Ben is first to arrive, followed immediately by Connor, who comes in carrying a coffee for himself, and one for me too. John is next, and then finally Martin, who whistles as soon as he seesme.
“Damn, Annie, all dressed up today. You got a big date tonight or something?”
I blush, immediately conscious of the fact I’m in a miniskirt, which makes everyone except Connor heckle at me, certain that they’ve called it and I have some mystery hot rendezvous that starts immediately after work. My denial sounds weak, which only sets them off further, and though I insist Idon’thave a date, and am not that dressed up, the damage is done. I am on track to receive a light ribbing about going on a date after work for several days.
Finally, finally, we turn to work conversation, and I’m allowed to begin my presentation.
“Gentlemen,” I say, clicking my remote to pull up the first slide. “Welcome to Operation Use the Dashboard.”
I start by walking them through all the feedback sessions, pulling out a few choice quotes here and there and dividing the feedback into the three most common objections I heard, then walk them through how we can address each of these.
Most of the stuff is minor. There are a few usability issues that I need the guys to agree to address, but most of the other work I can do on my own. I show them the folder of training videos I’ve filmed on my computer already. John promises to watch every singleone.
“This is awesome, Annie,” Connor says, with such genuine warmth that it makes my insides glow.
“I’m glad you think so,” I tell him, “because that brings me to the final phase of our rollout plan.”
I click the remote and the final slide springs up on the projector in front of us. It readsLUNCH AND LEARNin animated font.
His eyebrows go up. “You’re going to host a Lunch and Learn?”
“Actually, you’re going to host it. Next Wednesday.”
“No,” he says flatly.
“Yes,” I insist. “I already signed youup.”
Ben crows at this, slapping his hand down on the desk. “I loveit.”
“Great, because you’re going to be up there too,” I tell him. “Connor will need some help with the demos.”
“I do not want to do a Lunch and Learn,” Connor says, looking mulish.
“It carries more weight coming from the department head,” I tell him. “And will be a really good chance for us to get a bunch of people onside with the dashboard in onego.”
“Nobody attends the Lunch and Learns,” he says.
“I have a plan for that too,” I promise him. It’s already in motion. “I just need you to get up there and talk aboutit.”
Connor, as it turns out, is not that keen on being in the spotlight, and spends the next few minutes arguing with me, before realizing resistance is futile and finally giving in, or appearing to. The public part of this conversation is over, but I have a feeling it’s about to continue privately over messenger.
“Legendary behavior,” Ben congratulates me as we leave the meeting room.
“Legendary bullying, you mean.”
“Whatever works,” he says cheerfully, patting me on the back.
As expected, seconds after we return to our desks, my messenger pings.
CONNOR:TRAITOR
ANNIE:Consider this your skills test revenge my friend
CONNOR:Revenge??
CONNOR:I gave you a job. Aren’t we even?
ANNIE:Not even a little bit
