The Diary
of
Anne Ku

18 January 2001 Thursday

GATEKEEPERS KEEP OUT

The most important people to get to know and be nice to are the gatekeepers. They keep the gate open or closed.

The first person I got to know was the boss's secretary. She eventually gave me all mail she deemed unimportant for the boss to read or matters which she didn't understand. I became the second gatekeeper.

As an outsider trying to make contact with people inside the company, I run into administrators and their assistants. Not only was it impossible to get hold of the vice president, his assistant was difficult to find also. Thus, I was left with his assistant's assistant. What does that make me?

Even after finally speaking to the vice president, he still passed my request to Public Relations. These were the ultimate gatekeepers. I should have gone to them in the first place. After all, it's their job to keep good relations with the public. Otherwise, keep out!

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