The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]

I don’t John …

Just like the people who think ‘blackboard’ has racist overtones are probably racist themselves, the person who thinks I was saying CRM and Customer Service is revealing their own issues. 🙂

Saying that, maybe you could aim that comment at many companies who DO think they are one and the same … and not in the sense their joint goal could be defined as “keeping existing customers and individuals who have expressed an interest in our brand/product, content and informed in the hope we can eventually convince and/or encourage them to purchase again” but in the sense they view it as “an ability to bombard people with offers or to sacrifice people who we feel will not spend money with us again”.

BTW, I was talking to Lee about you yesterday 🙂

i would have appreciated it, if some banks would have said that they are sorry. i cannot think of one that did. but then an apology makes people expect a change in behaviour/business practice as a consequence. and the banks in question don t want to change anything i guess. because that could loose them some more money. they are rather forced into a change by laws and regulations, hoping that it is minor… if regulations will ever come. debates about that will go on for a bit longer i think. which is not the best thing in terms of reputation… and to get trusted again, they ll throw out ads and spots and wonder why it does not work as they thought it would. i dont get why they are not a bit proactive. and that sign is funny

To be fair Peggy, the ex-heads of RBS have made an apology. Of course it’s the kind of “sorry” a 5 year old kid gives their Mum when they want to be let off the ‘naughty step’ so they can go and impregnate their 15 year old girlfriend, but it’s better than the car industry who have taken billions, said they need more and basically regard the car buying public as the enemy.

As for HSBC/Citi … I’ve actually had to open accounts with both organisations recently and I know EXACTLY what you mean.

To be fair, the HSBC people were helpful, it just was a very convoluted process to open the account [and I did get the ‘end of queue thing’] and Citi were kind, but needed 10 tons of info. Infact the only reason I persisted was the fact Citi is the only organisation that allows me to internationally transfer big amounts via the internet without having to go in to fill out telegraphic transfers. It is the ONLY reason I have accounts with them in the UK, US, Australia, Singapore and now HK … and yet they never talk about this, it is something I found out for myself. No wonder they’re in shit when this feature – which is genuinely beneficial for people who move countries fairly regulary – isn’t promoted, especially because they are one of the few financial organisations that can let this happen because they blew a small bloody fortune on creating their own international banking process which is different to the majority of their competitiors.

As for the ‘There’s No Such Thing As Altruism’, may I suggest you do another slide called ‘There’s No Such Thing As Free Customer Service’ so you can win all the telecommunication business as well, ha!

Come on McG, you of all people should know what I’m talking about given it relates to an agency in your country.

And don’t talk to me about ‘bank security’ … I had quite possibly one of the most stupid things happen to me whilst trying to buy a house in Oz recently.

They wouldn’t let me confirm whether I signed my cheques R Campbell or Robert Campbell [I didn’t want them to send me my signature, I just wanted to know whether it was written with my full name or my initial because I hadn’t written a cheque in 15 years] under the excuse it was for ‘security’, despite the fact they had managed to approve thousands of dollars to be unlawfully sent from my account to someone I’d never heard of, let alone dealt with.

My favourite bit was when I was put through to the ‘SOLUTIONS DEPARTMENT’ only to be told “no one here will help you”. Nice!

But I live in my little intellectual bubble at the top of the hill! if Rob won’t tell me – will someone else please spill it? who got their just desserts?

Australia only conveys their unique “telling it as it is” trait [or as the rest of the World sees it: arrogance] when they’re “winning” … when they are in a situation where they’re not able to be classed as the uber-victorious, they resort to the kind of beating-about-the-bush that the typical man adopts when trying to get “invited in” for a coffee.

England on the other hand embrace this blunt truth only when detailing negative news because it helps feed their ‘class system’ ego.

What I mean by this is that we have been educated to believe those with ‘power’ could afford to speak their mind, regardless of consequence whereas subordinates, just played the game and smiled through all pain. In short, if you can be blunt, you are subconciously telling yourself you have power and authority.

And if you believe that, you should be working for Halibut Fischer [www.asianyang.wordpress.com]

PS: Mr McG … READ THE MEDIA MAGS!!!

good morning.

bazza, yes. would you like some? i find it works best in a tetra-pack.

Lauren, there’s a few things I’ve been meaning to tell you….

Mr McG, would you like to see the ‘blue goldfish’?