Don't Bite the Hand that Feeds You!

That was the mistake! A terrible mistake! ...John thought that he could express his opinion freely and gives advices to his colleges. How wrong he was!!

He studied Marketing at the University and there, he learned all about multinational companies, but he had no idea about small and familiar companies. When he started to work, there was only two departments (Accounting and Sales) and Direction. Of course, the owner of the enterprise was the Director too. The person charged of Account Department was the Owner’s son, and Sales Department was managed by a prepotent guy who was working in this company for 15 years. That was all, there wasn’t Marketing Department or something like that.

John had to accept this job cause he just finished his degree and he needed money to pay the flat rent. At that time, he lived in an old and centric flat with three more flat-mates. Fortunately for him, he hadn’t share his room with no one and his bed room was like a relax island for him.

It could be said than John was a “lucky men”. He was 23 years, single, with university studies, with a rented-flat, and now, with a new job.

At the beginning, he looked like higly motivated, participatory, friendly and trustful. He tried to be useful and he didn’t doubt to express his opinion although nobody asked him. This is my job, John thought, I must  use my brain, I must present my point of view, maybe my colleges aren’t agree with me but they always respect my ideas...That wasn’t what John thought!!

His first dissapointment was the two weeks of being in the company. His boss, Martin (the prepotent Guy) didn’t invite him to an important meeting about “Commercial Plans”. I’ve forgotten to mencion, that John was the person in charge of “All Marketing Actions”, literally, those were “the words” that his boss pronounced to describe his job when he was hired. Therefore It was justified his dissapointment.

                                                

He tried to persuade Martin to added him in the meeting, but Martin ignored his suggestion. John didn’t throw in the towel and said that the most intelligent idea was to get him at the meeting because he had solid knowledge about “efective Marketing actions” and Martin had an important “background”, so the mix was perfect to take good decisions. We could make a Marketing Plan with specific actions to reach the goals, John said. If we have enough budget we could plan promotional activities to help us to increase the sales, even we could make a DAFO Analysis (weakness-threats-strenghts-opportunities)...Martin looked up and down to John and answered “Mind your own business”, “I have a lot of work and I can’t waste time with you”. “Every year I meet with the Director and dispatch this issue in ten minutes”. “We haven’t got budget to Commercial Actions”. “I’ve never heard about DAFO Analysis”. “We don’t need a Marketing Plan because our goal is simple and clear, Sell  more every year”and “Don’t worry about promotional activities. Each year, we make pens and caps with our logo, we give ham, cheese and wine to our best clients.  If I want to make an important deal I have got the  business card and I invite them to lunch. Then we go to the night club to sign the contract”, so as you can see, “I don’t need your help because I have all under control”.

John didn’t bite the hand of his boss. Resigned, he accepted his role into the company. Since then, he never was useful in the company, he always “left his brain at home” because all his tasks were administrative and did not need it. 

John was working for that company during  long five years. One day, he couldn’t stand more and he went up the stairs, knocked the Director’s door and “Bit  the Hand that Fed Him” during that time.

The owner of the company fired him because John was easily replaceable, unlike Martin, which was essential.

José María Donate

Marketing Consultant