War Stories Archive
Incredibly, this is a true story told by a managing director for a hedge fund of funds. A salesman met with this woman and her associate, also a woman and a partner in the firm, with the goal of piquing their interest in a new fund. After shaking hands, these women gave the salesman their business cards stating their titles and responsibilities. Also present during the initial pleasantries was their assistant, Colin, a young man responsible mainly for filing and answering the phone. When the two women suggested that the salesman begin, he said, “I would prefer to wait for Colin.” The two women looked at one another with amusement. The managing director said, “Well, yes, of course. In fact, we have rather a lot to do today. Perhaps Colin should take this meeting.” They asked the puzzled Colin to meet with the salesman alone. Colin, a jazz musician with a day job as an executive assistant, listened politely, even though he did not fully understand all the talk of “130/30 allocations” and “multi-asset strategies.”
When this salesman called Colin a couple of weeks later to inquire about the potential for investment, Colin referred the inquiry to his boss. The managing director said that no, the company was not interested in investing. She did not explain why.
Moral: Sexism doesn’t win business.
Also see Know Your Audience — The Professor and Know Your Audience — The Student.