Corporate America

Okay - so here's how a meeting went today.

Well, actually, here is basically a direct quote of about 10 mins of the meeting... Abbott and Costello live.

Me --"I think I understand, but let me say it back to you so that we know we're all on the same page here.

You'd like me to validate the number you have on your spreadsheet and tell you if it includes handling and freight, but I can't have a copy of the spreadsheet, and you aren't certain where that number came from or what goes into that number, only that it came from your finance team and have been assured that it is correct."

Reply - "Yep - thats what we're looking for"

Me- "So what am I supposed to be telling you? I don't quite understand which cost this is for, which campaign are we talking about?"

Reply - "Well this is just for planning and budgets, we're looking ahead."

Me - "Oh, okay. If you can tell me what the plan is for, I can tell you what my numbers should be."

Reply -"That's not in our spreadsheet, we just want you to tell us if the numbers are right."

Me - "Sure, what numbers?"

Reply - "The one in the spreadsheet" (At this point, the two other people in the room with me on the call are almost on the floor laughing.)

Me - "Can you share the spreadsheet with me? Maybe I can try to back out the numbers."

Reply - "Sorry, I've been asked not to share this spreadsheet with anyone, its highly confidential."

Me - "Okay- well, I'm not really sure I can be much help. I can tell you how I would arrive at some numbers, but without any tactics I can't really give you a number."

Reply - "Oh, no I understand that, I just need you to tell me that the number I have is correct."

Me - "Okay, what's the number?

Reply - "I've been asked not to share it."

Me - "Okay, well, what are you trying to do?"

Reply - "Verify if the number is accur.....

At this point one of my teammates stops laughing long enough to hijack the conversation.

Gin Hahn,
T