As Operations Manager here in Aberdeen, it is not often that the chance to travel crops up (certainly not travel that requires my passport) – that tends to be left to my more client facing, business development or just plain jammy colleagues.

However, having recently introduced a new Operating System into our offices in both Aberdeen and Dubai, it was time for Houston to join us now that things had settled down a little. One small problem though – they don’t have an ‘Operations’ person on site to help with the set-up, training and introduction.

It was a tough decision to make but I stepped up to the plate for the sake of the ‘team’ and it was down to me to make the trip across the pond. The things I have to do for this company.

It was by sheer coincidence (honestly…no honestly) that my travel plans coincided perfectly with Thanksgiving and no sooner had I landed at George Bush Intercontinental and been escorted to my hotel that I was being picked up by Ed Davis, our Houston big-gun, top-dog, PR Yogi (that’s an in-joke) and taken to his place to spend the evening with his family and friends – all very lovely people it has to be said.

“Wear elasticated pants” was my only instruction prior to being picked up and, once I realised that it needed translating somewhat, I relaxed and ensured my belt had an extra couple of holes if required. They were required.

Turkey and all the trimmings welcomed me and my first Thanksgiving was a hugely enjoyable one with chat, watching football (well, the kind where they never really use their feet…and it’s not very ball shaped) and to finish things off, pie. Three pies to be exact - apple, pumpkin AND pecan. I’m still recovering.

So, within hours of arriving I had experienced the famous ‘Southern Hospitality’, and it has to be said it continued to the moment my trip was over and got back to the airport.

With our colleagues in Houston, namely Angelica, Heather, Jeremy (and Yogi of course) we have a fantastic team of talented professionals who not only made me feel very welcome but I could tell were going out of their way to ensure they were meeting all of their clients needs. They were obviously being as well looked after as I was.

I was hugely impressed by not only how well they all worked as a team but more generally how well they coped with such a busy workload and took it all in their stride. I’ve always known our Houston office to be a very successful one (indeed award-winning) – now I could see why.

It was not all play though (my timesheets will attest to that!) and I got down to the business of getting them up and running in the new system. It took a while but we got there in the end and they know that I am just a Skype call away as they settle in over the coming weeks and months.

When I managed to get away from the laptop either in the office or back at the hotel, food, unsurprisingly, played a major role. To be fair I was warned, but even I was surprised by the portion sizes. It was a real mixed bag – everything from Eggnog Cupcakes and Crab Nachos through to Beaver Nuggets (don't ask) and a hugely enjoyable BBQ ‘tour’ (yes, we did a TOUR of various BBQ joints at the weekend).

I even found myself one evening with Ed and his lovely wife Leah enjoying some delicious cuisine - but rather strangely, there I was, a Scotsman in Texas at a Japanese restaurant eating sushi called ‘The Crazy Irishman’!? Go figure, as they say.

So, with the job done and a vastly expanded waistline it was time to jet back to the UK (before I had to pay for an extra seat). Personally I’d like to give a huge thanks to the whole team over in Houston and to Ed in particular for his culinary 'guidance'.

If you get the chance to visit, take it.

If you get the opportunity to work with these guys, do it.

If you’re thinking of ordering a starter AND a main, think twice.

Andy

(Ed, Me, Jeremy, Heather & Angelica)