Piping Up
It’s never too late for a career change, which is why I am going to stop writing and get myself a job at Challenge Plumbing.
“Whatever for?” I hear you ask, “For plumbing is not at all glamorous.”
I understand your concern, but I am not aiming for the mechanical or messy side of things. I want a job in their office answering the phone. Yes. That’s right, the ‘electric telephone’ as invented by Alexander Graham Bell.
Last week I had faucet issues. When I called Challenge a woman answered the phone. Ah ha! A human being on the other end of the line. In the background the phones were ringing off the hook and there was much yelling. It was frenetic. I was put on hold the old-fashioned way, hand held over the receiver so I could hear the mayhem. Missing drivers were being located, time frames re-arranged, apologies given. It took me right back to my days in PR.
Now we are not talking Mad Men era here. A mere ten years ago, PR offices were vibrant adrenalin pumped hubs filled with cigarette smoke and coffee cups, whirring fax machines and thumping copy machines. It was messy, unhealthy and exhausting but it was high energy and there was a visceral connection with people. (Why do I hate the word co-workers?) Anyway the graveyard silence of offices nowadays scares me; everything sliding in and out on email from claustrophobic cubicles.
Of course I work from home and that’s even worse. When the highlight of your day is the plumber you have to start asking questions don’t you?
Brilliant ! I love your preference for people over co-workers. It seems your experience with real people at a real business was positive . It seems all to often we have genuine , real life issues that are met with static or sterile responses. Each person and situation is unique. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post .
Oh and yes my real name is Ken Robinson . I work in education and motivation but am no relation to Sir Ken Robinson.
Another Ken Robinson – happy to know you.
I haven’t worked in an office for many years but I do remember the hum of activity and the opportunities to carry on conversations with other people. The commotion did supply a sense of urgency and excitement to the work. I don’t get that as I sit in my home office staring at my computer. I’d forgotten what it was like – thanks for the reminder.
I, too, remember the days of the buzz and hum of the office. I begged my boss to let me work remotely because of the time it took to get to the office. That was 2 more hours of productivity, I protested.
Now, working on virtual teams and telecommuting, I love those times that I get to be in a real office. As a consultant, I get the best of both worlds. The buzz and hum and urgency of the office, but a change of pace before it gets old.