Way, way back in the day, when Johnny and I worked for The Gas, we nearly built the system to pay the commision for the company’s field sales force. These are the guys who come around and knock on your door and try to entice you into signing up for gas/ electric/ phone/ credit card etc. (often by telling you your John Hancock’s needed ‘for information only’). If there’s one thing I learnt from working with salemen for four years, it’s that I hate salesmen. So there were little sniggers of joy when I found that BG are sacking half their sales force. Hopefully they can get rid of some of the idiot middle management whilst they’re about it.

Of course, it’s not all good news. In amongst the idiots there are a few decent people, mostly working admin and data analysis. With any luck they can move on to better things.

Remember- always wash your hands after dealing with a salesman.