Day 1

What a day. Long, exhausting but in the long run will prove to be successful. I'm still suffering from some serious jet lag, I was up at 5 am yesterday and I've been up since 3am this morning. I think I'm going to need to get into my sleeping pills tonight in hopes that I get back on a regular sleep schedule.


If you can believe it, I was really productive even before I left the hotel yesterday! I spent some time watching the news and reading the newspaper (remember, I'm going to become a news junkie while I'm here...). I even was so good that I picked out my outfit (totally had to look cute on my first day) and...get this....I WENT TO THE GYM!!! I know, the gym, 30 minutes of cardio for this boy. I was so revved and ready to face the day after this. I'm totally going to ask of they have personal training services.


We spent the morning having a pretty in-depth download about the four stores here in Jeddah both about people and the surrounding area. I really think that I'm going to really like working with Josh. I enjoy the fact that he was brutally honest with us about the successes, struggles, challenges and opportunities in each store. He is really excited to have us here to help and pretty much is going to support anything that we suggest.


We traveled to the two different locations: Red Sea Mall and the Mall of Arabia. We arrived about 12:30 at the Red Sea Mall and it looked like it was closed, there were a few people walking around, and all the shops were closed and had the lights out. I was so confused because I thought that we opened at 11...it took me a few minutes to recall that it was prayer time. It was my first experience with a prayer time outside the hotel. (See in the hotel, prayer does not stop the workers from serving the guests.).


I guess in mind, based on what I read on the Internet, I expected to see groups of people praying. I was waiting for the motwabi, or religious police to come rushing at us yelling in Arabic to be respectful of Islam. Not only did I not see people in prayer, I was not instantly greeted by the religious police. In fact, I didn't see anyone openly praying. What I did see was people walking quietly around the mall window shopping. Some people were sitting on benches, others sitting in darkened coffee shops quietly enjoying a beverage along with some conversation.


The Red Sea Mall stores are HUGE. Both brands are connected and have a common backroom. We met with both GMs and walked each sales floor and talked about the opportunities that we saw. The associates on each team were very excited for our arrival and couldn't wait to shake hands with each of us.


After we left the Red Sea Mall, we traveled via taxi to the Mall of Arabia. (More on taxis and driving in the KSA at a later point). Once we arrived, we decided to have lunch...at TGI Fridays, lol. During the course of our lunch, the afternoon prayer (called Asr) was called. Luckily we were inside the restaurant. They just closed the shades and locked us in and we continued to eat. After lunch we had more introductions and walked through the two stores here as well.


After we left the Mall of Arabia, we headed back to the hotel. At this point I was beat- my body was sleepy and my brain hurt. I was totally on information overload! Each store had Successes and opportunities and each one was totally different than the next. Some were visual, some were selling culture. I think that coaching and people development is huge in all locations.


I definitely see this assignment as a huge challenge. Luckily, I'm with Jason. We decided that we would spend a week observing the processes in each store and create action plans for each store. Instead of us each taking a brand, we've decided to tackle them both together.


Right now, I'm a little home sick. It's hard only having data for a few hours a day (still haven't figured out where we can buy a wireless router and, may have to have someone send me one from the US) and not really having any western TV. The other night our movie channel played a new release.... "The A Team". Yes, you didn't misread, "The A Team". Luckily, Bradley Cooper is shirtless several times throughout...... So that was most enjoyable. I wonder what will be on tonight?


I won't dwell on the negative. I was very excited when I was able to check my messages last night- Venessa


sent me some cute pictures of my puppy. Look at how adorable he is!!!!!


I miss him terribly. ( I think that is why I'm not sleeping through the night; I don't have him trying to push me off the bed. )


On today's agenda. Possible workout; breakfast; Red Sea Mall


It's the weekend in the US, and if I know most of you (which i do)....you did something fun. I'd really like to know what is going on in your world. Email me at jajessup@gmail.com or jayliffejessup@wsgc.com and let me know what's up in your world.


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