Soliciting...

Admin Gal recognizes that the world is turning, companies are struggling to drum up new business.  She receives dozens of cold calls during week of products that will better the bottom line, provide outsourcing services that will save the company and make us heroes (not), or have the next best widget in the universe.

What Admin Gal sincerely dislikes are sales people who call with the sole intention of annoying her.  Aside from their actual existence, no sales person should annoy Admin Gal or any other person on her staff.

Today's winner in the 'Uber Annoyance' category is a repeat caller.  This individual sole goal was/is/will be to speak directly with my boss.  I have indicated numerous times our specific process for handling these requests. After repeating the instructions three separate times in one conversation, Admin Gal asked the individual to repeat back what had been said.  What did the individual do?  'I can't tell you specifics, only Mr. XXXX.'

ARRRRRRGGGGHHH!!!!

No reference to the instructions Admin Gal had given were acknowledged.  Finally, Admin Gal said (in clear and concise language), "Do not call back.  We are not interested."

Admin Gal is positive there will be another call in approximately 3 weeks.

Following Directions

Policies and procedures are in place for reasons that are specific to the bottom line of the company.
As an admin, I am amazed by the convoluted efforts made to get around those simple steps.  All so they can "Save Time"or a classic "I don't need to follow procedure". When in reality they who go against the established protocols are just causing more problems than solving them.

The need to circumvent the process is rampant from top to bottom in an organization.  Executives do it as much as the employee at the very bottom of the employment rung.

So here is the truth, when people come to me in a fit of frustration.  Complaining about how they can't get something done because the process is broken, they present a pile of papers or an email chain of misery to me and beg me to do what they can't.  A couple of clicks of the mouse, clicks of the keyboard and a form or two printed later... VOILA!

I have performed a MIRACLE!

Maybe I have a sick sense of humor or I'm immune to their plight, they come to me grateful that I've gotten done what they've been unable to accomplish.  I simply say, when they ask how I got it done so quickly, 'I followed the directions.' without batting an eye.