According to the company, the Harrier Jet was a joke, even though their ad didn’t state any disclaimer at first. Well, 21-year-old Business student, John Leonard, didn’t see it as a joke, but a business opportunity. At the time, a Harrier Jet was estimated to cost about $32 million, and John calculated that it would cost less to get the 7,000,000 Pepsi Points, and the difference will be a handsome profit for him and his investor, Todd Hoffman.

The case dragged on for years, and even the Settlement offer of $1 million was turned down by John and his team. They insisted on getting their Jet. It became a legal tussle, a classic David-Vs-Goliath scenario, and was finally laid to rest in 1999 by the judgement of Judge Kimba Wood of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. I will spare you the decision…

A thread of workplace lessons from the four-episode series are as follows:

Presumption can be Very Expensive

PepsiCo presumed that everyone will know they were joking. Assumptions have led to many disciplinary cases in many organizations. Many businesses have lost money in the past by assuming that their T&Cs will not be read. Never assume the unspoken or unwritten consent of another party. Never.

Thoroughness is a Great Skill

John Leonard saw the Pepsi Ad as did millions in America, however, he also saw the loophole of non-disclaimer. And with a simple numbers-crunching moment, he saw the quickest way to raise the 7,000,000 points required for what he thought was the jumbo prize.

Life is Better with a Slice of Adventure

John and his partner/friend, Todd Hoffman, showed in every part of the story that they are adventurers. They chased the opportunity they found down the interesting path it led them to. Often this is what makes the difference between a bland career journey and an exciting one—that decision to seek adventure often.

Always Name your Price from the Beginning

At a point in the legal tussle with PepsiCo, John and Todd were presented with a strategy to get PepsiCo to yield to their demand. It was blackmail. Michael Avenatti, their newly hired lawyer, felt this is the only way to get the attention of big corporates in America. But Todd, knowing what a journey down the rabbit hole can bring, insisted they did not. According to him, a Harrier Jet is not worth that much. Know the price of your actions, and never pay more than it is worth. Learn to leave when the venture begins to cost more than you bargained for.

Friend, be very intentional in decisions that will affect the outcomes of your career. You are totally responsible for your journey. I wish you luck.

Cheers.