Passing the Buck 101

It’s no secret that government contracts have a universal gripe about their clients — the clients always seem to pass the buck when it comes to getting information or actually doing something.  I know that this may be an unfair critique, but I think after you read this post, you tend to agree with me.

Hang in with me — this can get complicated adn I really should have a flow chart, but I really just don’t have the time to make one.  About 1 1/2 weeks ago, I was asked to do a simple task:  Get a CD prepared by Person A, but in the Possession of Person B.  Simple, right?  Not really.  Here is the chain of events:

1) 3 emails sent to person B — no response

2) 1 email sent to person C (the colleague of Person B) — the response? “Wow, I’ve been looking for that CD for a while! Let me know if you find it”

3) So, I then sent an email to Person D, the original owner of the CD.  The response?  “I’ve already given it once, but if you lost if I guess we can find another copy somewhere…”  And, of course, this was copied to almost everyone in the office.

4) This began a cascade of emails that were almost all of the same substance: “Well, I don’t have it, let us know if you find it”

5) So… then I checked with the original author (Person E) who has promised to send me the CD.  Of course, I haven’t seen it yet, but maybe it will show up one day.

An important note is that due to the actions of Person D is that my client has now gotten a little upset.  Why did I feel it necessary to contact the whole world?  I could have done that.

If it was necessary to develop a course on how to Pass the Buck, I think I know the exact people that could teach it.  It really is NOT an form of art, rather it’s a skill that is honed over years and years of being busy but producing very little. I’m SOO in teh wrong job!