Joe the Coffee Manager

Some years ago, I managed a shipping and distribution outfit operating out of Shanghai, a bustling metropolis located on China's vast eastern coast.

It goes without saying that the time I spent there was among the most memorable in my life. I was both witness to and participant in things unheard of by most folks today, including the chance:

• to live in a wonderful 1920s-era Shanghai mansion,
• to work for a powerful Chinese Communist boss
• to be rescued from possible imprisonment by a gracious friend

Living in China opened my eyes to unimaginably wonderful things and of course allowed me - for better or worse - to help usher China out of a more innocent era, and to coax it into being the proud superpower we saw in the recent Olympics and beyond.

I've been doing business with China off and on for the last 16 years, and I have a host of "Old China Hand" stories just waiting o be told.

The Big Boss's Story Actually...

David, one of the big bosses from the company's Singapore branch came to visit my office in Shanghai for a quarterly inspection of our operations. During his visit he relayed a wonderfully funny story which I now pass on to you.

David called this story...

"Joe the Coffee Manager"

(Story as told by David...)

"A few years back I visited our office in the Philippines and saw the funniest thing happen. But first I have to give you some background info...

Way back when the Philippines office was first opened, the original owner of the company hired all his friends to help start up the company. As it is in China, the concept of relations also holds sway in the Philippines. So the original boss man was obliged to hire on some people to fill in some staff positions that weren't really critical.

He had to hire on friends, friends of friend, and some of their relatives - even if they knew nothing about business at all. Through this obligatory gesture, the original boss made sure he kept well with his friends and business colleagues - thus ensuring that business went smoothly.

Old Joe

"One office position was filled by an old local Filipino man named Joe, who has worked for the company from the very start.

To this day, Joe was short, stooped over, and dressed in plainclothes. While Joe held no weighted value in the company at all, he was absolutely the friendliest old guy you ever met. He had a wonderful smile and an effusive charm that won you over every time he welcomed you into the office.

All day long Joe would go around the office asking everyone if he could help out with something. To make him feel important, most of the office colleagues would ask him to fetch something off a shelf, or ask him to refill their mugs for tea and coffee. At others times, you could see Joe wiping off countertops (for the tenth time that day) or emptying out the trash bins. He'd show up in the morning, and then leave when everyone checked out for the day.

Because of his advanced years as a respected elder and his seniority as an employee, Joe was highly respected by everyone in the office.

Joe - what a guy!

Coffee!

"One morning I showed up for my quarterly visit in the Philippines office. I made my rounds and greeted everyone in the office.

Sure enough, Joe promptly appeared and gave me a great handshake and asked if I needed something. I said, "Sure, how about a coffee?" Joe scuttled off, and I resume my hallway chit-chat with the gang.

A few minutes later, Joe returned with a cup of steaming coffee on a fancy dish with a napkin. After he graciously handed it to me, I thanked him. As everyone looked on in silent expectation, I took a sip.

It was good coffee.

I looked down at the cup pensively, and then back up at Joe. I swept my arm upwards dramatically and loudly declared, "My God! Joe! This is such great coffee! I say... You should... You should be Coffee Manager!"

As Joe bashfully looked down and blushed, everyone gathered there put up a big cheer, laughed and clapped happily.

Needless to say - throughout every meeting and for the rest of my visit, Joe was at my shoulder every few minutes, asking if he could do something for me. Every time I caught his eye, he smiled broadly.

Joe was a very happy man!

When I finished my business there, I said goodbye to everyone and returned to the home office in Singapore.

Return... and Surprise!

"Several months later I returned to the Philippines for another office review.

I greeted everyone as usual in the front hallway, and then asked, "Where's Joe?" Everyone fell silent, knowingly smiling at me. Something was up... After a few moments, Joe rounded the corner.

My jaw dropped! Joe was a transformed man!

I saw that Joe's hair was combed back neatly. And he was wearing a business suit! As he walked confidently toward me, he extended his hand with executive panache. I was thoroughly impressed!

As everyone looked on happily, someone spoke up and said that Joe had been promoted. He had even gotten a pay raise! Joe smiled and proudly beckoned me into the office. He showed me an immaculate desk - his new desk! It was adorned with absolutely nothing - except a few neatly folded rags for wiping desks.

I congratulated Joe and shook his hand again and again. He beamed broadly while we chatted for a few moments.

Suddenly, his face turned serious, "Oh, yes... I cannot forget..."

Joe reached into his inner jacket pocket and handed me a business card with both hands (in the Asian fashion). The card bore the company logo, address and other information. In the center of the card were the boldly printed words:

Joe, Coffee Manager

*****

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