In "Kitten Clone: Inside Alcatel-Lucent," author Douglas Coupland shares a personal anecdote from Brennan, who recalls a memorable moment during a mass termination meeting at a local hockey arena. A recruitment truck from Nortel arriving at the same time raised alarms, suggesting that firings were imminent. This incident serves as a poignant reminder of how corporate environments can become tense during times of workforce reduction.

Brennan's practical advice highlights the importance of paying attention to signals in the workplace. When all meeting rooms are booked simultaneously, it often indicates that something significant is happening—typically, layoffs. Such observations can offer employees a critical heads-up about potential changes in their job security and the volatile nature of corporate operations.