Page 46 of Degrees of Acceptance
“Jenny, the return on investment, specifically the increase in quality of people’s health in Chicago and reduction of health care costs, has been staggering in the pilot site, as you know from the data Katarina has provided.
“It’s been astonishing,” she says.
“Indeed, and given that, additional opportunities exist to close the barriers to healthcare in the inner city. We plan to integrate the care process for Chicago, but in two distinct footprints.
“So far I’m with you, Chase. Kate shared the data with me and it’s the right thing to do,” Jenny says.
“I would agree. However, I’ve been asked to assist with another project in Southern Illinois. They need an investor, and I’m interested in backing their efforts. They are highly motivated and ready to change the way they provide care, and it will make a significant difference in the community. I need Torzial, and precisely the knowledge and experience Katarina brings to ensure my investment is sound. I’m not interested, however, in watching Katarina burn out as we expand, nor am I interested in having anyone else manage the process side of Prestian Corp projects,” he says.
“You’ve definitely sparked my interest,” Jenny says.
“I have a proposal. Katarina enjoys working with you and has loyalty to your company. You gave her the opportunity, exposure, and experience she needed to become who she is and she’s happy working for Torzial. The reality is that I will be called on to back more medical centers financially, and they will all become part of Prestian Medical Center Enterprises. I want Katarina to manage the designs and efficiencies in these facilities, but she can’t do it alone.”
“It definitely sounds like a large undertaking,” Jenny says.
“I’m proposing Torzial branch out and develop a division specifically dedicated to Prestian Medical Center. I would leave it up to you and Katarina to develop a structure for the department including the hiring and training of staff. At the end of the day, I want Katarina in charge of any Prestian Medical Center initiative and to have an organizational structure which provides resources to accomplish it. If we can develop that, I’d like to talk about the exclusivity of contract,” he says.
“Chase, I think it makes perfect sense given your expansion desires and Katarina’s abilities. But, need I point out the obvious. You have plenty of money, and Katarina would work on anything you asked her to. Why do you want to keep Torzial in the contract?” she asks, taking a sip of her water.
“Jenny, you have a great business, and I’m most definitely interested in making sure it thrives given my personal relationship with Katarina. I am also a very selfish man, Jenny. These facilities will most certainly be nationwide as we expand. The builds and commitments for each are at least a year, if not two years in duration. I’m not interested in having Katarina committed to that extent. I would rather she have an organizational structure that ensures the process work is done in the same efficient and profitable manner for each site, but without doing all the work herself.
“I see,” Jenny says, glancing in my direction.
“I know this is a lot to consider. I’ve taken the liberty of looking into the financial health of Torzial. It’s small but has been remarkably successful. You’ve invested wisely, which helped protect you during the recession, and as a result, your firm has been able to provide many people with great jobs. I’m extremely impressed with the benefits package you offer your staff. It’s clear you care about the welfare of your employees, and that’s something I respect a great deal.”
“Thank you, Chase,” she says.
“I would envision needing to at least triple the size of your company, as we expand nationally. I know you’ve done well financially and saved well, but an expansion of this magnitude will be costly. We’ll write the expense into the initial startup, and you have my word you will have a very lucrative contract. The finances of the expansion should be your last concern. The more pressing question is does going national interest you?” he asks.
“The excitement you and Kate have for this project is contagious. Increasing quality of health care and driving down its costs is a national issue and I would be proud to have Torzial a part of it. I’d like to hear what Kate thinks about the proposal, though. She’s undeniably great at her job, but more importantly, she’s my best friend, and that relationship means a great deal to me,” she says.
“Jenny, just so we’re clear… Chase and I did not talk about this before today. I am as shocked by the proposal as you probably are. I would like nothing better than to see the healthcare delivery system redesigned one community at a time and having it roll out under the Prestian Medical Center name would be exciting. Chase is right, though, I couldn’t handle this magnitude alone. It’s your call, though, Jenny.”
“I’m admittedly enthusiastic about the expansion opportunities, but there is one thing. I don’t ever want to lose the Torzial name. The company was started with the money my dad left me when he passed away. It’s his legacy to my future family and me,” she says.
“Jenny, Torzial is a company to be proud of. The names of the divisions or subsidiaries are completely up to you. Why don’t the two of you start working on an organizational structure? I’ll have our attorneys begin drafting a contract that we can discuss and modify as we move through this.”
“Chase, I think we should toast to a future partnership,” she says, lifting her glass of water. I’m appreciative of the offer and the chance to expand. Kate and I will start working on putting a proposal together and let you know when we have it prepared for your review.”
“Sounds like a plan. Unfortunately, since I’ve been out of the office for a few days, I need to return to another meeting. I’ll leave you ladies to discuss the logistics. Just let me know when you want to meet. He extends a hand to Jenny. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know you a little better and I’m looking forward to working with you and your company in the future,” he says.
“Katarina, I won’t be done until about six this evening, but Jay will take you home. He leans over and gives me a chaste kiss on the lips before he departs. I know he is watching to see how I react to his public display of affection.Two can play this game.
“Perks to dating the boss,” I say in response to Jenny’s raised eyebrows and the question in his eyes. His eyes narrow at my comment, and he tries to hide his amusement.
“I’ll see you when I get home, Katarina,” he says, shaking his head and excusing himself on the way out of the door.
“I have to admit he seems very nice, and I’m not just saying that because he offered to expand Torzial nationally. He actually appears to care about the employees and he’s clearly in love with you. He is a little intense, though. Is he always, so, in control of everything?” she asks.
“Jenny, he is always in control of everything. You know, at first, it was annoying, but I seriously don’t think I would want him any other way now. He’s controlling in a good way. It’s hard to explain, but today would be a good example. Ordinarily, I would have been pissed that he didn’t ask me my opinion, but he already knew how I felt about my switching companies. He had asked me offhandedly about coming over to Prestian, and I told him I was happy where I was. He wants me to work on his projects; I wouldn’t be satisfied working on any other project, and so he proposes a solution that works for everyone. He’s seriously an excellent negotiator like that. But to answer your question, he’s quite controlling, no doubt about it.”
“It’s none of my business, but you seemed to have worked through your concerns about dating someone in the office,” she says.
“We seriously need time to catch up, Jenny. I haven’t even had a chance to fill you in on all the stuff that happened with Mom this week. I was serious about getting some new makeup and shopping. You want to go to breakfast on Saturday, and then go shopping? We could even ask the guys if they want to go out for drinks afterward.”
“Sounds like a plan. It would be nice if they could get to know each other, too. I’ll ask Ty when I get home and text you,” she says, giving me a big hug before leaving and I head back to my office.
Message:Jenny and I are going for breakfast, makeovers and a day of shopping on Sat. We need dates afterward. She’s asking Ty. Interested?
