client. It was a proposal for a large project that I (Tax Sr Mgr) and a Tax Manager had been working on for a month. The partner came in to give the presentation to the CFO and 5-6 senior level personnel. Also in attendance were 3-4 other KPMG partners, tax and audit. We told the partner making the presentation to keep it short, no more than 15 minutes. The CFO and other client people knew the project, the benefits, and the costs. The client just wanted to hear it from a partner. It is important to note that we were in a VERY hot part of country with dry heat, people are dressed in short sleeves. This point to be very important, very soon.
The partner drones on for 90 minutes. The CFO is trying to stay awake, literally. He is shifting around in his chair, moving his arms around, etc. Finally, CFO says, "Can you give me some references?" Partner says, "I'll give you references as long as your arm." The room went very quiet and the only thought that went through my head was, "Don't look at the tax manager! DON'T LOOK AT THE TAX MANAGER!"
You see, the CFO dressed in a short sleeve shirt was an amputee just below his left elbow. Nice..
CFO was cool, he just nodded his head and said good.