Yesterday I had a board meeting/ all days Sales boot camp. I wore my black Elie Tahari suit and put on my theatre smile to meet and greet the newly hired pigs of sales. I felt like I was wearing a mask – the suit was a shield: I was stuck and glued to this corporate slave mentality. When I think of a sales representative, the only word that comes to mind is “pig”. They are a dirty breed of Corporate America. I am clearly not a fan and until I meet one who is intelligent and real, I will continue to think of them as pigs. They sell their soul every time they meet with clients. They are great liars and terrible partners.
This meeting started at 7am. First and foremost, I am not a morning person. I grunt at the slightest sound of a chirpy “good morning” from an overly enthusiastic sales rep. secondly, how could they be so alive at the crack of dawn?
The meeting lasted until 6pm which was followed by dinner in midtown. Our corporate office is in Chelsea so this meant that we all had to travel together in a rented bus which by the way was a bit late – this of course drove the pigs crazy. All 52 of us arrived safely. We were then slammed with alcohol on an empty stomach. If you ever want to be entertained, please be in the company of executives who have discovered the open bar.
I have a theory: The majority of the reps I know are ex sorority girls and ex fraternity boys. They are full of themselves; cocky know-it-all little bastards.
Most were drunk before the first course. The speeches were long and made absolutely no sense. Rubbish talks about grabbing agencies by the balls …or something of that nature. I buried my face in my hands and continued to day-dream about the day I will free myself from this lifestyle.
I barely touched my food or my whiskey. I was just over it. But because it is my job, I have to. Those college theatre classes did me good. I mingled and laughed and had a great “time”.
When it comes to work, I am all for it. I’m throwing ideas out there which are later stolen by the pigs and thus, they are the cool ones with innovative solutions to our sinking magazine sales. Blatant pigs!
Dinner ended well after 10pm. I hopped on the train and started to think about my career. I love my company; I love the brand and I admire Tina Brown. But…I am so unhappy with how the company is unfolding after the old crew left 3 years ago. Because of the alliance with the Daily Beast, I have found myself building a wall to prevent me from correlating my brand with the celebrity infested gossip site and I HATE to admit that. I hate it! I should love both brands equally because it is where I work – I live and breathe the magazine. I’ve noticed that I have given 100% of my time and dedication to the company only to be treated like I am nobody (only recently – due to a new boss and new department). And I am not. I have a respectable title with a piteous salary. A few years ago, on my first interview with my old boss, I told him that my goal is to become the next him. He was on board with me – he truly believed in me; he sent me to a different department every year to learn the proper way to do business in publishing. I climbed the ladder and I swallowed my pride quite a few times along the way.
It is no longer my goal.
I want to find peace and be appreciated at work but I can’t seem to grasp this new concept these executives are trying to implement. I mentally checked out a few months ago. With that said, I have a few interviews lined up for the next two weeks. I am taking initiative and I am so proud of myself.
Maybe 2012 will be my year after all.
PS: I am not a sales rep.
oh to be stuck in a box… that’s an awful feeling. ugh. it’s so difficult to get through the days when your philosophies/values/ideas/goals seem to not match up with the powers that be. it’s suffocating. but, really really good news to hear that you have some interviews lined up – something that will re-light your passion & inspire you! keeping my fingers crossed & sending you good luck! xx
I know!! I’ve been here for a very long time. I just think it’s time to move on. you know? sometimes, we just know. it doesn’t mean that i won’t buckets the day of. I’ve got my toes and fingers crossed. I really want this one job at this really awesome fashion ad photo agency. thanks for the wishes. xx
Good for you! And good luck–you deserve the best, my friend. Can’t wait to hear how it all turns out.
Cheering for you,
Kathy
i am so freakin’ nervous. I haven’t been to one in years. I had to ask a bunch of my buddies what to wear and what to say.
thanks for the cheers ( i need them)
Good luck love! The world of work is a funny mind teaser I find… I have a lot of mixed feelings about what I do. Work good, company outstanding, opportunities amazing BUT I need to be patient… and wait for the experience to grow… and as ultimately I don:t want to do it forever, how long do I be patient… but whilst I don:t know what the “ulitmate thing” I want to do is I can:t seek it… hmm.
People told me that i was nuts for wanting to leave. but i believe (truly believe from my heart) that i have to make a change. about 3 years ago, i had companies crawling at my feet, now i have start from scratch. it is exciting but also depressing.
what a post! And how good it feels that I am not the only one thinking like this when it comes to higher ranking people in NY… It’s all about connections in this City, anyhow, no? I wish you luck in your pursuit of (happiness) a good job. Self-respect will drive you!
it is all about connections. I have a lot of connections but the problems is that there aren’t a lot of jobs open. keeping my chin up and putting on my big girl suit!
Don’t worry about their idea stealing – You have more where they came from! I feel your pain and wondering how you ended up in that field? Is there a way to get out of it?
i’ve got over 10 years experience in publishing. I find it hard sometimes to think about switching careers. my current job is one aspect of publishing i am not too fond of so i am trying to make a change. I don’t think i want to get out of publishing, I want to go into the creative side.
Oh, Gotchya! I wish you the best of luck!
how did I miss this blog from you? Sometimes relationships make us feel a little bit sad inside, like a sinking feeling – and that feeling should definitely be listened to … and that goes for your relationship between you and your job, too. Playing the corporate game, climbing the ladder, ticking the boxes, it’s all bull shit, We should be aiming to do things that we’re good at, that we’re passionate about, that we love … work takes up more than a third of your day, it get’s more of you than some of the people you love … it should be totally worth it.
I think I may be pep talking myself, here.
ha! i know exactly what you mean…we should all be happy doing something we love to do. Gosh, i wish i could do just that and not worry about my next paychecks. we are so freaking glued to paychecks it is ridiculous! we all want more money…more and more of everything.
Go for it girl, not everyone is capable of not only making this realization of it’s career but also doing something about