Why small things matter
23 May 2008
Yesterday I received a letter from a prominent UK motoring organisation, of which I am a member. I don't get much from them because I opted out of all of the "valuable partner offers" they"As it turns out", they said, "we have become part of a larger group, and are now able to offer services that weren't available when you opted out. As this is the case it seems only fair to let you know what we can now offer, and give you the opportunity to reconsider your opt-out."
Hmmmm. Yes, I guess that is fair... I mean, they might be offering something I really want. So, even though this kind of breaks an agreement we had, I read on. As it turns out they aren't doing anything too new, and certainly nothing I need right now. Sorry fellas.
But this is the kicker. If I want to
Un-flipping-believe-able.
It's a small thing, but as businesses chase profits we get to see how much they respect their customers... how much they are prepared to risk long-term relationships for short-term growth. I may be in a minority of people who get properly narked about this stuff, but I think it matters. I think all these little seeds of discontent add up and make a difference.
As I say, my renewal is coming up...
Posted by Nick Warren at 11:35 AM
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"Insourcing" - because we don't really sell web design
19 May 2008
Conventional wisdom has it that there is a tidal flow of skilled jobs from the expensive West to an army of inexpensive graduates in the East... and that as a result a lot of us in the technology sector are going to hell in a hand cart.
I can't speak for others, but at the moment this isn't affecting Semantic... indeed recently something rather surprising happened. We were approached by a company based in India who are unsatisfied with the assistance they have been getting from local developers. Economic realities aside they have seen our work and are extremely keen to work with us. I guess they recognise the true cost of cheap web design.
I have no idea whether we will end up working with them, but it has made me think about what it is we offer at Semantic. Of course we develop web sites... but we don't really sell web sites. What we are selling is the thinking, the strategy, the design... the nouse! Our success is all about the soft stuff.
Which is why, perhaps, a company based in the capital of tech outsourcing may soon be outsourcing to us.
Posted by Nick Warren at 7:29 AM
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