Why Is This Stuff So Hard?

Skully had meetings today. Skully was not smiling. No wind in his sails but he was expecting some serious hot air to come his way soon.

MEETING 1: Revolved around some strange concept called, "Organizational Development". Good way to kill some time and let the ol mind wander to the beach. I did pop up from visions of sand, bikinis, beer and boats to ask a few questions.

Q: Hey, bright boy, just what is it that you get paid to do?
A: Blah, blah, blah.

Sounded like really bad "marketing speak". You know the stuff. Incomprehensible ramblings full of buzz words and sound bites. So, I tried again.

Q: No, seriously. What is it that you get paid to do?
A: Huh?

See? The second time you ask a question, you get to the heart of the matter. He didn't know either. So he didn't feel singled out (that would be politically incorrect, picking on the idiot in the room) I tried the next person. And so it went until it was obvious that no one could distill their primary purpose for being on the payroll.

NEXT MEETING - Strategic Sales Plan Review for Upcoming Year

OK, Mr. Sales Pro, your pipeline represents 25% of your current total sales. You anticipate 20% attrition and your most active customers are down by 15%. Explain to me again just how you think you are going to grow your revenue by 35% in 2009.


NEXT MEETING - Called a boat captain I know in the keys and asked about an open-ended charter. Explained that "I don't each much for a hollow man... (if you don't get it, jump over to the link for Snoloha - great island tunes) and I'm thinking of taking a long trip but before you count your money, I have two questions for you: 1) Explain what "Organizational Development" means and 2) What do you get paid to do?" His responses brought a smile to this crusty heart. 1) Huh? (good answer) and 2) I get paid to take your sorry butt to where ever you want to go (right answer).

I guess this stuff really isn't all that hard. Like all of those brilliant business gurus say, "It's all about the people".