Over a decade ago I worked as a Business Development Manager (BDM) for a large, tier one law firm.
A colleague of mine managed a national practice was enthusiastic about supporting an event in Perth (Western Australia).
The business case stacked up, so it was approved.
Then a very wise, Senior Partner remarked to her, “Make sure you come back with more than a hug”.
I was astounded! Come back with more than a hug? 😂
What was he saying?
After a whirlwind trip, she might come back with nothing? Maybe this had happened before?
He wasn’t trying to scuttle her trip, but to focus on the long-term benefits of that investment.
It got me thinking. How many vanity projects do I start that end up with no real value?
It could be a doomed marketing campaign. Pitching a product that you know you will lose. Or taking on a customer with terms that are more trouble than what they are worth.
What empty projects tangle us up? How much more freedom would we experience in saying, “no”?
So in the future, don’t be fooled by the hug!
