05/07/2026
A good CVC Story...
The guitar in the corner.
Several years ago I was working with a major national brand, producing sales materials and all their sales meetings & events. As our successes mounted nicely over a few years, I asked if I could meet the Senior Sales VP? Being the Account Lead, I naturally wanted to forge a solid working relationship, especially with the key decision maker for all our projects. Client relationships are what we are all about.
I kept getting...“another time,” not a good idea," “not necessary.” At which point I was even more curious and kept insisting with my direct contact, “I’m pretty good with people, senior or otherwise. Why can’t I meet him?”
My client levels with me and says, “Rob, we love working with CVC, our Senior VP is VERY demanding and has a reputation for being extremely tough on vendors. I am afraid that if you said the wrong thing? BANG! You’re off the account. Out of the building just like that!” “Understood,” I said and left it at that.
Well time went on and our business grew nicely until one day, word came down that the SVP wanted to meet with me. Those were the days of the palatial corner office, with many support staff arranged just outside his door. As I walked in, I was formally introduced and shook his crushing handshake. The tension was like a courtroom before the verdict is announced.
As I took my seat at the meeting table, I casually glanced over and noticed a guitar, tucked neatly in the corner of his office.
“Nice guitar” I said. “Do you play?” In a flash his eyes lit up, his demeanor changed and the tension instantly broke. “Yes I’m a singer songwriter. Rob It’s my passion” I responded, “Wow amazing. I’m a drummer and it’s my passion. As part of our client services, CVC has a full audio & video recording studio. You would love it.” That was 21 years ago and he has been a client, and a friend ever since. A great person and brilliant singer songwriter.
The moral of this story is to never look past the person… to see the business opportunity. CVC builds full circle success by building full circle relationships with our clients. For a project, or for a lifetime.
Rob
