i'm employed as a relationship manager. this means that my
employer has relationships with certain clients and it's my job to make
sure that the relationship remains happy, healthy, etc.
we have one client that we've unfortunately been making miserable the
past few months. realistically it's b/c we have another, much
bigger client who really pays our salaries but you can't really tell
people that.
last night, i got home after being screwed by my train (a rant for
another day). i got in the car, kissed my wife hello, and not two
minutes later, my mobile phone is ringing. it's my factory (in
asia) calling me to tell me that they weren't going to do something i
absolutely needed to do to avoid pissing off my not so big client yet again and not ship their goods by air.
now, shipping goods by air, from that part of the world, takes 10
days. otherwise, it goes on a boat and takes around 40something
days. my customer's orders were already delayed several times and
they've been very patient with us. i told the factory that i
would call them back in half an hour.
once i bolted down dinner, i get my laptop and it takes a while to get
a connection. my phone rings again and of course, it's the
factory as it's been more than half an hour. they reiterate that
they aren't going to ship the goods by air (the problem being they had
to pay the air charges and they didn't want to).
my boss is traveling for business, and isn't too far from the
factory. i suggest the factory talk to him instead, b/c i cannot
authorize shipping by boat or shipping by air without paying the air
freight. they talk to him and my boss decides that we can't
afford to pay the air freight and instructs the factory to proceed as
they wanted.
now, we've damaged the relationship w/ our client, possibly
irreparably. further, when i tell the client something now, they
can't trust it b/c there's always the chance that i'll be overruled and
my credibility w/ the client is shot.
i need to update my resume and post it online.
tonight.
ed
silverwhisper posted on Nov 17, 2006
| views: 281
Comments
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lioneljay said on Nov 17, 2006....
SW, I walked on my very first job after grad school for a similar reason. I fully understand what you're experiencing.
If there's anything I can do to help out with the resume, by all means let me know.
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universalstar said on Nov 17, 2006....
I havent read your blog yet. Im on my way out but I will catch up with it later. I just wanted to say I don't know who you are, where you are are, what you're about but I think your a lovely person.I hope that made you smile, it always feels good to be complemented though doesn't it!! ;-) -
silverwhisper said on Nov 17, 2006....
LJ: i think i'll take you up on that, sir.
universalstar: for a moment, i was confused what prompted that comment...you're quite welcome. i look forward to getting to know you, and welcome to soulcast!
ed -
nytquill17 said on Nov 17, 2006....
You're definitely being taken for granted. "Oh, I can do whatever I want to make this uncomfortable situation go away immediately, because SW will take care of all the longer-term consequences!"
I'm sorry you're getting stepped on like that. It's amazing how thoughtless some people can be. If you follow through with seeking and finding a new job, I wish you all the best and I hope you find a place where you'll be really appreciated and have a chance to put all your talents and brains to use! Keep us posted.
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Alyss said on Nov 17, 2006....
Rant away ed. That kind of thoughtless management is not something you want to remain part of for the sake of your own sanity.
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secretlife said on Nov 17, 2006....
You've been thinking of changing jobs for a while now, right? Post your resume, and make sure you keep a record of the fact that your boss made this decision so that when your client complains or leaves, at least you have proof of what happened.
Normally when I get burned like that I will compose and email to my boss (or whoever) with my complaint. I will not, however, send it for a full 24 hours. Sometimes in that 24 hours I cool off and change my mind. But there have been times where I have sent what I wrote. Sometimes it's an important enough thing that you have to get it off of your chest and to heck with the consequences....especially if you're actively looking for other employment anyway.
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hstock28 said on Nov 17, 2006....
I agree with SL's idea. You shouldn't have to put up with that kind of behavior. He expects you to make his clients happy. How the hell are you supposed to do that if he doesn't do his part to at least make that a possibility. Seems like a catch-22 to me. Best wishes. -
Zayda said on Nov 17, 2006....
Ahhh...Silver...it has indeed been a most exasperating day for you. It just sucks that you are caught in the middle like this and that your boss has done something that will damage a relationship with your client.
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CreativeWoman said on Nov 17, 2006....
Ed,
I'm sure you didn't deserve that treatment from your boss. I think you will be one of those professionals that is sorely missed after leaving, but who was under appreciated during day to day operations.
May better things come your way!
CW
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momsrock said on Nov 17, 2006....
I hope something better comes your way, ed. -
scalywag said on Nov 17, 2006....
Ed.....I think the specifics of your job and the relationship you have with your boss tell you best how to deal with him.....but you'll probably best serve yourself by getting that resume done.
But I certainly understand how you feel about your credibility and integrity being questioned. I would not like that at all.
I wish you well Ed.
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dailyachesandpains said on Nov 17, 2006....
Ed,
I'm sorry for your experience with work. As a former train catcher, I'm so annoyed FOR you.
Daily
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gingersoul said on Nov 18, 2006....
Ed, i totally understand your frustration. Thi is a classis situation that makes you feel used and squeezed, and understimated. It makes you feel stupid and powerless. But you have power. You can stop the game and get out of the merry go round. With the proper steps. SL's suggestion is punctual. I did it in the past.
I have been working in a similar demanding amd absolutely selfish enviroment for many years. It drives you nuts.
At the bottom it all comes to how much you like this job, how fast you can find anothe one and ...most of all how you can let go this experience with a satysfing feeling. You have to think about it in the past as somethign that taught you something. Good luck. I am looking for new job as well so i am polishing my resume as well..
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Sunkissed said on Nov 18, 2006....
Ed, if you told the client they would get it in 10 days, then they should. It's not your fault if your boss overrides it. He lost the account, not you. There should be some standard protocol you follow in these situations. Your boss made the decision to delay it once again and if you lose the client it is his fault. It must not be that profitable that he minds the loss. Don't sweat it.
Sometimes, though, it is the little accounts that carry you through and bring you more business when they are happy and refer clients to you, and I wonder if your boss realizes this. He could be cutting his nose to spite his face.
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Sunkissed said on Nov 18, 2006....
I just wanted to comment on Secrelife's advice on waiting 24 hours when in a "hot" situation. A friend suggested this to me also and it has been the best advice I have ever received. More often than not, I do revise the original letter. Great advice!
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silverwhisper said on Nov 19, 2006....
thanks, guys. :>
i won't be sending the e-mail. it's been 3 days now and i'm still just as angry now as i was then. hell, i'm even angrier now.
ed
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carmachu said on Nov 19, 2006....
Sorry to hear your work trouble,.
Dude *I* need a cloning machine, because right now there needs to be 3 of me to handle everything. Seriously. Try breaking down a grand for delievry AND selling on treh floor at some point at the same time. And have to handle child care needs at teh same time. I dont have enough hands at this moment. I tired....
Comment on "thanks, boss, for cutting me off at the legs!"
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