Nikki King, managing director of Isuzu Truck (UK), describes a
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week which started with negotiations in Japan and included a look at some fire engines in Scotland, more negotiations and a pile of paperwork...
Monday
Returned from a week at Isuzu in Japan. Still jetlagged. The visit could be described as similar to the curate's egg—good in parts. Delighted to learn that every product change requested by our customer clinic has been incorporated into the 2000-model N-Series which is due to arrive with us at the end of 1999, and that a factory crewcab which meets full EC legislation will be with us by September. However, price negotiations on these new models were not so successful and we now face many months of meetings to achieve an agreement acceptable to both parties.
Tuesday
Fly to Glasgow for a meeting with the Ayrshire region of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers to make a presentation on Isuzu Truck in the UK. I have just learned that I have been elected to the institute's council, which is a great honour. I hope I can help to increase the awareness of employers on the importance of fleet engineers and the potential dangers of outsourcing without an internal monitoring system. It's good fun to talk to grass roots engineers about the way Isuzu has gone to market. I travel with Koji Ishida, who has joined us for a two-year secondment from Isuzu Japan. Koji is with us to learn about sales and marketing in Europe and to understand at first hand about European culture. He is also invaluable to us as we continue to learn more about the very complex culture of Japan.
Wednesday
Fly from Glasgow to Inverness to visit the Highlands & Islands Fire Brigade which operates a number of our 6.2-tonne NPRs converted to fire tenders. The only difference between our vehicle (which I call Trumpton!) and a full front-line fire engine is 200 gallons of water, and the brigade finds it perfect for its many auxiliary fire stations in its enormous area. Fly back to London just in time for dinner with some senior visitors from Isuzu Japan. Price negotiations again, and still no agreement.
Thursday
Started bright and early with a directors' meeting. As usual there is a lot of hilarity and noise. Spent most of the time discussing the recent Tokyo trip and agreeing new customer-facing initiatives. In the afternoon I have a quick update from Debbie Mesher, our marketing manager in the UK. She's working on the new Isuzu driver forum in January in the Midlands. Our business is directed by members of the Isuzu Fleet Forum and our agents. We need to know what drivers want and still produce a vehicle that is suitable for their employers.
Friday
A precious morning in the office to catch up on the paperwork. Having two bosses, Isuzu and Lex, the number of reports I have to submit is mind-boggling. However, by the time I've caught up with the team who haven't seen me for a week, the paperwork goes in my briefcase to be dealt with at the weekend in between the washing and ironing! In the afternoon I prepare for a meeting with Isuzu Truck Poland— we have visitors arriving tonight who will be attending meetings with us on Monday morning. Isuzu is gradually moving across Europe with the intention of providing a pan-European truck. This involves the agreement of all the independent distributors on parts exchange, warranty, pricing and servicing. Subject to local currency variations and specifications, Isuzu's pricing— unlike that of many other manufacturers—is the same throughout Europe. Leave the office at 6.30pm and go straight to the pub. The weekend is here!
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