They all sit around the table braced for a day of hearing sales pitches from earnest folks who want to feed families, make the goal, and in the process deliver pokes at the competition (also on the agenda) They brace because they want to be dispassionate, logical, make a wise choice based upon their recent schooling, some experience, and not too keen to a voice of generalities, ramblings or brags (not on the agenda) We all plot strategies to break through the veneer, make a connection, find a way to navigate beyond the boundaries they've erected and persuade, in a day, a choice to advertise with us (always on our agendas)