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MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire

The Case of the Stupid Client

By
Stanley Bing
Stanley Bing
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By
Stanley Bing
Stanley Bing
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January 10, 2008, 2:09 PM ET
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Today is Thursday. It is also Ask Bing Day. Take a look. The first question is a really juicy one that afflicts just about anybody who works for a living. An ad guy writes in and complains that he has an idiot for a client (see graphic, right). What to do? Listen to the fool who pays the bills and do the wrong thing? Refuse to be a co-numbskull and maybe lose the account?

There are stupid people everywhere mingled in with the intelligent ones. A lot of the time we have to work for the former, report to them, keep their business, make them happy. If you can’t manage a client who has cheese for brains, how are you to keep your bosses in line, let alone your children and spouses?

I’m not in advertising, but I’ve had my share of people who I thought should listen to me instead of marching off a cliff into the ocean. Some of them did and some of them didn’t. Only members of the first group are still around to tell the tale. For while mean people flourish in this world, it’s harder for the operationally dumb. They need our help. And when they don’t take it, well, that’s just a crying shame.

How about you? Seen any stupid clients lately? I’m sure some of you are in banking. You might have a few stories to tell.

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