Sunnyside Pavilion, Yumi’s Brunch (Yumi’s story)

10:30am LA Financial Core ‘Sunnyside Pavilion’ Restaurant.

The Los Angeles skyline basked in the soft glow of the morning sun, and it cast a warm light in to ‘Sunnyside Pavilion’, a new and impressive restaurant located just on the edge of the city’s Financial District. The trendy eatery had a busy hum to it but for the group gathered around a secluded table, the outside world was a mere backdrop to more pressing matters.

Yumi Takahashi, the Managing Director of Wet ‘N’ Antics USA and North America, was in the midst of a crucial meeting with investors from Manhattan-Westminster Financial. The group had a reputation for its shrewd investments and they’d taken note of Wet “N” Antics global expansion over the past 24-months.

Yumi Takahashi

“Your presentation at our office was quite thorough, Ms. Takahashi,” began Alexander Stoveman, the silver-haired patriarch of the firm. “And quite frankly, it’s refreshing to see such vibrant innovation targeted at leisure and family entertainment. Waterparks with integrated hotels would redefine your corporation, and with your brand’s ‘playful’ spirit, there’s some genuine opportunities for Wet 'N' Antics to enter the market on both coasts.”

Yumi’s smile was gracious, her poise unwavering. She had anticipated their keen interest in the figures and had delivered with precision, Wet ‘N’ Antics had always been a maverick in its market, and she was determined to continue that legacy stateside. The only minor hitch was that the subsequent discussion had delayed the breakfast part of the meeting which had overrun into brunch.

“We appreciate your confidence in our concept, Mr. Stoveman. We are passionate that we are not only selling a product but a lifestyle, an experience, and that is invaluable. Our high engagement rates with consumer groups are a testament to our potential success in your beautiful country,” she responded.

While the investors had showed no outward sign of doubt regarding the financial viability, Yumi sensed there was still an undercurrent of hesitation. MWF was meticulous with its due diligence and she wondered where the doubt was coming from.

Celia Stoveman, was sat next to her father and was equally influential in the family business, tilted her head slightly, her gaze penetrating as she interjected, “the numbers are undoubtedly appealing, Ms. Takahashi. Yet, we have considerations that extend beyond the initial financials and first 36-month projections on returns.”

“Of course, I’m here to address any further queries you might have,” Yumi said, a slight nod of her head and her tone inviting openness. The backdrop of the bistro's activities continued; servers gliding past with artistic plates, The soft jazzy notes playing in the background seemed to slow as the third and final member of the investment firm’s Head of Marketing, James Tillbury resumed the conversation.

"Yumi, while the vibrancy of Wet 'N' Antics is clear, there are certain practices, particularly the international staff exchange, that warrant a deeper dive."

Yumi met the concern with an assuring smile. "Our exchange program is all about embracing opportunity and diving into a pool of new experiences," she said. "It adds a dimension of depth to our employees' growth and to our corporate culture, that we think can birth all kinds of new opportunities."

Tillbury nodded but maintained a cautious tone. "We must consider how these moves are perceived, Ms. Takahashi. The potential that it may be seen as sexist, for example?"

"With the greatest respect, and appreciating the optics to American eyes but male or female had nothing to do with it. Our team is chosen for their ability to swim against the current and emerge as leaders," Yumi countered smoothly. "It's about stirring the waters of innovation and creating a stream of success that other members of the team can directly benefit from."

Suddenly Yumi’s phone rang. She glanced down at it; it was Hana Yono her PA. She winced slightly in irritation both at her PA and that she had forgotten to set the phone’s ring tone to silent. She had given Hana specific instructions not to be disturbed.

“Do you need to take that Yumi?” asked Cecilia.

“Oh no, thank you. Nothing I am sure can’t wait,” the MD said, before continuing, "at Wet 'N' Antics, every maneuverer is well-calibrated. We strive to keep things engaging—creating an environment where our staff can wrestle with challenges, capture new ideas in the wild, and pursue new development in vigorous, even hands-on ways."

Having glanced at her phone, she now noticed that she seemed to have a stream of text messages from a few different colleagues. In particular Martin Bruns the Graphic Design Support Manager. Martin was a pretty reserved and good-natured man; she wondered what at got him all worked up about.

"However, with vigour comes the need for restraint, wouldn't you agree?" asked the elder Stoveman, "how do you ensure boundaries aren't overstepped?"

Yumi paused, somewhat caught up in the distraction from the phone she had hesitated, but only for a second. "There's always a method to our madness," Yumi replied confidently. "We ensure no one is left exposed to undue risks. Indeed, the whole idea is to let their talents chase the spotlight—not to get caught up in the messy bits.”

The investor group pressed her further on the transfer, on the CEO’s reasoning and the upcoming recall back to Japan for the female employees. They also spoke to her about what other strategies that Wet “N” Antics had for brand recognition.

Yumi answered these questions but was becoming increasingly distracted over the next fifteen minutes. The number of messages coming through to her phone, it was obvious that something was happening in the office.

She had 123 new emails in two hours and 34 new text messages.

She briefly excused herself to use the restroom and during her excursion very briefly scanned the messages. Most had odd garbled subject lines about some issue at Sunny Day Mall, and the messages themselves were not much clearer, some kind of offer that was being run concerning a ‘Breeding Pass’. She didn’t have time to read all of this and instead was going to ring Hana back when she saw that Hana had texted her.

"Ms. Takahashi, your insight on recent developments is critically required to ensure strategic alignment. Several department heads are asking that you please return to the office asap to address these pivotal matters.”

Yumi had an idea what the issue was. She wasn’t stupid. Although Corporate had been keeping it under wraps she knew Wet “N” Antics was moving towards entering the Adult Entertainment market. They were just looking for how they could make the transition whilst still retaining their sizeable family entertainment share of the market.

The lotion pool with its fabric eating qualities was a risqué step, if handled incorrectly some members of the Company would certainly take it the wrong way. Yumi suspected something had gone wrong with the testing that was meant to have been taking place.

Yumi sent a message to her PA “Is this about the Lotion Pool!!?”

The reply back was vague. "It's a multifaceted situation that demands your expertise. This might derail the office plans by nine months. Awaiting your valued direction."

“Nine months?? What is this all about Hana?” Yumi replied.

Hana was always conciliatory but usually gave more information than that. It must be a massive bust up between Sayaka and Emi. To be honest it had been brewing for some time. The truth was, she didn’t really have time to deal with this now.

As she was returning to the investors, she quickly sent a message. “Ok. Coming back asap. Gather the team for a 14:00 meeting.”

She sat down and smiled at the three members of MWF. But behind the smile she was thinking that she was going to have some hard questions for her team leaders.