A con-call

Have you ever had a boss who works out of another city? Or have you interacted with a client living across seven seas? If yes, chances are you have attended conference calls.

Don`t ask me why they are also known as con-calls….

In my earlier job (with so many bloggers asked to leave by their companies, can I talk of my present company?!) I once had to attend a con call. The boss was in Secunderabad and wanted me to start work on a website building project immediately.

The call was scheduled for 5.30 pm. – the time when most senior people get creative and make the middle-level stay late.

I had decided to confuse my boss so much that he would himself suggest that we initiate the process after he comes back to Chennai. Here is how the con-call went –

Boss: Rajan, we will have to start the website building project. The files and creative are on the server. Download them and initiate the proceedings immediately.

Me: Mr XXX, why can`t we wait till you come back? We can jump off the bridge when we come to it.

Boss: No, I will be scouting for some more clients. And will be late.

Me: Better late then never.

Boss: Who is the boss here?

Me: You.

Boss: Good. Before you get working on the new project, make sure you show the prototype you built to the earlier client?

Me: I showed them the prototype. They say it is not as bad as they say it is.

Boss: What?

Me: They say it is not as bad as they say it is.

Boss: Whatever that means. OK…I need a commitment from you …when can we deliver the new client`s website?

Me: I can answer in two words. Im-possible.

Boss: I want you to deliver it by the 18th of this month.

Me: I give you my definite, maybe.

Boss: Be sure Rajan. Because I need to mention the delivery date. It is no paper & ink contract…but a verbal contract.

Me: Did you know that a verbal contract is not worth the paper it is written on.

Boss: Something is wrong with you….I am not able to tell. Are you sure you want to work on this project?

Me: Mr XXX, include me out.

I heard a click from the other side. The next day HR contacted me. They said I didn`t have to serve the notice period.

By Jamshed V Rajan

Jammy, as Jamshed V Rajan is affectionately called, is a wannabe stand up comedian. He has a funny take on most things but documents only some of them. If you are interested in chatting up with him, do drop him an email at jv.rajan@gmail.com or message him at +919650080255.

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