Happy Birthday Mr. Samples
Nov 23, 2023 20:58:14 #
Nov 24, 2023 08:40:27 #
Jer wrote:
Just sayin’, I wish you a very Happy Birthday, RJS.
May your day feature health, happiness, and good times with family and friends.
Happy Birthday, sir and Happy Thanksgiving.
May your day feature health, happiness, and good times with family and friends.
Happy Birthday, sir and Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Birthday Mr. Robert, better late than never I was not on the fishingstage much yesterday so I'm a little late, but hope you had a wonderful day and knowing you their was lots of fun and good times going on 😂 like others waiting to hear your next story 🙏 wishing you many more years to come, I'm planning on coming out to Texas on your 💯 birthday party 🎉🎂🍦🧁🍨🥧 your friend Chuck
Nov 24, 2023 10:58:05 #
Who is Fooling Who?
This is a true story which happened in the early, middle 1980s. The major oil crash had already decimated the United States production, all at the behest of Saudia Arabia. All, as far as I know, of the service and equipment companies here were “Last one out, turn out the lights, and lock the door!”
I had been unemployed for the first time in my life and it was a strange, strange feeling. I told my wife I would be happy to even talk to a ‘wrong number’ caller since they were the only ones left!
An MBA classmate called and offered me a job as sales manager of a wire line company. That is a company that offers services of running an analysis of an oil well, so the owner can decide what steps to take to increase production or shut it down. Little did I know about the strange web we weave by accepting his offer.
I drove over to the company’s location and talked to the manager about what he wanted me to do. He, too, was a Pepperdine MBA graduate and what he planned for me seemed quite clear and easy. He wanted me to take on the job of handling all the sales of their services. I was to get a salary and even a bonus if I exceeded certain goals. I was to be furnished with a car and expenses. The car was a current model Oldsmobile 98, the usual ‘wheels’ for an executive in the Houston ‘oil patch’.
Any place else, this would have been a reasonable offer. I should have been suspicious of other different employees coming and asking if they could borrow my vehicle to run to the bank, or other small errands. It seems all the other company vehicles were empty of fuel and there was no money to buy gasoline, other than mine. I had personally filled my vehicle’s tank!
Very shortly I discovered this was the only way to operate. We had to pay our own expenses as the company was flat broke and unlikely to recover.
Next, in my calling potential customers, I learned the company’s reputation had proceeded it and there were few if any customers. I suppose I should explain what this company did. It was a “wire line” company, which meant it offered downhole analysis of oil wells so the company could provide remedial services to improve the well’s production. It was straight forward services. However, the company had trashed their reputation before I arrived on the scene.
As a recourse, the owner, another classmate, Jim, had installed Jerry who was a classmate, but one of little if any concern or ethics. I was never privy of all that had gone on before I came upon the scene, but from what I learned, both from other classmates, and disgruntled clients, he had entrusted the company to Jerry, and this was a colossal mistake.
I had already terminated my relationship because it was obvious to me the company had already destroyed its reputation, and there was little likelihood of recovery.
The owner, Jim had employed a friend and classmate to go and relieve Jerry of his position. Upon arrival, Jerry pulled out a pistol and laid it on his desk and remarked, No one was going to remove him from his position. Dan then opened his briefcase and pulled out a .357 revolver and placed it on the table as well.
The result was Jerry was relieved from his position, but the damage had been done. The company had been trashed and was beyond recovery. It was a shame, but it was too little, too late and this company could have survived and prospered it had been correctly managed. Just Sayin…RJS
Thank You, Chuckay. I had a good birthday, all day yesterday.
I even got a long distance call from my oldest granddaughter in Australia! She will have traveled all around the globe when she gets back home! And making a long distance call now is less than one from city to city in the past. Just Sayin...RJS
This is a true story which happened in the early, middle 1980s. The major oil crash had already decimated the United States production, all at the behest of Saudia Arabia. All, as far as I know, of the service and equipment companies here were “Last one out, turn out the lights, and lock the door!”
I had been unemployed for the first time in my life and it was a strange, strange feeling. I told my wife I would be happy to even talk to a ‘wrong number’ caller since they were the only ones left!
An MBA classmate called and offered me a job as sales manager of a wire line company. That is a company that offers services of running an analysis of an oil well, so the owner can decide what steps to take to increase production or shut it down. Little did I know about the strange web we weave by accepting his offer.
I drove over to the company’s location and talked to the manager about what he wanted me to do. He, too, was a Pepperdine MBA graduate and what he planned for me seemed quite clear and easy. He wanted me to take on the job of handling all the sales of their services. I was to get a salary and even a bonus if I exceeded certain goals. I was to be furnished with a car and expenses. The car was a current model Oldsmobile 98, the usual ‘wheels’ for an executive in the Houston ‘oil patch’.
Any place else, this would have been a reasonable offer. I should have been suspicious of other different employees coming and asking if they could borrow my vehicle to run to the bank, or other small errands. It seems all the other company vehicles were empty of fuel and there was no money to buy gasoline, other than mine. I had personally filled my vehicle’s tank!
Very shortly I discovered this was the only way to operate. We had to pay our own expenses as the company was flat broke and unlikely to recover.
Next, in my calling potential customers, I learned the company’s reputation had proceeded it and there were few if any customers. I suppose I should explain what this company did. It was a “wire line” company, which meant it offered downhole analysis of oil wells so the company could provide remedial services to improve the well’s production. It was straight forward services. However, the company had trashed their reputation before I arrived on the scene.
As a recourse, the owner, another classmate, Jim, had installed Jerry who was a classmate, but one of little if any concern or ethics. I was never privy of all that had gone on before I came upon the scene, but from what I learned, both from other classmates, and disgruntled clients, he had entrusted the company to Jerry, and this was a colossal mistake.
I had already terminated my relationship because it was obvious to me the company had already destroyed its reputation, and there was little likelihood of recovery.
The owner, Jim had employed a friend and classmate to go and relieve Jerry of his position. Upon arrival, Jerry pulled out a pistol and laid it on his desk and remarked, No one was going to remove him from his position. Dan then opened his briefcase and pulled out a .357 revolver and placed it on the table as well.
The result was Jerry was relieved from his position, but the damage had been done. The company had been trashed and was beyond recovery. It was a shame, but it was too little, too late and this company could have survived and prospered it had been correctly managed. Just Sayin…RJS
Thank You, Chuckay. I had a good birthday, all day yesterday.
I even got a long distance call from my oldest granddaughter in Australia! She will have traveled all around the globe when she gets back home! And making a long distance call now is less than one from city to city in the past. Just Sayin...RJS
Nov 24, 2023 11:18:33 #
Thank you for all the great Happy Birthday wishes from a great group of guys and gals! I don't know if I have acknowledged all or not, so perhaps this will suffice. May you all have peace and God's Blessings! Just Sayin...RJS
Nov 24, 2023 13:14:35 #
Nov 24, 2023 14:22:26 #
Nov 24, 2023 14:47:13 #
Robert J Samples wrote:
To all my well-wishers! May God Bless you, each a... (show quote)
Happy Birthday RJ and wishing you many more to come. After all we still need you for your Bomber lure expertise
Nov 24, 2023 16:30:48 #
Nov 24, 2023 22:50:20 #
Mauwehu
Loc: Norwalk Ct
Happy Birthday RJ and many more.
You “ain’t” out of stories yet!!
Just saying…….
You “ain’t” out of stories yet!!
Just saying…….
Nov 26, 2023 13:50:56 #
MuskyJohn
Loc: Benton Harbor, MI
Happy Birthday RJS!!!!
I didn't know you had a Boston Terrier puppy.
That's awesome! My wife and I rescue them.
Usually the really old ones.
But have a good day! And send photos of your pup if you can.
I didn't know you had a Boston Terrier puppy.
That's awesome! My wife and I rescue them.
Usually the really old ones.
But have a good day! And send photos of your pup if you can.
Nov 26, 2023 18:34:38 #
Nov 27, 2023 14:25:49 #
Nov 27, 2023 17:40:26 #
Hello Mr. John: Not a problem wishing me a belated birthday, it is just fine a week before or a week later! Thank you! Just Sayin...RJS
Nov 27, 2023 18:48:09 #
Nov 29, 2023 11:20:21 #
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