Tuesday, July 7. 2009I've Heard Of Passive Smoking Endangering Your Health....John Linton .....but I'm beginning to think that passive insanity can be just as injurious. It's either the absorption of insanity by association with deluded people (even if only via email) or I actually am losing my mind due to the ravages of time, imbibing too many distilleries of single malt and too many rivers of fine wine. Having said that, I'm pretty sure that it must be my problem that I find myself failing to comprehend what is happening in the world of Australian residential communications - I also think that my failing mind and body and the realisation that life isn't infinitely long after all contributes to my general incomprehension of the silliness (I would use stupidity but the people concerned mostly don't appear to be stupid) that seems to be increasing rather than decreasing in interpersonal/person/supplier relations over the past whatever period it actually is. I knew that the simple fix is for me not to continue to make myself aware of the various completely inconsequential and total time wasting situations that Exetel, and from first hand experience and second hand narration several other service providers I have some knowledge of or knowledge of people within, are continually confronted by and with. I know it is entirely my fault for putting myself in the position of coming into contact with some of the crazier scenarios that are apparently now part and parcel of commercial life (all I need to do is change my email address and use the 'junk' button on more email addresses as well as taking myself off various 'complaint' email addresses at Exetel). However, up to now, I have felt it to be important to be aware of as many of the deficiencies that customers/prospective customers see in the company I was a part of founding. I have considered whether it has been the enormous pressures of the last financial year just ended and the subsequent relaxation of the inward restraints I've had in place to get through twelve very tough months that has resulted in these views and have to say that would be a contributing factor. However as I'm not prepared to go through another year like FY2008 I'm also not prepared to waste any more time with people who clearly have such a different interpretation of basic facts and logic than I do that one or other of us (possibly both of course which makes it even more pointless) are so totally off their heads - it doesn't matter whether it's them or me - there is zero point in any communication between 'people' one of whom may as well be talking Martian and the other Jupitian for all they can understand of each other. Before making any decision I spent almost an hour last night reading through the correspondence in my "Twilight Zone" file (where before entering you have to, as Rod Serling once wisely advised, suspend belief in the normal and rational) in which I had saved the correspondence I had with various strange people since January 1st of the current year. I thought I was in a relatively rational frame of mind and quite relaxed when I opened the file but it took less than a few minutes for me to begin to remember the interchanges as I re-read the file and could again feel my anger and blood pressure rising. After almost an hour I couldn't believe that anyone but a saint (who would need to have been blind and deaf and preferably dumb to have actually carried out those 17 different 'interlocutions' without seriously doubting their own sanity. I went to bed with my mind spinning. Last night's 'review, and now having slept on it over night and feeling rested physically and well balanced mentally (as as far as anyone can ever tell about themselves), I have made the decision that from today forward I will not involve myself in any way with becoming aware of the insane wastes of time that so many communications sent to Exetel are and simply let the people with the direct line responsibilities deal with them....they do an infinitely better job than they do if I comment or, God forbid, actually involve myself in some of the weirder 'disputes'. I did this because I'm having enough trouble retaining my sanity dealing with apparently real issues and I think if I keep reading some of the nonsense I've seen lately I will lose touch with the residual slim grip I have on reality as it is. Hopefully, Exetel is now large enough for 'my absence' from the detailed problem solving for the 0.025% (I actually think it's less than that) of our residential customer base that, as best as we can estimate, takes up 85% of our 'problem resolution' resources every day of every year for that not to be a problem. I am fairly certain that I have enough direct experience to understand how this should be handled generically without having to go through the agony of being directly involved in one more specific issue. I've never held a view that a "CEO" is beyond dealing with even the smallest problem detail with the organisation for which he/she is responsible but I am now too old to waste any of the limited number of days I might have left on this planet involving myself with people who, in my opinion, have more than one screw loose and have definitely misplaced the plastic thingy a long time ago.(and yes, I aware that I am an ultra-combative personality with an intense belief in how ethically Exetel is run). So, before writing this, I deleted my "Twilight Zone file" and also deleted my bcc accesses to four of the major sources of incredulity that deliver the more "off the wall" communications and I expect that will reduce the number of times a day I struggle to believe what can be put into writing in a commercial relationship and therefore reduce to close to zero the times I wonder whether I am losing my mind. Irrespective of what I may have learned from my dealing with the various issues over the past five years, and I assume I must have once held a different view to the one I hold today, reading such communications now serves absolutely no useful purpose for anyone at all. If I'm going to write hundreds/thousands of words each month to people who haven't got a clue what I'm saying and waste many other people's time ascertaining what on Earth has gone on, it would be infinitely better to address those words and all that 'research' to something that has slightly more than a snowball's chance in Hell of achieving something positive. Maybe life will now become much pleasanter? Trackbacks
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I was watching the Bronco's match on TV the other night when there was a "disruption" to the game (probably a streaker).
Years ago the TV showed all of this happening........ but now they get no "time of fame". I was wondering when Exetel's forum ruules might change so that quarrelsome posts just get deleted..... and they get no "time of fame" there either. H. Comment (1)
We only delete posts that contain inapproriate language or are off topic.
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I've removed myself from a couple of forums, because I had become frustrated with some of the ridiculous posts and claims, and was starting to take it personally.
It had/has a "cleansing" effect that has been positive, and has put me in a better frame of mind. Life has more interesting things to offer, that we should consentrate on. I hope you also feel "cleansed" and better able to concentrate on more important things within the Exetel business. Comment (1)
Er...Jovian, John, Jovian (as in 'by Jove!') Maybe you meant Stupidian?
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I was, as you allude, attempting a word conveying alien stupidity.
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hi John,
I’m not sure I fully comprehend what you are saying here - are you saying that you will not respond to any emails to your personal address, or are you withdrawing from your current commentaries on Australian / Exetel broadband. Yes I am slightly eccentric in my comments to you, but I would be upset if I have caused you to withdraw from this absolutely excellent commentary you write every day. I’m hoping its only to do with your own emails that are received from the lunatic fringe. I find your accessibility one of the most refreshing things I have ever seen and the fact you make such a channel available is outstanding. I truly hope you don’t shut down customer access too you. John, you are a one off -- maybe for Australia -- but I'm guessing in the world. I know you cant go on forever but people / me appreciate what you do. I’m sad - to think you have started to cut yourself off from those that understand and appreciate the dream that you are creating. I hope you just don’t fade off into the past , you have way too much too offer for customers / potential customers and those that just want to hear the truth on broadband in AU. cheers bill Comments (2)
Thank you for your kind words.
I will continue to write this set of random thoughts for a few more weeks - I'm determined to make it two years out of sheer cussedness. My comments are really out of the sheer exhaustion of working so many hours a day for every day for over five and a half years and dealing with a series of total fuckwits over that time. I am old, mentally and physically exhausted and I am ill to the point that I struggle to get out of bed to deal with my work load each day. When part of that day is dealing with people I regard as just downright insane and unreasonable to the point that I am driven to wishing to exercise physical violence I realise that it is no way to live. So I won't do that any more. Comments (4)
It makes me very sad now John, I was truly hoping you where not stopping these commentaries -- but god you've earned it you, have enlightened me and very many / many others - I hope you and Annette have time to enjoy the wondrous company you have created.
I know good times always come to an end - but rest easy in the fact you have done more than anyone I have ever known for Australian Broadband. Thanks for the insight you have given me -- I have read what you have said and I have learned. p.s you won your bottle of single malt from your friend along time ago. cheers Bill I truly cant say anything other than I am sad -- but Exetel will always live in the future in my mind. Comments (2)
Don't blame you for leaving it to the front line staff. Customer service is ****ed. Do as little Customer Service as possible - thats my eventual goal.
I do enjoy reading your blog from time to time - it'd be sad to see it go Comment (1)
I aslo would be quite sad to see you stop blogging. Not only has it given us customers a human face to Exetel and great insight into Australian broadband (and labour politics ), it's also provided a lot back INTO Exetel - as I think you've mentioned previously (when you were coming up to winning/losing your "blog for a year" Scotch).
My advice, take a month off, go to Aitutaki ( http://www.aitutakilagoonresort.com/accomodation_beachfront_bungalow.cfm ) and then re-assess. T. Comment (1)
As usual, I have trouble writing clearly.
The 'accesses' I have cut off don't relate to this blog butother areas of Exetel's business. A blog, at least one of this type, poses no negative aspects at all and is something that has many personal and business positives. The only 'tyrrany' is access to the internet while long distance travelling across different time zones and the need to order your personal thoughts so early in each day - which while it becomes a major prsonal positive is quite a struggle sometimes. Comments (4)
have always found this blog to be a good read, I would hope that if you did have to retire from writing a daily blog you might find the time to perhaps do a weekly wrap up at least
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