spare_change
04-24-2008, 03:06 PM
Sometimes, it's nice to have your concepts validated .....
Sometimes, it's not.
As most know, I work with investors and individuals doing financial management. Last night, I had an appointment with a new client.
Dutifully, I dress respectfully and businesslike, with a shirt, tie, slacks, and a leather jacket. I arrive promptly at 3 minutes to six, enough time to walk from the parking lot to his apartment.
The new client is 52, and divorced for several years. As I get to his apartment, he has left the door open, and I knock, and he yells for me to come in. It's a small one-bedroom apartment with a single front area -kitchen and living room-- what they call a "great room", but it ain't.
I sit at the dining table, and the client sits next to me. I open my briefing folder, a brochure, lay them out, and begin my presentation. Immediately, I am aware of two things:
1) His pants are unzipped
2) He isn't wearing underwear
As I should, I try to ignore it and move on ... but like a flashing red light, it now dominates the room. I put on my best effort, focus on the presentation, and move on. I am aware of him constantly shifting in his chair, making his condition more and more obvious to me. All the time, I am trying to avoid looking at the flashing red light, looking everywhere but at m client. It was the proverbial "elephant in the room" ... except it wasn't an elephant ... it was more like a hump-backed whale.
Finally, after about 10 minutes, he suddenly interrupts my presentation by throwing up his arms, saying loudly "Oh God, look at me. I'm sorry!", and making a big show of zipping up. I laugh uncomfortably, and return to the presentation.
So ... I still got it ... I think. I still bring them in ... unfortunately, now instead of luscious young ladies, it's 52 year old men!
The real question .... do I still want it???
Sometimes, it's not.
As most know, I work with investors and individuals doing financial management. Last night, I had an appointment with a new client.
Dutifully, I dress respectfully and businesslike, with a shirt, tie, slacks, and a leather jacket. I arrive promptly at 3 minutes to six, enough time to walk from the parking lot to his apartment.
The new client is 52, and divorced for several years. As I get to his apartment, he has left the door open, and I knock, and he yells for me to come in. It's a small one-bedroom apartment with a single front area -kitchen and living room-- what they call a "great room", but it ain't.
I sit at the dining table, and the client sits next to me. I open my briefing folder, a brochure, lay them out, and begin my presentation. Immediately, I am aware of two things:
1) His pants are unzipped
2) He isn't wearing underwear
As I should, I try to ignore it and move on ... but like a flashing red light, it now dominates the room. I put on my best effort, focus on the presentation, and move on. I am aware of him constantly shifting in his chair, making his condition more and more obvious to me. All the time, I am trying to avoid looking at the flashing red light, looking everywhere but at m client. It was the proverbial "elephant in the room" ... except it wasn't an elephant ... it was more like a hump-backed whale.
Finally, after about 10 minutes, he suddenly interrupts my presentation by throwing up his arms, saying loudly "Oh God, look at me. I'm sorry!", and making a big show of zipping up. I laugh uncomfortably, and return to the presentation.
So ... I still got it ... I think. I still bring them in ... unfortunately, now instead of luscious young ladies, it's 52 year old men!
The real question .... do I still want it???