erithacus' saga: up in the world

That no longer mattered as another opportunity had arisen; one that very much suited my JobCentre-database client profile. I was bound for the world of logistics and warehousing and a non-tie wearing career in the Vanguard Fashions loading and unloading department. My first job was Cardboard Man (or Box Manager) that consisted in folding up the empty cardboard boxes from which the imported clothes that arrived in the warehouse had been taken. Vanguard Fashions had formerly produced its own garments but a new generation of managers had discovered it was more profitable to import garments manufactured in the Far East by children in sweatshops. The company could therefore get rid of staff and reduce costs, not get their hands dirty and spend time on important strategic business and marketing activities such as building brands, enhancing brand images and equity and providing customers with added value. Company sponsorship schemes even included a Vanguard Fashions university chair in brand management, the professor of which was a director on the Vanguard Fashions board.