The board of a not-for-profit
was rolling out
an automated payment system.
To test the system,
they need a credit card
to put a $40 charge on.
One by one,
the board members offered up
their credit cards.
One by one,
the credit cards were declined
for having an insufficient balance.
These board members were sophisticated women
with immaculate nails and hair,
designer outfits,
and expensive purses.
They appeared successful
yet they weren’t surprised
about their financial situation.
They made jokes about their balances
and brushed it off as unimportant
but it was an eye-opener for me.
Eventually, I said f*ck it
and offered my credit card.
The charge went through.
The system passed the trial.
The point is…
we can’t judge success by appearances.
This not only holds true
for people
but for companies also.
Delve deeper
before you form partnerships.