It isn't who you know but.....

I want to relate a story about "It isn't who you know..". This happened during the time I was still with SIA. One chief steward by the name of Paul Foo was rejected at a inflight manager promtion interview. Paul was a dedicated crew and amicable chap. The then director of cabin crew disliked Paul and didn't approve of Paul becoming an inflight manager. Paul approached me and asked for help. I could not do much to help Paul until he showed me a black and white photograph of our then prime mminister Mr Lee Kuan Yew inspecting Cambodia's guard of honor with Prince Norodom Sihanouk in Phnom Penh. The photograph was given and signed by Mr Lee Kuan Yew. This was a good opportunity I thought to myself and advised Paul to see the director of cabin crew and showed him the signed photograph. 

Mr Lee Kuan was a much revered and well loved prime minister. It was rare to see Mr Lee giving a photograph signed by him to a commoner like Paul. Therefore the photograph should carry a lot of weight I told Paul.When the director saw the photograph, he was please with Paul. He told Paul he should be promoted instantly. Within a month, Paul Foo was promoted to the position of inflight manager.

So it isn't who you know that matters but rather "who knows you"!