My company has recently rebranded, renamed, and renegotiated itself into such a preposterous froth that no is quite sure who we are working for or what name to announce when answering the telephone (I stick to “good [morning/afternoon], this is Hope” which seems to suffice.)
The point which most of us are too polite to make to the rebranding enthusiasts is that no one –outside of ourselves and the honorary members of the organization–has the slightest interest in our internal organizational contortions. But apparently the change has filled those on high with exultant purpose, and many are the wordy emails–teeming with numbered paragraphs and bullet points–that attempt to inspire the lowly serfs with the same fire. So far, I remain completely indifferent.
HOWEVER.
Maria, the little Hispanic woman who so efficiently keeps our halls and bathrooms neat as a pin, was engaged in a puzzling activity this morning, and I asked her why she was examining each cubicle and office as she continued down the corridor. Somewhat frigidly, she indicated a stack of labels, each printed with our new company name. Her job: to find the little cardboard boxes people use to collect paper for recycling, and affix a sticker to each one, covering the old company name.
- People stow these boxes in various places–under the desk, on a shelf–and so it was taking a long time to find them.
- There are 11 floors in this building–I am on the 8th. She had started from the top, and had seven more to do.
Somehow, I could sense her lack of enthusiasm. There was even a hint of. . .furious resentment.
I was STUNNED. What sort of inane buffoon could have thought this was a good idea–worth spending money on? Was it worth bringing our worthy housekeeper to her knees, perhaps to the point where she considers hurling her mop through somebody’s window?
But no, she is too good and patient to even THINK such a thing.
Hello rebranding zealot person!!! NOBODY SEES THESE RECYCLING BOXES! And most of them are tatty and worn anyway.
In fact, I am no longer indifferent to our rebranding effort. I deprecate it extremely.
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