A Circular Economy

It’s a disgrace, thundered Garret as he ran, ashen faced, to Bob’s office. Bob, the Big Bad Boss, as Garret called him, was rudely awoken from a reverie, “What have I told you about knocking, Garret, go back out close the door and knock before you come in – like any civilised person would do”. Garret started to reply… “B’but Bob…”, “Get out and knock”, said Bob.
Garret did what he was told, he walked out closed the door, counted to ten and then knocked before going back into Bob’s office. “Now”, said Bob, “what’s’ the problem this time Garret?” Bob had christened him gloomy Garret but hadn’t told anyone as it would be unbecoming of the managing director. Garret had a letter in his hand and thrust it dramatically on the desk in from of Bob, “read this” he said. Bob started to read aloud, “Notice of Summary Judgement”, “sure it’s just more legal nonsense” he said, “put it with all the others, by the time anything actually gets to court I’ll be retired”. Bob wasn’t far wrong, they had had lots of legal letters over the previous 12 months and his policy of ignoring them seemed to be working, anyhow he was getting close to retirement – “just two more years” he thought, and he would be free of the Magic Roundabout Company.
“This is different” said Garret, “we can’t ignore this one. A Summary Judgement means they will get an order this week and then if we don’t pay they can close us down”. “nonsense” said Bob, just get the lawyer fellow, Justin, is it? He can make them adjourn it and it will go away!”. Bob was a born optimist, unlike Garret who explained again, “Look, either we pay it or we’re out of business and we can’t pay because we have no money so what should we do?”. Bob was used to doom and gloom from Garret, “you aren’t giving me great options here Garret, are you? Call a meeting, get Teddy and Sam up here now”. Teddy was the Operations Director, the girls in accounts thought he was cuddly like a teddy bear but Garret thought he was a bungler who had caused a lot of the problems in the company by not delivering on time or by making roundabouts that didn’t spin properly. Sam was the sales director, “sneaky Sam” Garret called him because he always seemed to have some hidden agenda or some scheme going on that no one else knew about, Garret didn’t trust him.
“Should I get the nice sandwiches from Crusty’s?” Garret asked, he loved their sandwiches and couldn’t really afford them except when he could get the company to pay because they were for Board meetings. Bob looked over his glasses at Garret “you want to buy posh sandwiches when we can’t afford to pay our bills, what kind of a finance director are you?” Garret got out of the room fast and went to find Sam and Teddy to bring them back for the meeting.
“Okay” said Bob, “we have a situation, a Summary Judgement situation. Garret you explain.” Garret explained the position and made it clear that if they couldn’t find a solution they would out of business very soon. Bob asked for ideas. “What about having a big sale” said Sam, “big adverts in the papers and on the internet and get loads of sales, that would get tons of money”. Garret sighed and looked disgustedly at Sam, “you do know it takes us six months to make each roundabout and our customers are local authorities, what would be the point of having a sale?”. Sam looked a bit embarrassed, he realised his idea wasn’t so brilliant after all. Teddy thought he would suggest something to take the pressure off Sam, “if we use cheaper parts and less bearings in our roundabouts, I’d say we would save lots of money and then we could pay the bill”, he looked pleased at having made a valuable contribution but shut up when he saw Bob throw his eyes up to heaven and the others shake their heads.
“Does anyone know anything about this “Balls Bearings Company who are looking for the judgement?” asked Bob. “I know John Balls” said Teddy, my daughter is friends with his daughter and is going to her birthday party on Saturday”. Bob had an idea and asked for John Balls number.
Bob came back into the meeting room after making his call, he was beaming. “Well, that’s sorted” he said. “But how?” asked Garret. Bob explained, “I’ve promised him a roundabout in his back garden, to be delivered before his daughter’s birthday. We will give him our display model, it needs to be replaced anyway. He has agreed to knock ten grand off our bill and give us six months to settle it”. “we are saved…for now!”
He explained that John Balls hadn’t wanted to put them out of business, “in the roundabout business, what goes around comes around” he had said. Yes “a circular economy” Bob replied.