How I Learned to Stop Worrying & Love My IT Support
Introducing Stephen Hamilton! Many of you may know Stephen from his myriad enlightened comments on SBO over the past 12 months or so. Today we welcome his maiden guest post on a topic that many of us find pretty darn annoying…getting decent IT help.
I’ve worked in IT for most of my working life. [...]
The Money or The Box? Part 2
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Day 8
After a week, my fax, printer, photocopier and scanner were still down. As was my enthusiasm for online discount shopping.
No courier. No toner. Three phone conversations. Frustration.
I rang the customer service chap one more time. He promised to call back, but sent an email instead:
Im not sure how this hasent been delivered [...]
The Money or The Box?
Part 1 of 2
My toner ran out last week. This took down my fax, printer, photocopier and scanner.
A price check showed my usual bricks-and-mortar supplier was 25% off the pace.
Keen to save some loot and trusting a 1-3 day delivery promise, I bought online.
Big mistake.
Day 1, 2 & 3
I faithfully attended Empire House every day [...]
Yes Sir, No Sir?
We often hear that ‘the customer is king’. But should this translate into titles?
I began work in retail and was a polite lad, so I called every male customer Sir. As I grew older, the habit stuck and I used Sir in my other roles.
To my surprise, it didn’t always have the desired effect. [...]
Defence in Depth
Defence in depth is the strategy of exhausting an enemy via attrition.
It was used to devastating effect by the Carthaginians at Cannae and by the Romans at my home renovation.
If you wish to stress a marriage, break a spirit, drain a bank account and earn undying odium for yourself and your industry, here’s a [...]
Deal Breakers
It can take years to gain a client and seconds to lose one. Sometimes, the break is audible. Below are four such pivotal moments, frozen for your perusal.
Pelvic Thrust
A woman at risk of ovarian cancer attends an ultrasound clinic. On taking her name, the Receptionist turns around and shouts through a door to the [...]
All Washed Up – Part 2
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I was the proud (and rather startled) owner of ten car wash vouchers. Melbourne’s most dogged salesman had secured my custom for at least a year. And after our magic, first-wash honeymoon, I was hungry for lifelong love.
He waved the wash team to my car and told me to return in 20 minutes. [...]
All Washed Up
Part 1 of 2
I don’t like salesmen who won’t take no. But the sheer tenacity of one guy breached my every defence. I wanted one car wash; he sold me ten. He won the battle. But will he win the war? Let’s see.
He approached smiling. I wore red:
Hi, Mate; I’d like a wash thanks.
Hello, Sir. [...]
I, ROBOT.
I was going to report this development as a comment on Naming Rights, but I was so stunned that I had to give it a full post.
The Telstra ROBOT that gave me so much grief during my ISP dramas has evolved beyond the point of recognising my voice and hanging up.
It has now [...]
Trial by Fire
I was grateful for the many considered comments on No Guarantees. So grateful, that I just did something I’ve never done.
I offered a guarantee.
Yes, it was in pursuit of new business. Nevertheless, it was still a big new trick for a relatively old dog. On spotting the word ‘readvertised’ in a job ad, I emailed [...]
