by Tony Liddar
15. February 2012 11:49
When I provided an initial indicative quote to a potential customer recently, the feedback was that it was expensive. On the face of it, this might have been a valid point. But expensive compared with what? Quotes are always measured around a control benchmark. Nothing wrong with that, good practice.
However, it reminds me of an independent bookseller I recently heard interviewed on the radio. I recall that she had banned people from browsing books because they invariably went away and ordered on line. At some stage, she sighed, there would be no independent bookshops left for people to browse in and where would we all then be? I know this from firsthand - a popular bookshop in my local town has just closed down.
Back to my original point, without the expertise of the independent software vendor, who is there to support you now and in the future, how would you know what to buy and whether what you are buying is suitable? Of course, we all have to make a profit and some need more than others because of their business model but just compare the quality of products and the service offered. Same result maybe but a totally different experience.
And you know, it’s very difficult to argue that a paperback is not cheaper than a hardback even though we know that they are exactly the same, aren’t they?
by Tony Liddar
11. January 2012 16:29
Following a devastating earthquake and subsequent cholera outbreak, MACS sent in reinforcements to get the SCMS (a delivery partner for USAID) warehouse, which despatches vital antiviral drugs, back to full operational capacity.
As a result, Richard Miller (MACS Implementation Director) recently completed a four month stint in Haiti supporting the MACS WMS site.
Richard shared some of his thoughts and experiences with us.........
What stands out the most from your trip? The people I worked with, an amazing amount of determination even after devastating events.
What proved to be difficult? The most basic things.......often we were left with no electricity and the cost of a basic item in the supermarkets was extortionate! A lettuce retailed at £8! It was also the rainy and hurricane season. Luckily (apparently) we only had one hurricane!!
What were the highlights: I was formally invited to attend the 40th Anniversary of MSH (Medical Sciences for Health). This was a high profile island event with the Prime Minister of Haiti and Minister of Health (and me of course!) joining in the celebrations. Unfortunately, the Vice President of the United States could not attend at the last moment.
However, the goodbye party from the warehouse and management team meant the most to me. I was presented with a 2ft x 3 ft cake with the comment “Merci Richard” (see picture attached).
We wish the team over in Haiti – working very hard in extremely difficult conditions - all the very best.
