Episode 3

ANDREW NARRATING

I wake up every day at 5:00 a.m. It's a habit I've developed over the years. I like to wake up early. The silence of the early morning hours gives me moments of peace, without agitation or problems to solve.

I got up and put on my workout clothes. I walked to the gym at home, where I spent about an hour exercising. I like to vary between running and weight training. This routine keeps me in shape. Physical exercise is crucial, not just for the body, but also for the mind.

I went back to my room, took a shower, got dressed, and gathered my work material. Yesterday, I signed the HR proposal to hire new employees, mainly for the cleaning area. The people who work directly with me know how much I value organization and cleanliness in the work environment. Any kind of mess slows down human thinking; the work environment has to be in order, as well as the body and mind, to get better results.

I had my breakfast. In my house, I have many employees, but I don't see them. Usually, the cook sets the table on time, as I have an organized routine, which makes her job easier too. She leaves everything tidy, already knowing what I like and don't like to eat. I'm not one for conversation, nor do I like to be interrupted during my meals.

Right after coffee, I went straight to the company. As soon as I arrived, I already saw a movement, as the selection process was taking place. I asked the driver to enter directly into the garage, where there is a private elevator. I rarely enter through the reception. Most of the people who work for me only know me from social media and newspaper articles, but they've never met me in person. Not everyone has access to me or to the president's office.

When I arrived on the eleventh floor, where my office is located, as soon as I set foot outside the elevator, my secretary stood up to greet me. Then, she brings me the day's appointments and everything I have to sign.

"Good morning, Mr. Castela. I'm going to read you your appointments for the day. At 9 o'clock, you have a meeting with the marketing team..." - I'm walking and she's following me, reading the agenda.

Even though I don't stop, I'm always listening carefully. I entered my office as she read the last appointment of the day, which will be a business dinner.

I thanked her and she withdrew. Mrs. Lola has been working with me for years, since the time I was vice president. She knows my ways and knows that she cannot open the doors of my office to just anyone. I don't attend to any employee except the directors. Each sector has a responsible director to solve the problems that fall within their competence. Only they are allowed to speak directly to me, bringing the problems and, together, the solution.

A little before nine o'clock, I organized all the documentation that Mrs. Lola left on my desk and walked to the meeting room, which is on the tenth floor. Only my office is on the top floor; I don't share space.

The meeting was very productive with the marketing team. The objective was to align our strategies for the next semester and discuss some campaigns that are under development.

We started the meeting with a detailed presentation of the performance of current campaigns. I was pleased to see that many of them are exceeding our expectations, especially on social media. The team presented data showing a significant increase in engagement and conversions, which is an excellent indication that we are on the right track.

Then we moved on to discussing new ideas. One of the proposals that most caught my attention was the creation of a series of webinars focused on our target audience. The marketing team did extensive research and identified that there is great interest in topics related to our products and services. I believe this initiative can further strengthen our brand and generate qualified leads.

We also discussed the importance of strengthening our presence at industry events. The team suggested that we participate as sponsors in some important conferences that will take place in the coming months. I agreed with the proposal, as these events are excellent opportunities for networking and to demonstrate our leadership in the market.

Finally, we talked about the need to invest in new data analysis tools. The marketing team pointed out that with these tools, we will be able to gain more accurate insights into our customers' behavior and thus optimize our campaigns. I have already authorized the acquisition of these tools, as I believe that investment in technology is crucial for our continued growth.

I signed the new projects and asked for urgency in this new market approach. We need to be the first, the pioneers. I like to always be ahead.

I went back to my office. The HR manager requested a meeting; I will see him after lunch.

I decided to leave through the reception when I saw a young woman running. She wasn't just walking fast, she was running towards the nursery. What caught my attention is that she was not in uniform.

I didn't have time to go after her because I had an appointment and I like to be punctual. But later I'm going to check the cameras to see who this woman is and why she was running inside my company.

Today I had lunch with the CFO; we talked business. I don't have friendships with my employees, I don't talk about my life, and I don't seek to know what they do after they leave the company. I always keep it professional with everyone, in any occasion and situation.

When I got back to the company, I received the HR manager and signed all the hires.

"I hope you did as you were told," I said, looking at the stack of papers.

"Yes, sir. We hired all the employees for each function, as you determined at the last meeting," he replied, and I agreed.

I handed over all the signed papers and asked him to leave. I opened my inbox and replied only to what I thought was necessary. I forwarded some to my secretary, who selects what she thinks is important and discards the rest.

I spent the afternoon with my face buried in the computer. I follow all kinds of markets, not just economics. I like to be well informed so as not to suffer unnecessary blows that could affect my company.

When I left the company, I went straight to the restaurant, where I had a business dinner that was a complete flop. None of the proposals made could generate me any kind of income.

"I don't go into business to do any kind of exchange. I am Andrew Castela, owner of the largest economic company in the country. I don't do favors," I said and got up to leave a meeting without focus and without purpose.

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