Inspection in process!

This week finds me touring the EMEA through the jelly doughnut factory. The EMEA is essentially the same as the FDA but have much more of a scrutinous eye. They literally opened every drawer, and cabinet in the plant. They spent 1.5 hours in the restrooms for our employees! I have had to tour them everywhere while they performed the "white glove test" (and I am not exaggerating, they really brought white gloves and wiped things down to ensure there was no residue) and explain why we have a great plant and should remain open for business. There are two Germans and two French inspectors. They aren't nearly as funny as the Pink Panther.

I have also had to spend time in conference rooms explaining our policies, procedures, and practices, some of which they question and get very technical about. To the best of my ability, along with subject matter experts, we have been doing a great job thus far keeping them satisfied and following up quickly with things we have to go back and research. Essentially if we mess this up, they could shut us down. Don't want that. Everyone needs jelly doughnuts! And making them is a very complicated business with serious ramifications if we don't do it right.

What this means for me? Not much sleep, lots of hurrying up and waiting, being exhausted every night when I get home, getting in early to make sure the plant is presentable doing my own "white glove test" and following up with staff to keep our positive momentum going. Today will be another day in the conference room and we will see how that pans out. I am so tired.

Fun plans for the weekend. Lou and K-town are coming to San Francisco and we get to hang out with them. It's K's birthday so perhaps we can come up with something exciting to do. I do need to take an opportunity and catch up on sleep I most certainly have missed this week.