Slightly more than 6 months ago, I blogged about my involvement in a confidential project which redefined the word “hectic” to me and I promised to blog more about it once the project is over.
The project involved the potential acquisition of financial assets of a major corporation in 3 jurisdictions, i.e. China, India and Malaysia. I was in the project team and was also the tax focal point for all tax matters in relation to the acquisition. Unfortunately though, the project fell through. An agreement on the purchase consideration as well as the valuation of assets in one of the jurisdictions couldn’t be reached.
What a shame, it would have been a massive boost to my CV.
A month ago, news came out saying that another institution has secured those assets in the 3 said jurisdictions. If you have been following the financial world, you will most probably know what I am talking about, and you might just be able to decipher where I work .
Anyway, it has been a good experience being in the project for a good 3 months. During the tenure, I was involved in conference calls and meetings with CEOs / CFOs and other big bosses around the world.
It’s quite an experience hearing them talking to each other. They are not what you expect them to be. Some of them are pretty comical. In some occasions, I don’t know if I should laugh or act serious when they cracked a joke.
This project also highlighted me another commonly missed notion, things disclosed in the media is not 100% accurate. Not even close. There was also a brief spell of information tug-of-war between the media and the parties. Looking back, it was quite comical.
But the best part has to be… ya’ know, it’s a big profile project involving hundreds of millions of US$ but there were times where team member of all countries and HQ come together on a conference all and we can just give out a loud long “sigh” and say… “gee, we have absolutely no idea what the hell are we doing, do we?”
Last but not least… at the end of the day, no matter what the conclusion is… everything is about money, money and money… nothing else matters…
Despite the hard work and hectic hours, it was fun. Wouldn’t mind doing it again… but hopefully, the next project will not fall through.
3 years ago… They clever or I stupid? … Lifestyle of the smart and not so smart
The project involved the potential acquisition of financial assets of a major corporation in 3 jurisdictions, i.e. China, India and Malaysia. I was in the project team and was also the tax focal point for all tax matters in relation to the acquisition. Unfortunately though, the project fell through. An agreement on the purchase consideration as well as the valuation of assets in one of the jurisdictions couldn’t be reached.
What a shame, it would have been a massive boost to my CV.
A month ago, news came out saying that another institution has secured those assets in the 3 said jurisdictions. If you have been following the financial world, you will most probably know what I am talking about, and you might just be able to decipher where I work Anyway, it has been a good experience being in the project for a good 3 months. During the tenure, I was involved in conference calls and meetings with CEOs / CFOs and other big bosses around the world.
It’s quite an experience hearing them talking to each other. They are not what you expect them to be. Some of them are pretty comical. In some occasions, I don’t know if I should laugh or act serious when they cracked a joke.
This project also highlighted me another commonly missed notion, things disclosed in the media is not 100% accurate. Not even close. There was also a brief spell of information tug-of-war between the media and the parties. Looking back, it was quite comical.
But the best part has to be… ya’ know, it’s a big profile project involving hundreds of millions of US$ but there were times where team member of all countries and HQ come together on a conference all and we can just give out a loud long “sigh” and say… “gee, we have absolutely no idea what the hell are we doing, do we?”
Last but not least… at the end of the day, no matter what the conclusion is… everything is about money, money and money… nothing else matters…Despite the hard work and hectic hours, it was fun. Wouldn’t mind doing it again… but hopefully, the next project will not fall through.
3 years ago…
12 comments:
Zewt - are you the advising firm, or the original buyer (Standard Chartered)?
"HSBC is set to acquire the retail and small and medium enterprises business of Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, or RBS, in India, China and Malaysia.
HSBC entered the bidding race for select Asian assets of RBS in October after talks between Standard Chartered Bank Plc and RBS broke down over differences on the valuation of assets....."
small world. :)
fuyoh. so you are a bean counter ahh?
i count the score only lahh.
Ur CV cukup makan la
at the en of the day, even the bigshots are people, they talk and joke just like the rest of use. they're still a bit intimidating sometimes though lol
human insights into financial life that is meant to be in the fast lane. If there wasn't some humour, there would be tears.
Hmm.. don't know much about the financial world, so can't figure out where u work. Hahaha.. And I've met some CEOs, MDs... u r right, they are not what they seem to be. Some are so down to earth and funny, u forgot u r talking to a big shot! Hahaha... Hope you'll get such fun project the next time. ;)
anyways the experience was good isn't it?
Hey Zewt, you big shots also eat rice and noodles, you're just like us commoners :P
Anyway, was amusing to read this post, you give us a good idea of those, who call the big shots. More about it, please :)
zewt
r u working for SC or HS?
Haha..yes truest. They are still humans like us. Only difference is the good ones can manage/manipulate whenever they want to.
tomatoinc - hahaha... small world indeed. and i am not going to reveal where i work though...
ronaldo - scoring can get you a lot of money leh...
Observer - not yet... :P
Manju - hello there... haha... well, i find them quite friendly. of course, there are exceptional ones.
ZACL - and i am glad there werent tears there... :)
missironic - such projects again? hmmm...
eiling lim - somewhat... somewhat...
MKL - i cant say anythingmore... i might be fired hahahah...
zewtreader - that's a secret... isnt it? :P
Ah Siang - and better they manup... i mean manage... the higher they will go :)
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