Two Kinds of Customers

Two (2) occupants of two (2) condominium residences were refusing to pay their share of association and water bills.  They, in fact, haven’t paid for over a year despite repeated follow-ups from the condominium’s treasurer.  The rationale of both occupants (who happen to be sisters, by the way) was that the condominium association wasn’t legal,Continue reading “Two Kinds of Customers”

We are Consumers in a Take-It-or-Leave-It World

I’ll never fly, Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, ever again.  At least I’ll avoid it as much as I could.  The Emirates flight I took from Manila to Dubai was horrible. I had a economy seat in which I could not get the in-flight entertainment system to work.  The flight attendants ignored my requests for assistance. Continue reading “We are Consumers in a Take-It-or-Leave-It World”

Demand Fulfilment Begins Before the Order, Not After

As managers of our enterprises. we entice our customers to select our products & services.  Once our customers show interest in the items we are selling, the demand creation process comes closer to ending, and the demand fulfilment comes closer to beginning.  Hence, we don’t wait for customers to order when we start the fulfilmentContinue reading “Demand Fulfilment Begins Before the Order, Not After”

It’s Bad When We Turn Away Customers, Very Bad

Customers are the lifeblood of our businesses. If we don’t have customers, our businesses die; it’s that simple.  Yet, many of us who are business owners turn away customers for any number of reasons.  Sometimes, the reasons are due to the limits our businesses have.  Restaurants turn away customers because they have no more tablesContinue reading “It’s Bad When We Turn Away Customers, Very Bad”

Products & Services: What’s the Difference and How Do We Maximise Their Value?

What’s the difference between a product and a service?  A product is an item of value that benefits a user.  A service is an activity that leads to the benefits for those availing of it.           Products are tangible, i.e., as in solid, liquid, gas, or energy, or as virtual (e.g. software, streaming videos, speeches,Continue reading “Products & Services: What’s the Difference and How Do We Maximise Their Value?”

Weather Forecasting vs. Demand Forecasting: A Case of Different Expectations

Meteorologists predict what the weather will be like, whether it be tomorrow or the next few hours.  Demand forecasters predict what customers will buy and how much, whether it be next week, next month or next year.  When a weather forecast is wrong, we don’t hold the meteorologist accountable.  We may grumble about the inconvenienceContinue reading “Weather Forecasting vs. Demand Forecasting: A Case of Different Expectations”

The Importance of Making Available What We Promise

I ordered a box of latex gloves from a 3rd party seller on a popular e-commerce website.  The seller confirmed my order by email and after 24 hours, the order status on the website was that the box of gloves was being prepared for shipment.  One week later, the order status said it was atContinue reading “The Importance of Making Available What We Promise”

What Collaboration Is and Is Not

Collaboration denotes a cooperative working relationship between parties which leads to mutual benefits.  It’s not commonly observed in industries and supply chains despite the potential benefits it can bring.  This is because it’s not easy to do and in the first place, many business executives don’t think it’s worth the trouble.  Many enterprises, small businessesContinue reading “What Collaboration Is and Is Not”