How many times already?
Huh?
Approve already. approve already!
Okay bye bye!
[In Mandarin] Hais, CEO is like that.
Hi everyone, I'm Xenia!
Welcome back to another episode of Hired or Fired.
Today, I'm at the ICF International head office
and I'm going to be a CEO for a day.
I don't exactly know what CEOs do
but I know they do a lot of things.
They are probably very good multitaskers,
very efficient with time
and they have to be very resilient
because they represent the whole company, right?
I think they would think a lot of steps ahead
to prevent the problem.
So today, I have to use my brain.
A lot.
Hi! My name is Annie.
I'm the CEO of ICF Group.
My job is like a master of everything.
So basically, I oversee making decisions
on strategic planning,
the Growth Plan for ICF group,
financial decisions,
troubleshooting of all daily operational tasks.
As a CEO, I work with practically everybody.
They are like my friends, and more than a family member to me.
Over the 2 years that Covid-19 has made it more tough,
we seized the opportunity to actually
do our digitalisation transformation.
We are 99.9% paperless.
So today, everybody works on digital platforms.
All of our documents are cloud-based.
So all our employees over the world
are able to access the correct documents
up there!
Hello, I'm Xenia!
Hi Xenia, nice meeting you!
I'm Annie, CEO of ICF Group.
So what will I be doing as a CEO today?
Surprise! Let's check our emails.
Emails?
Yes!
Firstly, we're going to dictate our day,
and there's really a lot waiting for you!
I didn't know we were going there, but it's okay!
Let's go!
The first one is: Urgent Meeting - Commercial Issue.
The commercial team would like to call for an
urgent meeting with regard to
a- the- manpower
Eh got grammar [mistake]!
Manpower Issue in Germany
Wah I think they're very ganchiong (urgent) already!
So who is Shaun and Ulf?
Ulf is our COO.
Shaun - the CFO.
So basically, they want like
everyone that is important
to be in the meeting.
It must be very, very, urgent.
Okay, the next one.
Ah! From my experience,
this is bargaining.
You have to know, this is not pasar malam (night market).
This is NTUC - fixed price.
It's okay, we'll see, the next one!
Just a reminder that we'll need to conduct
the surprise QC check.
Reminder only, I think this one is not very important!
For your review and confirmation.
Everybody just goes to you
because you're the only one who has the power
to push things forward.
Maybe you'd like to pick 3 that are most important?
The one where they wanted the CFO and COO to be there.
The person who is trying to bargain.
Then the last one would be
maybe confirming the uniform.
Okay, good attempt!
But these are the 3 that we're going to do for the day.
The urgent meetings with the German Office
and the China project.
I think let's delegate the uniforms to our
Corporate Communications Manager, Marcus.
The 3rd one, which is the QC inspection
that we need to do.
Ah, so that is actually quite important also.
Yes.
Hey I'm Ulf, I'm the COO.
Hi I'm Shaun, I'm the CFO.
I'm Budi, I'm the Commercial Manager
So today, we were informed that
our group that was supposed to go to Germany this week
is unable to travel because of cross-border restrictions.
However, the client is pushing us very hard to meet their milestones.
How many workers are we talking about,
and what's the main reason they're unable to travel?
We have a team of 15,
the problem now is with the permit
taking longer to get it approved.
There will definitely be some cost implications for us.
Can we run through some of the parameters of these implications?
Most importantly is the LD (Liquidating Damages)
Because if we cannot keep the schedule
then we have to cease the contract.
Has the team done a cost review?
Plan B is to use local workforce from Germany.
But that will for sure increase the cost
and also, the risk is different.
But then, my only question is
I thought Singapore and Germany are open?
Cannot go?
Workers no. That is only for leisure.
So with this background work
we would like to know which way to go.
Logically speaking, if we were to hire foreigners (Germans)
you'll still need some time to train them, right?
So either way, hiring local (Singaporeans) or foreigners (Germans) you'll still need some time to train them, right?
So either way, hiring local (Singaporeans) or foreigners (Germans)
will result in a delay, correct?
We should push for local (Singaporean) hires.
You are right there, but the thing now is that
the local authority
they don't know when they're going to give us the permit.
So how do we balance off that
cost against our contract obligations
that we ought to deliver?
Can call the MP and ask when we can get the permit or not?
Oh my god I have an idea!
Each of us - we take 2 weeks to Germany.
We say we go for leisure, like a holiday.
But then we actually oversee the project.
"Can you don't suggest illegal things?!"
Ya lor!
Maybe on the contract when we hire
the workers from Germany
we can put it in such a way that
your working attitude has to be good
if not, something will happen.
We can look at certain clauses to measure performance
It means to say if you don't perform to a certain standard, we don't pay you.
Oh okay!
- [Annie] Now you know my headache right? It's not easy to decide. - [Xenia] Yes correct!
I think we need to weigh the balance.
First, we look at the cost.
Even if we may suffer a little bit of our P&L (Profit & Loss)
But it looks like in this case, we got no choice.
We'll probably hire the foreign (German) support
to get the ball rolling
while trying to get our local (Singaporean) workers approved.
In that way, we can balance the risk.
Okay Xenia, I think you do apply critical thinking.
Probably due to the lack of experience of
encountering such situations
the decisions that you make, make sure that they comply
and are answerable to all the stakeholders.
You have done it well, but you need more training and experience.
So Budi has prepared some cost evaluation
for us to decide on how we should get back to the client.
This project, we quoted for 1.2 million.
But client is asking for half the price, 600 thousand.
I tell you already! The client is trying to bargain with us.
If you see it in 2D,
you can see only the bar, the "round bar".
We will show you the virtual reality.
This one is 1.2 million?
Yes.
Wah! Let's go!
This part, we're going to move into virtual reality
which is a unique programme created by ICF
as part of our digital transformation.
It helps our customer to immerse in the design space
the depth that a 2D image cannot do
and also to better understand the cost complexity
of all the work involved.
So let me introduce you to Paolo, our VR specialist.
Hello!
I'm Paolo, nice meeting you.
Right now I am, holding the controller that you can use.
It started already.
Wow!
Right now, you're actually inside the project.
Wow it's so grand!
This is the bar they're talking about?
When Budi told me "small round bar"
in my head, I pictured this, you know?
But then I thought like, "Marine company where got help people do bar?"
That one is the actual counter that you discussed with Budi.
Right now, you need to go there by clicking this.
Oh my god I can teleport leh guys!
OH MY GOD we are in the sea now!
Ah eh oh my god so close to the ocean leh!!!!!
Wah scary.
So this is the counter itself, you can move around.
Wow even the wood has texture!
It is so- It's so realistic it's scary!
Even though the project itself is not yet built,
you can go inside it and feel the surrounding.
Regarding the deciding factor (round bar), if you see it only in 2D,
it's very hard to see if it has any mechanism inside it.
So this one, we proposed it in 3D
so you can see the actual size of the counter.
Wow!
There's the mechanism for this one, wait for a while.
Oh my god!
It's so cool when the bar opens.
Yes.
That is so cool.
Now that you have seen the VR,
would you like to make a decision to approve the costing?
What is the concern from the client?
Do you see the hydraulic?
- [Xenia] Yes correct, at the bar right? - [Budi] Yes.
That one costs a lot.
They do want to have the hydraulic pelmet
but I think with this solution
they will better understand why
we cannot give you 50% off!
You got see or not?
When you wear the thing right, the thing- woah!
It's luxurious. When you wear the thing right, the thing- woah!
It's luxurious.
I feel like we should stand our ground.
We are just trying to get them to understand
why it is calculated that way.
Actually, Budi and Paolo helped me a lot.
because the VR is the solution right
to really get the client to understand the costing.
This itself justifies so much more than any verbal explanation.
So we are moving on to the next task!
Hi Xenia, welcome to our ICF Factory here in Tuas.
First things first, safety.
Here is your PPE you got to put on before we go into the production floor.
It's her helmet!
Isn't it cool?
Anybody got marker? I'm going to change it to "Xenia Tan, CEO"
Hehe.
Cannot! CEO must be fiercer.
As a CEO, sometimes we do have to come to the production floor.
So in this yacht project,
every piece really needs that precise attention.
Let me introduce you to Jian Rong, who is our QA manager.
Hello!
Hi Xenia!
I'll be assisting you with QC check today.
Do you know anything about marine materials?
I've been educated a lot for the past 2 tasks.
So actually, I think I do know a lot.
But you can test me as we go along the QC check.
Are you ready?
[Awkward silence...]
Of course! Are you?
Yes, let's go!
Materials used on board have to be IMO Certified.
These are the raw materials.
We are constantly looking for new materials and construction methods
to make lightweight products.
One example is the honeycomb panel.
Just because of how it looks, is it?
Yes, it looks like honeycomb.
This is both lightweight and strong.
You see the side, it's honeycomb right? This is both lightweight and strong.
You see the side, it's honeycomb right?
But they make it look like wood!
Yes because the top layer, we applied a laminate.
Today, I will invite you to do a QC check on this finished product.
I will be giving you a checklist Today, I will invite you to do a QC check on this finished product.
I will be giving you a checklist
which I have prepared for you.
Oh! That's nice!
Then you can use it as a guideline to see what things to check for.
Over here, we have all the dimensions and details that you will need
to do your QC check.
I don't know how to read something like THIS.
What?!
I'll be giving you the measuring tape
then you will do the measurements.
Then you tell me if it's correct.
1010? Oh okay.
So how- So many numbers!
Eh cannot go down
Ohhh must put down there then pull up
You can clip it
- [JR] Sorry sorry! - [Xenia] It's okay!
Are you hurt?
No no.
Okay you help me hold ah.
Ya.
It's 85cm.
1 meter, add 85cm.
Then 1900mm is what?
You need to deduct 50cm from here
because it's ending at the door,
so on top, there will be a skirting.
Ohhh okay. That means it's correct.
Yes.
Next, maybe you can check the functionality.
Functionality, okay. Sounds good.
I'm not very good with numbers.
But it's okay. We are looking into details.
Got scratches or not, huh?
Got stains?
Okay, that is not how you're supposed to use the torchlight.
Oh okay.
You have to shine it [sideways].
- [Xenia] Sideways? - [JR] Yes.
At this angle, so you cam see any unevenness
You can see all the grooves.
Right, ya.
It's even more.
Is the surface acceptable?
Yes!
Okay good.
Functionality
Open
Do you see anything that needs to be rectified?
No!
Okay, hold it there.
Oh!
Let's take a look at this. Oh!
Let's take a look at this.
From here, you cannot see.
Are these 2 aligned?
Oh they are not!
HUH so like that the whole cupboard throw?!
NO no no no.
Of course we can rectify anything.
Oh okay!
But functionality wise, I think it's fine! Oh okay!
But functionality wise, I think it's fine!
Is it fine? Everything can be locked?
Yeah! Everything can be locked.
Okay, but see?
It's not locking properly.
Eh why you can I cannot ah?
Ah! Ohhhhh.
Okay, you can call one of our guys
to have it rectified straight away.
Team work right there!
This task is quite 0 to 100.
Because first, you only showed me the honeycomb panels.
And then BOOM it became a cupboard.
And then you asked me to check.
And then I feel like now then I realise
everything that is built for the ship
has to be very heavily scrutinised.
Based on your performance today,
I think you did pretty well for this-
Not very convincing leh!
If it's not good, can just say not good!
I think there's still some room for improvement
but I see some potential in you.
Aww okay.
Well done!
Thank you!
I feel like today's episode is
more of Xenia follows the CEO of ICF,
instead of attempting to be a CEO
because it's simply impossible to do it within a day!
My impression of CEO was that they
probably don't need to do a lot of things like
clear emails, go down personally and QC
Surprisingly, Annie does a lot of those.
She puts in effort to understand,
to be on the ground.
So Annie was sharing her story with me off-cam
explaining how when she stumbled into the marine industry
and she just looked at the ship
and then she was like, "why must it always look the same way?"
And it was just a very simple thought of
"Maybe I can change the way it looks?"
And ta-da!
I cannot la, CEO in one day, it's very hard.
You are right indeed.
You truly have shown your ability in critical thinking
some parts of it, you have made the right decision.
So I think it's time, okay?
Will you hire or fire me?
3, 2, 1.
Fired with some fiyah!
Being a CEO is really not so simple,
besides having people management skills,
you have to have the ability to focus on tasks at hand.
As a CEO, making decisions is not just a yes or no,
it's a lot more than that.
You're lacking the experience and the knowledge
Being a CEO, you also have to have a growth mindset
building resilience through unprecedented times.
One of which that we have learnt, is through our digitalisation transformation.
This journey was made a lot easier with the support of Enterprise Singapore
that has provided the essential training
and advancement through our VR
and the logistic management system.
Thank you for watching this episode of Hired or Fired.
If you liked this video, remember to like, share, subscribe,
ring the notification bell, and watch our other videos over there.
[quietly] Annie, you can point here.
Yeah, okay! Goodbye!