After my attack on the UK Banking executives who receive payouts for failure and hold expensive parties, I must comment on the 'big three' automotive CEO's that went to Washington to ask for bail out money, a mere 25 billion dollars collectively!
But did they have to fly to Washington on their private jets???????
Perception is of course reality and whilst as another businessman, I can see that the cost of such an excursion is negligible, in relation to the financial state of their companies… they really should have given it a little more thought as public opinion has sharply turned against them.
It reminds me of an old friend of mine, starting his marketing business with absolutely no cash – something I can identify with, only his problems extended to having no car and no suit for that matter. I called him on the eve of him pitching to his first and extremely high-profile client, just to ask him if he solved his problems. "The cash, no", came the reply, "but the suit and car, sorted", he said, in his finest London accent. "go on, please explain", I asked him, "simple, one of my mates is a car dealer and the other is a tailor, I've got hold of a morning suit and a Rolls Royce". I was absolutely stunned and silent and then came the follow up – "you always told me to be the director of first impressions Neil, well I've just become the CEO, still need a chauffeur though – you up for it"? Got to laugh, but he landed the account though!
~Neil