No Commission? Watch Me Raise Hell in the Tax Bureau
At the contract-signing meeting, a major client casually asks our new technician if she can handle her alcohol.
She immediately pours a glass of red wine over his head and says coolly, "This sort of socializing is a bad habit. I'm putting an end to it."
Leon Langley, a top client who brings the company 300 million dollars in annual revenue, flies into a rage and tears up the contract on the spot.
As the project lead, I bend over backward to apologize and drink with Mr. Langley until I'm hospitalized with gastric bleeding—just to salvage the deal.
When I report the incident to my boss, he scolds me instead. "As the person in charge, you nearly ruined the project. Forget the three-million-dollar commission we planned to give you. Consider this a warning."
After that, I put Hannah Storrie's name on the department's downsizing review list.
She sneers. "I'm a top talent the boss poached at great expense. I'm not some cheap hostess who survives by smiling and drinking like you.
"Firing me would be throwing the company down the drain. When that happens, you'll be begging me to come back."
I ignore her. However, when the review period ends, the name on the layoff list turns out to be mine.
My boss seizes the opportunity to announce that Hannah will replace me as the new sales director.
"Clients are extremely important to us. You don't seriously think you're capable of landing them, do you?
"Hannah's is more qualified, more tech-savvy, and prettier than you. She's clearly the better choice."
I simply smile, turn around, and dial a number.