Very useful for business in region - everywhere to be certain but more so here.

Can't get anything done, not meetings not nothing without it. Also gotta know where real decisions are being taken. Was just rapping with some consultants from one of the Big American firms who naively thought that the Organization in charge of financial information was actually in charge of such, rather than certain key persons in supposedly subordinated organizations. Naive little dears, actually believing the organizational charting.

I also have to say that I like being the only white guy in meetings that gets the multiple kisses and congrats on family matters, with some personal chit chat in the local idiom, while the other dorks get only hand shakes. Helps them understand who's really in control of the deal. Let them try to strike out on their own.

And people wonder why I like being in region. It's fun out here. Sure you make more money elsewhere, but it's not as much fun.