I was getting instructions for my responsibilities at a trade show. The manager was trying to make the job sound like it would be easy. I just had to answer buyer's and sales reps' questions on candy and gum. It didn't sound hard, but I usually just take a job now and again for Hershey to reset product in convenience stores. How was I to know how well and in what markets certain candy and gum performed? "Just lie," the manager said with a chuckle. I couldn't believe his response. Silence ensued as I attempted to formulate a response, but it was broken by an offer to send me sales details. I thanked him for helping me to prepare for this assignment, and the call was soon ended.
In addition to self condemnation for my apparent inability to think quickly on my feet, I regretted that I did not take hold of an opportunity to share my faith. There have been liars since the beginning of recorded history, but it never ceases to amaze me how depraved the ethical and moral fabric of our society has become. "Just lie" ... and we wonder why there is so much mistrust in the workplace ... Enron scenarios ... and, and, and ...
1 comment:
Giving away free chocalate and gum was a fun job. The buyers really didn't have any questions and could have cared less about how to sell Hersheys products. Its much more difficult to sell other vendor products (e.g. I had a cigar vendor on each side of me). They seemed more interested in my free samples (great coming home gifts for the kids) and getting a raffle ticket for stopping by the table.
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