Does Anybody Else Think The iPhone Sucks?

Don't get me wrong.  I love my iPhone for a lot of things (all the apps mostly).  But, let's face it, when it comes to the one thing I need it to do (phone calls), it just plain sucks.  Dropped calls.  Can't connect.  Sloooooooooow connections.  And don't you dare tell me it's my carrier (Verizon).  Believe me, Verizon sucks too (but that's for another blog rant).  But, when I had Verizon service with my Blackberry -- I never had a problem with any calls.  Now, I can't even get reception inside my home.  Thank heavens for the -- yes -- landline (Comcast - they suck too)! Seems Apple got everything right with the iPhone except for one thing - uhh - the phone!

What Does My Kitchen Sink Have to Do with CRM?

My Sorry Sink

The faucet on my kitchen sink broke today.  Tim-the-Tool-Man that I am, I got out my monkey wrench and went to town.  Mistake # 1.

An hour and a half into it, and it's off to Home Depot for a new "Handle Assembly Kit".  Only Home Depot ain't got such part.  So, I buy a new faucet.  Mistake # 2.

$268 and two hours later, I realize that this won't work.  Sooooo - at 1:45 PM - I send a Hail Mary pass to the plumber.  Unbelievably, the plumber says he will be there between 2 PM and 5 PM --- TODAY!!!! Did I mention it was Sunday.  Torrential downpour, hailstones the size of Texas.

My Plumber - He Deserves a Plug!

He gets here, as promised.  Tells me to return the new faucet for money back.  Pulls a "Handle Assmbly Kit" out of his butt - and stick a fork in it - she's done!

Imagine if Comcast (or insert any bloated quasi-monopolistic pseudo-service organization here), operated like my plumber!  Oh what a world it would.  What does my plumber know about CRM that many marketers don't?

1.  Service with a smile
2.  Stand and deliver
3.  Add real value

You just can't fake that stuff.