Spring Forward

This is an interesting time of year.  Someone, somewhere, decided it is better to sacrifice an hour of sleep in order to enjoy an extra hour of daylight. Most people I talk to dread this day.  Conversations abound with, ‘Why can’t we just leave it the way it is!’ or, ‘I don’t care which - just pick one and stick with it!’ Twitter polls reveal a similar sentiment.  Why are we doing this, anyway?

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the fault of farmers. They did not lobby for daylight savings to have more time to work in the fields.  In fact, American farmers actually opposed the idea when it was first implemented as a wartime measure on March 31, 1918.  Apparently, the sun dictates a farmer’s schedule. Not the clock.  This probably explains why there are no farms in Seattle.  Bottom line: Daylight saving is extremely disruptive to life on the farm.

So if it wasn’t the farmers, who do we blame for this bleary-eyed, annual tradition?

The Department of Transportation.

No, really. It all dates back to when railroads implemented standardized time zones in 1883, so reliable schedules could be published. Congress signed the railroad time system into law, and the only Federal regulatory agency that existed at the time was the Interstate Commerce Commission. So, they were put in charge of time zones and any future modifications that may be necessary.  Duties of the ICC were transferred over to the Department of Transportation in 1966. 

Now the idea, as much as I rail against it, does have merit. Exchanging sleep time for productive time makes sense to me - especially in business. When you can maximize time you not only increase efficiency and productivity, you build a foundation for exemplary customer service. No one likes to have the precious commodity of their time being wasted.

This is never more apparent than when your callers are placed on hold.

Many business owners mistakenly use on hold programs which are prone to lull callers to sleep during this critical touch-point, rather than use the time to engage each person who took the time to call.  This methodology runs counter to the primary goal of building on-going relationships with customers. Despite what you tell them with your messages, the presentation reinforces the perception that their call is not important to you and you have no idea that their time is valuable.

That does not have to be the standard any longer.

Daylight savings time was repealed in 1919 after only seven months and wasn’t reinstated until 1942.  Even then, although DST is regulated by federal guidelines – it is NOT a Federal Mandate. States can choose whether or not to implement this standard.  Arizona and Hawaii bucked the trend and opted out.  You can, too.

Woodstock Media Group specializes in creating advertising that will entertain, educate, and engage your callers placed on hold.  Buck the trend of boring on hold programs. Prove to your callers that their call IS important and their time IS valuable.

Spring forward with your callers.  Exchange sleep time for productive time with On-Hold Concepts. 

Put US on hold!

Tom McTee, Super-Genius
On-Hold Concepts, Inc.
Woodstock Media Group