Fret not, this post is not about politics at election time, but about how well the ACME associates get on. “Why do people think that we don’t get on, when it’s just the opposite…?”, one of the associates, attending the last general assembly held a few days ago, asked with surprise. Although the topics addressed at said meeting were thorny and the conflict of interests apparent, everyone came together to discuss and seek common ground.
“It must be so difficult to work with designers. I don’t envy you”, I was told by more than one or two persons when I started working at ACME. So, at my first assembly, in addition to what could be expected when I faced the group, my fear was evident. The fact is that neither the first nor the second nor the third persons drew a blade on me. Quite the contrary. I was able to enjoy David Delfín’s constant wisecracks and kidding around, Juan Duyos’ sarcasm, Juanjo Oliva’s passion, the quiet wisdom of Modesto Lomba, Helena Rohner’s intelligence in handling problems, Roberto Torretta’s good judgment, Manuel García’s team spirit… I could go on and on….
What I want to make clear is that the ACME associates are a group of professionals who work hard to keep their businesses afloat in a more than difficult economic situation, which does not prevent them from being generous with their peers (some more than others, true); they make an effort to reach agreements and, when the moment arrives, they know how to share the floor during negotiations. To give you an example that confirms this, note the result of the last general assembly: everyone agreed to publish ACME’s accounts once they are approved by the auditor (yes, the Association’s accounts have been audited for years); there was unanimous support in admitting the promising young Leyre Valiente as a new associate; and to top it off, they voted, with an overwhelming majority of yeses, on a new election system in respect of the timetables of the MBFWM. There is no subject that arouses more opposing positions, and nevertheless, both the largest and the smallest in this business, the oldest and the newcomers, reconciled by ceding their positions in favour of the common good. Like Mary and Victor said (the creative duo behind Maria ke Fisherman), who were attending their first assembly, “the people at ACME get on so well”. We might even take David Delfín’s advice and arrange some group choreography with catchy music.
So, for all these and many other reasons, I stand by my claim: hurray for the assembly.
