IT vs Management

A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, 'Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am.'

The woman below replied, 'You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude.'

'You must be in Information Technology,' said the balloonist.

'I am,' replied the woman, 'How did you know?'

'Well,' answered the balloonist, everything you told me is technically correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information and the fact is I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything, you've delayed my trip.'

The woman below responded, 'You must be in Management.'

'I am,' replied the balloonist, 'but how did you know?'

'Well,' said the woman, 'you don't know where you are or where you're going. You have risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault.'

Imitation is the best flattery

As the saying goes, imitation is the best form of flattery. This is an old ad from Peugeot, but it still gets me in stitches whenever I view it. Not many brands dare to use humour in their ads, but when done well humour is an exceptional weapon in disarming the jaded consumer. Stupid management will say that this ad will not really make consumers believe that the Peugeot is a desirable brand.

The clever marketers will snigger at such comments, for they know the true value of this ad lies in the portrayal of Peugeot as a clever brand, and the drivers of Peugeot as fun people.