Chapter 4

The weekend passed in a haze of meetings and paperwork. 

She had looked through City M’s branch’s financials and just like Arthur had said, they were on the brink of bankruptcy. It would take a miracle to turn this ship around.

And that was exactly what she was here to do this Monday morning - work a miracle.

Her suit this morning was an armor. A sharp charcoal pin striped pant suit that screamed sophistication and elegance. Paired with a matching pair of dark red shoes and bag, it made her almost believe she could do this. Almost.

Dukia had packed her hair into an elegant low bun. And she looked every inch the corporate giant she was about to become.

Stepping into the lobby of the building of the branch office, she met no one at the reception. She took the elevator up to the 15th floor, following the office’s floor plan she had studied intently over the weekend.

She began to see why the branch was suffering as much as it was. There was no structure nor order. The time was currently 8:15 am, yet most of the employees were yet to resume work.

She found the office with the title plate “Manager” at the top and settled in. 

Taking a huge sigh, she set out to begin work. Major changes had to be done, a restructuring which many would not like, but she was not here to please anyone. She was so done pleasing people.

At 11 am, she finally found the lady who was supposed to be her assistant gossiping with 2 other employees on the 11th floor. 

“What is your name?” Dukia asked her.

“Ceci.” She responded.

“Good. Now Ceci send a memo to all the company staff. We are having a meeting in the conference room at 12 pm sharp. Anyone who does not show up should consider themselves fired. No lateness.” Dukia ordered.

As she returned back to her office, she could hear murmurs trailing her.

“Who is she?’

“The new manager?”

“The new manager is a lady?”

“When did she arrive and she’s already threatening our jobs.”

“Does Mr. Cox know she is here?’

She straightened her back, held her head up and kept walking. The only way she was going to conquer this place was by earning their respect and showing them she was not going to be a push over.

After all, if she could not manage these few people in a branch, how then could she assume office as the CEO when the time came.

At 12pm sharp, she began the meeting.

“Who is the head of HR?” Dukia asked? 

A petite brown haired woman stood at the other end of the table.

“Good, now please take note of everyone who is currently not at this meeting. As soon as the meeting is over draft their termination letters and email it to them. Immediately, begin interviews for positions that need to be filled ASAP. Am I clear?” Dukia asked.

“Yes Ma’am.” The woman replied.

Whispers immediately began to rise around the table.

Ignoring the whispers, she began to address everyone.

“I am Dukia Yo… Chen, the new Manager transferred to this branch. I was informed that there is a Director in charge of this branch, Mr. Cox?”

“Yes, Mr. Cox is the Director in charge of this branch.” Ceci responded.

“Then why am I yet to see him since I resumed?”

“Erm… Mr. Cox is the Director, he does not answer to anybody.”

“Interesting. He does not answer to anyone. Well, starting from this minute there are going to be some radical changes here.”

“No more tardiness to work. You step into this establishment a minute late, you are leaving that same day with your letter of termination. If you have an emergency that will make you late or unable to resume work that day, draft a letter and send it to the HR department stating your reasons and it has to be approved by the HR department.”

“Every department should send a report of their activities for this last quarter to my office latest by close of business today.”

“No form of laziness or nonchalance to your work will be tolerated hence forth. If you are not up and doing and meeting your expected targets prepare to start applying for work elsewhere.”

“As some of you are well aware, we are currently 3 months away from shutting down. But I believe we can save this sinking ship. However I can’t do it alone. All hands have to be on deck.”

“And it is honestly to your own advantage that you get on board with the new plan, because if not 3 months from now, you’ll be on the streets applying for new jobs.” 

“Are we clear? If you have any questions, now will be a good time to ask them.”

No one indicated they had any question to ask.

“In the absence of any questions I want to believe I was perfectly clear then?”

“A final candid advise. Perish what ever thoughts you have of rebelling against this new move. I don’t care how you came into this company, I do not care who you know, you will be fired if you do not comply. Oh, and Mr. Cox can not save you.”

“This meeting is over, you can return back to your positions. Thank you for coming.”

“Oh, and Operations department, I would like a list of all pending projects we are currently working on on my desk immediately after this meeting. HR, do not forget to get on with sending the termination letters. And I also want a list of all those terminated today on my desk by close of business.”

With that, Dukia stood and left the conference room.

Before the doors even closed behind her, she could hear the heated conversations.

Dukia smiled to herself. She was ready for anything they would bring to her table.