Today I was asked why I do this...
ri...@marathonent.com
manager asked me, "why do you care so much.....what does this"jihad"
mean to you on a psychological level......i wish you the best in your
battle......i wonder if you should be spending more time on the crucial
issues to sustain our western values...to alleviate world
suffering.....etc etc...."
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Seemed like something many of you might be asking, so I'll share with
you my answer (the letter was to me directly, so I am maintaining the
writer's anonymity).
"Terrific questions, ____, because when this is done, I will be
choosing to devote at least much time to the kind of noble endeavors
your note congers up as I will ensuring that 'Audrey gets that
audition.'
In the beginning, it was a simple business decision. I went 11 years
without a single dollar in receivables, then had multiple clients
almost simultaneously choose to first leave and then not remit
commissions. I was owed several million dollars and fighting to get
paid just made business sense.
The more I got into the problem and realized what a morass it was,
where the execution of the law was so incongruous to what it should be;
and equally important, learned about just how many of us were being
compromised by it implications, it became a journey.
Does it compare to hunger, or disease, or peace on earth? Hardly.
However, this law that has not only cost me millions, over the last
forty years has wrongfully cost our profession in the vicinity of a
quarter of a billion dollars in otherwise owed commissions. Somebody
had to be willing to be the Rosa Parks of managers or we'd never know
if we'll be getting paid for our labors.
I hope this gives you a bit more background about my whys for today and
a hint about my tomorrows. In the meantime, I also know that because
of your history as a respected agent, you are in a unique position to
help. Please talk to your old agency peers about this, or ATA
executive director Karen Stuart if you know her. We could use your
voice.
Thanks,
Rick