Of course, most organisations are only really scared of losing senior staff. I find this endlessly amusing, since it's generally the loss of 'little people' that causes the greatest havoc.

I once despatched a popular tea lady at a small factory. It took management two months to replace her, during which time the union initiated disputes on breaks, demarcation and the use of contractors. Scalds and fights over biscuits blew the WorkCover premium out by 18% the following year, torpedoing a major export deal. The job went to a competitor and the factory has been in decline ever since.

By contrast, I recently nailed the $250K-plus-benefits Strategic Director (Asia Pacific) of an insurance juggernaut. No one even noticed until he missed his Hamilton Island 'Resource Leveraging' conference.

The irony of my role is that most people affirm their own deaths. You know how those New Age types warn: 'don't give that thought energy'? Well, they're right. So many times I've heard people say: 'he only mentioned getting hit by a bus the other day'. The universe is a ruthlessly efficient machine and I'm proud to be one of its drivers. See you on the road.

END