CHAPTER 14: PROJECT PLANNING

On Monday morning Rose and Alex had planned to meet up for coffee before heading off to work. With just three weeks left before returning to school, they had quite a lot of planning and preparation to do for the construction project. In addition to the partnership between the Anderson Construction Business Company and the Everton Bright Company, Jeffrey Anderson’s Construction and Design Company and Thomas Anderson’s Engineering and Business Management Company were also going to be part of the construction project. This was incredibly helpful for Rose knowing that she had two supportive brothers by her side encouraging and supporting her every step of the entire project.

At nine o’clock in the morning the entire team was in the Everton Bright Company’s conference room discussing the plans and arrangements before moving forward with the commencement of the construction. Alex Peterson, Rose Anderson, Jeffrey Anderson, Thomas Anderson, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Peterson together with the construction team and the Project Manager Mr. Carl Jackson were all present at the meeting. Rose and Alex presented some important information which included the work plan and schedule for the next three weeks. It was discussed that the team would be meeting every two weeks with alternating meeting venues either at the Anderson Construction Business Company, the Everton Bright Company or at the construction site. However, most of the meetings would take place at the site in order to get accurate updates on the construction work, the workers progress, the purchasing and usage of the materials and supplies used in the construction and discussion of other matters that required attention.

After the meeting the entire team went over to the construction site. Rose, Alex, Jeffrey and Thomas went in the first car, while Mr. Peterson, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Jackson and three other people went in the second car that was provided by the Everton Bright Company. The ride to the construction site was an hour, but they were delayed due to traffic. Upon arrival at the site they were welcomed and greeted by the site manager Mr. Stevenson and his assistant Mr. Vance. The meeting at the site begun with a tour of the construction site giving updates on how the preparations had been progressing; thus far what had taken place was the delivery of the building materials that would be needed for the construction and the work each of the workers would be assigned for the construction.

All the materials had to be inspected for quality, safety and health purposes. The building materials were supplied by the Anderson Construction Business Company, their building materials were known to be of very high standards, excellent quality with 100% warranty. Every company or business in and out of Brighton City that needed to buy affordable and good quality building materials would always buy from the Anderson Construction Business Company. The suppliers ensured the selling and buying of high quality materials met the construction requirement standards. All their customers and clients have been quite pleased and satisfied with their services recommending the Anderson Construction Business Company to other vendors, customers and clients all over the state. With a satisfactory and a professional construction business run by The Anderson Family for the last thirty years you could rest assured that your business, your construction projects, your building materials were not only safe to buy and use but were also legal with approval and validity.

The meeting at the construction site took almost four hours including the tour. With everything in place and ready, Mr. Jackson and the construction team gave a full update on all the work progress and preparations for the construction including various concerns and suggestions from the workers on site. After everything was discussed, issues resolved and changes made based on the suggestions given by the workers at site, the next step was to prepare a Grand Opening Ceremony at the construction site to announce the commencing of the construction of the new mall in Brighton City. The name of the mall as discussed by The Anderson Family, The Peterson Family, the Project Manager Mr. Carl Jackson and the construction team was to be named, ‘The Brighton Garden City Mall.’ The ceremony was to be arranged and organized by Alex and Rose working with Mr. Jackson and his team to prepare the agenda, the schedule and other details prior to the ceremony. They were also to discuss the ceremony details including the opening and closing speeches and presentations with the two CEOs; Mr. Anderson and Mr. Peterson, Jeffrey and Thomas Anderson for approval before making the arrangements for the ceremony. Rose and Alex were to have a draft agenda and schedule for review by the entire team tomorrow morning at ten o’clock.

It was shortly after 2:45 in the afternoon when a final wrap up of the meeting was done at the construction site. Mr. Jackson, Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Vance together with the construction team remained at the site to work on the preparations for the upcoming ceremony and meetings they were scheduled to have with the workers at the site. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Peterson left the construction site heading back to The Everton Bright Company for a meeting with the clients, business partners and associates to brief them on their meeting and visit at the construction site and about the ceremony that would be held next week to announce the commencement of the construction of the mall. Rose, Alex, Jeffrey and Thomas also left the construction site heading over to Jeffrey’s company for a late lunch. They bid farewell to their parents and the entire construction team including Mr. Jackson, Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Vance thanking them for their time and all the arrangements made for today’s meeting and the great tour of the construction site.

On the way to Jeffrey’s company conversations on what to have for lunch took center stage as they were all starving plus they wanted to celebrate their first successful project meeting. They also wanted to use this opportunity to discuss the agenda for the ceremony and prepare a draft agenda and schedule ready to be presented to the CEOs tomorrow morning.

Jeffrey: Any ideas where to go for lunch guys (everyone in silence thinking and thinking)?

Thomas: How about ‘The Steak and Grill Restaurant’ that’s just next to Jeffrey’s company, actually walking distance from his company.

Alex: Do we need to make reservations?

Thomas: For lunch, no need and am sure by the time we get there will pretty much be empty as most of everyone has gone back to work. What do you think guys?

Rose: Sounds good to me. We can afterwards get coffee at Starbucks. I remember there is one inside the building on the first floor where Jeffrey works.

Jeffrey: Sounds good to me too, plus I like the idea of grabbing coffee after lunch, will definitely need the caffeine after a heavy lunch (all laughing).

Thomas: I am down with the plan.

Rose: Alex, you good with the plan?

Alex: Sounds great and besides I get to spend the rest of the afternoon not only with The Anderson brothers but with my girlfriend (looking at Rose with a smile while holding her hand).

Rose: Great!! ‘The Steak and Grill Restaurant’ then Starbucks Coffee, nice!! This is so exciting; I get to have lunch with my favorite people; my two wonderful brothers and my boyfriend (looking at Alex with a big smile holding his hand).

From the construction site to the restaurant took forty five minutes. It was a pleasant ride with lots of interesting conversations taking place that ranged from the meeting at the construction site to Alex and Rose’s first date. They were all so engaged in the conversations enjoying every moment with joy and laughter especially Alex paying close attention to everything Rose said including the way she smiled and laughed.

The driver pulled up at the entrance of the restaurant and asked if he needed to wait or come back in the evening to pick them up. Alex informed him that he didn’t need to pick them up and could return to the Everton Bright Company in case he was needed to run errands or take care of other matters for the company including driving Mr. Peterson back to his residence after work. At the entrance of the restaurant they were welcomed and greeted by Mr. Walter the manager and owner of the restaurant. Mr. Walter, Jeffrey and Thomas have been good friends for over five years. It was Jeffrey and Thomas who helped Mr. Walter with the construction, interior and exterior design of the restaurant including the promotion, advertising and recommendation of his restaurant in the entire Brighton City. This in turn helped the restaurant not only become popular with outstanding food and service in Brighton City but also winning as the best restaurant receiving five Michelin stars. Every time Jeffrey and Thomas would dine in the restaurant Mr. Walter would not only prepare their meals but also serve them as they were his number one important customers ensuring they received the best quality service and hospitality.

Mr. Walter: Jeffrey, Thomas, great to see you! Welcome!

Jeffrey: Thank you, always a pleasure seeing you Mr. Walter (shaking hands).

Thomas: (shaking Mr. Walter’s hands) always a pleasure seeing you Mr. Walter.

Jeffrey: This is my sister Rose and her boyfriend Alex Peterson.

Mr. Walter: Wow, didn’t know you had a sister and very beautiful!! Nice to meet you Ms. Rose Anderson! Mr. Alex Peterson, the son and only heir to The Peterson Family in Brighton City?

Rose: Nice to meet you Mr. Walter (shaking hands).

Alex: (shaking hands) yes, pleasure meeting you Mr. Walter.

Mr. Walter: What an honor, a true honor to have you at my restaurant (escorts them to the best seat in the restaurant, handing them the food and drink menu).

Rose: This is a beautiful set up you have Mr. Walter. I love the interior design, the environment and the atmosphere of the restaurant. May I ask who is the designer of your restaurant, would love to meet him or her?

Mr. Walter: Thank you for the lovely compliments Ms. Anderson. Actually everything in this restaurant from the construction, to the exterior and interior design, the location and promotion was all thanks to your brothers; Jeffrey and Thomas.

Rose: Seriously? Oh wow!! Jeffrey and Thomas I knew you were great at construction, engineering and business but this design is amazing and out of this world. That explains your wonderful relationship with Mr. Walter. I am very impressed and very proud of you two.

Jeffrey: We’ve known Mr. Walter for over five years. He came to us for advice and suggestions with a business proposal to set up and open a restaurant. We worked with him including the designing and construction of his restaurant.

Thomas: Once it was set up, we helped him with the promotion, advertisements and recommending people to check out and try his restaurant. In just three years his restaurant not only picked up becoming famous and popular but also known for having one of the greatest steak meals in Brighton City.

Alex: Wow, that’s incredible, that’s an amazing story (looking at Rose)!! You must be very proud of all your successes and accomplishments including all that you have been doing for Brighton City. I am very privileged and honored to have the opportunity to be working with two of the finest and the best business partners, engineers and designers in Brighton City; The Anderson Brothers; Jeffrey Anderson and Thomas Anderson.