So, being that this is a personal blog, I pretty much try not to talk about work-related topics.. but this borders on the edge and I just have to get if off my chest. I’m pretty old-fashioned when it comes to trusting others and developing loyal working relationships. These days it feels like everywhere you turn a contract needs to be created, signed, notarized and then reviewed by everyone and their great grandparents’ attorneys. Obviously, in our sue-crazed world, we need to protect ourselves so I know it’s necessary. But for crying out loud, some things just need to be able to be done without the moon and the stars having to be lined up perfectly, you know?
ie: You want to pick Billy up at 6:05 instead of 6:00 today? Okay, we will need that in writing.
Ridiculous requests aside, I have, in the past worked some rather significant deals that I call “napkin deals.” These are the kinds of deals where if you can imagine, you’re sitting at a bar, discussing business over a drink and work out a proposition. The deal is so clean that it can be laid out on a napkin. This is the way it used to be done all the time (a long long time ago). No attorneys. No BS. No fine print legalese. It’s not because we’re lazy. It’s based soley on trust. It’s very very simple. You hold up your end of the bargain. I hold up mine. Boom, boom. Done.
I know, I know. You’re shaking your heads at me. Well, I’ve never claimed to be perfect and sometimes I’m just downright stupid when it comes to believing that this is any way to do business in today's world- ever. While I will gladly shell out big bucks for my continuing education, this was one costly lesson with absolutely no ROI. A very bad deal.
What can I say? Lesson learned. Lesson shared.
NEXT!
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