"Iris, we are taking on a new client. It is Powell Financial Advisors. Mr. Powell will be here at 9:00 to discuss the breadth of the project. He will convey the style and look of the overall effect that he would like to see. He will discuss the locations of the offices and the flavor of the look for each location. He will leave his executive assistant to give us the dimensions of the spaces and the rooms, the number of people that each room will need to accommodate and the level of comfort desired at each level.
Iris, this is a project of massive scale, you will be overseeing a group of designers for each location. You will structure the groups and have final approval over the designs. I don't know how involved Mr. Powell will want to be at this level. Any time he wants to see designs, he is more than welcome. He has final approval over you. He is known to be a man with an even temperament who knows what he wants. He's a workaholic, so he will expect you to be one as well. You will be relieved of your other projects so you can concentrate solely on this one. Iris, you will be well compensated for this project."
I retreated to the women's executive restroom to check my appearance. I put my hair up into a chignon instead of the bun it had been in. My suit was a tan-taupe color of a short jacket and a pencil skirt that ended just above the knee. My blouse was a soft beige-peach color that barely showed beneath the jacket. But the color was complimentary to my fair complexion and pale blonde hair. My nails were always well manicured in a neutral/natural tone. If all he knew of my design capabilities was my appearance, then at least it was impeccable at this time.
I went to the conference room early and poured myself a glass of water. I preferred to take notes on paper rather than on a laptop. I felt the laptop was less intuitive for me. With the notepad, sometimes my notes became a diagram of ideas. Besides, my secretary would be taking shorthand. I saw my boss, Ed Harkin, talking to someone outside the conference room.
The man was handsome, really handsome. Mr. Powell was tan and stockier than I expected. He had a rugged handsomeness with dark hair, blue eyes and a great smile. The jovial banter disappeared before he walked into the conference room. His business face was back in place. Jack Powell, this is our best project manager, Iris Anderson. Jack, have a seat, would you like something to drink?
"Water is fine, thank you."
"Hello Iris. Let's not stand on formalities since we will be working together a lot."
"Powell Financial Advisors will be expanding our offices and moving into a more corporate arena. We have offices in New York, Glasgow, Zurich, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. These headquarters will work with some of the most affluent businessmen in the world. I'm not looking to impress them with our affluence because that would be impossible. But I want to project the feeling of intelligence and trustworthiness.
Each headquarter should use local art and materials to reflect a knowledge and acceptance of the locale. But there also needs to be a signature look for each reception area in the lobby of the building. I'm fond of mahogany or a rosewood. I need some graphic designers to revamp the logo. I'm from Scotland, so my offices in Glasgow and New York should be fitted with its own bath, wardrobe and bedroom. It is not to be seen or noticeable in the main office. I often need to keep on top of stock markets around the world. If they are volatile, I spend the night. Those two offices should have subtle references to muted plaid.
The executives of each location should have access to a gym, a lounge and kitchen. Kitchenettes and coffee stations should of course be available to all the employees. Kimberly Roberts, my executive assistant has all the specs on the spaces.
"Jack, most of your correspondence will be with Iris. I am, of course, at your disposal. But it is Iris that will have what you need."
"Iris, I will need you to fly to each location to see the site and to get a feel for the materials, the art and the resources available. I will take you to Glasgow myself in my jet. You can stay at my manor and get a feel for the culture. It is the foundation that the company was built on. Your visit will also give us a chance to get to know one another. Our assistants can set up the details."
"Perfect."
"Have you ever been to Scotland?"
"No, I haven't. I hear it's beautiful."
"It is indeed."
"I look forward to it."
"So do I."
I started assigning project directors for each location. They were to start researching each location for culture, art, materials and resources. Each was to give me their reports in a week. I started my own research on Powell Financial Advisors. Jack had started his own company by the time he was twenty seven. Every three years he added a new location. I found it interesting that he didn't choose London as a location, but between Glasgow and Zurich, I suppose he had covered all his bases.
I looked over his existing logo. It wasn't bad, but with new offices and a new clientele it was time to update it. The existing photos on their website showed a conservative design style. With a wealthier clientele, the style would need to be upgraded. He mentioned culture and art several times in the meeting, but I saw no evidence of that in his existing offices. I felt that he was looking to refine the look and feel of his business. He had come to the right person. Art was one of my specialties.
Then, I researched the man. Born in Stirling, he attended business school in Glasgow and after graduation moved to New York City. His parents, Edward and Nora, were upper middle class. His father was an attorney and his mother was an artist. He had never married, but had dated two super models, an actress and an attorney. He had a brother, David, who was an attorney and a sister, Marie, who was a physician. Jack was the middle child.
Next, I researched his mother, the artist Nora Powell. She was an artist who had worked In clay and acrylic, but for the past thirty years worked in watercolor. Her work was amazing. We would definitely be including her paintings in his offices, if not some of the other offices as well.
At the end of the day, my assistant reported to me that Jack had set our flight to Glasgow for three weeks from the present and that we were to stay a week. That seemed like a long time to devote to one site, but maybe he was going to fill me in on the other locations during our stay as well. Regardless, he was the client and I would not be arguing.
By the time, I left work, I was somewhat up to speed on Jack Powell and his company. But I couldn't get the man out of my head. He was more charismatic than I expected him to be. He was forty and never married. I suppose to a man it is not relevant. They can marry and have families into their eighties. At thirty-four, I knew that I didn't have much time to find a partner if I wanted a family.
I contacted a graphic designer that I had worked with before and he was on his way to my office to confer me. Nathan was good and the meeting shouldn't take long. I showed him the existing logo and told him that it should look good on a corporate entrance wall, letterheads, website and business cards. It needed to be sleek and modern. He understood the task and would have various designs by the day I left for Glasgow. I told him to send me an e-mail with the designs. We were wrapping the meeting when Jack appeared in my doorway.
"Jack. May I introduce you to Nathan Williams. He is the graphic designer I have asked to work on the logo re-design."
"Hello Nathan. Am I interrupting?"
"No, we were actually done with our meeting. Nathan, I look forward to seeing your designs. Come in Jack. What can I do for you?"
Jack closed the door behind Nathan. "I was just wondering if you were free for lunch?"
"Of course. When?"
"Now."
"Um, sure. Just a second. Rose, push my meeting with Janice Wheeler until tomorrow."
"I'm all yours, Jack. What a welcome surprise."
"Thank you. I have a table at Jasper's. Is that alright?"
"Of course."
In his car, he inquired about my morning. I said it had been productive.
"Do you want a report?"
"No, I was merely exchanging a pleasantry."
"Oh. Sorry, how was your morning?"
He chuckled, "Not nearly as productive as yours I'll warrant."
"Are you perhaps teasing me?"
"Now you're catching on to this whole conversation thing."
"Well, I have had a few over the years."
At the curb of the restaurant, Jack offered a hand to help me out of the car.
We were seated immediately. I noticed he was in another open shirt and suit combination. I was in a peplum suit of grey with a lilac camisole underneath.
"You look lovely again."
"Thank you."
"Jack, is this a business lunch. I'm just curious."
"I will throw a little business into it if it would make you feel more comfortable."
"Is this a social lunch? I usually don't blur the lines of business with pleasure."
"I was hoping you would make an exception for me."
I laughed, "And why is that?"
"I'm not trying to sexually harass you, if that is what you think. I think you are beautiful and intelligent and I don't intend to let this interfere with that."
"If you wanted to pursue something, why didn't you wait until the job was done?
"The job is going to go on for a while. And then, I will find you another job. I'm not known for my patience."
"And for whatever reason that this won't work out, you won't be punitive against me or my firm?"
"Who says it's not going to work out?"
"Can you just slow down? I work methodically and think things through. I understand that in your profession, you may need to make snap judgments, but I don't."
"Alright. I'll try to slow down. Will you give it a chance?"
"I suppose. But the first time you try to use the business relationship to affect the personal relationship it's over. I will quit my job if I have to."
