Bender Helper Impact

When I showed up for my 12 noon meeting with Randy Wells of Magnolia Pictures, the intent was simple — walk over to get a cup of coffee, discuss how we performed for his company during the year and seek an extension to the relationship for next year with the goal of securing a slight increase (a challenge in this environment but I had my ammunition ready). What happened next was a career first!

Randy came out of his office to meet me and instead of walking over to get coffee, he indicated to me that some delivery guys were at his house waiting to move some furniture into his son’s bedroom — and could I join him.  He apologized for the change of plan but was pleased that I agreed to accompany him. Randy lives about a mile from his office so the drive was a short one. When we got there, sure enough the movers were there — but they weren’t prepared to move anything. They told Randy that they are not contracted to move furniture out of his house — only allowed to move furniture in.  Well, Randy looks at me and with a slightly begging request, asks me to help him move his son’s sleeper sofa out of the bedroom.  Of course I agreed. How heavy could it be? It was damn heavy! And I’m in pretty decent shape.

After about an hour of supervising the movers, Randy was ready to chat about our business relationship. Needless to say, I had him where I wanted him — on the couch that we moved to his backyard. It was at this location that Randy agreed to the extension, agreed to a raise and basically agreed to pretty much anything else that I threw his way. Talk about the advantages of guilt — or in this case, the benefits of being a team player.

As I said, this was a career first. Who knows? Maybe I should attend all business meetings with a moving truck. Oh, btw, never did get my cup of coffee.

[Follow Dean: @dbender]