Thank you, IKEA!

Despite having to wake up very early when there is no school on Fri, we were really excited and nervous about our interview with the Managing Director of IKEA, Mr Tom Huzell. The interview was scheduled to be at 9am. It was extremely surprising to see this welcome note on their large blackboard just next to their reception counter.

See, we were called "friends" and not "students" or anything else.

Mr Huzell was slightly late but he was warm and friendly, offering the four of us firm handshakes and introduced himself as "Tom". He was down-to earth in his short-sleeve shirt. Not the kind of straight-faced boss with the I-am-your-boss kind of look. He is part of the Fortune 100 management, mind you.

The interview went on smoothly. Mr Huzell was very willing to part with IKEA's franchising concept, not-available-on-the website kind of information and entertained lots of our nitty-gritty enquiries that only business students will be interested to know. We were like some acqauintances having a discussion in his office. He was humourous too, peppering his answer with witty remarks. Unfortunately, I cannot divulge any of these here. He even took the trouble to show us to the door.

From left: Yong Ming, Weijing, Mr Huzell, Gloria and me

Not every company and top level management feels the need to entertain such request from business students who are likely to ask theoretical and sometimes, stupid questions for those in the real business world. They are neglecting the fact that by allowing undergraduates to write about them, they are in fact allowing us to introduce them to the class in a very professional and positive manner. This is actually free publicity to potential future customers, creating awareness among them. Most importantly, students doing the interview or studies about the companies will most probably feel some emotional attachment to the company and feel the need to reciprocate in whatever manner they deemed appropriate. (see this, the company with the big M?)

This is a indeed a wonderful and unforgettable experience. Mr Huzell is very kind to offer this opportunity to us and is generous with the impart of information. He could have just get his marketing or business development manager to talk to us. Worse still, he could have requested to do an email interview instead. But he chose to see us face-to-face and tried his best to provide us with whatever information we need.

Thank you IKEA! Thank you, Mr Huzell!