The Triple Crown
On occasion celebrity status is achieved without one ever being aware of it. During a hectic last week of travel I was surprised three times to learn of my growing impact on the profession. I’m not one to read the critic’s reviews or to believe that I’m even on the radar. After this week, I may need to reconsider that I am not longer invisible and will need to monitor of my behavior at all times while in public.
The Kentucky Derby – Tuesday I drove to Lincoln, Nebraska to meet with a potential client on a renovation project they were considering. I presented to an assembled committee and then had lunch with the president of the organization. The day proceeded with nothing unordinary to grab my attention, until the president said “I took the liberty to contact the vice president of a national environmental organization which is headquartered in Lincoln and he asked if you could stop by to look at a similar project they were planning.” Having great familiarity with the organization I agreed to visit with them before leaving town.
The president escorted me to the office building and dropped me off in the lobby. Smiling, ee indicated he needed to get back to the office as we shook hands. I turned to the receptionist and asked to see the vice president. She immediately became flustered and left to announce my arrival. I heard a slight commotion as the door opened and a young executive in a dark suit, crisp white shirt and expensive tie walked out to greet me. “Thank you for taking the time to visit with us”, as his hand shot out with a firm handshake. “I wanted to congratulate you on your recent awards. I have been following your work in the trade publications. If fact I was just on your website yesterday.” Somewhat off balance I smiled and attempted to recover my senses. He continued “I don’t know how much you know about us, but our membership is about 1.5 million and I would like to get your opinion on the project we are doing because it is very important to our organization.”
We talked for about 90 minutes and at the end I volunteered my time to assist with presentations to potential underwriters and community leaders. The vice president thanked me as we exchanged business cards. Walking out the door I realized that it was probably the only time in my professional career where the individual I was meeting with knew more about me than I knew about him. I have always preceded an important meeting by doing background research on who I was meeting with, but not this time. Slightly guilty I left Lincoln wondering how an organization of 1.5 million members could be courting me and I was so unaware of it?
The Preakness – The following day I was in a seminar when I got a phone call from the CEO of a national architecture and engineering firm that employs over 2500 in 35 offices around the country. There was a touch of panic in her voice as she left a message on my cell phone. “We have a project for a major University and we have hit a problem. We were not able to resolve the site design and the University has demanded we get you involved earlier than we planned. This is the first time we have worked for this University and we really need your help.”
As soon as I got the message I returned the call and asked how we can help? “Could you meet with the University late this afternoon, discuss their concerns and walk the site?” Without hesitation I said “I’m done with this seminar in two hours and it’s an hour drive. I’ll meet you on site at 4:30. Call me back and let me know if that works for everyone.”
The schedule was so tight that I was unable to stop for gas and arrived on site with 4 miles left on my digital gas gauge. Driving through the parking lot I noticed the crowd consisting of the lead architect, campus architect, director of planning, campus landscape architect, department representative and chief engineer. Approaching the campus architect jokingly quipped “It’s going to be fine now, the experts have arrived.” I turned around and looked behind me searching the parking lot for someone else and replied “If that’s the case then you won’t need me to help.”
For the next hour they peppered me with questions and ideas. I picked an option that made the most sense and said “I think we can make this approach work, just let me study it on paper in the office and we’ll get back with you in three days with details.” Everyone relaxed, relieved that the problem was to be in good hands. The lead architect pulled me aside and thanked me for responding so quickly. He indicated that my simple presence reassured everyone at the University that the project was back on track. I just smiled and said “It was my pleasure; we have always respected your work. Just call us any time we can help. This will be a fun project to be able to work with you again.”
The Belmont – The third day I flew to Boston to make a presentation on a secret project we were requested to attend. In the Triple Crown series the Belmont is a test of strength and endurance, my Boston trip was no less. The alarm awoke me at 5:00 am for the 7:00 am flight. I arrived at Logan Airport at 11:00 am and meet two other team members for this project. We grabbed a taxi and headed for the consultant’s office.
Arriving at noon, the first thing we did was sign confidentially non-disclosure statements. They briefed us on the rules for management of confidential information regarding the project. The project which is a series of 1.5 billion dollars projects was given a secret code name for us to use while discussing the project with staff.
Cautiously, they probed of knowledge of the subject with pens jotting down every word. Little by little their comfort level with us grew. As it turned out the majority of the technical issues focused on my area of expertise, so I ended up talking the most. After about two hours of non specific discussions, they then revealed the plans. Our team was stunned at the concept, our jaws dropped at the slight of the renderings.
In detail they explain each aspect of the project, schedule, responsibilities, technical issues, and constraints. Finally, they all raised their heads, looked at me and asked “We know it has never been attempted before, but is it feasible? Can you do it?” I looked at my team members seeing their information overload still being processed. I turned and without hesitation for a second time this week, said “Absolutely, we can do it. We have succeeded at projects that scared me a hell of a lot more than this one. However for this to happen, this is what is required.” I then outlined a detailed research project which would test the prototypes and define the operational parameters. We will need to identify a University in south Florida to conduct the research under our supervision. My team members jumped up and said they have worked with two senior professors in south Florida and they were sure either one would be interested in a project of this scope and reach. I then suggested than this level of investigation would cost about $150,000 without adding in our team’s fee. The consultants agreed with the approach and then asked “You’re the first one we have talked to that said it was possible. Can you do all the research in three months and have a prototype ready for testing in August.” I took a deep breath and shook my head “You guys are not going to make this easy. Completing the research in three months is going to be difficult. We would need to know by next week.”
They went on to explain that the design consortium and owners were both large multi-nationals located throughout Europe. Every two weeks executive council meetings were held to coordinate designs and schedules. Next Tuesday the consultant would present our concept to the executive committee and we should have an answer, at which time we would need to move at the speed of light. There would probably be some travel to Europe and many trips to Florida. Looking at the clock I realized it was past 5:00 pm and we needed to rush back to the airport to catch the plane home. We closed the meeting with a list of actions items and grabbed a taxi to Logan. Our team members were taking the same plane back so we had some time to talk.
Arriving at Logan the weather turned black and our flight was delayed. While waiting for the flight I realized that if this project indeed works, we were developing at least four possible patents which we would own the property rights. I made a mental note to contact a patent attorney next week and find out how to start the application process. The three hour weather delay on the runway at Logan ended when the pilot was granted a rerouting around the problematic weather. I finally arrived back at home at 1:30 am the next day, but still couldn’t sleep with excitement.
The past week will be one to remember. Like the Triple Crown it doesn’t happen to everyone or very often. I better start paying better attention to the betting line. I don’t think we’re the dark horse as often as in the past. It’s setting up to be an interesting and busy summer.
