What Ever It Takes

We have enjoyed a really wonderful holiday today here in South Africa, Heritage Day and after the week I have had I am sure you will agree I deserved a break.

During my years of work, I have faced many challenges and many frustrations. A while back I worked for a large Freight Company and during our Sales Meetings My boss was often heard to say "Whatever it takes.... Get the sale"

I was visiting a client one day and we were in their boardroom discussing the rather large distribution needs. The Managing Director was attending the meeting, the Production Manager and Distribution Manager. One of our Trainee Sales people accompanied me to the meeting and was there for on the job training.

The meeting was in full swing and I was sitting at the head of the board room table, facing my clients, however the door opening was directly next to me.

In the middle of the presentation, this woman walks into the meeting, we all look up surprised at the interruption and she walks right up to me and bends down and gives me a kiss on the mouth. I sat there in stunned silence not knowing what to do exactly. She looked down at me and said

"So how are you, gosh it has been ages since I last saw you, what have you been up to?"

Stunned silence followed while I tried to compose myself and decided not to embarrass her. I replied

"I am really well thank you, How are you?"

My heart was racing as I felt that any minute now she would French Kiss me or do something unexpected.

She stands there all expectantly and I say,

"Well I am here doing a presentation and I am hoping to secure the business"

She looks at me, gives me an enormous hug, kisses me again and leaves the meeting but not before asking me to come and say goodbye to her before I leave.

I turn back to the people in the board room and hide my feelings rather well I think. Say "Oh well that was pleasant" and continue with the presentation. I keep my composure and continue. While the clients are looking at the presentation, my colleague catches my eye and mouths these words at me:

"Who was that?" I shrug my shoulders with a question mark look expression.

He can hardly contain himself, I see his face go red and I know this is going to be a meeting to remember. We continue with the presentation; however I suddenly began to speak quicker and rush through the presentation. I see the stunned look on the clients faces as I rush through the procedures, features and benefits and hope to goodness that they do not require further information.

However my college who has a nasty sense of humour with quite a cruel streak, sat back in his chair and decided to milk the situation for all it was worth. He started asking questions about their company, how long they had been established and asked them to go through their requirements once again.

I sat there horrified as I was not ready for another visit for the vampire kisser from hell. I sat there pretending to be interested in the meeting, when in fact I was keeping an eye on the door in the hopes that I would not be molested once again.

We finally left the meeting, and as we walked out I smacked the trainee consultant on his arm and he was doubled over in laughter and he was singing on the top of his voice.... "Michelle kissed a girl and she liked it".

Now this Trainee is also Bern's nephew so he thought this was very very funny and like a little boy threatened to tell her I was cheating on her. His reward for this comment was a hard punch in the arm!

I made him drive back to the office as I was in no state to drive. I wiped my mouth at least a 100 times and was mortified and embarrassed and swore I would not be returning to this client ever.

I made two phone calls from the car, while my colleague laughed so much I was in fear for my life as his lack of driving skills!

I first phoned my hair dresser and told her she has to change my hair colour and style pronto! I never wanted to be mistaken for anyone else again.

The second call was to my boss.
When he answered I said
"I demand a raise"
To which he replied
"Of Course but why?"
In a loud rather excited voice I said
“When you said WHAT EVER IT TAKES - you were not funny!"

I then went on to explain what had happened but the conversation kept on being interrupted with his loud outbursts of laughter.

I walked into the office about forty five minutes later and was met with thunderous applause for the sales team and was handed a certificate

Michelle - who certainly goes the distance and DOES WHAT EVER IT TAKES!