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.