The gambler

Not that it means much to anyone else, but this week is the financial year end of my employers. It is a funny one. Let's be clear about this, there are no positive surprises at this stage. No blue birds flying through the window. So, in essence, there is not much to do. Or, at least, nothing one could not expect. In reality, it is more about waiting than doing. And still, the working days are longer and, at least for me, completely exhausting. It is the tension.

You see, selling software is a bit like being a gambler. Software is the least tangible of assets. We get corporations to pay millions of £s on the promise that if they implement it properly and change their processes and organisation to fit the way the software works they will save or gain even more millions of £s in 2-3 years time. And what do they get for their money and good will? A CD! So, fundamentally, whenever you engage with a customer you basically know that the likelihood of them actually buying into the story you've weaved, convince their entire organisation it is worthwhile and get the CFO to put their hand in their pocket in an age when cash is extremely scarce is as small as the three cherries popping up together on the slot machine. And like a gambler, a heavy gambler, you are betting a lot. A LOT! Approximately 50% of one's annual earning. The funny thing is, we manage to convince ourselves this is normal. Me, a gambler?

Luckily, got the cherries in line. Tension over. A feeling of relief rather than exhilaration. Emptiness is the dominant emotion. And exhaustion.

PS 450km down. 550km to go.