Friday, May 27, 2005
The Power Within
I was reading some notes from behind the scenes of a franchise operation the other day. And felt a bit embarrassed by what I read.
The text was explaining how the franchisees could avoid the - inevitable - problems of forgetful, disorganised customers.
People who buy things, particularly online, but then 'lose' the download links, forget what the product was actually supposed to do, provide the wrong contact information ... etc.
I began to realise that I didn't have the faintest idea where some material I've bought over several years from one supplier actually is.
And I certainly haven't used it. Or I'd know where it was.
I could hardly blame the supplier. All my fault.
And time I got a tad more organised.
But then came a knock on the door. A truck driver wanted to deliver 'the doors and architraves you ordered'.
Except I hadn't. But sure enough, the order, handwritten and signed by the buyer, had my address on it.
I wonder where they really lived?
The text was explaining how the franchisees could avoid the - inevitable - problems of forgetful, disorganised customers.
People who buy things, particularly online, but then 'lose' the download links, forget what the product was actually supposed to do, provide the wrong contact information ... etc.
I began to realise that I didn't have the faintest idea where some material I've bought over several years from one supplier actually is.
And I certainly haven't used it. Or I'd know where it was.
I could hardly blame the supplier. All my fault.
And time I got a tad more organised.
But then came a knock on the door. A truck driver wanted to deliver 'the doors and architraves you ordered'.
Except I hadn't. But sure enough, the order, handwritten and signed by the buyer, had my address on it.
I wonder where they really lived?
