Having a drink with Garry Capers at an airport bar in Chicago!

That brings back too many memories. We were road warriors together – weekly trips to DC for a year – to build up a business that the company we worked in had bought. The weeks used to be exhausting. Integrating a fast growing innovative company to a hundred year plus staid culture company was not for the faint of the heart.

Sitting down every Thursday evening waiting for our much delayed flight at the Skyclub bar over a glass of wine was our “safety valve” session. Over those sessions, I had gotten to know Garry intimately. His incredible life journey how he grew up without his father and how that has made him deeply invested in his relationship with his daughters … his single minded determination to get himself a good education… the funny story about his first date (who he married and eventually Sharmila and I had the good fortune of getting to know Myla)…

Like I have always said and believed, building a successful business is never pretty from inside. In fact, growth is ugly when you go thru it. But seen later in rear view mirror, it is one of the most satisfying experiences you can think of in your professional life. And when you look back, as Michiko told me the other day – you rarely remember the numbers… you always remember the people.

Garry is one of those people I will always remember.

It was great having a drink together again at an airport with you, Garry!

May your tribe increase!

Couple of weeks back, my old friend and colleague Michiko was in town. Our schedules were a little tight but we decided to give it a shot anyways. Turns out, we were able to make it work out. Which was lucky for me because meeting Michiko means you are bound to pick up some great words of wisdom.

Over some wine we caught up on our old days of working together and some of our old colleagues. Michiko is a guru when it comes to Data and Analytics. She has done the whole gamut of Data Analytics – from developing models to selling the products. Now she is in management consulting – helping out companies with their strategy and operations in Data Analytics.

A memorable moment during our discussions was when I asked her about her take on where Data and Analytics has reached now – full 12 years after we had worked together in this area. “You see, Rajib, Analytics is sexy. Everybody talks about Analytics. Data is not getting enough focus because it is not that sexy. In fact, governance is the most ignored area of data – because it is not as shiny as Analytics”.

I knew that her background was in music. I did not realize that she plays both the piano and viola. Given that she has achieved so much in life, I asked her:
“Looking back on all your achievements, which one are you most proud of?”
“I am not allowed to be proud of anything”
“Meaning?”, I asked confused.
“Remember where I am from?”
“Japan, right?”
“Yes. In our culture we cannot be proud. It is considered uncouth to be proud”.

That was one of the most unique answers to a fairly common question that I ask people.

“Ok. Then tell me what work from your past – especially, when we worked together – do you remember the most?”, I pressed on.
“Nobody remembers the work, Rajib. You will remember the people.”
Truer words have not been spoken!!!

The funny part of our conversation came around when I asked her how she had met her husband. Believe it or not, they met in a chat room! Or as she put it – “The ’90s version of online dating!”

Michiko, it was simply outstanding to meet you. It was too short though. Let’s plan to have a longer meeting soon.