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Authors: Kristen Luciani
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about how we can burn through more cash that we should be spending on new product development. Shouldn’t we be focusing on increasing our revenues? Isn’t that going to tell a better story than the company that focused its funds on efforts other than profit?”
Jessica bit her lower lip. Shit. This guy is clearly on some kind of power trip . I can’t let him derail the meeting. I need this contract signed before I leave!
Rich pushed his chair back and stood up. “I’m done here. I don’t need to hear any more about how badly we need someone else help us execute our strategy. We’ve done just fine on our own, and we don’t need any of your so-called experts getting in our way.” He stalked out of the room, slamming the door.
Andy and Margaret exchanged apprehensive glances.
“I’m really sorry about that.” Andy sighed. “The three of us are the senior management team for the company and unfortunately, Margaret and I have a different viewpoint than Rich about the immediate needs of the company. Both of us understand that time is of the essence with our products and we need to strike while the iron is hot.”
Jessica hesitated. “Andy, I think you have a great opportunity with an IPO, but your management team really needs to be in sync before you move forward with us. Part of the process is to market you as a cohesive team. Any dissention is going to reflect badly on the company.”
Margaret nodded. “She’s right, Andy. Rich needs to come around before we can move forward. Jessica, we’d really like for you to come back—how long will you be in town?”
Jessica glanced at her calendar. “I should be able to return tomorrow morning. Will that work?”
“That would be great.” Andy nodded. “We’ll take care of Rich. I’m sorry we wasted your time today.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Jessica hoped she didn’t sound as deflated as she felt. “We’ll work everything out.” Without Secure Transact as a client, her projected profits for the consulting practice were going to be way too weak. There wasn’t time to bulk up the numbers before presenting her recommendation to the partners. They’re expecting strong results and they’ll never let me keep moving on this practice unless I can sign these guys. If Andy and Margaret don’t take care of Rich, my chances for that promotion will go up in smoke.
PAUL MANEUVERED THE Alpha Romeo into a parking spot, his thoughts scattered. He made sure all the paperwork was tucked into his briefcase and got out of the car. The board wanted to discuss some final details around his donation before the dedication ceremony next week. He admired the architecture of the newly erected building, a momentary wave of sadness washing over him. It was a bittersweet reminder of everything he’d overcome to get to this point in his life, a horrifying past he longed to bury forever.
The ringing iPhone jolted him out of his daze. “Emerson.”
“Paul, it’s Mia. I just wanted to let you know the paperwork for Secure Transact is completed and we’re filing on Monday.”
Mia Bradshaw was one of his newest senior associates. She looked more like a model than a financial genius but her brilliance was worth every penny he paid her.
“Great.” Paul looked at his watch. “I’m headed into a meeting now, so give me a call later if you need anything else for the filing.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
He had time for one more call before the meeting. Paul dialed Rich Blakely’s cell phone number.
“This is Rich.”
“Rich, it’s Paul. I have some good news. All the paperwork is complete. The filing is scheduled for Monday morning.” And Androtti’s livelihood is about to go up in smoke. Paul’s ex-business partner, Ray Androtti, was the sole investor in Secure Transact and as of next week, he was about the lose the last profitable investment in his portfolio. You don’t cross Paul Emerson and expect to escape unscathed.
“That’s great! I took care of
Jessica bit her lower lip. Shit. This guy is clearly on some kind of power trip . I can’t let him derail the meeting. I need this contract signed before I leave!
Rich pushed his chair back and stood up. “I’m done here. I don’t need to hear any more about how badly we need someone else help us execute our strategy. We’ve done just fine on our own, and we don’t need any of your so-called experts getting in our way.” He stalked out of the room, slamming the door.
Andy and Margaret exchanged apprehensive glances.
“I’m really sorry about that.” Andy sighed. “The three of us are the senior management team for the company and unfortunately, Margaret and I have a different viewpoint than Rich about the immediate needs of the company. Both of us understand that time is of the essence with our products and we need to strike while the iron is hot.”
Jessica hesitated. “Andy, I think you have a great opportunity with an IPO, but your management team really needs to be in sync before you move forward with us. Part of the process is to market you as a cohesive team. Any dissention is going to reflect badly on the company.”
Margaret nodded. “She’s right, Andy. Rich needs to come around before we can move forward. Jessica, we’d really like for you to come back—how long will you be in town?”
Jessica glanced at her calendar. “I should be able to return tomorrow morning. Will that work?”
“That would be great.” Andy nodded. “We’ll take care of Rich. I’m sorry we wasted your time today.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Jessica hoped she didn’t sound as deflated as she felt. “We’ll work everything out.” Without Secure Transact as a client, her projected profits for the consulting practice were going to be way too weak. There wasn’t time to bulk up the numbers before presenting her recommendation to the partners. They’re expecting strong results and they’ll never let me keep moving on this practice unless I can sign these guys. If Andy and Margaret don’t take care of Rich, my chances for that promotion will go up in smoke.
PAUL MANEUVERED THE Alpha Romeo into a parking spot, his thoughts scattered. He made sure all the paperwork was tucked into his briefcase and got out of the car. The board wanted to discuss some final details around his donation before the dedication ceremony next week. He admired the architecture of the newly erected building, a momentary wave of sadness washing over him. It was a bittersweet reminder of everything he’d overcome to get to this point in his life, a horrifying past he longed to bury forever.
The ringing iPhone jolted him out of his daze. “Emerson.”
“Paul, it’s Mia. I just wanted to let you know the paperwork for Secure Transact is completed and we’re filing on Monday.”
Mia Bradshaw was one of his newest senior associates. She looked more like a model than a financial genius but her brilliance was worth every penny he paid her.
“Great.” Paul looked at his watch. “I’m headed into a meeting now, so give me a call later if you need anything else for the filing.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
He had time for one more call before the meeting. Paul dialed Rich Blakely’s cell phone number.
“This is Rich.”
“Rich, it’s Paul. I have some good news. All the paperwork is complete. The filing is scheduled for Monday morning.” And Androtti’s livelihood is about to go up in smoke. Paul’s ex-business partner, Ray Androtti, was the sole investor in Secure Transact and as of next week, he was about the lose the last profitable investment in his portfolio. You don’t cross Paul Emerson and expect to escape unscathed.
“That’s great! I took care of
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