Confessions of an IT Manager_Phil Factor

188 The Stepford Geeks
process of 'Business Re-engineering' excused himself to bring a couple of his
colleagues into the room.
Dammit, Stepford Geeks. By some strange Darwinian process, young IT
people have evolved a curious sameness, like lizards in the Galapagos. They
beamed across the table at me in unison. They were pleasant and very keen to
find out more about my Business Re-engineering expertise.
I love a receptive audience, and all my caution flew out the window as I
launched into an exposition on the entire IT involvement in a Business Reengineering.
As I had recently written a book-length training document on the
subject it wasn't too hard.
I was in full song, and going down strong. Two more colleagues came in
after another quarter hour and the five scribbled away furiously. My masterly
exposition complete, they launched into a series of penetrating questions that I
fielded like WG Grace at the crease. The whiteboards in the room were soon
filled with process diagrams as, with my face flushed with the enthusiasm that
only comes with an appreciative audience, I gave them the benefit of my
knowledge with both barrels. I remember vividly that, when I'd finished, one of
them began to clap before being shushed by a colleague.
After the interview they lined up by my car, and shook my hand warmly
whilst mustering a heartfelt thanks to me for coming for interview.
The following day, the agency phoned.
"How do you think it went?"
"Well, that's tempting fate; but I think I went down pretty well, actually."
"Good, but it's odd I've heard nothing yet."
"Early days yet. They're probably wondering if they can afford me."
After a fortnight, the agency phoned in a rather off-hand way to say they
weren't going to proceed with considering my candidacy. Before bounding
irrepressibly after the next job, I must admit to being a bit puzzled by their
change of attitude
I might never have known the end of the story had it not been for the strange
way that the flotsam of the IT industry seems to circulate just like it does in the
Sargasso Sea. The insurance company eventually got taken over, or went bust,
and its IT people were scattered to the four winds.
At that time, I was a senior manager in London, responsible for recruiting
staff. One day, as I sat down to interview a candidate, I spotted the name of
this insurance company on the CV. I looked up, and stared at the candidate long
and hard. Dammit, it was one of the Stepford Geeks who had interviewed me