Battle of the Titans

So there's an interesting showdown playing out at work!

We recently got a new manager for our division. He has a dual function in that he also heads up a separate division for MEA. (But that's a different story). So he's on assignment, from the USA.

Here's the background. Been with the corporation for a number of years (about 13 or 14). Done well for himself. Has had various positions, including management, has been a salesman, account executive, etc.....
So, from a corporation perspective he's well rounded. He also had a stint working alongside the new CEO of the corporation (before she became the big shot of course) - which means he's well connected. All that aside, I had my reservations when I heard he was coming out. Don't have a good experience with these assignees, but I was willing to let him show his stuff.

Turns out, in 2 months, he has proven that he's a damn fine peoples manager! Probably the first one I have had ever in this company. He knows that people are more than just Numbers, or spreadsheets. He recognizes we have needs, families, need time off, want to earn money (as salesmen). He's already taking on the problems we have with the processes, problems with our commissions statements, with the fact that commissions are wrong, paid late, etc.

He is mentoring us! Yup, he actually knows what the business is about. Brings with him experience in the fields of the "new" offerings we have here in RSA. Does client calls with his salesmen, and makes a good impression with the clients. He is the right person for this job!

The moral in the office is much improved. He's no pushover, does not take crap, and you not going to spin one on him. But then, you wouldn't have to. He understands when you tell him what the problem is, that's it's probable, not like the previous clowns who immediately thought you didn't know what you were doing when in a situation! He respects the fact that sales is relationship driven. People but from people - no matter what you are selling!

So what's with the title of this post, I hear you ask? Well, his local manager is not impressed. She does not accept the fact that he knows more than she does! Does not appreciate that he pushes back when she tries to control / manipulate / threaten him! And therein lies the dilemma. If she does not let him run the business like he knows how, he's going back home - does not need her shit. If the business is not turned around, she will blame him, and probably have him repatriated!

Either way, we will lose a great manager - and the business will suffer because she wants to maintain manipulator control. What she was hoping to get is a yes man, what she's got is someone who knows more than she does, and reminds her of it whenever he needs to - and she has no way of managing this situation!

just got off a private cal to him, following a text message I received from him where he mentions that "We (us salespeople) don't need him anymore, we have a managed services expert on the team already" (meaning her).

So I called him to find out what he meant. We currently working on a few big deals. He has been invaluable with the input he provided to us. This evening he was in a meeting with her (and her lap dog - one of the salesmen who she has identified as "management material" (read "yes man/ lap dog"), and who happens to be the lead on one of the opportunities we are working on. She apparently ripped the solution to shreds - saying we didn't know what we were doing, we had over specked the solution, we had way too many resources included, and the help desk component was over the top......... Funny thing that... I had attended a 4 hour session with the customer earlier today, she wasn't there, neither was her lapdog, but they wanted to tell him we got it wrong. Thankfully, I had given him an update on my return, and so he actually was better informed than they were... and told them so!!! Fact is, I confirmed the solution with the client, who agreed that our approach was correct.
I think the problem is that someone somewhere mentioned a figure of USD20m, our solution (first draft pricing) comes in at USD32m. it's not over the top, even at this price.

But what she does / did not know was we did not spec the solution. Because they (the project team, including her lapdog) had only asked us to get involved in the last week and a half, and they have been working on it for 3 - 9 months (conflicting statements) we took the solution as specified by the hardware team (them who should know what they are doing) and priced THEIR solution as a managed service. We didn't make this shit up!

So, we have another big workshop scheduled for tomorrow - another client - another USD 20m + opportunity. For some reason or other, she got herself invited. I just know she's going to interfere, and maybe even fuck it up for us. My manager is going to be there as well - but I need him there for his expertise. So here is how this shit goes down tomorrow - if she fucks it up - I will make a big stink about it - and escalate the situation right up the sewerage pipe known as corporate ladder.

In fact - my manager says that back in the USA, base on her behavior he has observed here in 2 months, she probably would have been  charged in a civil court, and would be doing jail time for her treatment of reportees!!!  Hows that for serious shit! And here in sunny RSA we just suck this shit up!!!!

Anyway, I see a major clash coming - there's going to be blood, no winners - and if he leaves I think this division is fucked!!! More to follow - watch this space!

Salagatle!

From the New York Times on-line:-

Pat Robertson Says Marijuana Use Should be Legal

Of the many roles Pat Robertson has assumed over his five-decade-long career as an evangelical leader — including presidential candidate and provocative voice of the right wing — his newest guise may perhaps surprise his followers the most: marijuana legalization advocate.

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“I really believe we should treat marijuana the way we treat beverage alcohol,” Mr. Robertson said in an interview on Wednesday. “I’ve never used marijuana and I don’t intend to, but it’s just one of those things that I think: this war on drugs just hasn’t succeeded.”

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“I believe in working with the hearts of people, and not locking them up,” he said.
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Mr. Robertson, 81, said that there had been no single event or moment that caused him to embrace legalization. Instead, his conviction that the nation “has gone overboard on this concept of being tough on crime” built up over time, he added.

“It’s completely out of control,” Mr. Robertson said. “Prisons are being overcrowded with juvenile offenders having to do with drugs. And the penalties, the maximums, some of them could get 10 years for possession of a joint of marijuana. It makes no sense at all.”

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He attributed much of the problem of overpopulated jails to a “liberal mindset to have an all-encompassing government.”

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For his part, Mr. Robertson said he was “not encouraging people to use narcotics in any way, shape or form.” But he said he saw little difference between smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol, a longstanding argument from far more liberal — and libertarian-minded — leaders.

“If people can go into a liquor store and buy a bottle of alcohol and drink it at home legally, then why do we say that the use of this other substance is somehow criminal?” he said.

Mr. Franklin, who is a Christian, said Mr. Robertson’s position was actually in line with the Gospel. “If you follow the teaching of Christ, you know that Christ is a compassionate man,” he said. “And he would not condone the imprisoning of people for nonviolent offenses.”

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So, the ................... sections are where I deleted parts of the document. You can go read it in it's entirety online.
What I got from this was the following:-
a) Some people will do anything to get votes!
b) This clown equated the use of dagga with drinking alcohol - where is the connection?
c) Overpopulated jails are because of a decline in the respect of the countries laws by it's citizens!

So, why stop at dagga? Why not legalise all of the "chemical drugs" currently doing the rounds? What makes them different? In fact, why not decriminalise traffic violations? Who should say what speed I can drive at? And why do I need all my lights working, and tread on my tyres? Hey, who decides the legal age for sexual consent? And, if my witchdoctor says that raping babies will cure my AIDS, why shouldn't I be allowed to do so? (OK - it's a bit over the top, but you get the idea!)

The bible says "An eye for an eye" - right? So, if someone knocks down my son on his bike / drives into my wife in her car, and there is a death because of the incident, why can I not go after the person responsible, and take him out? Come on - make up your mind!

You want to legalise dagga, but not the word in the Bible? (OK - I know that it should be read in context, and I am not doing so right now, but I just want to get an opinion across).

Overall, I don't care one way or another if they decide to legalise dagga, other than I know I could make a small fortune growing the shit (no pun intended) on my mates farm. Problem is, once it's legal, the market price will plummet, and everyone will grow their own dope (no - it's not a reference to a midget Irishman).

Then we will have to find "new" strains of the stuff - maybe graft it to a grape vine / peach tree / orange tree to grow flavoured variations.....

Ah well, needed to get that off my chest.

Salagatle!

Dem Damn Dogs!!

So, when the dogs were still puppies, they had a nasty habit of going into the flower beds, and digging everything up. I got some "pet fence" stuff from a friend, and fitted it. Basically a steel wire mesh strip, which you put around the flower bed on purpose made plastic carriers. The you add power. When the dogs touch it, they get a nasty shock. I attached the end to my neighbors electric fence. 9700V!!!! The male was the first to learn that this was a no go area. I remember hearing him howl, saw him run to the front door, and when I went out to see if he was OK, he wouldn't let me near him, and continued to yelp for a few minutes. They never went back into the garden, and in fact, I disconnected it from the fence at least a year ago.

This week, for some reason, they went back in. And have all but destroyed the garden. Not sure why, but last night we reconnected the fence to the strip. I'm sure that by tonight, they will have learned that it's again a no-go area. Just sorry I'm o not there to see them learn it!!! Stupid dogs!

As Puppies.......

And now - as just damn naughty dogs....

Salagatle!