Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World

At eight o'clock in the morning, Poul and Jonathan were yawning intermittently, showing that they hadn't had enough sleep. Despite already drinking coffee, its intended effect had yet to be felt by the industrialist duo.

"Uhm, Sir Nielsen. This is the formal statement you requested for Fiora Whitney. Please take a look at it," Amelia said, handing Poul the document.

"Thank you, Miss Weiss," Poul said after receiving the document. "I apologize if I was not able to say hi to Caroline for you. My mind was racing back then due to the incident with Fiora Whitney."

"You don't have to apologize, Sir Nielsen. In fact, I shouldn't be giving orders like that, as you are my superior," Amelia said in her usual soft voice. She continued, "I already contacted her, so there's nothing to worry about."

"If you say so," Poul said before reading the document. "To whom it may concern, I would like to express my sincerest apologies to Ms. Fiora Whitney for my behavior during our recent confrontation at the Astoria Hotel. My actions were inappropriate and unprofessional, and I regret any distress or discomfort that I may have caused Ms. Whitney.

As the founder of Axelsen and Nielsen Air Brake Company and the Union Switch and Signal Company, I hold myself and my company to the highest ethical and moral standards. My behavior during the incident fell short of these standards, and for that, I am deeply sorry.

I am committed to ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future. I will be taking steps to review and improve my behavior and decision-making, and to ensure that my actions align with the values and principles of our company.

Once again, I apologize for my actions and any harm that they may have caused. I hope that Ms. Whitney can accept my sincere apologies and that we can move forward positively and respectfully. Sincerely, Poul Nielsen."

When Poul finished reading the statement that she wrote for him, Amelia asked, "So, how is it?"

"It's well-written and good. Although, I must say, why does it seem like I am the only one to blame here?" Poul questioned.

"Because you are appealing to the public and high society, Sir Nielsen," Amelia explained. She continued, "Even though you are not the only one at fault, which I believe you are not, you still have to take full responsibility so that this matter concludes and vanishes from the people's minds."

"Just as I said eight hours ago, let go of that feeling of being treated unfairly," Jonathan interjected with a yawn.

"I know," Poul said with a yawn.

"At what time did you two sleep?" Amelia asked in a concerned voice.

"Four o'clock in the morning," Jonathan answered, suppressing another yawn.

Amelia Weiss shook her head, disapproval etched on her face. "Sir Nielsen, Mr. Axelsen, you really need to take care of yourselves," she admonished. "You both know that you need at least eight hours of sleep to function properly. And coffee can only do so much."

"Don't worry, it's just for this day," Jonathan replied.

"Having a well-rested mind is crucial for work, Sir Nielsen, Sir Axelsen," Amelia insisted.

"We know, Miss Weiss, but as Jonathan said, it's only for today. Speaking of today, what's our schedule?" Poul inquired.

"Well, Mister Morgan is going to arrive later this evening to discuss the investors who wish to invest in the company. I can't believe that Lady Caroline is going to invest in your company," Amelia said, her voice laced with amazement. "Next, there will be a departmental meeting where you'll listen to the reports of each department. And lastly...wait, that's it."

"I gave you a task last week, Miss Weiss, regarding the company's vision and mission, and values statement, right? Have you finished all of those?" Poul queried.

"Yes, I have already finished it, Sir Axelsen. Would you like to see it now?" Amelia offered.

Jonathan's gaze flickered to Poul. "Poul, do you want to see Miss Weiss's work for our company's vision and mission?"

"Ah, do we really need to?" Poul grumbled.

"Of course, this is to make our company look more professional," Jonathan asserted.

"Indeed, it is essential to have a clear and well-defined company vision and mission," Amelia said, nodding in agreement. "It will provide a sense of direction for the company and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals and objectives."

Poul sighed and nodded in resignation. "Alright, let's see it then."

Amelia handed them a thick document, and as they read through it, they could see the effort and time that was put into it. The document was well-structured and comprehensive, outlining the company's long-term goals, objectives, and values.

Mission:

At Axelsen & Nielsen Air Brake Company, our mission is to provide high-quality and reliable air brake and locomotive draft gear products for steam locomotives that meet and exceed the needs and expectations of our customers. We are committed to continuously improving our products and services while maintaining our focus on safety and environmental sustainability. We strive to be a reliable and trusted partner to our customers and to contribute to the growth and development of the railroad industry.

Vision:

Our vision at Axelsen & Nielsen Air Brake Company is to be the leading provider of air brake and locomotive draft gear products for steam locomotives in the United States and around the world. We aim to achieve this by consistently delivering high-quality products and services, and by building strong and lasting relationships with our customers. We are committed to investing in research and development, and to staying ahead of industry trends and innovations. We also strive to be a responsible corporate citizens by promoting sustainability, supporting our local community, and fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As for the Values Statement.

Axelsen & Nielsen Air Brake Company has always held a deep commitment to excellence in all that we do. Our core values are an essential component of this commitment, and we are dedicated to upholding them in every aspect of our business.

Quality is at the forefront of our values. We believe in delivering the highest quality products and services to our customers. We strive for excellence in everything we do, and we are always looking for ways to improve.

Safety is a top priority for us. We understand that our customers rely on our products to keep them safe, and we take that responsibility very seriously. We prioritize safety in all aspects of our business, from design and production to the way we operate our facilities and interact with our customers and partners.

Integrity is a fundamental part of who we are. We are honest, ethical, and transparent in all of our dealings with customers, suppliers, employees, and other stakeholders. We believe in building trust and fostering long-term relationships based on mutual respect and professionalism.

Innovation is what drives us forward. We embrace creativity and new ideas as drivers of progress and growth. We encourage experimentation and are committed to staying ahead of industry trends and technologies.

Sustainability is a crucial aspect of our business. We are committed to minimizing our environmental impact and promoting sustainability in all areas of our business. We seek to be responsible stewards of the planet and to contribute to the health and well-being of our communities.

Teamwork is what allows us to achieve our goals. We believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork. We value diversity, respect different perspectives and ideas, and work together to achieve common goals.

We believe that by upholding these values, we can create a culture of excellence, trust, and accountability. We are committed to achieving our mission and vision for the benefit of all our stakeholders, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that these values remain at the forefront of everything we do.

After reading the mission and vision statement, and the values statement that Amelia wrote, silence filled the room. Then, as if on cue, Poul clapped.

"This is excellent work, Miss Weiss," Poul praised. "I'm impressed with the level of detail and thought put into this document."

"I agree with Poul," Jonathan added, looking up from the document. "You've done an outstanding job, Miss Weiss. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our company."

A small smile formed on Amelia's lips, pleased with their positive feedback. "Thank you. Sir Axelsen and Sir Nielsen. It was my pleasure to work on this document for our company. If there's anything you want me to do, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Well, since you said that, why don't you write a mission and vision statement and values statement for Axelsen & Nielsen Union Switch and Signal, and Axelsen & Nielsen Arms Manufacturing Company?" Poul said.

"Sure, when will you need it?"

"Wait, are you serious?" Poul asked, surprised that she is taking it seriously.

"I take my work very seriously, Sir Nielsen. Isn't that my purpose?"

"How about in two months?" Poul asked.

"Very well, I shall work on that and complete it before the deadline," Amelia said and continued. "Now please prepare yourself for the departmental meeting later. These are the documents that you need to read for your reference."

Amelia whipped out a stack of documents out of nowhere.