If you can make it here you'll make it anywhere...

...or so says Frank Sinatra. I've got to admit, old Blue Eyes might have known what he was talking about. In my short experience here in New York, it sure seems like this place is a lot different than anywhere I have been before. For the first few days here, I definitely wondered what I had done dragging my family across the country to this strange place, but now it is really starting to grow on me. Don't get me wrong, there are still some things I am not a fan of, I don't like living in an environment where silence doesn't exist, and I hate having to get a running start just to get a place on the subway, but New York definitely has some redeeming merits. I guess the best part of New York starts right here...

I'm spending my days here in the building on the right working at American Express. I live on the 35th floor in cube 109C. I've been so impressed with Amex up to this point. I was originally attracted to the company because of their history of success, and I have found that the success they have achieved did not come by mere happenstance. American Express has built an organization that continues to evolve and succeed no matter how the environment changes. It's been fun to observe how this happens. Innovation is a priority and it seems like everyone is aligned toward similar goals. One of my tasks this summer is to get to know the HR organization, so I spend a significant amount of time each day sending emails to people throughout the organization asking for the chance to speak with them. Without exception I have found people that are willing to take time out of their schedules to meet with me and tell me their story.

I am working on Employee Data Privacy which is a fascinating (and somewhat boring) subject, I will save the details of that for a later post. Anyway, life is good and we are starting to adjust to the fast pace of New York City.