re: I inherited a project from a previous manager

I had one of those dropped on my desk when I took over Canada and the Northwest US.

Never saw this product before. VP told me, we developed this for Hydro Quebec. I want an order for 100, since I was told I’d have one when we were convinced to develop the product.

I returned.

1: The engineer that convinced the team to make this device has no authority to purchase or authorize purchase.

2. The Engineering manager explained that Van Tick was such a miserable Engineer that a job was created to get him out of way, so that staff could get work done. They never considered anyone would create a needless product for him.

I walked into the VP’s office on my return, then closed the door. A meeting was called for the original sales and development team. After they were chewed out…I told them “ I will handle Van Tick from this point forward. Pass all his calls to me.

Three weeks later, with a systems engineer by my side. Van Tick interrupts my meeting with Distribution engineering and demands a custom product already made, that lights Tom’s eyes up. I respond. “Give me a PO for a $55k custom product, I’ll give you one to play with.” Argument back and forth…Van Tick storms out in anger. Distribution Engineer announces to the table “ I see Ray learns fast. He understood our special place for Van.” Engineers laughed, let’s get to work. “ Oh, before I forget. We go to lunch around the corner. Van Tick will arrive just in time for a free lunch on your dime. You have flight back home and can’t stay for lunch. Meet us around the corner..

Van Tick walked in at 11:45. Then left when I told him my flight left at 1. He left in a huff.