Got To Get You Into My Life

Mark Reynolds casually strolled into the room with less than a minute before the meeting was scheduled to begin. He quietly took a seat near the back wall and turned his attention to the attractive woman standing in the front. He couldn't help but notice her disdain as she looked him over just before checking her watch and calling the meeting to order.

She was a tall woman with a fairly prominent nose, but it worked very well on her face. She was what his grandmother called 'big boned'. She wasn't over weight, but she surely had curves where Mark felt a woman should have them.

Mark studied the woman as she turned to point to a slide presentation on a large monitor. He guessed her to be in her mid-twenties. Her dark hair was combed tightly in a bun. Mark assumed it was an effort to appear stern and business oriented.

For her part, Sandra Phillips quickly determined that the last man to enter the meeting room was the type of man that she considered to be a 'male bimbo'. He was about six foot tall with a strong jaw and deep blue eyes. He was dressed in a business very casual style which placed his rugged physique on display.

Sandra began the meeting precisely at 9 AM. "I'm now the marketing director and sales manager of Smith and Haynes. My name is Sandra Phillips. I have degrees in both marketing and business administration. It's my expectation that we'll be able to work together to increase sales, as well as improve customer satisfaction. It's no secret that a sound knowledge of a quality product sold at a competitive price will lead to success in the market.

"To that end, from this point forward, every member of our sales team will be expected to dress professionally. I see most of you already understand that fact."

Mark couldn't help but notice that his new boss was looking directly at him. Apparently she didn't approve of his kakis and polo shirt.

"Men, you will wear a jacket and tie when you represent our company or you won't be working for Smith and Haynes. The ladies will also wear appropriate business attire. There will be no exceptions.

"I'll let it slide today since it's quite apparent this is a new concept to some, but henceforth, no one will be allowed to attend our weekly sales meeting dressed in casual attire. Again, I am telling you that there will be no exceptions. Any questions?"

Mark was unable to conceal his grin as the woman glared at him in obvious annoyance.

"Please tell me your name so I can make some notations in your file," she insisted in what Mark knew was an obvious attempt to intimidate him.

"I don't think that'll be necessary," Mark replied as his grin increased. "Let's just get this meeting over with so we can get to work."

Everyone in the room went totally still. Mark had never been known to take things too seriously, but he was pushing the new boss pretty far.

"You don't think it's necessary?" the woman repeated. "You know what? I don't think your attendance here is necessary. I've read the company policies. I have the power to give you a week off without pay and I'm doing exactly that. You're not to enter this building until next Monday's meeting. At that time, I'll expect you to be wearing a jacket and tie. Be prepared to apologize."

"Thank you, Ms. Phillips," Mark said politely as he made his way from the room.

One week later, Mark walked into the meeting room wearing cargo shorts and an Eagles tee shirt.

"You know I'm not going to allow you to join our meeting dressed like that," stated Sandra Phillips. "You're behaving like a man who wants to be terminated."

"I saved you the trouble," Mark replied as he handed her a sealed envelope. "This is my resignation. I already stopped at HR and filled out the paperwork. Good luck with the company."

The surprised woman struggled to regain her composure. She had done some research on Mark Reynolds since their first interaction. He was easily the best salesman in the company. His sales numbers were impressive. It was her opinion that once she got him to dress appropriately and accept her mentoring, he would be an even greater success. Now he was gone.

Two weeks later, Mark was lying on a creeper under an 80 year old Alpha Romeo. He was trying to tighten up the transmission when he heard a woman clearing her throat in an attempt to gain his attention. He used his feet to carefully pull the creeper from under the classic car and into the open.

He was more than a little surprised to see Mrs. Edna Haynes, the owner of the company he had so recently left. She had always treated him very fairly and he had responded in kind. Seeing her in his shop was totally unexpected.

"Mrs. Haynes? It's nice to see you again. Is there some problem? I don't think I've ever seen you here before."

"I've never had reason to visit before this, Mark. I know you're busy, so I'm going to get right down to brass tacks. You had two interactions with my new 'marketing director' in the space of a week."

Mark noted that she used her fingers to make air quotes when she used the term marketing director.

"In the first meeting, she made you take a week off without pay. The second time you met, which was one week later, you handed her your resignation. It's occurred to me that the two of you didn't exactly hit it off."

"Mrs. Haynes, I told you when I started working for you years ago that I wasn't going to make your company my career. The young lady appeared out of the blue, declared that my choice of clothing was inappropriate and proceeded to suspend me for a week. It caused me to realize that my time at Smith and Haynes had run its course. She and I will never see things the same way. She's the boss. It wasn't a difficult decision."

"It was easier for you than it's been for us," stated Mrs. Haynes. "We're already running into problems keeping your buyers in the fold. More than a few of them explained to me that they could get the same product for less money elsewhere.

"It was your dedication to the terms of the contract that kept many of our buyers with us. I heard a story two days ago where you drove a box of specialty bolts 250 miles when one of your customers called you in a panic. They had neglected to order them with the other products we supplied. You made the long drive to keep the customer happy."

"That's just part of the job, as I saw it," Mark replied. "It's nice that my gesture was appreciated, but that doesn't explain why you're standing here today. I don't work for you anymore."

"That's the problem I'm here to address. I'm willing to increase your commission as well as your base pay if you'll agree to return to work for Haynes and Smith," the older woman offered.

"Ma'am, I left your company for two separate, but very good reasons," Mark explained. "The first reason is that my business is taking off. This is my future and I'm working damn hard to make it a success.

"The second, and more obvious reason, is your new marketing director has a bug up her ass over me. I simply don't want to waste my time listening to her bullshit about how to be a better salesman. She has two degrees and no real world experience. Frankly, I don't know how she managed to get the job."

Mark heard a gasp from the doorway. He turned to see Sandra Phillips standing nearby. To his embarrassment, she had been listening to every word he spoke. He quickly tried to lessen the harshness of his criticism.

"I'm sure Ms Phillips is highly qualified and will do an excellent job for you. I'm just too stubborn and set in my ways to learn new techniques. She deserves better people surrounding her, people who'll accept her suggestions, follow her edicts and work to expand the company."

"You've demonstrated why you do so well in sales, Mark. That was a very good recovery," Mrs. Haynes acknowledged with a smile.

"I thought you might refuse my offer, so I have a back-up. If you would agree to work with, and mentor Sandy for one month, I'd be willing to compensate you far more than you've been taking home, which has been substantial.

"You need to know that Sandy's my granddaughter and she's the future of the company. She was a bit overeager to establish herself, but she has a clearer picture of our mission statement now."

"I'm sure she'll do very well, but I don't think she'd be very receptive to my suggestions and business practices. She has two degrees and I was lucky to make it out of high school."

"Mark, don't try to snowball me. I'm the person who hired you. As I recall, you were fifth in your class and quite popular. You played on two varsity sports teams, participated in the debate club and served as president of student council in your senior year," Mrs. Haynes stated.

"You told me you had a seven year plan to build your automobile business and would probably leave Smith and Haynes at that time. You have three months remaining to reach seven years. I'm only asking for one of those months.

"I believe that practical experience will greatly enhance Sandy's understanding of her position as well as improve her appreciation of what her sales people face in their efforts."

When Mrs. Haynes finished speaking, Mark saw her look at her granddaughter and nod slightly.

"Mr. Reynolds, I'm not proud of the way I conducted myself at our first interaction," Sandy admitted. "Grandmother has explained to me in no uncertain terms how foolish I was, and how it was not to happen again. If you accept my grandmother's offer, I assure you that I'll cooperate fully and try to incorporate as much of your sales style as I can."

Mark knew how difficult her apology had to have been. He even felt some admiration for her. She was willing to take the heat to improve her standing with her grandmother and hopefully increase her understanding of how Smith and Haynes had managed to have a successful business for over fifty years.

"Mrs. Haynes, Ms Phillips, it's absolutely imperative that I finish my work on this car. It should be done by tomorrow night. The day after tomorrow will be the first of the month. I'll be in the office ready to go. I'll give you the month you want."

Once again, Mark saw Mrs. Haynes nod to her niece before the younger woman showed him a very lovely smile. "Mr. Reynolds, my grandmother and I very much appreciate your generosity. I assure you that I'll be ready to hit the ground running on this. I'm looking forward learning as much as I possibly can from you."

Mark looked at Sandy Phillips for a ten count before turning his attention to her grandmother. He had several questions on the tip of his tongue but decided not to voice them.

He knew that Mrs. Haynes must have come down pretty hard on her granddaughter. Sandy had done a complete 180 degree turn from her original position. Mark didn't claim to be an expert on women but he knew that Sandra had to be smarting from what she had to perceive as a defeat at his hands. How cooperative she would be was yet to be determined.

Mark was a few minutes early when he returned to work two days later. His former colleagues gave him a warm welcome in the form of good natured teasing.

"Mark, I don't think I ever saw you in a suit before. Are you here to lobby for your old job?" asked Amanda Burns.

"Something like that," Mark replied. "I was a bit hasty when I left. When I started here I promised Mrs. Haynes that I'd work seven years. I'm a few months short. We agreed that if I gave them one more month, I could then leave with her blessing."

"That's why you're so good in sales," Amanda stated. "You always keep your promises and you're a great negotiator. Buyers know they can depend on you."

Sandra Phillips had been just outside the room and overheard Amanda's assessment of Mark's qualities, as well as his response.

"Mr. Reynolds, thank you for trying to spare my feelings," Sandra stated with a small smile. "Amanda, the truth is that Mrs. Haynes was not pleased with my actions regarding Mr. Reynolds's abrupt departure. He's going to mentor me for the next month in hopes I gain a better understanding of the company's products and clientele."

"To that end, I plan on taking you with me to meet and favorably impress the buyers I work with," Mark revealed. "With your education and physical presence, it shouldn't be difficult."

After Amanda left the room, Sandy decided to make certain Mark understood her position. "You mentioned my physical presence just now. You need to understand that I will not be compromising my values to make a sale, no matter how substantial it might be."

"That's a good point," Mark agreed. "I strongly suggest you never date, hook-up with, or act inappropriately in any way with the buyers. That would not end well for you or the company."

"I'm glad you feel that way. I was worried you were suggesting I use any 'physical attributes', as you call them, which I may have in order to make a sale," Sandy admitted.

"I'm afraid that I'm still not being clear. There's nothing wrong with flashing your best smile, showing a little leg and a bit of cleavage, all in a professional manner, of course. You'll be dealing with men on a regular basis. Believe me when I tell you that a smile from an attractive woman goes a long ways in the world of sales."

"Now you're suggesting that I use sex to make a sale?" Sandy asked in amazement.

"No. I'm telling you not to use sex for sales, for any reason, ever," Mark insisted. "Sex appeal is okay, but sex of any kind is not. You're an attractive woman with an enviable figure. There's nothing wrong with using that to your advantage."

Sandy looked at Mark for several seconds before responding. "If that's meant as a compliment, you missed the mark. I've agreed to learn your sales techniques and incorporate what I find useful, but I will not be showing my legs or breasts in order to make a sale. As a man, obviously lacking the legs and cleavage to entice other men, how do you ever make a sale?"

"If I'm dealing with men, I use my knowledge of the product, along with my ability to gain their respect, and often their friendship. If I'm selling to women I do the same thing, plus I give them my best smile and try to inconspicuously appeal to their fantasies."

"That's why you like to wear polo shirts? You want to use your looks and physique to influence the sale in your direction?" Sandy asked.

"Make no mistake, I never date or hook-up with anyone involved with any company that we do business with. I do have a few ladies who light up a bit when I walk through the door. That's not unethical," Mark responded.

"I can see where it might help make a sale, but the product and price should be the deciding factor," Sandy stated with finality.

"This is why we're going to spend the next month visiting clients and learning from practical applications. We'll test and tweak our sales techniques constantly," Mark promised. "It makes more sense than arguing about it now. The next month's going to be interesting."

Sandy found herself looking forward to visiting clients and forging solid business relationships. Mark was overly confident in her opinion, but the numbers he generated indicated that he had reason to be. She admitted to herself that he was good looking and very masculine. She could easily envision women being swayed by his charm.

Mark spent the rest of the day setting up appointments. He decided to begin with clients located within an easy drive and gradually work his way to places that would require overnight stays.

Sandy pulled into the company parking lot at six AM to find Mark was already there. She had readily agreed with Mark that punctuality was important. They reached their destination almost an hour early.

"There's a nice little diner around the corner," Mark told Sandy. "You'll learn where all the good places are to eat or get good coffee near every business you deal with."

Sandy had spent much of the drive asking Mark about his techniques and what to expect when they met with their customers.

"Sandy, I want you to enjoy your coffee and relax. People can tell when you're nervous. They think you're trying to hide something. I picked this business first because they're very reasonable and friendly. You know our product and our prices. Just listen to them and respond to their questions and concerns as honestly as you can.

"Remember we're selling ourselves as much or more than our product. We need to give our customers complete confidence in our honesty and integrity. When you're not sure of an answer, admit it and explain to them that you'll find the correct answer as soon as possible and get back to them. Never get caught in a lie, or even an exaggeration and you'll do fine."

"I understand that and agree totally," replied Sandy. "I noticed you didn't say anything about showing some skin or flirting with customers."

"It's pretty apparent that you don't intend to use that ploy today," Mark replied. "I can see your hands and face. You've got everything else covered. Let's see how it works for you today. I only ask that at least one day next week, you wear something a bit more relaxed. You have a very nice figure and you could benefit from letting that fact be known."

"You seem to be certain about my figure. How would you know what my figure is? You've been telling me that my clothing choices don't allow men to determine what sort of shape I have?" asked Sandy. "You can't have it both ways."

"Few men have my powers of observation when it comes to the female form," Mark replied with a grin. "One of the reasons that I've done well in sales is my ability to look beyond the obvious. I'm often able to identify insecurities and personality flaws after meeting people for a few minutes. Knowing these things can make a difference when making a sale."

"I have to call bullshit on that," Sandy responded. "You don't have some mysterious ability to know my bra size and my inseam length. You're using your sales techniques on me when you tell me how great my figure is. You think flattery will soften and even change my choice of clothing, but I can see through your feeble attempts."

"That's interesting," Mark admitted. "I'm being truthful, but you think I'm pulling your long, very shapely leg. I always try to be honest, yet you don't trust me. Now I have to wonder if my customers see things the same way you do."

"Maybe I have an especially effective bullshit meter and can pick it out better than most people can. Your success in sales indicates your shtick must work for you most of the time," Sandy suggested.

Sandy had yielded to her grandmother's demands to bring Mark back and work with him because she had no choice. Her grandmother had been quite firm on that point.

In truth, Sandy expected to see Mark try to use his looks and natural charm to make sales. She had not anticipated how knowledgeable he was about their products and how well versed he was on contracts, percentages, and profit margins. He didn't hesitate to use his charm, but he remained professional while interacting with his customers. Sandy came to appreciate the wisdom of her grandmother's decision to have her travel with Mark and experience the world of sales with a master of his trade.

Sandy found that she enjoyed meeting customers and listening to their needs and concerns. She came to understand why Mark was very good at what he did. He was always polite and professional. He remained calm even as some customers became irate, although that was rare.

Another thing Sandy noticed was the obvious interest many of the female employees had in Mark. They absolutely responded to his winning smile and easy charm. Not only that, but most of the men he interacted with became noticeably friendly within minutes.

The second week of their schedule found Sandy and Mark traveling farther and using hotels rather than wasting a great deal of time driving to distant businesses. Wednesday morning of that week was a defining moment for her.