On Tuesday I attended a trade association meeting for the industry I work in making my living. It was a local association that I have been a member of for over thirty years. We meet six times a year, nice to be able to get together and swap lies and tell stories with people you have a common interest with.
The meeting was not well attended as far as number of people but I’m not much on big crowds so the fewer the better for me.
I sat at a table with three fellows I had previously had the pleasure of working with at a company over twenty five years ago. The company we had worked for was a privately owned small business and had a great owner named Mike. Old Mike was a great guy, he loved to play tricks on people and joke around with everyone.
So as we were reminiscing about the days gone by the story of how I turned the tables on the boss, old Mike, was brought up. It was a classic when it comes to “turning the tables” so I thought I share it with all of you since it was a topic of discussion over lunch.
One late summer day back in 1992 I was at the front counter of the store with Mike and we were talking about business as a car pulled up in front of the building. The front area had large windows so you were able to see every vehicle as they pulled in to park. This particular car was well marked with the decals of the local telephone company.
The man who exited the car was dressed in a nice business suit and tie. Mike didn’t care much for salesmen, especially those who wear suits and ties. When the gentleman came through the door and approach the counter that we were standing behind Mike asked, “How can I help you sir?” The man responded that he was looking for Mike, the owner, and he wanted to ask him a few questions.
Without hesitation Mike pointed at me and told him I was the owner, he didn’t want to talk to this suited sales guy who he assumed wanted to have us upgrade the phone system. Mike had this little grin that said “got you” and it was bigger than normal as the man came a couple steps closer to me with his hand extended to shake mine.
I asked the man what I could do for him. He proceeded to tell me that a friend of his had purchased material from our business for a “do it yourself” project and that we had supplied his friend a detailed drawing of how to fit all the components together to make the end result work properly. He asked could we do the same for him. The whole time Mike was standing a few feet away listening and grinning, Mike thought he had stuck me, but little did he know what was about to happen.
“Yes sir, if you buy the materials from us we most certainly will draw you a plan of how it goes together” I responded. “Do you have a plot plan with you of your property?” I asked. The man opened up the folder he had in his hand and pulled out his plot plan.
As I reached over and took the plan I told the man “Let me introduce you to Jack, Jack (Mike) is my right hand man and the best guy I have when it comes to drawing plans. As luck would have it Jack isn’t busy right now so he will draw it for you while you wait and he can sell you the parts as well” as I laid the plot plan in front of Mike. I patted Mike on the shoulder and promptly walked away headed down the hall to my office.
I had turned the tables on old Mike and he was stuck, Mike thought he had me, but I knew I had him and unlike Mike, I didn’t hang around to grin and gloat. Two hours later Mike had finished with the guy and came looking for me. He said, “I owe you for that one.” To which I replied “No Mike, I think we are even now.”
So the moral of today’s blog is never being owing to anyone if you can, pay them back and get even as soon as possible.
Until next time,
@sultnpapper