More thoughts on efficiency

Machines are efficient, people are inefficient. I generally prefer service by people. I would rather go into the bank to cash a check than use the ATM. I would rather go to a store to buy something than order online. Sure, if the bank is closed or I am in a hurry, I'll use the ATM. If the item is hard to find, I'll order online.

This little blog entry was triggered on listening to a server schmooze at a neighborhood restaurant. Sure, it's more efficient to go to a chain fast food restaurant and be served by human automatons. But I'd rather go to a local restaurant where the staff interacts with the customers. I've found out who has graduated from college, what job a server is moving on to, and lots more about the food than I would at a fast food chain.

Also, a machine does not give you a free beer because food took longer than expected. It is really great when management gives employees latitude to make that kind of decision.

For a variety of reasons I haven't been visiting our favorite liquor store for the last few weeks. My wife suggested I buy a bottle of wine. Lo and behold, one of my favorite clerks had returned after a stint at another job. He is the best schmoozer of all the people at the store; he makes me want to stop more often. He may bring in more money than those who just answer questions and ring up the sale.

Personal service?

I received email this morning supposedly from the agency for the insurance company with whom we have our house insurance. It starts out

"Dear Melvyn,

Thank you for being" an xxx "customer."

It ends with

"Sincerely,"
yyy "Agency"

The from address of the email is yyy Agency

That doesn't seem very personal to me.

When I clicked "Download pictures" on the message, a picture of the agent did appear. I also put the cursor over "Contact me" and saw that it was the agent's personal email address on the insurance company's server.

It's amazing how "easy" it is to tailor messages, but it takes a bit more effort to make them truly personal. Effort costs money, and...

BTW, I don't plan to contact the agent. We'll let our insurance stand as it is.