Just Saying...

Admin Gal realizes that often business relationships are built on the interpersonal.  For example, a consulting firm will often use a company they consider a success as a reference to bring in new business.  In theory this is a good idea.

In theory.

In actuality, a consultant is a really good sales guy peddling high end concepts to companies who might or might not take the bait. If the company bites, the consulting company wants to use the 'caught' company as chum in the corporate waters to stir up interest.

This will only work for a short time before the executives of the 'chum' company get tired of the entire game and tell the consultants to take a hike.

Just saying.

Everybody is Important...

in their own mind.  

As an Admin there is a hierarchy of people in my life.  Numero Uno?  My boss.  When he says he is free, he is free.  When he says piss off to a persistent client, I translate it to a more palatable 'He is busy, we'll get back to you with a more convenient time.'

Everyone has something that is earth shatteringly important.  One of the few things that trumps my boss is his boss. And that is understandable.  

But a consultant we've done business with, who only wants to pitch a new venture is at the bottom of the heap.  Especially when he's been told that my boss's plate is over flowing with high priority things.  

Will they never learn?

Give A Gal A Bone

Admin Gal feels like a dog with a bone and ten toys, guarding her stash.

I walk a fine line with my resources so that the business needs may be met by the employees in her care while working with the consultants that are in the midst of the company transition.

Frankly I’m exhausted!

Help me do the math.  200 employees, 5 functioning conference rooms, 20-30 meetings on any given day.  Add to this volatile mix, consultants who are doing data transfers who require quiet places to hold hour plus long conference calls at indeterminate times.  The math doesn’t work!

There are no guarantees that I can get the consultants a conference room, so they are in cubes conducting these calls on speakerphone.  Things are tense already.

I’d say give the Admin Gal a bone, but right now I’m guarding my stash and won’t come out of my hole.

So, giving me another bone to guard might not be a great idea when I'm ready to snap.

Timeliness is Next to...

If a contractor says they are going to be doing work at 1:30 pm, knowing full well that the people they need to see are leaving at 2 pm.

DO NOT Show up 15 minutes past the deadline thinking that all will be well. It won't be.  You will have a very cranky, non-cooperative  individual on your hands.  Whose time has been wasted.

Just because as a corporation we choose to pay extreme amounts of money to be told how to manage ourselves, a little courtesy goes a long way.  Makes the sting of cutting those very large checks less painful.  So, respecting the various calendars, appointments and just the individuals time is a sign of respect.  When a consultant stops extending those common courtesies, well contracts can be broken.

If you set a time, stick to it.  It makes a better impression and the world a brighter place.

Reeks of Desperation

Admin Gal has had enough with the desperate measures of consultants. She realizes that times are difficult. The free flowing wells of filthy lucre of venture capital and large corporations have all but dried up in today’s economy.

But nothing, and I mean NOTHING, should ever bring a consulting company to stoop so low.

To Quote the Boss "Are You Freaking Kidding Me?"

Yes, that is a Valentine card with a goodie-bag. To add insult to injury, the bag had a stuffed animal.

People, this company sent these out to CIO, CEO, and other senior leadership positions. These consultants are suppose to tell a company how to forge a future?

Admin Gal realizes that they are trying to stand out in the ‘herd’, but keep the grade school antics in school yard where they belong.