See below for a video of Kai. He is being entertained by my buddy from b-school, who was in San Diego for business, and dropped by for dinner with his sister and nephew (who happen to live here).
Part II of the career-limiting email I sent last week: I actually got no response on Monday, and felt fine about it. On Tuesday, I happened to be in a meeting with the SVP dude who I sent the letter to. He pulled me aside and said "I got your email on (insert name of hated competitor here), and I loved it - we just need to figure out what to do next". So a positive reaction. One bit I kind of glossed over last week. Our flagship product is the responsibility of a VP that reports to that SVP. I don't report to said VP (whom I will call "Floyd"), but both he and my boss report to the SVP. I sent the email to both the SVP and Floyd, since it would have been poor form to go over Floyd's head when most of the content related to his product line (which just happens to be the lifeblood of the company). The interesting thing about Floyd's reaction was ... nothing - he didn't mention it to me at all. To be clear, the email made one extremely helpful point (more funding for his product line is critical) and also an unflattering one (as things stand, we are enduring death by a thousand cuts). You'd assume that either way, he'd have an opinion and want to discuss it. The fact that he's said nothing makes it clear he's ticked off about the email. When I first joined the company, Floyd seemed like a affable, quick-witted leader who was equally comfortable talking with salespeople or corporate executives. Over time, it's slowly become apparent that his true skills lie in putting out fires and navigating the byzantine network of political connections that sit underneath our corporate structure. While valuable for self-preservation, this approach isn't useful in the long run. I know he will understand the best way to "deal" with my email, but the problems I listed would still remain unresolved.
Ok, that's it - we'll see what happens this week.
8 comments:
Ooooh...I was much less concerned about the career limiting impacts of your email before I knew about Floyd. I think Floyd has the potential to become a metaphor in your first best-selling business book. You might want to start writing this book in your spare time.
As we found out from Tamsin's ill advised AquaLab sale using a PO of "Floyd", the name is all-around bad news. I know it's a made up name, but still. I always find it pretty disheartening when I realize that the nice window dressing is actually all that there is in the store.
As someone who thinks important things should be fixed, pronto, I'm glad you wrote to Floyd. Besides, he might help you make the decision to bring those cute grandkids back to Pullman.
As someone who thinks important things should be fixed, pronto, I'm glad you wrote to Floyd. Besides, he might help you make the decision to bring those cute grandkids back to Pullman.
Just because I double click on "publish" doesn't mean I want my drivel to appear twice. Also, does being a grandma mean I need to have a cupcake on my post(s)? Or is that a trash can?
Scott,
It's brilliant people like you who make mediocre companies like them able to turn things around. You did the right thing!
Kersten
Hmmm.. From my standpoint-which may be pretty blurry, I'm sure-, it looks like your company is like a mile-high pyramid of rubber bouncy-balls with a cue stick slowly sliding down a ramp straight toward the cornerstone- and little underlings trying to glue the balls together at the same time as trying to yell sense into Floyd. Oh, and 'floyd' is dancing a jig on the top of the stack. Good job w/being one of the loudest yeller, though! Here's hoping you get to the top in time to toss Floyd off the top in the appropriate burlap sack!
Mom is so funny. I think one of my favorite things about reading blogs is to read mom's comments.
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