I am enlightened everyday by the statements of non-business leaders making statements that attempt to underscore the notion that they are rational, thought provoking, “trust me when I say this” businessmen, especially when I hear a statement like this: “…cutting costs generates a revenue stream;” therefore, future layoffs will bring in revenues by spending less. Most of us in our seats almost fell out of them when we heard this utterance. However, it actually took us a moment for the message to sink in; but, sink in it did and we looked at each other with incredulity. Cutting costs saves money but does not generate revenue. Smiling to ourselves, we did, knowing our speaker attended no school of business.
But, the silliness does not stop there. Just before the meeting, we all received an email asking us to bring our own cup if we intended to drink coffee. Apparently, in an effort to generate another revenue stream, our caterer informed us that they could provide coffee but could not provide the labor to wash the coffee cups. I am so pleased, especially during this time of economic uncertainty that another way has been discovered to generate income. So now the survivors of layoffs must bring their own coffee cups to meetings. How absolutely positive is this, I ask you?Customer service has just reached a new level of satisfaction.
The above describes an experience at a former place of employment and I am sure that we all have stories like this to share which is the bizarre part of this post. How many businesses, corporations, and organizations have treated their employees like they were not their customers but merely expendable supplies that are expensed out each month? This is particularly interesting since the data shows that 68% of customers leave because of an attitude of indifference by an employee.So, bring your own coffee cup because we are generating revenues.
1 comment:
WOW I did not know that cutting my personal costs would generate revenue. Why does not my bank account reflect the sudden surge in income? I recently worked for possibly the WORST organization on the planet when it comes to the way they treat their employees. The exec dir had the flow chart laid out in such a way that the buck never stopped at her desk. It was the fault of her assistant, or the assistant to the assistant, or the store manager, or the sales associates. She intimidated everyone at the monthly meetings by saying things similar to "if you dont bring up your numbers you will lose your job." She never called anyone in personally to have a chat, her chats were always in front of the staff. And she wonders why she gets so many complaints from customers. When your work environment is hostile, you too begin to become hostile!
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