Sold Out or Sell Out..

I was at my office’s drinks vending machine, hoping to buy an iced cold Coca Cola, only to find a SOLD OUT sign. Bitterly disappointed, I salvage around the office for a helplessly lying ‘un-owned’ Coca Cola can. Alas, I was to be disappointed again. Perhaps it was a sign that I wasn’t to have any Coca Cola today. I was upset, bitter, annoyed, slight anger and jilted.

I am sure many of you have faced such emotions before. Being denied of your intentions and hopes, having your dreams demolished, having others claim credits for your good doings or being blamed for something you did not do, even though our intentions were noble and of goodwill.

Many of times, the Coca Cola Company’s good intentions were questioned. On 20th October 2003, the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry Foundation (AAPDF) accepted a $1 million in "research" money from Coca-Cola at a time of growing concerns about the role of soft drinks in causing dental and other health problems for young people (Source : Education Policy Studies Laboratory Website). The Academy President Dr. Paul Reggiardo and Executive Director Dr. John Rutkauskas were accused of ‘selling out’ to Coca Cola.

According to Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.com/) Selling out refers to the compromising of one's integrity, morality and principles in exchange for money 'success' or other personal gain. It is commonly associated with attempts to increase mass appeal or acceptability to mainstream society. A person who does this, as opposed to following the original path s/he laid (or claimed to lay) out for him/herself, is labeled a sellout and regarded with disgust and immediate loss of respect. Selling out is seen as gaining success at the cost of credibility.

Selling out is a big word. I have in many encounters used this word, in fact way to many. In my company, there are many of such characters. One my ‘best’ colleague today was F#$%&ingly upset over an incident today, caused by acts fittingly suiting the definition of Selling Out. I understand where he came from as I have been victimized by such people. For me, whether a relationship falls within the boundary of friendship, colleagues, lovers, siblings or enemies, once should act within the line of engagements. You do not have lunch with a ‘hot’ colleague and sell out your usual lunch buddy. You do not claim credit for a job that your other colleague did and selling him out by further demeaning his involvement. You do not say ‘bad’ things about your ex-boss or ex-colleague, just because you are not in the same department anymore. You do not promise what you don’t intend to deliver. You just don’t Sell Out.

Respect is earned not given. Success is gained not robbed. Money buys you things but will never buy you friends. You may be ‘great’, but you will be despised. I will never label you a Sell Out, but only you will earn the label.

For Coca Cola, it has always gone with the conventional way of gaining success. Believing in itself , having the right attitude, accustomed to people’s feeling and most importantly , maintaining integrity are amongst Coca Cola’s recipe of success. I live by them, why not you!!!! You may be the usual 'bottle' amongst the many, but one day, others will notice, how unique you are. You dont't need to go out of the conventional. Don't Sell Out, otherwise you will be a forgotten Sold Out item.