True stories from the front lines

October, 2023

I don't know how you get paid for your services, but probably the same way I do.

By check or electronic transfer.

However, from time to time I get paid in a most unusual manner. Here are three examples that I'll always remember.

The first I already told you about in a past issue.

It's a real doozy!

My shocking lunch.

And here's the second story.

I was working for another huge financial institution and was doing a ton of work for them.

They had a big trade show coming up and wanted me to do a whole bunch of writing for them.

The problem was that they ran out of money in their budget. They couldn't pay me by check but really needed my services.

So my contact there took me aside and asked me in a secretive way . . . if I would accept payment in cash!

I was really in shock at such a strange and unprofessional offer and responded that I would gladly take cash payment but I WOULD report it on my taxes.

Guess what? The offer of giving me cash in an envelope was quickly rescinded and I never did the projects.

Here's the third story . . .

Some time ago, I got a call from a young fellow named Mike Faith.

He invited me to lunch and told me that he could really use my services.

We got together and he explained his idea for a new way to reach busy CEOs.

Well, at the time I was jammed with work and told him that, much as I admired his idea, I just couldn't help him.

But that didn't stop Mike.

Two days later, going through my mail, I saw an envelope from him.

I opened it and inside was a signed blank check. Mike said I could fill in any amount I wanted as long as I worked with him.

As you can imagine, I couldn't turn him down.

How much did I charge Mike for the projects we worked on? My regular fee. (Who could write a huge number on his blank, signed check?)

Anyway, Mike went on to found HEADSETS.com and became a multi-millionaire. No surprise. He had talent and a vitally important character trait. Initiative.

Quite a guy......

More in November.

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