Intense is the only way to describe the debate in my office last Friday. Intense and full of conviction. And passion! Everyone is deeply passionate about their position on the matter. Intense, full of conviction and passion!
It started mid-afternoon. We're all feeling a little on edge. I've been through downturns and slumps before. Most of my employees are young. Wild and busy times are all they know. The great smooth or nubby debate released a waterfall of emotion, catching me off guard.
In the end, I was isolated; trying hopelessly to advocate my position. No one was buying. I looked to Tammy, our Sales VP for support. Using skills she's honed over years of selling - wanting to acknowledge and validate everyone's position - she completely ducked taking sides. Waving her hands and turning away she left me on my own . . . alone . . . isolated. Like the nubby one on the ledge by the copier.
Kara is a terrific Closer. She is assertive when the situation warrants. She did not back down. When I questioned her belief that - "everyone knows that smooth is better!" - immediately she turned to Stephanie and Jeanette for testimonials. I heard a litany of reasons why smooth is better ending with the most convincing argument so far - "Nubby is icky!"
For further confirmation of my cluelessness, they get Jamie and Barbie from our Eastside office on the speaker phone. Stunned, I listened to Jamie, as nice a person as you'll ever meet, immediately and without coaxing, deliver a fiery rant that completely undermines my position. "Of course smooth is better", she concludes, as if only a moron could believe otherwise.
Desperate now, I called to Jack and Elizabeth, two of our abstractors, for help. They sat quietly with a smirk. That abstractor smirk I've often seen across the room in the Recorder's office. That smirk that says "I know the answer; too bad that I am not a part of your conversation." No help at all.
So, here is the question. Smooth or nubby? Paper clips that is. Which are better; smooth or nubby paper clips?
The emboldened majority insists that smooth paper clips are better. That's what we'll use in the office. They must be obeyed. I am an independent thinker, a maverick, and my own man. I will use nubby clips from the secret stash in my desk drawer.
How about you? Smooth or nubby? We all want to know.
Nubby looks great on actors in the movies -- but I don't want a nubby (unshaven faced) boyfriend. I agree with your staff -- smooth is better -- only in the movies is nubby ok. ~ Evelyn
I would say that 'smooth' is an improvement......and came into existence because 'nubby' was no longer adequate or efficient............they have become outdated........:-)....some people resist change because the devil you do know is more comforting then the devil you don't know....unfortunately angels aren't options..........or are they?
Evelyn: Yes, nubby doesn't cut it in my home either!
Liz: "Some people resist change", you say? I resemble that remark!
Thanks for the comments.
John
And the look on your face...Priceless! In the Title world you hire employees that pay attention to all the fine details! You just had no idea that details were very important even when purchasing paper clips!!! The day of this great office humor I attended a motivational seminar by Terry Watson "Why be Normal". Terry stressed that Humor is important for Success! Another Unique quality of John Bethell Title, we know how to laugh at the simple things in life! PAPER CLIPS.....
Myself, I like nubby. But then I'm an old fart.
Mike in Tucson
Tammy . . . yes, we laugh at the simple things - why is everyone pointing at me?
Mike: It's interesting. A number of friends have emailed me rather than come out of the closet on this and leave a comment. It appears the we have a Mars and Venus thing going on here. No women like nubby and no men like smooth. No wonder we don't always get along!
Thanks for stopping by!
John: The big smooth ones. Nothing small. Those things are worthless for the piles of paper we turn in. The nubby ones would be fine too....as long as they are large.
What a nice departure from the serious stuff, thanks for the laugh!
Chris Ann - Sorry, we're only discussing smooth or nubby here, not big or small. (btw-I like your cats!)
Caren - You're welcome. So which side are you on? Smooth or Nubby?
Thanks for checking in!
If your office was paperless, there would be no debate!
Chris, before our office can become paperless, the world must become lawyerless ;-)
Well, John, thank you for introducing me to your whole office staff before I figured out what the heck you were talking about. Sounds like a great group of people.
I gave up paper clips. I am hooked on binder clips. They work for everything. I even keep one clipped on the strap on my camera - I can use it to hold my hair back from blowing over the lens while taking photos in the wind.
And they are smooth. :)
Virginia: Yes, I'm incredibly fortunate to work with a great group of people. Binder clips, eh? I recall being the victim in a similar beatdown about which size of binder clip is best. Medium seemed to prevail although those of us who know, prefer large.