This is a True Story.....

Ok, I need to break my vow to only blog via SMS for this one but I will keep it brief.

A company - let's call them Ranger - hires a few of our alumni. They are not a client so we call them up to pitch them on our services.

"We are very impressed with your people" they say

"We cannot use outside vendors" they say "new corporate policy...budgets are tight."

"How about we contract for $1?" I ask

"Huh?" she says...."Really?....$1....you can't be serious."

"I am absolutely serious...I would rather get $1 than nothing" I reply "Plus...I care that our folks go to work for great companies like Ranger. Also, things will turn around for you eventually and I will have shown you I am serious about investing in this relationship."

"That sounds kind of crazy" she says

"I am kind of a crazy guy" I reply

"Let me check" she says

[we agree to a meeting in two weeks]

Here is the email I just received:

Hi Towsend, I need to cancel our 12/9 call. I met w/ my manager yesterday before she left for vacation. We are under strict direction from senior management levels not to engage with external vendors for the remainder of the year and moving into 2009. I appreciate your information that you shared with me. Thanks again

Ladies and gentlemen, the world has gone crazy!