(Thanks to leilei2006 for making this photo public on flickr.)
On the other hand, I have to get my car inspected from my insurance so they can give me an estimate on the hail damage done to my car. As I was setting up an appointment, the claims person says "you know there is more hail forecasted for tonight". It just occurred to me, wouldn't it be cool if you can sms all your clients this information before hand so I can find a safe spot for my car and save both of us money. The technology is there, if airlines can sms flight info. to me, my insurance company can sms weather warning to me. That would be a neat way to differentiate yourself from your competition. So why not do it?
It is because not all companies are like Toyota. It is because once a company reaches a certain size ideas are squashed under process and paper work. It is because ennui and adhering to standards replace innovation and true customer satisfaction. How is your company doing? What are you doing to change it? Oh yes process is not always bad.
p.s I recently read a post about Toyota's management style where production line workers are given lots of freedom to innovate and how it is considered an honour if an engineer can spend time on the production line. If you know what I am talking about, please consider sending me the link :)
3 comments:
I love the idea of insurance companies doing that. Just think of how much money it would save them in the end if they could warn their customers beforehand rather than spend money on claims after the damage is done :)
Great idea!!
I can just imagine the shock of getting THAT message... :) It is a great idea though...unfortunately, big businesses tend to be a lot like government - and not in a good way.
But you gotta be careful though. All those well intentioned sms can become.. junk sms. Imagine getting sms about upcoming hail, traffic jam, flight delay (this one is great though!), the cheapest gas station near you, and that today's the best day to fertilize your lawn. Much the same with businesses sending us e-mails about deals and products that we might want. Reminders of mother's day and what we can get for mother's day from their store. Some of them are good, some of them become junk mail. Junk mail is much more filterable than junk sms. So, in part, I am quite happy that businesses do not send sms, however well-intentioned it might be.
On a side note, Ford's motto is now 'To be the leader in innovation'. :)
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