Yes it’s true. My sense of decency was violated.
Our CEO came to town last week and it was very interesting to say the least. He’s a really casual guy and very easy to be around. I thought it would really stressful to have him there, but it was nice and (dare I say it) almost fun.
The weirdest part was when we had our all-staff meeting on Tuesday, which was prequeled by a number of smaller meetings the week before, and we had a “connection exercise.” First we all had to close our eyes and meditate for a little while. I was sharing a tiny leather chair with a coworker so all I could really focus on was how sticky the seat was getting.
Then my CEO said the words …
“Now I want you all to bark like a dog.”
What?
Yes it’s true we barked (or Jessica and I snorted to sound like another coworker’s pug). And then …
“Moo like a cow.”
You’re sick man. Just sick.
So aside my CEO’s desire to turn a staff meeting into a kindergarten lesson some really good things came out of it and some things that aren’t so great, but we’re never gonna do so it doesn’t matter. Here are some meeting highlights:
A suggestion to have a logo on translated works I thought this was a very interesting suggestion made by our accountant as part of a deal with clients. It may never fly with someof our bigger-named clients (which a certain non-disclosure agreement prevents me from discussing) but it would be an easy – and free – way to get our name out in the market more.
Updating our Web site We should be getting a new Web site around the same time the Spokesman Review does (you’ll never remove those newspaperin’ jokes from me) but it’s in the same Web site limbo as spokesman.com. Someone was working on the site, but now we need it to be better, sexier and I’m sure there will be some kind of reflection thrown in there for no reason.
Starting a blog I actually liked this idea. I think it would be an interesting way to showcase our localization talents and appear to be more personable to potential clients. The tricky part is, not revealing too much about clients we have those cute little non-disclosure agreements with, but I think there’s a way around it. If we did do a blog it would probably be between me and Jessica, our Spanish translator, since we were the only ones who were excited about the idea.
Getting on Second Life … I don’t know how that would begin to work but if they would pay me more to do it I would.
3 responses so far ↓
allisondoty // October 25, 2008 at 8:48 am |
SECOND LIFE!!! LOL Well THAT is a blast from the past! I miss you Mel! I think you should do Second Life, cause they have a HUGE base from Japan Spain and Germany! And if it doesn’t work, whatever!! At least you got to learn about awesome 3d building! What else have you been up to deary?
Mel // October 25, 2008 at 10:13 pm |
I think it’s an interesting concept. I just don’t know how it work for a translation company marketing-wise. Like I said, I’d do it, but only if they were going to pay me more since I don’t have time during the work day to Second Life I’de have to do it at home (and it would be me doing since everyone else in the room didn’t know what the hell the CEO was talking about).
Aside from making barnyard sounds, I’ve been having fun. Living the life in a semi-big city.
bschraum // October 26, 2008 at 9:45 pm |
So these women that are throwing themselves at me… where can I find them?
I hope my first boss doesn’t make me do animal noises. That sounds like a total ego-trip:
“Hey, hey Bill, come over here and check this out. All you Employees, moo like a cow. Do it!”
“HAHAHA, that’s awesome. Your job rocks.”
“Wait, wait, wait, now I want you all to get down on the floor and pretend I just put out some Alpo. And also keep barking. Yeah, yeah, like Carl’s doing. Carl’s got it. So what to do you think about Second Life? No no, don’t get up…”