Impossible is nothing

The incident relates to an event I managed for my client. I had to call the CEO of a very highly reputed firm in the industry, based again in Britain. My client said he knew him and I believed him! Only that I was unaware that the CEO did not know him. So, when I called him (could somehow manage to get to speak to him directly), I had to explain to him the purpose of my call and also explain about the firm I was representing. He listened to very patiently and humorously told me how busy his schedule was and how he gets to spend limited time with his wife.

The thing that struck me was his down-to-earth attitude. He need not have taken my call at all or even hung-up on me. But at his level, he heard me out and even tried to convince me that he will not be able to make it. He offered to send his colleagues based in Asia, if they had some time off their schedules.

Sometimes, we approach situations with the thinking that the situations are impossible, or that we would not get favourable responses. In this case, I expected to draw a blank. True, it did not achieve the objective of getting him to be a speaker at the event, but atleast, we know now that if one is a CEO of a very big company, he need not necessarily be high-nosed. It is the image that we generalise in our minds.

Daring to call & invite

I was once managing an event for a client, based in India. He wanted me to invite (hold your breath!) the Deputy Prime Minister of Britain. There was a reason - Mr. John Prescott had promoted the concept in Britain, which was the theme for the event. At first I thought he was joking. Why would Mr. Prescott attend an event, which was being hosted by a small firm?

I then thought that maybe he was challenging me. I took it up, got the contact number from somewhere and called up. My call was fortunately transfered to his secretary, who patiently listened to my invitation. I am sure at the end of it, she must have fallen off her chair. She asked me, whether the firm was representing Government of India, I said, no. The she asked very slowly, "Are you inviting Mr. Prescott for an event hosted by a private player?" I said (boldly), "Yes". I thanked my stars that she did not utter any harsh words, but very politely told me of Mr. Prescott's busy schedule, booked for the next one month.

To my client's delight, Mr. Prescott's regret letter came, personally signed by him on his official letterhead. He still maintains it!

What do I mean by life-tid-bits?

Each one of us have interesting experiences in our day to day life. It could be our interaction with just about anybody - a friend, boss, parent, child.... or even a stranger. Some are hilarious and a few atrocious. Some are serious and a few sad and some other bring joy in a small way... some kind of "feel good" factor. A few may be strange coincidences, bring sometimes memories from yesteryears. This space is merely to just list down such experiences.