The Manager Effect

There were 3 conferences happening simultaneously - mine, the one colleagues were attending and a conference for Managers.  

This was the conference room the managers had.  I took this from pretty much bang in the middle of the room.  Yes, they had a stage and sweeping staircases and two balcony levels.

You see - management is just like theatre.  The managers are the stars.  Who else but a manager could come up with a sentence like "We're going to drive efficiency, agility and profitability all along the value chain" and not feel even a shred of shame.

The seating has been rearranged in this - when the managers were in, there were long tables for them take notes and enjoy the selection of soft drinks and mineral waters (replenished at every break).

When they broke for lunch it was also very different - a buffet selection of 5 main courses and five assorted side dishes.  There was also soup, bread, lots of desserts (hot and cold).  A feast.

A plus was because managers were there, there were lots of companies there making pitches. And companies making pitches give out Freebies.  Weirdly the on-trend Freebie this year seems to be cheap socks with your company name on them.  But, as decent, hard-working IT-Professionals, we felt honour bound to accept everything. 

Oh and the conference room I was in had busted air conditioning and a choice of still or sparkling water.