Internet and Tacos
This was originally posted on my old blog, ngmarleyDOTnet, on Jul 21, 2009 @ 17:28 CDT. That blog is now defunct and the content is slowly being absorbed into this one. This is one of a few posts I wrote when traveling Latin America during the summer of 2k9. I distinctly remember writing this one in an internet café in Buenos Aires.
(hint for proprietors: Better service means more customers. Which means more cash flow. For you.)
You’re probably already using some kind of virus scanner, anti-malware and a porn filter and it’s likely your computers were all built within the last 5 years. Great job. Your customers are probably still frustrated as crap because you can’t take a few minutes to think about how you can improve their internet experience. Because at the most basic level, they’re the ones paying the bills.
A “business consultant” might charge you $200/hr for this info.
- Get new keyboards. Swap out your crappy keyboards with keys that stick and change them for new ones. It doesn’t matter if they were new 2 years ago or even last year. It makes a world of difference.
- Install Mozilla Firefox on every bloody machine. Damn, people. Get a clue. (hint: Logon to the machine as an admin, go to getfirefox.com and follow the instructions.)
- Note pads and pens in every kiosk. They can be cheap, as long as people can write down an address and/or phone # or two.
- Get real mouse pads. Not a piece of white or black paper and NOT a brown paper sack. If the people have to shake/wiggle the mouse and have a hard time getting the cursor to move, it’s not good. Also, if you are using mice with balls, change them out for optical mice.
- This is the most important: USE YOUR OWN PRODUCT. Sit down at a CUSTOMER kiosk (not your desk at the front of the shop), and browse the net for 5-10 minutes. Besides, for you, it’s free, and you get to see what your customers have to deal with, and what would make the experience better. I think this advice would actually work with any business model.
You’re welcome. That’ll be $200.