Interview (7) – Conversation One

 (Change of tack – I’m going to write this piece of conversation as a play. Little description, no “he said – she said”, no stage directions – This is just to see how an approach works. A lot of this is experimentation.)

GM:     Well, Mr Gray, thank you for coming to see us.

JG:       That’s perfectly alright. I am looking for work and I like to respond to enquiries quickly.

GM:     Anastasia Petrovna gave you a very limited outline of what is required. We want someone to join us to help us to renovate some of our computer systems.

JG:       Renovate? What do you mean by “renovate”?

GM:     Over an extended period our company has accumulated a number of computer systems which we use to run our business. They were developed to serve particular needs and at different times. While they continue to work in a satisfactory way, their maintenance takes more effort than we would like. We would like to “renovate” or “modernise” and at present we do not have the expertise ourselves and we do not wish to expend the effort developing that expertise ourselves.

JG:       I think I understand. You want to replace some old systems. I have been worked on projects like that in the past. Can you tell me what these systems are and what they do?

AL:       Without you being aware of it, we have researched what you can do. You have a good reputation. We have discretely checked certain references and performed some background checks. What we want you to do is well within your capabilities. You do not have to be concerned.

GM:     The systems are mostly concerned with the administration of the transactions which support our business. They were originally created by our staff using the technology available at the time. Much of what they do is little more than “accounting” and the other general things a business requires. Rather than continue to expend the effort maintaining it we have decided to move a great deal of what these systems do to a modern software package” (he mentions a name) “I believe it is known as an ‘ERP’ package and you are familiar with it.”

JG:       Yes – I’ve worked with that. But that particular package is usually supplied through consultancies who sell set-up and training services along with the package. I don’t understand why you are coming to me? I’m an independent consultant and there is only one of me.

AL:       You’re correct. And you have touched on some of the reasons why we have come to you. (continued)

(Part of the “Tyson” project: 18th January 2017 – 385 words)