****
Like the day before, I didn't sleep much that night. With my head still full of questions, it was hard to fall asleep, and as so, I chose to dedicate myself to pass over the topics that I would discuss with Regina the next afternoon.
After five meetings with other companies, I learned a lot about speech skills and convincing techniques, especially with the company of Alberto, who seemed like a real master of this art. And I couldn't ask for a better professor. Even if we didn't have success yet, you could see the amount of work and power he put into his words and I needed to give him credit for that.
With the experience I gathered in the last weeks, I pulled off a list with the main points that I wanted to talk about with Regina in an effort to convince the company representative that we were worth what they could offer us.
In an unusual move for me, for the next day I decided to go alone to the meeting. If I called Alberto and explained the situation, I bet that he would be more than happy to come tomorrow and do the presentation once again. However, the least I could do at that moment was to take responsibility and try to do something by myself this time. I couldn't run again and depend on someone else's effort again, like a coward that I felt like I was. I felt like it could be a chance to redeem myself; even if minimally….
I'll do this because I want to. And because I want to, I need to do it by myself!
And so, for the rest of the night, I dedicated myself to analyze over and over again the points that I would speak about the next morning. To be fair, there wasn't that much more to elaborate. I wouldn't do a better job than Alberto already did, I knew my limitations, and I had to play smart. This was a unique chance, maybe our last one to secure funding, and I didn't want us to fail because I gave a poor speech. With that in mind, I just transcribed to a paper sheet what I remembered from Alberto's speech and adjusted it to create a coherent and reasonable train of thought; after an hour or so, I've ended up with an above than average speech. I couldn't say that I was completely satisfied with the result, but I knew that even if I insisted on trying to perfect it, I wouldn't be able to get anything more out of it. So, I'd rather just try to get some rest….
….. Or in the case when I couldn't sleep, I'd just go with a nice cup of coffee while I enjoyed the fresh evening breeze that (sorta) announced the beginning of autumn.
A bit sleepy from the night before, I arrived 30 minutes before the scheduled time. It was without question the biggest and most impressive building from all the tech companies we've visited until now. It was daunting, and kinda scary, but I proceeded.
Inside the building, from a side table near the window, I appreciated the view of the massive cafe that was present at the site of Pineapple; it was impressive just how much money and time they must have spent on creating this infrastructure. Tells you a lot about the power and influence of this company. Considering how the other meetings have gone, maybe I shouldn't have hopes for this one… But I couldn't give up!
I hope I have at least a chance…. Let me send a message to Regina that I have already arrived and picked up a table on one of the corners of the place.
After spending some time waiting at the cafe, shaking my leg nonstop from anxiety and passing over and over the points I took note, right just at the appointed time, a smiley and seemingly clumsy lady, although properly dressed, waved at me while making a slow run toward my direction.
"Hello, Miyuki!! I hope I'm not late!"- Said Regina while taking a seat at the table.
"Oh, no! In no way! You are right on time; it is me who has arrived earlier than the appointed time."
"Is that so? Thank God! Well, I'm so happy that you are here Miyuki! Nice to meet you!"
Regina welcomed me in such a way that none of the previous other corporate guys had. With her smile and carefree attitude, she seemed… Innocent and honest. I still didn't know if things would turn out the way that I wanted, but I at least felt that I could be a bit more relaxed with her, and that gave me the confidence to move forward.
"My name is Regina, and as I've said over the phone, I'm one of the marketing representatives from Pineapple here in Brazil!" - Said Regina, while unbuttoning the top button of her blouse; she was probably annoyed with the heat of the day. The cafe didn't seem to be that much ventilated, surprisingly.
"H-hi! Nice to meet you! My name is Miyuki Kashiwagi and I'm an exchange student here in Rio!"
"Yes, yes! Ricardo told me all about you guys, the lab, your collaboration with the navy. It seems all very exciting! Brings me back to my college days, how I miss them!"
"Thanks... It sure has been a blast these past few months, although a bit tiresome."
"I can imagine it, it sure must have been!"
"Yeah…."
"Well, Ricardo said that you guys are going to have a big academic event and are searching for funding for it, am I right?"
Now the real talk begins
"Y-yes, we are."
"To start, please, tell me a little bit more about this project. What are your objectives, when will it happen, how has the organization been going so far?"
That was the moment that I've been waiting and preparing myself for. Although I was still a bit anxious, Regina's receptive aura made me feel at ease. Different from the previous experiences, we could at least now have the opportunity to be heard.
For the presentation, I picked up my laptop in my bag and opened a slide show where I compiled notes and images of the key points regarding the event.
I was well prepared for speaking about the event.
Because I was an insider and got experience with Alberto, added the fact that I truly spent a good number of hours preparing myself for speaking, it meant that I was able to give a coherent and well-structured speech. Although I was never good at this kind of thing, I could feel that I was going well, and Regina was taking notes throughout the whole time. I felt happy that she was paying attention, and even taking her time and effort to write down what she thought was appropriate.
After something like 20 to 30 minutes of speaking nonstop, trying to captivate Regina's attention and interest, my presentation came to an end. She didn't ask a single question while I was speaking; I guess she wanted to give me freedom of space for me to speak my mind. For another two full minutes after I ended my speech, Regina didn't speak a single word, finishing writing down some notes. I quietly waited for her response, as the anxiety grew while the minutes in silence passed.
"Allllright!..." - Regina let it out while stretching her arms - "First of all, let me congratulate you guys for going out of your way for this. This all seems very interesting, and it is clear the amount of work you guys are putting in; I'm anxious to see the end result. With that said, let me ask you just a few questions first…."
"S-sure! Whatever!"
"If we asked for, would you or the university have any complaints against the presence of private companies having marketing campaigns in the event, inside campus grounds?"
"Uh… There is no prohibition whatsoever, although there are some rules which I can send to you in detail later via email."
"Great…. Would we be able to approach the students in any way?"
"As long as you are not directly selling anything inside the campus, it's okay."
"Do you guys have any complaints if we put our logo inside or along with the main banners of the event?"
"Nope. We don't have any."
Regina rested her pencil in her chin, thought a bit, and returned to me,
"I cannot guarantee anything 100%, but… In reality we are having a new grand global marketing campaign called 'Together with you!'. It is a new initiative from the US headquarters to promote our image, associating the company with the most important universities throughout the world."
As Regina said that, my eyes started to shine. I couldn't believe what she had just said! It seemed so perfect, the timing was unbelievable and-
"...But"
Oh… There is always a "But", isn't it?
"...Initially our country wasn't listed in the program."
"Oh…" - I sighed gloomily. Hope was just about to vanish.
"But I wouldn't bring that up if I thought I couldn't do something. You guys are planning this very thoroughly and are not asking for that much, considering the size of our company. From your answers, I think you agree with us participating closely with the event organization upon a hypothetical positive response from the headquarters, right? So, my plan is to make some calls and return to you in a few days if something pops up. Is that okay with you?"
I was baffled. We had so many negative responses until now, so many closed doors, that it was strange to hear something so positive.
"Is… that it?" - I let out in an almost whispering tone.
"That, what?" - Regina returned to me with an inquiring expression.
"I mean, I just have to wait now?"
"Hm… Yeah, I think so. Although I'd just notify your colleagues that the cards are still over the table and that they have to prepare themselves in case of a negative response. But I truly hope and think that the corporate guys in the US will attend my request. And oh!!! I need some formal papers from the university to have clearance to operate inside university grounds, is that okay?"
"O-of course!"
If this is just what we need to do…..
"So… I think it's all set then. Do you have any further questions?"
"U-uh, I don't think so."
"Great!! Now, will you excuse me? I have another meeting in 10 minutes and I must return to my office. I'd still like to drink one more cup of coffee with you, Miyuki… But I guess we will have to do it at another time. I'm sorry!"
"N-no! There's no need for apologizing, in fact, I'm very grateful for you taking your time to talk to us and creating the possibility for the symposium to be a really impressive event. Thank you!"
"Oh, please, it is nothing! You really are a sweet girl, Miyuki, and I liked talking to you. Besides, this is also an opportunity for us, so I think we both have something to win… Anyways, I'm getting late! Send Ricardo my regards! See ya!"
"Goodbye, Regina! I'll surely send him. Thank you again!" -We shook hands as Regina went her way.
Still baffled by the situation, I didn't want to lose much time, so I called Lisa right away to inform her of the opportunity. Upon hearing the possibility of having the funds finally secured, she became so excited that said that we would have to have a party to celebrate it. I tried telling her repeatedly that this deal was still not set in stone and it had the possibility of failing. But it was of no use and she continued to shout loudly over the phone with excitement and saying that she would get everyone together for a commemoration.
To be fair, although I tried to contain my feelings in an effort to not be too disappointed if this deal didn't lead to anything, internally I was just like Lisa, screaming, extremely happy and excited for the future prospect of the event. It was a conquest, and one that although I still wasn't sure if it was of my onw exclusively, I surely had an important role in it.
And I can tell you: like the two nights before, that one was also one of almost no sleep. Although, this time, for a more positive and joyful reason....