Flossy Ideas, Meetups and Views
Collection of Stories, Perspective and Ideas for Coffee Meets
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| Reading as a Habit |
True. Reading, is a way to know, understand and go through the journey of lives as described in the words. For me, it gives me the fodder to start a conversation, share new points and debate.
I wanted to join a reading club, though I’m not a prolific reader. At least, I can get inspiration from other readers, come to know about about books, what to read, trending books, etc.
What is reading for you?
How often do you read?
What’s the last book you’ve read?
After saving some dough, and little thought we ordered an air conditioner. As usual, there were couple of brands available in the market. At first, the decision was to Voltas, but after reading the Amazon review, opted to go for higher priced Bluestar, without reading any customer reviews.
This was bought from QRS shop, a leading shop in Trivandrum which sells T.V and household goods and electronic goodies.
After we bought the AC, we had to wait for two days ( Sunday and Hartal day). Finally, by 11ish, two young chaps came to install the A/C. The remaining part of the post is from my observation on seeing this installation process and two other AC installation services
I hope the suggestions will be useful, probably to improve the service or delight the customer.
Here are the feedback after seeing multiple installation works
1. The process of installation often starts with a call from the agency which send the team of two to the site. This time too, we had to repeat the repeat the address. WHY can’t they get it from the original bill? Okay, probably to reconfirm or ask for landmarks.
2. Customer care didn’t ask if the room had a air-hole or ventilation. Most houses in Kerala has ventilation, so what will they do to seal it? Will they use the thermacol which comes with the packing box for sealing the air hole. ( It was done in the earlier installation and there are gaps)
Does the customer go around looking for thermacol from the boxes. In case it’s discarded, what is the next option – run to the store to buy themacol sheets?
This time, they said installation cost is Rs 500. Why can’t they tell us beforehand about things required for the installation – ladder, plastic cover, clamps ( if required), and broom.
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The team of two guys who came for the installation started with the unpacking of indoor unit. After taking it out, one of them climbed on the table which was kept right below the place meant for installing.
Next, a guy asked for a plastic cover. I didn’t know what it was for. I found the bubble wrap cover used in packing the voltage stabilizer. He said it’s fine. Next, he sticks the cover to the wall. ( I like this idea). The plan is that while drilling the wall, the dust will fall inside the cover.
Last time when we fixed a A/C, the fellas kept few newspapers down. Also, I remember how the guys where talking loudly, shouting at higher pitch that would be necessary. This is a nuisance to the household folks, especially when a classroom was happening.
This time, the technician guy was on the call, with a ear plug fixed to his ear. At one time, I thought he was asking me something. DAMN! When you work, just work.
Pls no multi-tasking, like most cab drivers in Bangalore. ( on a side note, I wonder how most Ola drivers talk incessantly over the call, once the cab get’s going. I wish they was a comment section – DRIVER ON CALL DURING TRIP)
Back to the A/C Installation story!
At the time of installing the outdoor unit, I had to go my neighbor’s house to get a taller ladder. Struggled to lift it. Can these guys do a bit to help! Okay I understand, it’s not part of your duty! But, if you’re interested to delight me or anyone. Probably, any generous work can get rewards. Karma!
Again drilling sound followed. Outdoor unit is fixed. I had to search for two bricks, probably to keep the unit on top of it.
Soon, they were rolling the wires, taking their stuffs, etc. Finally, the senior, explained to me about the options in the remote. Use the cool option to get cooling, etc. At least, he took time to explain me that part. Last time, there was no much explanation. Paid the installation fee and 200 bucks as tips for the service.
NEXT MY TASK!
1. Ladder they used to climb to the sunshade was left in the same position.
2. The dust and bit of brick pieces has fallen on table cloth, on the floor and windows
3. Bits of wire were all strewn on the floor.
How to delight the customer!
1. Avoid loud talking at customer’s place or using phone excessively
2. It’s best to introduce themselves before they start the work – Tell your names, the agency they are part of and brief us about what all they would require.
3. If a ladder is required – help the customer to get it from the attic, or from the neighbor’s place.
4. CLEAN after the work. Can’t leave all the dust around. That’s not a professional attitude.
5. Come prepared with a cover to collect the dust. That will save customer’s time in searching for a cover.
6. Smell good. Spray deo. ( Extra goodness 🙂 )
7. After the A/C is installed, you can close the windows and make the customer feel the coolness. Make them feel proud of that they have bought.
At the time of leaving, one of the guy said that there’s free service after completing 6 months. Good that he said. But, as a typical customer we might forget it. Suppose he says – you’ll get a call from our side to remind about the FREE service. How would that be customer delight experience!
Thanks!
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| What matters? |
Who are you inside? Are the same person and just a different what from the external features.
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| Cow Revered |
News like this is not new anymore. From the time, Mr Modi has taken the reigns, this topic has become a sensitive issue. It’s a new India, where new ideas and idealogies are brought on the front.
What Matters!
For me, nothing much matters – as I have to focus on things that matter to me most – my wallet, my health, and the well-being of people around me.
Flood of Memories
What’s your reaction when you hear that someone with whom you have memories, moments has passed away. When I heard this news, I was overwhelmed by many memory of that person – like a slide show from a PPT deck. One slide after another filled with moments, scene, moving in random intervals.
All a mixed bag of feelings from regret, sadness and we started to ask ourselves questions like …. I should have….spend time with her, visited her house, gone for a dinner with him, visited them often, taken a picture with that person, etc.
Looking Ahead
One day, not very far away, you too will say goodbye, without getting a chance to say your adieu. Or, it will be someone’s turn before yours. Will you at that time, be happy for the time you have set aside for that person, shared something with that person, stood for that person, etc.
Finally, it comes down to the lessons and impressions of that person leaves behind. How often will it come back to you. Will you forget those moments, downed by the urgency of pressing things in your life?
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| Temple at the Road Side – Kumarapuram |
Most time when we cross this temple, my spouse tells me of her memories with this island temple in Kumarpuram. It’s the pujari whose body was covered with some kind of big boils like Small Pox. There was hardly any person who comes to worship – just a basic temple, no prasadam as it’s served in paper cups, etc.
Now times has changed, people have a new found faith in this temple and some particular day of the week, it’s crowded with devotees.
Change is a part of life, and this too is a change!
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| What’s Breaking News! |
Took this picture from Kochu Veli Express as it halted in one of the stops before Kollam en-route to it’s last stop, Kochu Veli. Such sights are common in Kerala, a state which boasts of high literacy and newspaper readership.
This makes me think – is the so called literacy good for Kerala? Or is it inhibiting change or resisting people to act on what skills they learn or know.
On a general scale, Kerala has large number of newspaper readers and for most people, any-day is incomplete without starting the day with news and coffee. The over consumption of news has it’s side effects which I feel is crippling the state.
One assumption I think is that newspapers carry lot of negative news and it can make critical of everything they come across. And, this is the plague that I find with most people of my state. They are skewed to be negative, sarcastic towards anything that’s new. I belong to this and many of my contemporaries.
Any project, proposal or a venture from anyone is resisted – from Express highway project to waste recycling plant and many more.
I may be wrong, I may be right?
What do you think?
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| Tributary of Veli Backwater |
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| Blackish Water of Veli Backwater |
Spot this Sight
See this view, take the Poonthi Road towards KIMS hospital. Half way through, you’ll see a bridge on the left side of the road, as the road curves to the right, on the opposite side of the apartment.
Why I took this Road less Traveled!
It’s a shortcut to reach Anayara side. I stopped at the bridge to view the blackish water of this backwater. This is lost part of Veli backwater which is covered with African payal ( Weed).
Apart from the weed that’s taking over the water body, humans too are slowly taking over this wet land by filling it with loads of mud. Slowly, slices of land will cover the dead backwater and a house will spring in these parts.
What if I had a land by the banks of this river? Will I try to cover it with mud so that I can fetch a price for the property. Well, that’s what most of the land owners are doing. Not all, but a good part of them!
Tactics the Chinese way – Salami Tactics
Is there a way to bring life back to these water bodies? I always think of some means to take the weed out of these waters, but all those looks very expensive on paper.
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| Mackeral – One Part |
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| Simple masala ( Chilly and turmeric paste) |
Sometimes, I’m greedy and I act fickle about food. When I grew up, like many others, we often hear elders saying – don’t show tantrums with food. Do you know that there are many millions who don’t have any food on the table and your fussiness in food in not a good attitude. Be content with what you have – eat the veggies.
Today was one such day. There was squid curry, then a dry fish dish, then two vegetables. But the sight of mackeral kept for cleaning, made me stop the food halfway through. I kept the half eaten plate and then sliced and cleaned the mackeral and fried it.
After all the work and expectations, the mackeral didn’t turnout to be the one which I liked. I felt, it was not as fresh as I expected. Probably, they had kept some chemicals and made it appear fresh.
Don’t know why I’m this finicky about freshness of ayila or bangada as it’s called in Bangalore. In B’lore I don’t buy ayila as it looks too stale for me.
Today, I wonder if my understanding of freshness in fish is right or a construed thought!
Why did I remember this library now?
Today while taking my scooter near Kumarapuram, I saw a man who resembled the person who had worked in British Library. He was a pleasing young man then, with thick mush – which was more like bristles on a brush. I remember him giving me some allowance when I present overdue books at the library counter. Thanks for that favor!
Looking Back!
What do I remember about the British library which had a good collection of fiction and non-fiction books? Which book did I read? Did I ever finish a book?
I remember the faces of three to four people who worked there – one lady was my friend’s friend’s mom. Maybe.
Then there was another young girl – mostly wore sari, pleasing young lady at the counter. She had pimples, if my memory is right.
The security guy, who wore the tag and kept our bag at the counter.
Another good feeling was the air conditioned interior which was my temporary stop-over place to cool myself after roaming around the city.
The carpeted interior, clean neat shelves, books that was arranged by topic, etc
Upon entering the building, the left side was the reference side, where there was always people sitting with a pile of books, taking notes. Probably, some of them might have become bureaucrats or now warming their seat in some corporation or Govt Secretariat.
Once or twice I watched the video, and mostly I took magazines, some ILTES magazines with English quiz at the end. One phrase or idiom I still remember from that magazine is “Two to Tango”.
The white interior, the sofa with handsome cushion to relax, read and dream. I used to feel like a big man then, taking topics such as Ethics and so on. I don’t remember reading the any of these big titles, expect for one book.
It was the time, when I had a rage for stock market. The book on Technical Analysis is the only one when I read it all. Most other times, I came to the library to pay over dues and it always pinched my wallet. Still, I continued the tendency to keep the books without returning it on time.
Flossy Ideas, Meetups and Views 