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Well said. And don't forget that, for many people, there's a difference between understanding a basic concept (margins) and understanding its effect on you/your

Well said. And don't forget that, for many people, there's a difference between understanding a basic concept (margins) and understanding its effect on you/your baby/your life. We humans do this as a matter of routine (smoking, alcohol, obesity, etc).

unclebucknasty 14y ago
>there's a difference between understanding a basic concept (margins) and understanding its effect on you/your baby/your life. That's absolutely true, but that's more of an abstract observation of human behavior. On the other hand, the author is stating that Mr. Sherman literally did not understand the basic math of margins (ex: that the more products they sold below cost, the more money they lost). In my opinion, that's a completely ridiculous notion. Such statements are insulting and fit with the tone of the article, which essentially attacks Mr. Sherman as incompetent and a virtual imbecile. The author appears to have some other motive to be so bluntly disrespectful to someone who has passed. C.Y.A.? Personality conflicts? Something else? Who knows? But, since Mr. Sherman is not here to defend his actions or rationale, it seems a shame to allow these ridiculous memes about him to thrive. I'm sure there is valid criticism that one can heap on Mr. Sherman's days at the helm of Ecomom and the decisions he made (including the one to discount products and give up his margin). If one wants to critique that, then it's fair game. But, to sit around and suggest that the man literally couldn't understand basic addition and subtraction is ridiculous. It is no credit to the author to insult the man when he's no longer here to defend himself.
- plorkyeran 14y ago
  It is certainly quite possible that "Phil, just bring me a forecast that shows how much we need to sell to break even" is a gross misrepresentation of what he actually said, but if it is at all true then Sherman did in fact literally not understand the concept of margins.
  - unclebucknasty 14y ago
    Maybe. If. If he said exactly that. And, if he meant exactly that. And, If there's no other context. And if... But, Phil seems to be unsynched with himself. On one hand he accuses Mr. Sherman of literally not understanding margins. On the other hand he clearly implies that Mr. Sherman deliberately avoided talk of margins/profits in a company meeting because he was a "master marketer" who "led a management meeting that focused on an awesome feel good marketing plan." So, by that, he is clearly indicating that he thought Mr. Sherman understood margins well. So well that he was deft enough to avoid speaking of them; instead using his "master marketer" skills to somehow mislead management and divert their attention away from margins. Completely contradicts the notion that he didn't know what margins were. And why on earth is Phil speculating about one side of phone conversations that he overheard? That's not his place (as a controller), and it's amateurish at best. There are some "interesting" statements being thrown around in the article. They seem to be gossipy, reckless and, at best, inconsistent.

unclebucknasty 14y ago

>there's a difference between understanding a basic concept (margins) and understanding its effect on you/your baby/your life. That's absolutely true, but that's more of an abstract observation of human behavior. On the other hand, the author is stating that Mr. Sherman literally did not understand the basic math of margins (ex: that the more products they sold below cost, the more money they lost). In my opinion, that's a completely ridiculous notion. Such statements are insulting and fit with the tone of the article, which essentially attacks Mr. Sherman as incompetent and a virtual imbecile. The author appears to have some other motive to be so bluntly disrespectful to someone who has passed. C.Y.A.? Personality conflicts? Something else? Who knows? But, since Mr. Sherman is not here to defend his actions or rationale, it seems a shame to allow these ridiculous memes about him to thrive. I'm sure there is valid criticism that one can heap on Mr. Sherman's days at the helm of Ecomom and the decisions he made (including the one to discount products and give up his margin). If one wants to critique that, then it's fair game. But, to sit around and suggest that the man literally couldn't understand basic addition and subtraction is ridiculous. It is no credit to the author to insult the man when he's no longer here to defend himself.

plorkyeran 14y ago
It is certainly quite possible that "Phil, just bring me a forecast that shows how much we need to sell to break even" is a gross misrepresentation of what he actually said, but if it is at all true then Sherman did in fact literally not understand the concept of margins.
- unclebucknasty 14y ago
  Maybe. If. If he said exactly that. And, if he meant exactly that. And, If there's no other context. And if... But, Phil seems to be unsynched with himself. On one hand he accuses Mr. Sherman of literally not understanding margins. On the other hand he clearly implies that Mr. Sherman deliberately avoided talk of margins/profits in a company meeting because he was a "master marketer" who "led a management meeting that focused on an awesome feel good marketing plan." So, by that, he is clearly indicating that he thought Mr. Sherman understood margins well. So well that he was deft enough to avoid speaking of them; instead using his "master marketer" skills to somehow mislead management and divert their attention away from margins. Completely contradicts the notion that he didn't know what margins were. And why on earth is Phil speculating about one side of phone conversations that he overheard? That's not his place (as a controller), and it's amateurish at best. There are some "interesting" statements being thrown around in the article. They seem to be gossipy, reckless and, at best, inconsistent.