Calling Bluffs

I have run my own business on and off for most of my working life. It has its ups and downs but, being a self opinionated type, I work better following my own rules rather than rules imposed from outside. years ago I was a manger for a leading Building Society. I won't say which but I was born in Bingley just outside Bradford. In 1982 I was managing their Manchester branch when orders came down from on high telling us we all had to open accounts at a small local society as they were bidding to take them over and the investors approval vote was going to be close. I refused. I then had a visit from the area manager who pointed out that career prospects depended on towing the Company line. I relented, and opened an account. I then voted against the merger. It was a small victory but convinced me that big is far from beautiful in the business world. I relate this tale as I made a decision yesterday and, despite it being Saturday, composed and sent an email to the Company involved. Back in October, I made an offer to a customer too good to turn down. They haven't turned it down but haven't accepted it yet either, eight months later. During this time I have tweaked it at their suggestion and virtually agreed to supply them materials at cost plus a handling charge. I have a folder full of emails from them stating they will let me have a decision "shortly". What is likely to be happening is they are using my offer to beat down prices from other suppliers. I also have a product no-one else has. They don't want me to make it available to their rivals but won't commit to taking it fully themselves. This Company has the ability to make my last years at work both profitable and safe, despite the dreadful economic situation. This is why I have stuck with it. yesterday I emailed them saying "thanks but no thanks". I have waited long enough. David has decided to tell Goliath to bugger off. I may live to regret it but, as at now, I feel great and can't wait for them to read it tomorrow. If I disappear from view shortly, you will know I have perhaps regretted this decision.

I'd rather not know

It's a well known saying that knowledge is power. There is a bit of the voyeur in all of us, whether we want to admit to it or not. Most people I know trade gossip, however innocuous, in one way or another. Sometimes. however, there are times when I wished I didn't know what I know and I was capable of unlearning something. A good example is finding out something about a friend that changes your view of them. How often, following a separation or a divorce do you hear the comment "and they were so happy together"? What a ridiculous observation that is. They obviously weren't happy it's just that they kept it to themselves or you never found out. Other knowledge has different ramifications. My daughter in law used to to chat to a rather straight laced woman in the school playground waiting for the kids to finish school. The woman was very "middle class" and somewhat dismissive of many of her contemporaries. Some time ago they were at a party at a mutual friends house. They didn't speak but this woman got horrendously drunk and proceeded to tell all and sundry, in a loud voice, that she "loved to take it up the arse". Meetings at the school playground were never the same again. My daughter in law had no idea whether the woman knew her sexual preference was public knowledge but she couldn't speak to the woman without imagining her in a somewhat undignified position. I worked in Manchester many years ago and an insurance contact used to give lurid details of an affair he was having with the wife of a bloke that I knew of. It meant nothing to me until I bumped into the fellow and he invited me in to his office for a drink. On his desk was a photo of his wife,a rather plain looking woman. He talked about her constantly. It was uncomfortable. I know of an old man who deflowered the virgin brides of three of his sons. I'd rather not have known. Knowledge can indeed be power but sometimes, ignorance is bliss.