Comments on: Lessons learned from Subway http://blog.nigelpoulton.com/lessons-learned-from-subway/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed with nigel poulton Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:37:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Nigel Poulton http://blog.nigelpoulton.com/lessons-learned-from-subway/comment-page-1/#comment-265 Nigel Poulton Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:58:02 +0000 http://blogs.rupturedmonkey.com/?p=120#comment-265 <p>Ah, Subway is an entirely different beast to Micky D's - you wouldn't find me in a McDonalds!  KFC I quite like though.</p> <p>Re the pre-sales comment about selling you stuff that you dont want, I know that some companies are starting to feel the effects of this mis-selling from their customers.  Customers are getting sick of what they are calling "shelfware" - stuff they are sold that they never use and it basically sits on the shelf.  In the long run this doesnt help your relationship with your customers when you sell them junk.</p> <p>And what is junk?  Basically anything that they dont need or want.  Extra bacon  is right up my street, but is no good to a vegitarian or even someone who doesnt want it.  Quite why anyone wouldnt want extra bacon is beyond me though!<br /> </p> <p>Mmmmmm extra bacon  :-D</p> Ah, Subway is an entirely different beast to Micky D's – you wouldn't find me in a McDonalds!  KFC I quite like though.

Re the pre-sales comment about selling you stuff that you dont want, I know that some companies are starting to feel the effects of this mis-selling from their customers.  Customers are getting sick of what they are calling "shelfware" – stuff they are sold that they never use and it basically sits on the shelf.  In the long run this doesnt help your relationship with your customers when you sell them junk.

And what is junk?  Basically anything that they dont need or want.  Extra bacon  is right up my street, but is no good to a vegitarian or even someone who doesnt want it.  Quite why anyone wouldnt want extra bacon is beyond me though!

Mmmmmm extra bacon  :-D

]]> By: Stephen2615 http://blog.nigelpoulton.com/lessons-learned-from-subway/comment-page-1/#comment-261 Stephen2615 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 07:43:55 +0000 http://blogs.rupturedmonkey.com/?p=120#comment-261 I personally have never tried Subway which I suppose it very odd indeed considering the world we live in.  Mind you I have not had KFC in over 20 years either and I rarely visit Macca’s either because I don’t like sugary bread but I do like the pickles.    I also have had the displeasure of using a number of professional services and to be quite honest, most of them have left a very unpleasant taste in my mouth.  I won’t name them for professional reasons but it is very rare that I get what I want or expect first time around.   Let me break the following down for you:   pre-sales --- can be very condescending and tries very hard to sell you the equipment you least want.   architects ---  What’s that, no seriously, what makes them architects?  About 5 years ago, a large telco offered me a solutions architectural role which surprised me as I did not even know the job and neither did they.   professional services --- lets charge huge amounts mostly for project management but do nothing of value quickly so we can change for more project management.  Let’s also make sure there is no training available for at least 6 months.  At least learn how to use MS project.  Nothing looks worse than looking at poorly created projects that could have been done better using some sort of spreadsheet.   support engineers --- ok, I have had positive experiences there because I was one.   account managers --- ca ching. ($$$$)   In 18 years of IT systems management, I have never seen anything go to plan especially with multiple vendors working together.  It’s always some one else’s fault.   Support engineers especially customer facing ones is a very thankless job.  If they did badly, there would be no huge sales commission the next time the customers wanted something.  Oddly enough, they rarely get the same money as the sales droid or pre sales idiot who still tries to sell you the wrong kit.   Much the same as “<strong>Do you want fries with that?</strong>” Stephen I personally have never tried Subway which I suppose it very odd indeed considering the world we live in.  Mind you I have not had KFC in over 20 years either and I rarely visit Macca’s either because I don’t like sugary bread but I do like the pickles. 
 
I also have had the displeasure of using a number of professional services and to be quite honest, most of them have left a very unpleasant taste in my mouth.  I won’t name them for professional reasons but it is very rare that I get what I want or expect first time around.
 
Let me break the following down for you:
 
pre-sales — can be very condescending and tries very hard to sell you the equipment you least want.
 
architects —  What’s that, no seriously, what makes them architects?  About 5 years ago, a large telco offered me a solutions architectural role which surprised me as I did not even know the job and neither did they.
 
professional services — lets charge huge amounts mostly for project management but do nothing of value quickly so we can change for more project management.  Let’s also make sure there is no training available for at least 6 months.  At least learn how to use MS project.  Nothing looks worse than looking at poorly created projects that could have been done better using some sort of spreadsheet.
 
support engineers — ok, I have had positive experiences there because I was one.
 
account managers — ca ching. ($$$$)
 
In 18 years of IT systems management, I have never seen anything go to plan especially with multiple vendors working together.  It’s always some one else’s fault.
 
Support engineers especially customer facing ones is a very thankless job.  If they did badly, there would be no huge sales commission the next time the customers wanted something.  Oddly enough, they rarely get the same money as the sales droid or pre sales idiot who still tries to sell you the wrong kit.
 
Much the same as “Do you want fries with that?”

Stephen

]]> By: Nigel Poulton http://blog.nigelpoulton.com/lessons-learned-from-subway/comment-page-1/#comment-262 Nigel Poulton Sat, 01 Sep 2007 20:19:14 +0000 http://blogs.rupturedmonkey.com/?p=120#comment-262 Sure will do! Sure will do!

]]> By: Chris M Evans http://blog.nigelpoulton.com/lessons-learned-from-subway/comment-page-1/#comment-264 Chris M Evans Sat, 01 Sep 2007 07:23:30 +0000 http://blogs.rupturedmonkey.com/?p=120#comment-264 Nigel, next time you're in the Cannon Street area, let me know as I'm working close to there at the moment..   Chris Nigel, next time you’re in the Cannon Street area, let me know as I’m working close to there at the moment..
 
Chris

]]> By: Blake Golliher http://blog.nigelpoulton.com/lessons-learned-from-subway/comment-page-1/#comment-263 Blake Golliher Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:45:52 +0000 http://blogs.rupturedmonkey.com/?p=120#comment-263 MMmmmmm extra bacon. MMmmmmm extra bacon.

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