And the Journey Begins..

(so cliché..but the other option in my creative brain was “week 1”)

The Quick ride from Phoneix to Santa Barbara was one of the most scenic I’ve ever been on! Bordered by the Ocean (Southern, not whatever-the-normal-direction facing) and the mountains (I’m sure these mountains have a name, must find out), this place is breath takingly beautiful.  Kristin (from DRI) was waiting for me at the airport, and had maps to the hotel and the office printed out for me..makes me wonder who she has been talking to me about my sense of direction, specifically, the lack there of.

First day at DRI was everything and more I was hoping it would be. Walking in to the office, I was struck by the massive blown up photographs of DRI’s “end users”: otherwise helpless people from all over the world, smiling kids, babies being examined by doctors, kids with artificial limbs, etc, all over the office. Very similar to the graphics in our new open area on Moore Drive, but, perhaps more real in personalities and frequent in exposure. Aside from being excellent photographic art, placement of these massive photographs all over the office –along the hallways, inside cubes, in conference rooms, and so on, whichever direction you look, there’s a picture of someone DRI has touched over the years-has an amazing effect on focusing on the organizational priorities. Surely, eventually most everyone gets sensitized to the images, but I cant help but think, that on some of those long, challenging days, these reminders must bring a grounding back to why they are doing what they are doing. 

Over the next couple days, I met most of DRI staff and tried to keep the names straight! I’ve been told to try Heather and Jen if I’m unsure! My new friends at DRI are clearly motivated by the right stuff, and I kinda feel insecure about my obligations and priorities when I’m with them. When something traumatic happens in the world and we are all glued to the TV to see which super model is being rescued by the Royal Air Force, say, they most likely will be furiously packing boxes in this warehouse with essential goods to send out to whomever desperately needs it.  On top of being great people, everyone is so very nice and so very thankful for the PULSE program. I might have to be on my best behavior 

From what I'm able to gather so far, DRI has very impressive core capabilities, especially in logistics and relationships. They've been able to very successfully operate with a light foot print around the world by leveraging these two. Recently DRI invested in a strategic technological capability in the SAP portal for managing charitable distributions.  India represents  a unique opportunity in that the "market needs" are a perfect fit with the current core capabilities and at the same time being able to expand in to an emerging market increasingly frequented by top in-kind donating pharmaceutical companies. 

Met the “India Team”, apparently, a coveted one! Learned lots about the goals of the DRI India program, the history and current status of DRI operations in India.  Mixed emotions about the inception of DRI’s (and most other charitable organizations’, apparently) interests in India: boxing day Tsunami in 2004. Having been home when the waves hit and losing a few friends during that nightmare, its hard to imagine any good came out of it. The partner network that was built during the post-Tsunami era, and the insights into how to navigate the bureaucracy, is likely going to be chapter 1 in DRI-India. Some of the key themes that are emerging (and these will likely change as I get to know more and more) are the range in need and opportunities in India, the operational and financial differences between a “drop ship” model, and an “in-country donation” model for the National Charitable Medical Foundation approach, in-country therapeutics for most commonly occurring diseases and leveraging the emerging market interests of donor organizations. The possibility of making a truly sustainable impact on the life of some of the world’s most helpless individuals, is very real.

Somewhere between Charlotte and Phoenix, I had come up with a list of questions to find answers for during my first week at DRI. Much to my surprise, most, really almost all, of the questions have now been answered.  Next week (a new list of questions in hand –think bullet points and personality types!), I will meet two other key individuals, US Operations head and International Programs head, both of whom will be incessantly bothered by me over the next six months..I promise. Hoping also to get more comfortable with the systems and processes that makes DRI tick on a day to day basis. And of course, applying for the visa for the India trip. Big week ahead.

Among other highlights of the week..nothing big (hehe!)..my nest for the next few weeks is a 5 minute walk from East Beach..with miles (seriously, miles!) of walking/biking trails…Thank you Kristin..!!! Bhupi, the Executive VP, COO, and CFO of DRI, got me and Heather on a VIP list for a balcony viewing party for the Summer Solstice parade (http://www.solsticeparade.com).  Very, very cool !!!    

And, just a few minutes ago, found myself a nice Indian grocery store that sells Sri Lankan spices and foods..bingo!! taste buds rejoice!

Discoveries:

1.       US Airways doesn’t always loose luggage and aren’t always late!

2.       The PULSE program is very much appreciated by DRI..apparently PULSE alumni have been quite successful in enabling DRI reach their goals in the past. No pressure, or anything.

3.       Charitable Organizations have competitors, mostly from a securing funding perspective, but also from a market leadership perspective.  The NGO industry (someone used the word “loss-making” to describe some of them this week) is remarkably similar to profit generating sectors of the economy.

4.       Acronyms..oh they are everywhere. So are Dukies!

5.       People can change other people’s lives for the better. I was especially touched to learn about the Nursing Assistant Training program in India, where young women from very rural areas in India, who otherwise would have a less than mediocre future, are trained for two years to become Nursing Assistants. DRI says this program has transformed entire villages..I have absolutely no doubt about that claim. Can this story get better – YES! This program is now being sponsored by GSK! I knew I liked us!!

6.       Shampoo can leak inside luggage.

7.       Life goes on after Target and Kohls. Hello Ross and K-mart.

8.       Calories still count.

9.       “A technology company that donates medicines”: As much as we all hate the ubiquity of networks and databases and apps and this and that, technology can be very, very successfully leveraged to improve the lives of people, everywhere. Even in places where, most modern technologies have yet to reach.

Thank Yous:

1.       Norman, Michelle and Julian: Your support has and always will be a source of strength during this journey that began late 2010. I’ll try my best to make you proud, or at the very least, not to shockingly embarrass you.

2.       GSK PULSE office: Ya’ll give new meaning to Competence, Flexibility and Dedication. We are so very lucky to have you at GSK.

3.       DRI: One word..Awesome!! Thank you for welcoming me into your family, so warmly.  I’ll try not to become the one you hesitate to mention in public.

4.       Kerri and Therese: Not a day has gone by since I started the assignment that I havent been thankful to your openness to let me do this. Hope you make the best of this time without me!

5.       Sonya and Matt: My little baby house and my little baby car will love you more than they love me..I ‘m so jealous.

6.       My family and friends: Love you more than anything in the world. Please chill, I know what I’m doing, and you’ll eventually figure it out.

Disclaimer: Any factual inaccuracies are because someone along the way, lied to me, and not because I misinterpreted or plainly didn’t understand (which doesn’t happen..you see, because I’m perfect). When pointed out, I will readily correct them (because I’m nice like that..). All grammatical errors, again because I’m perfect, is not my fault, but I havent found anyone to blame it on, yet. I do believe Norman will correct those for me, though.