Many government department heads are on the take. Oh they'll jump up and down and swear legitimacy, but it just is not so. Over one-third of Americans will lie to a small business owner to save $2.00 and that same one-third of our population works in government. I am not condemning anyone, merely pointing out fact thru observation and 27 years experience dealing with governmental department heads. Now then two-thirds are honest and would never think of defrauding the public or taxpayer. We are not talking about those fine folks in government in this article. We applaud their public service even if half of them are totally inept, they are not crooks, so let that be known right here.

How do you deal with a crooked department head when you know your competition is slipping them some extra dough or free products or services on the side. For instance the Governor of CT with free pool, deck and landscaping or the Governor of NJ who had more than services slipped up his rear end. Let's take this situation. We are in the mobile washing business and a department head was getting a kick back from our competition. We knew this. We could not secure the contract after being the low bidder three years in a row and we were not going to lower ourselves to bribes or kick backs.

But if we were to do a car wash fundraiser for their son's or daughter's soccer team or give them free car washes, no one would have a problem with that. When a department head asks you "What's in it for me if you get this contract? You know he is on the take, how you handle the answer will determine your integrity level. Here is the proper answer and what we say to them in our company:

"Sir, I guarantee that I can save you money on this year's budget. I will help you look better, cleaner and more fiscally responsible than any other department in this city. And further more, you will be driving the cleanest personal car of any employee this city ever had. I intend to make you look good and for that my friend, you can feel good about leading the way in hiring the best, most prompt and most responsible mobile car and truck wash company, my company, The Car Wash Guys!. We are number one and you will soon find out why. When can we start?"

Be firm, stand tall and let them know they need you; because they do. And that goes for whatever you are selling. If they are on the take with other companies for city services and products then they are not receiving adequate quality for the public monies they have been entrusted to spend. If there becomes too much of this type of hanky panky their entire department will suffer from substandardness. If this is the case, they really need you. Think about that high road when dealing with crooked slime, on the take department heads of public agencies. If it makes you puke you are not alone. Do your anorexic duty in the bathroom on your own time. This is business and you must be in it to win it. Thank on this.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs