Third day in... where to start... Firstly I am missing Montrose: weird, I know. That is not to say that I am not enjoying myself here! But in terms of the things I got involved in there and the people I met, well, it was second to none. And you know four weeks simply isn't enough time! It's funny because when I got this placement I couldn't wait to get to Singapore... and now I feel strangely attached to that wee northeast town. What's with that?! Haha.

My last week couldn't have gone any quicker. In between trying to tie up my report, and getting back to all the people who I'd spoken to and who had contributed, Dale also arranged for me to speak to many of the senior execs (eek!). It's something I would never have thought of, let alone had the courage to do had he not dropped me into it. But ask and you will receive as they always say, and I was soon finding myself in one-on-one telecoms with the heads of Global Manufacturing and Supply, Ian McCubbin (GSK Global Scot) and - drumroll please - deputy VP to the CEO!!! And oh wow, getting these guy's point of view was invaluable. To begin with, I was flattered that they'd not only taken the time to get in touch with me but that they took such a genuine interest in my project. In all cases I found myself totally struck by the thoughtfulness of their answers but also the totally different direction their answers took me in! (Can I just say that my report has become a kind of organic, ever-expanding thing since every new person I speak to makes me go "hmmm I hadn't thought of that / I wish I'd explored/asked more about this...). But I was also blown away by their... oratory prowess. Considering I was essentially conducting phone interviews, and my questions were totally on the spot, it was quite unbelievable how both articulate and charismatic their answers were. I don't know whether that's something that just comes from becoming practised at being interviewed by the media or making public speeches, or whether it was because their answers were so geniunely from the heart, but heck I was impressed! My new objective for this coming year: learn to be that good at speaking. Interesting, interesting guys.

Meanwhile things were getting a bit soppy back at the office as they arranged to take me out for dinner I got some nice photos of us looking ridiculous in our safety gear -as promised (Melissa will confirm: not flattering!!!). I meant this as some sort of gesture of thanks; for making me feel so welcome, answer my constant and often stupid questions and for getting so wholeheartedly involved in my project. But I don't think I can get it across concisely (remember those oratory skills I was talking about?) other than to say I have been most incredibly lucky to have been put in such a position were I have been exposed to, not only essential hands-on business experience, but also to a group of people whose contributions and reflections have both challenged and inspired me along the way, fuelling me with their enthusiasm for the work and my project.

So how does Singapore compare? Well so far it's a pretty close contest! In a way, my time constraints are even tighter here because there are two very different plants here - Jurong which is massive, and Quality Road which is even smaller than Montrose - and I am two spend two weeks at each. I started at Quality Road on Tuesday. Colleagues back in Scotland who had spent time here warned me that Singaporians would be more shy and conservative in comparison. But I can't say I've noticed. Straight away I was overwhelmed by how quick everyone was to introduce themselves and offer to show me round/ introduce me to the different foods at the canteen (an absolute heaven for vegetarians by the way)/ show me the different plant processes. I was nervous about this, so I am relieved that it is such a happy, friendly environment. And what better way to indulge in the food here (amazing, I can't say this enough) than to get advice straight from the locals themselves?

Siang-Cheung, my direct report while I'm here, was quick to take me through the OE processes which are much the same as those at Montrose. What is interesting is how the two sites compare in how resistant or open people have been to these initiatives. I was not surprised to find Siang-Cheung sounding off much the same difficulties that had been reported in Montrose. Was is different though is her attitude towards solving them. She has a very much "this our biggest problem, so this is were we should devote our energy approach" whereas in Montrose it was very much "get the majority on board and the rest will either follow or get left behind (tipping point)". That said, she does have the luxury of a much smaller workforce to convince and can pull other OE facilitators from Jurong. Is this a case of one strategy being better than another or is there a necessary difference in approaches for two very different sites? Hopefully time will tell.
What I have found is that people on the whole seem pretty enthusiastic about the changes. When I speak to them, people are quick to point out the benefits (totally opposite of montrose). I'm not sure what this reveals though. Is it simply that Siang-Cheung has been more successful in her implementation strategy? Is there something different about the culture here (resulting from site history or the Singapore culture) that makes people here more open to change, or vice versa that makes scotland more resistant? Or are people here simply less willing to be open about how they really feel and is this again a result of culture or are they uncomfortable speaking to me about it?  What ever the reason it is going to be a challenge to unravel! I'm lucky to be able to compare both sites because surely that will eliminate the National Culture factor.

 Ah, it's a tricky one. Especially since at the same time I'm desperate to explore as much as possible. Of Singapore I mean, not just change management stuff. It's hard to find a balance: I get excited about each in about equal measure (is this a bit sad?). So so far I haven't had a lot of time to go further than I can walk. Being so close to the equator, it gets dark here pretty early meaning I miss most of the sunshine when I'm at work. It doesn't get any colder though which means this hasn't stopped me from going swimming every night. And there's something to be said of night-swimming: it's way more tranquil than swimming during the day. It hasn't stopped me shopping either! A real must in Singapore. The shops stay open late and I would argue that, in fact, this is when Singapore really comes alive. There's such an incredible buzz on the streets at night; it's busy but friendly. The shops and the food stalls are teaming with people and everything is lit so it looks totally different from during the day. I'm totally overcome by the sheer number of shops and smells that deciding in which direction to actually head is pretty difficult. Add all this to the fact that suddenly the proportions just about suit me (I'm about 5ft!) and you can understand why I get so excited shopping here!! 

And... hopefully this weekend Lynsey Marshall (I hope you've been reading her blog!) will be able to join me as part of her travels so I will have more exciting (read: less work-related) tales to tell you.