12:06 by FoxTwo
Loyal Customers Always Get Left In The Dust
I bet it must have happened to you at least once.
You've been a long-time customer of Company X. You've been using their services for 10 years, 15 years etc. In all those years, at best all you've done is redeem some points for some small gifts.
Then, now you see Company X having a nice promotion for new signups. You call Company X up and enquire whether you can take advantage of the new promotion too, since you're not currently bound by any existing contracts. You even indicate you would not mind topping up some amount of cash, since you understand it's to encourage new customers to sign up.
Then Company X flatly tells you NO. No negotiations. No attempts to accommodate you.
Just a simple NO.
Indirectly, they are actually encouraging you to terminate your subscriptions with them.
Seriously.
There'll be people who are miffed that they get the cold shoulder treatment, and terminate all services in a fit of anger, swearing never to use Company X's services again. Then there'll be the other section that terminate and then re-apply again, hence becoming "new signups". Yes, Company X, you're giving yourself MORE WORK for LESS MONEY (promotional prices), having to terminate us, then re-process our applications again. Time and effort that could have been saved. Think about it.
Also, loyal customers like us usually don't get price adjustments to our packages. If you have never bothered to check the promotions, the price of $90 a month you've been paying for the past 10 yrs might only be $39.95 a month now for the same thing, if you were a new signup. Company X probably never even bothered to notify nor offered you a lower monthly subscription price. From a business standpoint, of course it's stupid. Why cut your revenue? But from a customer and rapport-building point of view, it's a disaster waiting to happen. When customers wake up and leave in protest, you have no customers. No customers means no revenue. It's better to have less revenue than no revenue at all
In light of this, doesn't this seem like we customers are encouraged to terminate services as soon as contract ends, and signup again later, so that we can get the price adjustments as well as promotional items/prices?
Yes indeed, all you service providing companies out there! Take heed! That is what you're encouraging loyal customers to do! You're telling us we should terminate as soon as contract ends, since there's NO BENEFITS whatsoever to continue using your services past the stipulated contract time-frame.
Where's the customer-oriented service that the gahmen has been trying to preach?
nb: - this post is not directed at any company or service provider in particular. However, it is inspired by a recent promotional offer by a prominent service provider, and the author was told he could not enjoy the offer, period. No discussions.
13:56 by FoxTwo
10 Illegal Job Interview Questions - Is Singapore Ready?
I thought I'd comment on the 10 points brought up in the local context:
#1: Where were you born?
Say what? You're kidding right? It's such a common question here, and it's asked in the APPLICATION FORM you fill in before the interview - right under "Place Of Birth".
#2: What is your native language?
Hmm so they can't even ask our ethnic background eh? Cool.
#3: Are you married?
#4: Do you have children?
#5: Do you plan to get pregnant?
All the above are meant not to discriminate against the applicant if they are married or have a family. In Singapore, I believe many employers would consider these are "critical" questions. I hate to say it, but my own boss refuses to hire women just because "they're too much trouble to worth it".
#6: How old are you?
Again, this one's right there on the application form, right under "Age" column.
#7: Do you observe Yom Kippur?
In local context, it'd be asking the applicant if he/she observes Christmas, or Ramadan, etc. Very few employers I know ask this, but I never knew it should be illegal...
#8: Do you have a disability or chronic illness?
Ok this one got me too.... I believe this is also listed on some company's application form too, ie you must declare yourself fit and healthy BEFORE the interview....
#9: Are you in the National Guard?
In Singapore's context, it's asking the guy "Are you still doing Reservist?". I don't see many employers in Singapore asking this, but mainly cos it's a pointless question - 90% of the time the answer will be "YES" heheheh!
#10: Do you smoke or use alcohol?
I agree - this question should be illegal. As long as I get work done you shouldn't care how I live my life.
All in all, if these 10 questions were to be outlawed in Singapore, I bet employers would run out of questions to ask, and I guess it *would* level the playing field for candidates. In an ideal world, these questions would never even need to be asked. In Singapore.... *chuckle* I don't see it happening in my lifetime...
Labels: business, company, employer, Singapore, workplace ethics
