My thoughts around corporate phrases and how this relates and doesn't relate to the real world is really driven by those little things you hear when meeting with a group "of your own kind." When the managers or executives gather, you understand that most of them really are aware of how they come off around people that report to them - yes, those little people. But in the same breath, they just can't stop. I would never tire of hearing people say how they were just here to help. But it was like, help in one hand and an extremely large hammer in the other. It sure always felt like help or die to me. So the phrase was born, "I'm from Corporate and I'm here to help."
So, say it with subtlety or scream it from the mountain tops. Make an event out of it. I've got the "Corporate Help - Event Staff" shirts, hats and buttons or the "I'm from Corporate and I'm here to help - Event Staff", a lot of variations on the theme. Personally, I kind of like it understated. Some people get it and others don't see it at all. It's fun to watch the reactions. As always, find these and other options here - http://www.cafepress.com/workredefined.
2 comments:
I laughed out loud when I first saw the "I'm from Corporate and I'm Here to Help" slogan. But not having spent much time in big organizations, I just thought it meant that the guys from Corporate didn't have a clue about the issues they came to help with, so they would actually be more of a hinderance. Sue (who works for me now but has worked in big companies in the past) on the other hand, immediately said one word: "Downsizing."
that is exactly what that slogan means. Usually corporate only knows the solutions of things that happen in a perfect world. Of course, real life does not happen that way.
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