TAXMAN MAY 2018

13
monitor social media vigilantly. Courting
media including Red Pepper. I have been
to that media house several times. This
is something I still do.
I read a lot and follow some media gurus
to keep abreast with what is going on.
I also study relevant cases and their
application in my context of work to
be at the top of my game. I met and
engaged with the regional spokespeople
who represent us at the regional level. I
have not done intensive formal training
in media management as yet.
I have also had to adopt continuous
engagement including establishing
WhatsApp group and the willingness to
pick calls all the time.
The other key issue for me was to get to
know the people on the team and how
they work. I may not fully know them
but I have a fair idea of how everyone on
my team works. From my assessment of
the team, I realized that they were/are
willing and ready to work with me.
The team also had their own fears. I was
told that my team feared me. They had
been told that I was a very tough guy.
know the people on the team.
Q. What were your first 100 days
like?
The first thing that was critical for me
to establish was the mindset that I can
apply myself regardless of where I am.
I had to get to know the key media
personalities in this country. Those
that influence opinion and reaching
out to them. These have been useful as
they notify me about bad press even
before it comes to my attention. They
also offer free radio and TV space on
short notice.
I read the papers every day and
The team was closely studying my style
of work. I chose to be who I am. I decided
to be clear about my expectations and
we agree to fight together. Even when I
boil, the team knows that I need results
and that it is never something personal.
Internally I had to deal with people
issues. That is all I can say.
In terms of expected outputs, I had to
quickly identify the key activities.
My team is a team with high energy.
I decided to build on the efforts of
my predecessor Sarah Banage, the
Executive Assistant to Commissioner
General had started.
I interested myself on what happens
around. Before becoming the ACPCA,
I was not very active on social media,
Twitter and Facebook. I had to get help
in knowing how these things work and