Our resident corporate Agony Uncle, CEO Ken Cheng, tackles business challenges – so you don’t have to
Dear Ken Cheng,
Your advice is life-saving, but have you ever literally saved someone’s life?
– Sharon, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Ken Cheng:
Many times. Once last month actually.
During the hottest day of the year, many decided to work from home. Not me. I chose for my team to have an office away day in the blaring 39 degree heat. I wanted an office Sports Day.
Many said it shouldn’t be done, and that it was “medically dangerous”. Do you know what else was medically dangerous? Smallpox, and we defeated that easily hundreds of years ago, so we can easily conquer this.
Fast forward to: the actual day. Everyone is suffering. Two employees were close to fainting, and the 200 metres hurdles was a disaster. It was barely 11am.
One of the employees came up to me and told me that “we have to stop or people might die.”
And do you know what? I listened.
I said to everyone that they can go home, and that legal would be in touch about them not using us.
Not a single one of my employees died that day. So yes, I have saved quite a few lives.
What’s more impressive? A boss who doesn’t send their whole team on a life-threatening sports day during a heatwave, or one that does and recognises that it was a mistake?
I know which one I’d rather have.
To have your business issues addressed or to book Ken Cheng for your event: kenchengcomedy@gmail.com
