Where The Hell Is My Bacon
🥓 Bacon bits. An untimely health directive. A frazzled technology department. These may not sound like the makings of a company-wide protest, but when mixed together with a dash of humor and a pinch of social media, a hilarious and enlightening story begins to unfold. Unexpectedly, fried pork becomes the voice of the people and a beacon of change. 🥓
I've been asked a few times why I decided to write about business and bacon. The short answer is, I lived an amazing tale of triumph involving fried pork, bad leadership, and a lot of amazing people. I recognized while it was happening that it was important--not only for me but for hundreds of other people going through some very tough times.
⭐️ Where The Hell Is My Bacon? is based on a true story that took place at one of my former jobs. In short, it is a polygamous marriage between bacon, business, and humor with timely messages about poor management.
One November not long ago, bacon bits were removed from our company cafeteria salad bar courtesy of an executive health mandate. This could not have come at a worse time. My IT department was in the middle of a grueling transition of their day-to-day work to an offshore team. Outsourcing. People were terrified of losing their jobs; confidence in management was nil; communication across the board was abysmal; and morale had sunk to an all-time low.
When the health decree came down and bacon disappeared from the cafeteria, it was the final blow.
Following a single social media post by one of my coworkers lamenting the loss of our beloved pork, the voice of the department exploded. The masses had suffered enough, and we revolted in a grand, food-centric protest.
It was a sad day for bacon...
...but a triumphant moment for the people, who brought to light important lessons about leadership, employee engagement, communication, and trust. ✊✊✊
I wrote WTHIMBacon? because I am passionate about all of these things.
This book speaks to people who may be going through their own challenges in the corporate world, whatever they may be. This is a story from the people, for the people. Leadership challenges are ubiquitous and if nothing else, I hope WTHIMBacon? underscores that you are not alone and things can change for the better.
Where The Hell Is My Bacon? is the book for you...
...if you have ever dealt with horrible leadership
...if you have ever struggled to find your voice at work
...if you have felt like you were no longer heard
...if you have been in a stressful work situation and felt like there was no hope
...if you love bacon, or even if you don't but you recognize the spirit of bacon
I was inspired by this book and the events within to start Café Grit - a podcast where I speak candidly about the challenges of corporate life and the glory of finding fulfillment. My passion since writing the book has not diminished. On the contrary. Helping people understand that they can make a difference and they can find their voice is more important than ever.
For more information on WTHIMBacon?, including then entire first chapter, please check out bethannecampbell.com/wthimbacon.
