Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Great Graphics

                I was raised on a farm in Iowa.  We took good care of our equipment and replaced it only when it could not be repaired, or for new and improved technology.  Everything was serviced regularly, but my dad believed in the statement, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” 
                In today’s high tech society, everything seems to change all the time, and not necessarily for the better.  I regularly use the web sites for three organizations that recently changed their formats.  They all have a new look with great color and graphics.  Unfortunately, none of them are as easy to use as the old sites.  I am sure creating the new web sites was not cheap.  Why spend money to irritate present customers? 
                The Volkswagen beetle was a huge automotive success story.  The car was changed and improved constantly for decades, but never with radical changes.  The customer seldom noticed the changes.  Maybe this philosophy would be a good guideline for website management.
                This obsession for change in business goes beyond web sites.  Companies drop names that have decades of history and image with the public for acronyms and logos that mean nothing to anyone.  Money must then be spent on advertising to give these new acronyms and logos an image for the public.  A name should say what the business does.
                This obsession with graphics even extends to entertainment.  Many motion pictures now feature great graphics and special effects.  The plot and acting may leave a lot to be desired, but the special effects are great.  And, what is this obsession that everything has to be so loud.  I am an old fart and I’m sure my hearing isn’t the best, but I can’t stand to go to a movie theater without earplugs.
                All change and improved technology is not necessarily good for business.  We must think of what is best and most convenient for our present and future customers.  I like the “Keep it Simple Stupid” approach.
 I still do a little coaching and consulting for very select clients.  One of the conditions for how we work together is no texting.  All texting is blocked from my cell phone.  I simply explain that I have time for one e-mail or one phone call, but not a dozen text messages.  Think about it.  It is a true waste of time in most cases.
 If you are thinking about how private business wastes time and money with graphics and acronyms, think about the public sector.  The web site for Obama care is a classic example of wasted tax dollars.  No one in the private sector would expect to keep his or her job with this kind of incompetence.  One individual in the public sector told me that he was in his job for a year before he knew what people were talking about because of the use or misuse of acronyms.
               All of these business considerations and more are addressed in my book Business Fits. 
                http://BusinessFits.com

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