Last week I did something I rarely do:
Partook in a Facebook group conversation beyond a mere smart ass comment or drive-by one-liner. What happened was, a friend has a service where his team makes their clients a ton of sales by testing and tracking and building funnels, etc. Anyway, they had made one particularly big client a hog-nasty pile of money, but that client was getting some bad advice on the sneak by some 3rd party, and suddenly didn’t think they needed my friend’s service. Thus, they were always talking my friend’s ideas and plans and strategies down during their meetings, etc.
In other words:
The game was pretty much over anyway.
But, he was wondering if there was a way to salvage it?
My advice?
Fire them immediately, of course.
Or…
Go all General MacArthur on their asses.
Here’s what I mean:
During one of the more famous battles of the Korean War, General MacArthur wanted to land his troops in the Port of Inchon, which was admittedly dangerous and super risky, but would give the Allies a huge tactical advantage if it worked. The Chiefs all had their say, saying no, they couldn’t do it, too risky, won’t work, etc.
What did MacArthur do?
Keep pleading his case?
Argue?
Get mad?
No, what he did was, he silently listened to all the naysaying and nervous-nellying without uttering a single word. Then at the end, when everyone was done and declared their decision not to land in the Port of Inchon, General MacArthur took his corn-cob pipe out of his mouth and clanked it into the ashtray, stood up and said:
“Gentlemen, I will be landing in Inchon this September or you will have another commander.”
Aaaaaaand that’s how it’s done.
Here’s the way I see it:
If you’re in a situation like my friend was in… instead of stressing about it, pull a MacArthur and let your client (who thinks they don’t need you anyway) writhe around, gasp, gape in awe, and back down. Or (if you’re lucky) they’ll just fire you and release you into an ocean full of bigger, better paying clients who value you.
It might sound “unorthodox”, I suppose.
But, I like making people ante up.
And would have things no other way.
For more of my “unorthodox” ideas, go to:
Ben Settle
