You're Getting a Great Guy!
letter of reference--601 words19 total reviews
Comment from Pen of Fire
So well written. He asks for much, but gives much. He has his hidden methods for collection, but gets the job done. This letter is very businesslike. When I read, I thought the author must have held a position in life that required writing such letters. It was as though you have written many such letters in the real world.
A great deal of satire here, but done so well. I loved it.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2015
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So well written. He asks for much, but gives much. He has his hidden methods for collection, but gets the job done. This letter is very businesslike. When I read, I thought the author must have held a position in life that required writing such letters. It was as though you have written many such letters in the real world.
A great deal of satire here, but done so well. I loved it.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2015
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2015
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I don't think I've ever written a letter dripping in sarcasm, but I sure enjoyed the prompt. Thanks
Comment from Donald O. Cassidy
The contest entry helps explain this hard-nosed Hervey I see some pros and cons. On the plus side, he bypasses committee meetings, coffee breaks as a waste of time and personnel, and justifies strong-arm tactics in bill collecting. Profitability for Cobnalt is his motive.
A juicy retirement package seems a big incentive to resign the company early.
Or have I missed it?
Don
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2015
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The contest entry helps explain this hard-nosed Hervey I see some pros and cons. On the plus side, he bypasses committee meetings, coffee breaks as a waste of time and personnel, and justifies strong-arm tactics in bill collecting. Profitability for Cobnalt is his motive.
A juicy retirement package seems a big incentive to resign the company early.
Or have I missed it?
Don
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2015
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2015
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Thanks for the read and review. There was a sense of sarcasm meant to be obvious.
Comment from DALLAS01
Ha ha. What a clever job of tongue in cheek praise. Nothing here to warrant a defamation of character suit. Wouldn't it be great if one could actually reveal such endearing qualities and spare the new guy our hard learned lessons.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2015
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Ha ha. What a clever job of tongue in cheek praise. Nothing here to warrant a defamation of character suit. Wouldn't it be great if one could actually reveal such endearing qualities and spare the new guy our hard learned lessons.
Comment Written 02-Mar-2015
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2015
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Thanks. Had fun dredging up old corporate lingo.
Comment from Ashar001
Very well written and hilarious. You do seem to know a lot of that world and the language that is used. Very convincing! It brings back memories of the various documentaries I have seen on Enron and Arthur Anderson. Amazing how people like that find new employment and can continue their disastrous ways of working.
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2015
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Very well written and hilarious. You do seem to know a lot of that world and the language that is used. Very convincing! It brings back memories of the various documentaries I have seen on Enron and Arthur Anderson. Amazing how people like that find new employment and can continue their disastrous ways of working.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2015
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2015
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I know a guy who got fired from at east four very senior executive positions and continued to get hired. He made a small fortune on the severance packages. Thanks for the read.
Comment from Eternal Muse
That was superb. Your subtlety is impressive, and the "between-the-lines" stuff is very finely woven. I am impressed with your knowledge of the corporate world. Obviously, Harvey was lured with a profit sharing plan that is larger than his present one, though 33 percent is an impressive number! lol.
Your picture of a man trying to escape a corporate shark is just a cat's meow.
Excellent narrative, that is easy to follow and captivating.
Favorite parts:
"He is a go-getter, putting his plans into action before the Board of Directors have stopped for their first coffee break. You must excuse Harvey's absence from these meetings as he feels his attendance is redundant, and he will not pander to part-time employees, as he refers to The Board."
Very funny! I've met a couple of those in my career (lol).
"... Though I was taken aback by the fearsome, leather-clad men from the Manson Inc., they not only brought in every dime from overdue invoices, but the interest arrears."
"Something that may come in handy with your clients is Harvey's familiarity with fine wines. He was most impressive when he ordered for our top client."
If Harvey ordered a few bottles of Chateau Margot, he was $$ most impressive! lol.
And another part drew a few chuckles from me:
"... he does have specific tastes and requirements and it behooves you to accommodate his need for a well-lit and designer-decorated work space. A private bathroom must include a shower as he is obsessive about hygiene and will not attend evening meetings without having facilities to refresh and dress."
One nit:
"As I am not privy to the package you have offered to Harvey. I can only assume you have covered the escalating profit-sharing clause"
You need a comma to separate two parts of the sentence, not a period.
This was superb. I thoroughly enjoyed the mastery of the writing, and having a glimpse into a corporate world.
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2015
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That was superb. Your subtlety is impressive, and the "between-the-lines" stuff is very finely woven. I am impressed with your knowledge of the corporate world. Obviously, Harvey was lured with a profit sharing plan that is larger than his present one, though 33 percent is an impressive number! lol.
Your picture of a man trying to escape a corporate shark is just a cat's meow.
Excellent narrative, that is easy to follow and captivating.
Favorite parts:
"He is a go-getter, putting his plans into action before the Board of Directors have stopped for their first coffee break. You must excuse Harvey's absence from these meetings as he feels his attendance is redundant, and he will not pander to part-time employees, as he refers to The Board."
Very funny! I've met a couple of those in my career (lol).
"... Though I was taken aback by the fearsome, leather-clad men from the Manson Inc., they not only brought in every dime from overdue invoices, but the interest arrears."
"Something that may come in handy with your clients is Harvey's familiarity with fine wines. He was most impressive when he ordered for our top client."
If Harvey ordered a few bottles of Chateau Margot, he was $$ most impressive! lol.
And another part drew a few chuckles from me:
"... he does have specific tastes and requirements and it behooves you to accommodate his need for a well-lit and designer-decorated work space. A private bathroom must include a shower as he is obsessive about hygiene and will not attend evening meetings without having facilities to refresh and dress."
One nit:
"As I am not privy to the package you have offered to Harvey. I can only assume you have covered the escalating profit-sharing clause"
You need a comma to separate two parts of the sentence, not a period.
This was superb. I thoroughly enjoyed the mastery of the writing, and having a glimpse into a corporate world.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2015
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2015
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Thank you very much for the stars, the great feedback and also unearthing the nit. Corrected, and most appreciated. I spent 30 years in the corporate word and had a lot of fun writing this, adding al the goobly-gook language that really is used on the executive floor.
Comment from Mark Valentine
Humorous with some pretty on-the-spot commentary about the profit-at-all-costs world of big corporations, I loved the Manson collection agency line.
I also loved that the sarcasm was subtle enough that you weren't sure until a couple of paragraphs in where this was going - great job. Good luck in the contest
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2015
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Humorous with some pretty on-the-spot commentary about the profit-at-all-costs world of big corporations, I loved the Manson collection agency line.
I also loved that the sarcasm was subtle enough that you weren't sure until a couple of paragraphs in where this was going - great job. Good luck in the contest
Comment Written 01-Mar-2015
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2015
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Thanks for al the bling. Thirty years in the corporate world did leave an impression.
Comment from jpduck
Very well done. A lot of fun, and I loved the picture you chose. The details for the contest include the words 'while this is a complimentary reference'. It might be felt, I think, that you have pushed the envelope a bit far!
Adrian
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2015
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Very well done. A lot of fun, and I loved the picture you chose. The details for the contest include the words 'while this is a complimentary reference'. It might be felt, I think, that you have pushed the envelope a bit far!
Adrian
Comment Written 28-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2015
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The prompt expected a letter that SEEMED complimentary but was meant to dissuade the new employer. Thanks.
Comment from Jennpenn
Humorous! Reading this, a few things struck me: first of all, you have extensive knowledge of the corporate world, and second, I think everyone can relate. My husband actually worked with a guy like this. In fact, when he left the company, the owner had to hire lawyers to do damage control...the intent of that jerk was to leave his former company's rep in tatters!.
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2015
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Humorous! Reading this, a few things struck me: first of all, you have extensive knowledge of the corporate world, and second, I think everyone can relate. My husband actually worked with a guy like this. In fact, when he left the company, the owner had to hire lawyers to do damage control...the intent of that jerk was to leave his former company's rep in tatters!.
Comment Written 28-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2015
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It happens a lot more than some would imagine. Believe me, I know a few like Harvey. Thanks.
Comment from Jumbo J
Hi Ingrid,
now when this started off... thought this guy sounded like he wrote it himself... but then as your corporate brain kicks in to memory mode... I start the red signals coming in... this Harvey dude sounds both good, dodgy and efficient all at the same time... don't know if I could trust him with my baby... but when you have the skills to be cut-throat and a tad eccentric and end up controling a third of the company... sounds like the take over merchant of industry.
Enjoyed the read and the reference letter Jeffrey... and all the very best in this contest also.
With our thoughts we create,
a red flag,
James vx's
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2015
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Hi Ingrid,
now when this started off... thought this guy sounded like he wrote it himself... but then as your corporate brain kicks in to memory mode... I start the red signals coming in... this Harvey dude sounds both good, dodgy and efficient all at the same time... don't know if I could trust him with my baby... but when you have the skills to be cut-throat and a tad eccentric and end up controling a third of the company... sounds like the take over merchant of industry.
Enjoyed the read and the reference letter Jeffrey... and all the very best in this contest also.
With our thoughts we create,
a red flag,
James vx's
Comment Written 28-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2015
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Just had a lot of fun with this dredging up old memories from all the Harveys I have known. Thanks.
Comment from patcelaw
What a smooth letter of reference to a new employer. Should go over like a led balloon if the owner has any smarts at all. Fun read. Patricia
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2015
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What a smooth letter of reference to a new employer. Should go over like a led balloon if the owner has any smarts at all. Fun read. Patricia
Comment Written 27-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2015
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Had a lot of fun writing this. Thanks for the read.