Dinnertime call spoiled appetite, helped career
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It was in the United States while I was taking a business trip. I was there to attend the Detroit motor show because we had a plan to spread clean diesel technology in America. And then I went to our offices in Torrance, Calif., to make a report on that.
I was having dinner with co-workers when I got a phone call from Japan. They said they sent a fax to my home telling me to attend a meeting immediately the next day after my return to Japan. This was to be the kickoff meeting for the Insight.
After the phone call, I couldn't eat a bite.
At the meeting in Japan, we already had some basic plans for development. In the morning I was told what was being planned. And in the afternoon, I had to pretend like I'd been working on it for six months or a year, and then communicate the plans to the team members.
You can reach Hans Greimel at hgreimel@crain.com. -- Follow Hans on 
