Tossed Under the Bus N

I was going to call this post, "Tossed Under the Bus 1" but the "1" seems odd. There were many times prior to this and many times after.

The story:

At a networking luncheon I sat with a senior exec from a major international company (MIC) that had a local head office. It was pretty cool and I managed to interest him in both our story and also our product.

Through Mr. Keystone, from our Board of Advisors, I was able to arrange for us to visit MIC to give a seminar on our product to his staff.

It unfolds that MIC has weekly lunchtime seminars and it is common for corporations to travel across the globe for the opportunity to speak at one. It was a great opportunity.

Aside from getting the gig and arranging the date, I was to attend, but the big cheese himself, DC, was the speaker.

DC set out to put together his presentation. Now usually these things include PowerPoint presentations, live demonstrations and a rehearsed lecture.

I was actually looking forward to seeing what DC had put together.

At 10AM the morning of the event, I get a call from DC; a meeting has come up and I am to take over. "Can I get a copy of your presentation?" I ask with growing nerves.

"I don't have one, you don't need one." came the response.

GULP.

You see we are an online solution, all our demos are online. Therefore we do not need a presentation. All we (you... er... that is, I) need is an internet connection, a computer and a projector.

No Problem.

I race out of the house to get there early --I have a bad feeling about this.

I get there at 11:30 --half an hour early.

The computer is there, it is connected. The corporate home page comes up...

You see, MIC is also a military contractor and security is a major issue. There is no way our solution is coming through their firewall.

The room is filling with people, about forty so far.

12:05, I am still on the phone with their IT staff. No luck.

Well, time to start tap dancing.

I stand before an audience of 50 engineers and technologists, each one used to receiving slick lectures/presentations from those fortunate enough to be able to present at their lunch time seminars.

I got nuttin' but a suit and a smile.

I manage to explain the situation, get a few laughs and tell them our story. I think I did well enough under the circumstances but the applause was a bit weak. I can't help wonder if some of them thought we were a bush league operation.

Sometimes the truth will out.

Arrgghh...