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How much does it take to be professional in one's dealings? How much does it cost to keep one's dignity intact?
A Media Scion MS of a big media company had a big wedding recently that was attended by hundreds of guests, notably from business, showbiz and politics.
Several months before the ocassion, MS and Wedding Coordinator WC were into rigid planning to make sure that there would be no room for mistakes. Owing to the size of the event, MS with WC made no stones unturned, down to the minutest details to achieve everything as close to perfect as possible. And why not, it was to be the wedding of a very special member of the family.
As such, MS and WC chose only the best quality and dependable suppliers to be part of the event, from the choice of the venue to the flowers, on to the food and the wine. For the musical entertainment, there were many considerations and referrals given, but MS and WC zeroed in on one that was touted to be one of the best in the industry, an eccentric and a Multi-Awarded Band MB , no less.
Came the wedding day. It was grand in all aspects, with the presence of the country's major movers and influencers. Every essential element of the ocassion was well-executed and went as planned. The occasion would have been perfect were it not for MB band who was tasked to provide the musical entertainment.
Generally in most weddings, the band starts to play towards the 3rd or 4th quarter of the program. Usually this is towards the end of the 6th course (aka desert and coffee time), often while the bride and groom start table-hopping for picture-taking with the guests.
At MS wedding, this did not happen. Why? Because the group of MB came in late - so painfully and shamelessly late.
As such, MB was not able to make due preparations for their numbers. For 30 minutes of they arrival, they were still doing sound check when some guests have already started leaving the reception. Family members of the couple and some guests were seen looking at MB with eyebrows raised, obviously annoyed for their major faux pas that spoiled the ocassion in a big way.
The very stressed WC was at a loss for words and profused with apologies to the couple and their families. What's worse, WC was aghast at the attitude of MB, looking unapologetic, without guilt and remorse at the extent of their unprofessionalism.
Turned out, it was not to be the worst. Since MB would be paid anyway inspite of, WC told them to perform since there were still some remaining guests to entertain. MB told WC that they wouldn't play unless WC issued them car pass! According to them, since they came in late, they parked somewhere else, away from where the venue was. Feeling entitled, MB minced no words that unless they were issued gatepass, they would not perform. They had the nerve to use a gatepass to blackmail a client? What kind of argument was that?
That was the height of it all - being face to face with a nightmare of a supposedly multi-awarded band. Paid in full despite their major faux pas, coupled with barbaric attitude unparalled in civilized society. You think they got brownie points for that?
Such gross unprofessionalism completely demolished whatever arguments they had.
" Professionalism is about having the integrity, honesty, and sincere regard for the personhood of the client, in the context of always doing what is best." ~ Eric Lippert
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