Better Emails

Email 5 1/5

From: Chua, Andrew

To: Stella Lim
Cc: Said, Nabilah; Tan, John
Subject: Re: Opening cost centres

Hi Stella

This is a busy time at the Regional Office. We have pledged to HQ that our new
performance management operating system will be up and running in all the Local
Offices in the region by the end of the month.

The Country Office should be aware of this. This is not an ideal time to be opening
new cost centres. Our current cost centres can handle the influx of extra work.

Best wishes

Andrew

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Email 4

From: Said, Nabilah

To: Stella Lim
Cc: Chua, Andrew; Tan, John
Subject: Re: Opening cost centres

Hi Stella

Sorry I am coming in late on this, but I don't know who has mandated you with this
task.
Without more background, I’m afraid I cannot authorise additional cost centres
because redoing all the codes is time consuming. Also, if business returns to
normal levels, we are left with unnecessary capacity.

I don't support adding too many cost centres and redoing all the cost codes, unless
there is a good reason. The Country Finance Director, rather than a consultant, is
best placed to make a case.
I suggest we have a call on Monday with Ed, yourself, Bill, I and the Country
Finance Director to discuss if opening new cost centres is the best way forward.
Thanks for your patience.

Best,
Nadilah

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Email 3 3/5

From: Stella Lim

To: Said, Nabilah;Chua, Andrew
Cc: Tan, John
Subject: RE: Opening cost centres

Dear Nabilah and Andrew

I hope you are both well. I have been hired by the Country Office as part of the
team opening the new cost centres. However, Ed Chen from the Local Office has
asked me to get approval from you at the Regional Office before moving forward.

We are opening the centres so that we can split the costs between the new budget
holders without manually going through 400-500 transactions per month.

I understand that Ed is busy implementing the new performance management

operating system but the Country Office feels this is a greater priority. It has
implications for the other Local Offices who are also experiencing a rapid increase
in business operations.
Could you please confirm that you are happy to proceed with opening new cost
centres.

Regards
Stella

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Email 2 4/5

From: Said, Nabilah

To: Lim, Stella
Cc: Chua, Andrew; Tan, John
Subject: Opening cost centres

Hi Stella

Thank you for your email, but I don’t feel that I can authorise this without the
support of the regional office.

Opening more cost centres will take time and manpower, neither of which I can
spare at the moment. We are implementing the new performance management
operating system at the request of the Regional Office. This is my priority at the
moment. I don’t have staff available to make the necessary changes to the cost
codes.

I was not consulted about this decision, nor was I forewarned that a consultant had
been hired.

Best

John

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Email 1 5/5

From: Stella Lim

To: Tan, John
Subject: Opening cost centres

Hi John
I have been hired by the Country Office on a consultancy basis to help open new
cost centres to process the recent increase in business operations.

We are working to tight deadlines. The new cost codes will have to be created by
the end of next week.

I would like to visit your Local Office so we can discuss how best to manage the
opening of the cost centres and decide on a feasible timeframe.

Looking forward to working with you.

Kind regards

Stella

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