First, before I lash out on this, a small clarification
if you will. When I refer to “list”, I
don’t mean an actual list of items lots of people put together on a daily basis
that helps them be more productive. I also, most definitely do not mean the
grocery “list” I get from my wife. You
know which ones I mean. Those lists that I’d better get every single item on
there!
I am referring to and mean that virtual, almost imaginary “list”
one uses when they are really telling you – “I am quite possibly just a lazy
ass and didn’t do it . . . yet.”
Now maybe it’s because of my “never really official”
diagnosis of ADD, OR maybe due to the fact that I personally would rather “DO” than
contemplate about it OR perhaps it is the entrepreneurial nature in me and/or a
bit more laid back environment I grew up in but I have to ask…
What the
hell, man?
So I am interviewing this sales person for a sales executive
position. We get into a discussion around some of his challenges in his current
role and he goes on and on about how the company he works for does not provide
him with the support he needs or getting him all of the materials he is used to
receiving, and how they don’t serve him as he expects etc. etc. etc. The guy
comes from a large corporate background where he’s had a good run for quite
some time and now works for a small, privately owned company.
I go on to ask him about a specific case study he was
working on. He went on to share with me how
he could not close the deal yet because the entire world and their sister of
course did not make his coffee hot enough for him and the color of the logo on
the document was not the right color…..
So I ask him specifically about the prospect organization involved
in aiding in the close of the deal he is trying to get, and since we both know
the people there to some extent, I asked if he spoke to the individual who is
directly involved. He responds by saying
that he hasn’t really talked to him yet, he was waiting for the account manager
to get back to him and that stupid organization he works for does not even have
the updated database of the positions in these prospects he is chasing and how
he knows the girl that runs the office there but she is busy getting married
and how there is no peace in the middle east just yet . . . to me . . . it
sounded more like waaahhh….waaaahhh….sniff…sniff.
Are you freaking kidding me?
I just had to ask – “did you call the guy there to set up
a meeting and start the process?”
And he says...
drum roll please….
It’s on my list!
drum roll please….
It’s on my list!
AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
You
just went on telling me that 3 months ago you have been setting up these goals,
and you know people in this organization and yadda, yadda and to call the guy
is ON YOUR LIST??? How long is your
list? What is there on this sacred list that is much more important than
starting the damn process with this guy?
Go back to your list and continue whining about the world. I
do not want you on my list!
I think our system is broken ladies and gentlemen. The system where goals are
constantly shifting without relevancy. The system where accountability is a mere long word on a
poster on a wall somewhere. And the system where consequences exist for not
meeting your goals are a rare commodity. The system where if you are not good
enough you still get the infamous “good job” and lastly, the system where if
you just do your job as required you constantly get kudos and praises.
Well, dear readers, if you know anyone, a sales person, from
the kind of people I am looking for please send them my way!
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ReplyDeleteSo true Alon! This younger generation has been handed too many blue ribbons, trophies, and orange slices for just "showing up." Where is the work ethic and integrity that our parents taught us to have at our jobs? Where is that inner competitive edge to always do better? I know for me, getting uncomfortable always motivates me to be better at what I do.
ReplyDeleteOh Cheryl, thank you for understanding! But you know me.....hopeful and positive. Keep looking....
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