guess in the end people is what will make a difference here, so I am doing the necessary. For those of you keeping score at home, the recruits have started rolling in. Juan started this Monday, has made a great initial impression. He has led a fascinating life (Worked as a Colombian Air Force officer) and I am not sure what I can blog about...so lets just say that it is worth asking about when we catch up in person. I somehow had mentally pictured him as a typical scrawny little guy, instead he is more like a middle linebacker for a division 2 football team. I now have a body guard..lol
Ceren starts this Sunday, she is the former captain and point guard of her University college basketball team. I am probably the most excited about what she will bring to the table, from her experience working with the competition. Her hiring process has drug on way too long, with the government requirements for her to switch jobs cumbersome to say the least. She had to give 30 day's notice, and now she has been unemployed for almost 30 days waiting for the government to get their paperwork in order. Nick Dean starts in 9 days, I worked with Nick at SYSCO St. Louis and at Buckhead Beef. He just gave his notice to US Foods in Tampa...We have been friends for a while so it will be nice to have another buddy in Dubai (he is bringing his wife and 16 year old son with him- should be interesting)... This week I hired two more reps, Loren and Haley...Both Americans that were already here working in the industry. Loren will start in April working in our National Accounts (she is a chef) and Haley is a manager with an International hotel chain and will start in late June. So the updated scorecard, there are now 6 former SYSCO employees on our team (Bob, Richard, Lal, Juan, Nick and Myself) the food service Senior management team is 3 Americans and one Lebanese (Karim) individual. Our sales team will now be much more experienced with the additions and will have grown from 8 to 13. Better keep selling to justify the expense. The Gulf Trade show takes place here in Dubai at the end of this month, so between preparing for that and training new reps, I am very busy.
My parents delayed their trip to Dubai until early March. My brother Mike is now joining them. The additional body will make things cozy(?) here in my one bedroom apartment, but it will also allow me to work a little more while they are here. I am still planning on doing my tour of the United States at the very end of July and the first week of August. I am hoping that my 30th High school reunion will fit into my schedule, come on Susan- use your influence as the most successful class member of Lebanon High class of '81....get er done!
The Dubai classic is in town (Golf- Tiger, Kaymer, Westwood top 3 golfers in world are playing) and I have club house tickets and am planning on attending Saturday and Sunday. Bob's son Jeremy is here visiting and they are enjoying golf to the fullest. I will try and get on TV...lol...(no, I will not be wearing funny hats or streaking to accomplish that)....
The unrest in the Middle East is in the backs of every ones minds, and dominates the water cooler talk. So far, we have noticed no change here, but the neighboring countries have all had some protests or government action to appease or squash any dissenters. I guess for my entire time here, with me being less than 100 miles from Iran that I will keep one eye on the politics of the region while of course watching Fox news to keep abreast of whats going on in the good ole USA.
My parents 56th wedding anniversary is this Valentines day, for those of you in Lebanon, I would appreciate your checking on them, and to all of my gal pals that are keeping up here, Happy Valentines Day!!!!
All my best,

John

Spring is right around the corner...

TGIF to all of my friends back in the States, the weather is starting to warm back up here and I know the brutal winter you all are going through has about a month left in it...hang in there....After Bob, Richard and I got back from church, Dominik harassed me into going swimming with Bob and him. The breeze was cool, but the water felt great. Winter may be over here. There have been several very sandy days here, from what the locals say and I can read online the sand storms die down in the next month and what little rain we have been getting ends in March until next January. The highs are in the 70's right now, headed to the 80's in very short order.
Fred's visit was great for me. It is always great to have Fred around, my co workers really liked him, and several of the friendly servers that took care of us in our restaurants have asked how he is already. I think he will be back...My parents trip is up in the air as to when they are coming. My brother Mike might be joining them and if that happens they probably will delay their visit for a month. This time next week they will either be here or we will have re planned their trip.
The  numbers are in for sales growth in January. We grew sales at a little more than 45%. That is the second best month ever. December sales grew at 48% (this year verses last) for our all time record. Management seems pleased with Bob and the rest of us, I am just working at making sure sales does not let him down. I finally made the final decision on one of our salesmen, terminating someone is the hardest part of any job, but over here it seems tougher with the visa rules very possibly meaning the person you dismiss has to leave the country if they cannot find another job within 30 days. There is no unemployment insurance, I think I took the final meeting tougher than the now ex-employee.
On a better note, Juan Lopez, arrives on Sunday. I am giving him the Yas Island/Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi area for a territory. Ceren should start on Feb 13th. She is taking part of Kelly's territory. Kelly is doing an amazing job. She has qualities that I can't teach as her manager, but that I can learn from as a person. I am so excited about her career. The Ministry of Labor is inspecting our company housing right now (warehouse workers get accommodations included in their packages) so labor visa's are on hold. Nick's has not been secured. We hope to get him here and started by Feb 20th. I also hired a young lady named Hayley, she has to work out her contract, so she won't begin with us until June. Still interviewing for a couple of reps for Abu Dhabi, one for Fujera and one for The Republic of Oman. There is the huge trade show for the region (Gulf Food Show) that begins here in Dubai at the end of the month. I really hope the three new reps are settled in by then. We have been doing a lot of role plays and training at our sales meetings, and the reps seem to be enjoying their careers. It is so rewarding for me.
I finally got to do some touristy things while Fred was here. The Ferrari World roller coaster was a minute of pure adrenaline. The worlds fastest roller coaster lived up to its billing. We had a great time at dinner with the Saber Family. If you recall, Elie Saber is the credit manager at Transmed, and his family was so kind to have me in their home on Christmas Eve. They treated Fred and I to dinner at Al Hallab, and it was one of Fred's favorite evenings during his stay. We also had a nice time with Elie Nader (My sales rep in Al Ain). We went up on Jabel Hafeet and had a buffet dinner at the Mercure hotel. Elie is just a great person. We enjoyed a dinner with Georges, Kelly and Frederique at Sammatch. We picked out a Hammour fish (Nice large white fish) and had them cut it up for fish and chips for the entire table. The new Jamie Olivers Restaurant invited us as their guests for their grand opening, so Richard, Kelly, Fred and I enjoyed a five star Italian dining experience.  As you can tell Fred did not go hungry while he was here. His Middle Eastern cultural experience was enhanced by our trip to the Global Village. He bought souvenirs there and I think he liked walking amongst the crowds of Arabs. The UAE has become a vacation destination, I am shocked that they have not mounted an advertising campaign in the states.
The revolts in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Yemen have people nervous here. The Suez Canal is a life source for food and supplies coming into the country. I am looking at what it will cost us to fly containers of product in if the canal is closed. I think it is part of my job to be prepared for the worst case scenario's.
The US State Department has notified us that it is not safe to travel to other countries in the region (see the US Government is wise beyond words, or they have cable TV,,,lol). The Monarchy here is well liked by the citizens (15% of population) so as long as the laborers are peaceful we should be fine, but being included in your prayers would be appreciated...
Headed to dinner at the mall, hope your weekend will be as nice as mine is. I am rooting for the Steelers in the Super Bowl, sadly, I don't believe I will get to watch it.
John

Whose blog is this Anyway?

I hope everyone is surviving the winter of '11 back in the states, I am enjoying my first one here in the UAE. This winter just warmed up here with the arrival of Fred. Fred arrived in a winter rainstorm (go figure), but he chased away my winter blues. I have had a great week with him here so far. Well it's time for the new tradition...Guest Blogger! So, from the King College class of 1985...Here is Fred Staley....

For six months John tells me that it never rains in Dubai, so what do I find when I come out of the airport?  It is raining so hard the parking garage is leaking on my head.  Then the first big event he has planned is a MATH TEST!  He has bet everyone in Dubai that I will score higher on the test than he and his boss combined.  How am I supposed to know how many steps the American dog takes before the middle eastern train hits it?  Although John and Bob scored a combined score over 100%  making it impossible for me to score higher, I did get the highest score of the three making me the smartest kid in this particular class.  Some vacation.  It really has been fun so far this week.  The HSBC Golf Championship was great fun.  We were following Mickelson around with about 25 other people.  At times he was so close I could have made suggestion for which club to hit.  Martin Kaymer, who won the tournament almost hit us with his golf ball on 18.  Today we went to Ferrari World, the world's largest indoor amusement park.  It really needs more thrill rides, but was still great fun.  The roller coaster is the fastest in the world, zero to 240 km/hr (150mph) in less than five seconds.  It was probably the most intense ride I had ever been on, until the drive back to Dubai on the Abu Dhabi hwy in rush hour with John at the wheel.  Bumper to bumper, 140 KPH, six cars wide on a freeway with four lanes.  At least the roller coaster had a lap bar for safety.  Well I guess that is enough for one blog.  I will let John's mom tell you about the restaurants, malls and other more docile sites when she guest blogs in a couple of weeks.  See you back in the states, I will miss 75 degree winter days, but I can't wait to see them again next year...By for now...

Rain, Rain Go Away!!!!

Seven Months of bone dry weather, and the day that Fred is due to arrive, it's a ground soaker....The weather is suppose to clear up tomorrow, so Fred should get to enjoy plenty of UAE sunshine. It will be my first week to get to be a tourist in Dubai. The roads are extremely slick, as the intersections around the Dubai mall are granite.
Planning on going to the Abu Dhabi golf tournament on Sunday. Phil Mickelson, Padrig Harrington and many of the worlds top golfers are playing in it. Probably going up in the Burj Khalifa on Monday. One day in Al Ain and generally just enjoying my best friends company. I will have Fred be a guest blogger (hopefully a fun tradition to begin) while he is here.
We had an extremely tough week at work, morale is down. The out of stock situation, and mediocre performance of some support staff is taking its toll. Getting the attitudes turned around is job one. We are extremely short staffed in the sales team, but help is on the way. Juan and Ceren start the first week of February and Nick should start the second week of the month.
On the interview front, one of the things we do with Account Executive interviewees is make them take a "problem solving" aptitude test. You know the ones, if a train is traveling from the North at 28 KHM's per hour and a stray American puppy is walking south along the tracks at 2 khms per hour, and it is the middle of Ramadan and its 44 degrees C, how many steps will the Infidel American puppy take before the Arab train splatters it, and what temperature will the meat be when the buzzards enjoy a feast of American Cuisine? Well, I made a bet with Human resources that Bob and I would together score less on the test than Fred by himself. I have 3 copies of the test sealed in an envelope...So Saturday, we will take the test...we will see...
Bob, Richard, Karim and I got invited to a reception at the United States Ambassadors home in Abu Dhabi this past week. There were a lot of different American dishes. Ambassador Richard Olson was polite, security was tight, and his home was beautiful. He was appointed in 2007 by President Bush and his assignment is up this summer. He was gracious  and we enjoyed ourselves.
Bob and I went to the opening of a new concept (ChopSticks) at Dubai Mall today. It is reasonably priced and "yummy". There are several new restaurants opening in the next few months including Pot Belly,  Olive Garden and Red Lobster. Now if I could just get Waffle House, Cracker Barrel, and Chick Fil A I would be satisfied.
Fred's plane lands in 4 hours, and I have a few things I need to do before he gets here, so hopefully you will enjoy your week as much as I will surely enjoy mine. Look for a "Fred" blog, coming here very soon...
John

Silly people, Crix are for kids...

Good Friday to all of you, just gonna ramble through various things today, hopefully will be worth your reading time...
I went to church and PFChangs afterward (love the heaping bowl of Egg Drop Soup) with Bob and Richard this morning, it was good to have the gang of Americano's back together again. Tonight, dinner at Napaletano's followed by Bob and I watching HBO's Boardwalk (about half way through the season here) and then a busy schedule at work begins anew tomorrow.
I finally made it into the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi (please hold your applause til the end of the blog)...it was amazingly tight security. After getting through, I met with a very nice American clerk that sorta chuckled at me and said all I needed to do was register on line @ travel.state.gov then I would be registered here and begin to receive email warnings and alerts from our government and be on their telephone hot list in case of emergency. Just so its somewhere written down and can be accessed the Embassy's phone number is +971-2-414-2200....
This Sunday Evening, Bob, Richard and I have been invited to a dinner at the Ambassador's residence in Abu Dhabi...It's a coat and Tie affair...should be neat! I am  planning on spending the day in Al Ain on Tuesday. It will be my first visit there since I relocated Elie N.there in my bold plan...In other work news for those keeping score, I have asked one of our Account  Exec's to find a new Career, it just wasn't working, he took it very well...and I have 4 Reps that will be joining the team around Feb 1st. Ceren (from Turkey), Nasser (from Lebanon-the country), Nick (from Tampa), and Juan (from Columbia via SYSCO Atlanta).
Have you ever heard of "Crix" cheese snacks? Well, I was looking for a healthier snack to have to munch on, so they have these little packs of baked cheese snacks called Crix. I thought it was worth a try, well the verdict is in...smells like feet. Yes, once you get past the smell not so bad, but unless it's Petit, freshly washed and attached to a 5'4" body(or so) don't like the feet near the mouth. I will make sure that I save some for Fred next week (yes-he arrives in a week) and my parents next month...Not finger foods, but toe snacks for everyone!
Still haven't had any major rain or sand storms. Went through another sprinkle that I did not turn my wipers on for, but it did make the car dirty...On clear days the skyline is spectacular.
Where is OBamacare when you need it? Part of my promotion last fall, was an upgrade of my insurance. Well, it was suppose to take effect by now, I had to turn my old card and wait the three days to get my new card. Well, now 6 days later no card and no insurance...sigh...I am hoping it gets straightened out by Sunday.
Where am I the safest? If there is an "event" here in the Middle East, I admit that I am a little nervous about that (like the 2012 Mayan Calendar ending-lol)...but as far as day to day safety, I hate to share with you that I am so much safer than any of you reading this. As I watch Fox news every day here, I see the crime and strife back in the states (from Arizona murders to St. Louis crime/murder capital) and I can tell you there is so little major crime here. I have never felt safer in my life. For the record, the most in danger I felt was 1986 in grad school in Washington DC....Sorry for the brevity, and thanks for the messages!
Have a great weekend, I will check in sometime before Fred arrives on the 21st.
John