When people sniff blood, they dig. And they dig deep. Check out this this conversation between a statistician and a company PR guy:
”So- what could be a figure that your firm contributes to charity”
“I’d say a million dollars or two”
“Would a big percentage of it be to the AIDS fund (I read your pamphlets) or assorted causes?”
“Both.”
“What amount channels into the AIDS fund then?”
“Hmmm… maybe $600,000 or $700,000. That’s our yearly target”
“So you met that goal. The 700K?”
“Yes. We always meet our goals”
“That makes your firm unique. Few companies hit their mandated targets. It’s mostly PR yarn for the papers”
“Well, we did.”
“Did you actually direct the disbursement of charity to the AIDS Fund”
“I served on the company’s board for the AIDS Fund three years ago”
“So that means you have no inkling as to how much was really sent?”
“I hear figures.”
“So exactly how much is sent to AIDS Fund?”
“I think it’s 700K like I mentioned”
“You’re certain? I can quote you on this”
“Not until I look at the spreadsheets.”
“What about other funds, do you know the real dollar figures going there?”
“Ahh.. um…”
When people bluff, they often throw easy to remember numbers or simplistic facts. You can see it instantly. It’s like a child’s coloring book with single, bold colors that lack varying hues. The truth is rarely that. It’s a Van Gogh painting of complexities. And when you begin dissecting, you see stuff underneath. Mutually supportive stuff.
It’s easy to destroy a bluff. You don’t want to be caught in one, so dazzle people with your honesty: tell them you don’t know. They’ll appreciate you for it.
