In Cal if forn i ay

Met with the client this afternoon, was totally blind-sided. We thought we were coming for one reason, the client had another in mind. They started demanding information we couldn't possibly have produced as of this time.

After being browbeat for an hour I lost it, I stood up and told everyone in the room that their opinions didn't matter, only one persons thoughts counted and I wanted to hear what he wanted then we would try to provide it. Thought I had lost my job but was told later it was what was needed if we were going to get back on track. Though I was cautioned I was a 'bit' overboard. May still get repercussions from my ' showing my butt' as we say down home here, when I get back to the office.

Bit of a hot head, huh, Whyemier? ;-) can't say I blame you - sometimes it's hard to contain the blood when it gets to boiling point... and thinking ahead with blood boiling is near impossible...
Being a Froglet in this "stiff-upper-lip" environment has taught me a lot about keeping cool. I love the respect one gets, in the workplace, here - so different from France where "everybody's out to get you"! But I still sometimes get that "I'll show them what I'm made of, they can't get me like that" bee in my bonnet, sometimes with consequences!
What is it that you do?
You nearly had us believe you were that very very old geriatric guy, walking with a stick, retired and spending his time making guitars with cigar boxes, talking about the good old times and shouting at people to get off his lawn! ;-) now we see how we have been duped! :rofl:

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Originally Posted by Alekto

What is it that you do?
You nearly had us believe you were that very very old geriatric guy, walking with a stick, retired and spending his time making guitars with cigar boxes, talking about the good old times and shouting at people to get off his lawn! ;-) now we see how we have been duped! :rofl:

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First off, I am a bit of a geriatric, been doing what I do for forty years in one form or another. Hence I should have had more self-control. I could excuse myself for being travel tired, our day had already been twelve hours by the time we arrived and had opportunity to speak with the client. Also no one seemed to be in control of where this ship was headed and what the goal was. Aside from being blind-sided we were getting to a point where what was being proposed was not doable within the bounds of what the client wanted.

But alas, I did speak out forcefully, I have learned you take the repercussions in life for your own actions. So we'll see if there will be any once we're back in Florida.

As to whay I do, I am somewhat of a glorified draftsman. After you've done that for awhile they call you a designer, specifically a Mechanical Designer. I design, with much help from others, mechanical equipment and process piping systems for refineries, bakeries, chemical plants and any other industry that requires my services.

Funny that's what my sister and her ex-husband were doing. My sister decided she didn't like it one day and announced she was opening a shoe shop instead. Shoes tend to make a woman happy.
Well, you know, however long you've been doing a job, I think it's not unreasonable to expect people to have the curtesy to prepare for a meeting when you have travelled a rather long journey to get to it. Personally I think it's pretty human to get irritated. And the fact that you have been doing what you do for ... a while... ;-)... tells us that 1) your employer values you and your experience and 2) you're probably quite good at it - I wouldn't fret over consequences, once you've explained your reasons in a suitably meek and regretful tone, you might get a political slap on the wrist, to which you'll probably respond "yes sir I won't do it again sir" ... and the matter will be forgotten in record time... It's not like it's a regular occurence and it's not like you've blown the deal, from what you're saying, right?

Oh Whyemier I am so pleased to read your post, I did wonder if after 40 years in the same job the ole patience was wearing thin or if it was some people becoming more demanding, in some cases dam right rude or very often b****y thick..... When you entered our surgery there where mobile phones signs everywhere asking you to turn them off,most people did but some forgot & would apologise but the odd few would ask you to wait while they finished a buisness call in the waiting room,excuse me either you finish now or I get the next person in,not taken very well or we have had someone actually take a call in the middle of a consult & wondered why his animal disappeared out of the room when it was obvious he intended to sort out a social visit rather than listen to the vet,just unbelievable but I am lucky that my boss was happy for me to do it & wished that some of the other members of the staff were more strong minded although on a few occasions he has told a nurse to take a client out & bring the next one in so he is learning.....! Those out on reception though apparently used to luv it when we had a client that was "wet" as far as I was concerned when trying to weigh a dog in,sometimes you just couldn't believe that something so simple could become so hard,get the dog be firm weigh in over consult can begin but some would be spending all the time trying to entice the animal on,then out come the titbits then we would have a cuddle & be told what a good dog you are {no you are not we haven't got three legs on yet let alone four} in the end I would say sometime today would be fine & preferably before surgery closes that normally made them hand the dog over so on the scales it would go as good as gold,brilliant,thing was they said that out in the waiting room the staff & clients all got the giggles when Jackie done her bit & the vet used to be straightening his face out too but for goodness sake there is a job to be done & sometimes you just can't zip it can you....
Although now retired I am helping out on a few odd surgeries but as yet have been a very good girl so perhaps I have answered the first line myself......xxx

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Originally Posted by Alekto;

It's not like it's a regular occurence and it's not like you've blown the deal, from what you're saying, right?

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Right, we did meet with the client again today and nothing was said and I kept myself in check. Still I'm not proud of losing my cool.

Aw Whyemier, maybe that was just what was needed to get things back on track ! And by the sounds of it, it cleared the air a bit, well for you anyway !! lol I think sometimes people get so of course they cant see the wood for the trees. I think you just wanted to see that old tree again !! lol Anyway sometimes it does to let of a bit of steam, do you feel better now !! lol

Back from California, will sleep in my own bed tonight. Already hearing from those in charge and its not bad, just a bit of "That might need to be tempered some"
. Overall the response is favorable if for no other reason than it makes the client pause and reconsider.

Whyemier, I used to have a boss that had many sayings and one was "diplomacy, is the art of telling someone to go to hell and having them think it will be a nice trip!" Some times it is easier said than done. All's well that ends well :)

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Originally Posted by donnad

"diplomacy, is the art of telling someone to go to hell and having them think it will be a nice trip!"

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I LOVE that! I'm gonna use it till it's blue!