The Dig

Two salesmen decide to take a sabbatical from their jobs and do something they've always wanted to do.  And so, after several months of excavating a site, an archaeological dig in Scandinavia, they unearthed an imposing statue of the ancient Norse God of Thunder.  It was an exciting find, and everyone associated with the dig gathered round to admire the figure's rippling muscles and famous giant hammer.  But what really set it apart from similar statues were the dramatic eyes - two dazzling, blood-red rubies that shone menacingly from his warrior-like face.

Knowing that the stunning eyes in particular would make headlines around the world, the two salesmen were naturally keen to claim the remarkable discovery as their own and, much to the amusement of the assembled throng, they squabbled long into the night as to whose name should be put forward.  The bickering finally ceased when they reluctantly agreed agreed to a proposal that the statue be listed as a joint discovery.

As their colleagues dispersed, one of the junior diggers turned to his friend and remarked, "Well, that was a fight for Thor eyes."

Moral of the story.  True sales professionals know better than to waste time fighting with a colleague over who should be given credit for a particular sale or account.   Both reps involved in such a dispute lose face amongst the rest of their colleagues and management.  Everyone knows if they had simply agreed to split any disputed revenue and had just gotten back to digging for more sales, instead of wasting their time bickering, both would have been way better off.

"While seeking revenge, dig two graves - one for yourself."      -     Douglas Horton