Many people are in the difficult position today of figuring out where to invest in their businesses and where to cut back. What is a smart move? What is shortsighted? What will pay off? Perhaps this story that came to me recently with its underlying metaphor from forensic examiner Ann Mahony will help you evaluate your final decision.
“I used to be a member of a business club in San Francisco, which hosted over 450 forums a year on a range of topics from politics, to the arts, technology, science, government and more. Although many programs were gratis, a fee was often charged for the most popular programs, which featured presidents, senators, celebrities, and famous authors. I was a volunteer hostess at many of the paid programs in order to gain free admission. The volunteer pool contained fifty or more people, who were needed to host the various events.
“A new Director came in to run the organization, and one evening joined our volunteer meeting. In short order he informed us that going forward, if we wanted to serve as
hosts to a paid event, we would need to pay. He then made a very disparaging remark about, ‘Everyone knows you just volunteer so you can get in free.’ Well, isn’t that how it works in most places? He was quite condescending and spoke to us as though we were cheapskates. These volunteers were fine men and women who loved learning and attending lectures.”
“After he left, one of the male volunteers said, ‘Good luck getting anyone to hostess a less than star-level program in the future!’ (Not all topics were scintillating). We would often, as a courtesy, host programs we weren’t really crazy about so we could be kept in ‘active rotation’ to hostess at the fun events. All I could think was, ‘This guy just ‘stepped over a $100 bill’ —- 50 happy, helpful, eager volunteers — ‘to pick up a dime’ – charge us for attending. Keep in mind these events were very well attended. They weren’t losing money by allowing us to attend. We manned registration, refreshments and cleaned up.”
“For several weeks after the new policy was adopted, I received untold ‘crisis’ calls to pleeeease volunteer for a program where no one had shown up to host. What did they expect? Previously, I had hosted at least one event a month (which I worked and attended gratis), and was happy to additionally host in an emergency. But please don’t call me to host in a crisis AND expect me to pay for the privilege. I was already paying to attend several of their programs, plus pay my annual dues. The unappreciated volunteers fled like rats leaving a ship. And the ship almost sank – until they reversed the ‘pay policy.’ By that time, the guy in charge had alienated so many volunteers they had to start from scratch and recruit a whole new team. So how much did he save in the long run? Nada. Zip. Not only did he not save anything, it cost him dearly in terms of good will, poorly staffed programs, and lost referrals.”
Short term gain. Long term loss.
Tough decisions are never easy. Check if your decisions are “stepping over a $100 bill to pick up a dime.”
Anne Miller
Make What You Say Pay! – with Metaphors
P.S. Handwriting and forgery expert Ann Mahony is board certified, court qualified, and has worked on all aspects of questioned documents including wills, trusts, medical & insurance records, elder fraud, real estate & contracts, anonymous writing, electronic signatures & more. You can reach her at www.ForgerySleuth.com or ann@annmahony.com
Learn How to Use Metaphors to Solve Current Corona-virus Business Problems
- To develop creative business responses in these challenging times
- To re-position your products and services
- To reassure clients
Call today to learn more 212-876-1875 or email amiller@annemiller.com
The virus has called forth a variety of metaphors, demonstrating again how integral this language tool is to human understanding and why carefully thought out metaphors belong in all your important communications.
To share a feeling… On the frustration of finding ventilators: “It’s like being on eBay with fifty other states, bidding on a ventilator. “Governor Andrew Cuomo. The New Yorker. 4/20/20
To explain a point in time… On the uncertainty of where we are with the virus: “There’s a lot of weather metaphors. People are saying,’This is just a breather before the second wave comes,’ or, ‘Maybe we are in the eye of the hurricane, and that’s why it’s calm.'” The New Yorker. 5/4/20
To show appreciation… On how the virus is affecting frontline health workers differently from others: “We are all in the same storm, but not everyone is in the same boat. Everyone is undoubtedly facing different levels of struggle, but despite your own struggles and the challenges, you, the health care workers, are patching others’ boats, bailing them out, and letting us into your own boat. You are saving us all from going under.” Letter to the Editor. The Daily Freeman. 5/2/20
To set an expectation… On how stopping the spread of the virus will take time: “A runaway train doesn’t stop the instant the track begins to slope uphill, and a rapidly spreading virus doesn’t stop right when herd immunity is attained.” “The Facts on Herd Immunity.” The New York Times. 5/3/20
To concisely nail a point… On the chances for a speedy rebound: “It’s going to take much longer to thaw the economy than it took to freeze it.” Diane Swonk, Economist Grant Thornton. 4/26/20
“To be master of metaphor is everything.” Aristotle
Stay safe.
If you like these Metaphor Minutes, please share with friends, clients, & colleagues. Thank you!