Don’t skimp on the toilet paper! | Travel Research Online

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Don’t skimp on the toilet paper!

What better place to begin another series of earth-shaking messages than at the bottom?

To give you an idea of just how my mind comes up with my messages, I am inviting you to picture this in the men’s room at the local library. True story.

You enter the rest room only to spot a grown man (me) down on his knees twisting and turning trying to get a new roll of toilet paper to cooperate.

One hundred turns one way, followed by two hundred turns the opposite way, all accompanied by less than attractive vocabulary.

When spinning the new roll each way for ten minutes fails to solve the puzzle, it is time to bang on the silver canister that hides the paper until your fist becomes numb.

Now you have given yourself a reason to curse at nobody in particular, while hoping nobody decides to join you in the bathroom.

I am absolutely certain that this scene is being played out in every library, gas station and Denny’s restaurant from coast to coast seven days a week. And I bet my struggle is a result of a budget cut.

We all know and appreciate the need for scrutinizing budgets. In fact, we are all probably sick and tired of hearing about it as we realize the importance of it.

But I bet that some genius from corporate headquarters surmised that cheap, flimsy, single ply, tightly wound, glued at the seams would be adequate for library toilet paper.

Easy for him or her to say. I wonder if they did a little in-the-field research?

This “I-have-a-better-idea” approach is fast becoming our worst nightmare—and by “our,” I mean consumers in general.

We have less ice cream in the box, less soup in the can, less spaghetti in the tub, and now glued together, you’ll-never-unroll-me toilet paper.

This act of brilliance creates havoc for those of us who have better things to do than digging our finger nails into the middle of a roll of paper in search of a “starting position.” It’s the same as the scotch tape principle.

Okay! You’ve got the picture. The scene has been set. Let’s get on with the message.

Message #1:

Slice and dice your budgets as you deem appropriate. But please, please, please do not skimp on the important stuff. Like marketing. Like employee development and motivation. Like customer service. Like toilet paper.

Message #2:

People will notice the small stuff and hold you accountable. Don’t waste people’s time by having them search for the seams. Where quality counts, don’t skimp.

Message #3:

Spend more time at your library — but go before you go.

This is the day we have been waiting for. This is the day to take yourself less seriously while accomplishing more than you ever thought possible. Let’s make today a day to remember and be proud of. Let’s lighten up and spread the good word.

Mike Marchev shares his down-to-earth business development ideas in an entertaining and easy to listen to style with travel professionals and small business entrepreneurs. He has been doing so since 1984. He can be contacted at Mike@MikeMarchev.com, or www.MikeMarchev.com, or 848-702-1009.

 

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