Business as usual

Years ago, there was a diet plan where you would eat a small cube that tasted like candy, along with a cup of warm water. It was called Aydes. Yes, a diet plan called Aydes. You don't see them anymore.

What horrible luck that company had when the dreaded and horrible aids virus was named. I can imagine the CEO of the Aydes company screaming, "WHY?"  They were cooked. Done. Out of here.

Sometimes, unfortunate things happen to companies that causes them to crash and burn. The writer's strike in the eighties caused may production companies to go out of business. I've had a few businesses that went under because there wasn't a large enough demographic base. That was my fault. I just feel bad for organizations and the people that worked for them, that go south through no fault of their own.

I remember going to a comedy club in Fullerton, California, where I was booked to perform. When I arrived, the staff were all standing just outside of the front doors. I thought maybe the manager was running late. Then I saw him, as well. The doors were chained and there was a note on the door from California authorities saying the club was closed for good.

It seems the owner, who lived in Texas, had not been paying taxes - ever. I felt so bad for the employees because it was also supposed to be payday for them too. Talk about some sadly dissolutioned people. The owner owned several comedy clubs which all suffered the same fate. I don't know if they ever caught up with her. Sad.

Once, I had to fly to Modesto, California to stay for two weeks. I had a great time, but when I was dropped at the airport to catch my flight home, the ticket counter was dark and all of the company logos were gone. They went belly up sometime during the two weeks I was there. That was weird. I bought a very expensive ticket on another airline.

I think business owners have an obligation to their community, employees and customers to let them know, in advance, that they are so seriously in hot water that they might not survive. It would give the employees the chance to find other employment while the business winds down. That's my opinion.

Some electronic retail giants that vanished as a result of the success of Best Buy did give employees the bad news prior to closing and offered others the opportunity to stay on until the end, and the liquidator would pay them a hefty severance package. That's the way to do it. Small businesses don't have that luxury, but still owe their employees an insight so they can continue to support themselves and their families.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I hear that Circuit City is having some sort of a big sale and I need me some gadgets.

See you tomorrow.