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CROSSHIRE: CORPORATE BACK PATTING A common obsession among the big nationals in our industry seems to be public relations, or ‘corporate spin’ as it might be described. You cannot pick up a trade publication these days without seeing an interview or press release extolling the virtues of one or other of our market leaders. Unfortunately what is printed bears little resemblance to the real world. I recently visited a large showcase depot of a company whose main man had championed a corporate focus on clean and friendly depot environments that did not intimidate consumers or the fair sex. There was no customer present but it still took five minutes for anyone to offer me assistance. Rather than fill my pockets with small but expensive consumables that were lying around, there being no obvious security measures, I wrote ‘Crosshire wuz here’ in the thick dust along two of the display shelves. A day or three later, I visited a different outfit in another city. This crowd had recently claimed to have excellent staff motivation. I identified myself as an independent competitor, visiting in a genuine attempt to promote rehire enquiries for some of our specialist plant that this company did not carry. The depot supervisor invited me into his office and was soon giving me sensitive information belonging to his employer and making no attempt to conceal documents that could be of use to an enemy. We were joined by one of the counter hands and by the time I left they had both asked if I had any jobs! Many large companies have depots with minimal staff, sometimes as low as two. A corporate (three man) branch near me regularly only has one staff member on the premises because one is out driving and another has been ‘borrowed’ by a rival depot to cover for absence. I use the word ‘rival’ deliberately because, I am pleased to say, more than one of these large outfits have bonus or incentive schemes encouraging depots to compete with each other. Crosshire has a suggestion for the corporate chest puffers. When you visit any of your depots, go first for a jimmy riddle. The state of the toilets and washroom, in my experience, mirrors the quality of the depot. To be fair, there are some pretty desperate independents as well. Usually their governors are more intent on what scam they can pull to make their run-down investment attractive enough to sell on to one of the big boys. I will be writing in the dust again soon, only next time I will photograph it as well. I will lay good odds that no one will bother to ask what I am doing. ROLL UP! There is no doubt that 2005 was a turnaround year for our industry and many companies are looking forward to this year with confidence. No better place to start than spending a day or two at the Hire Show! The organiser declares the event a sell out and I will let my staff loose for a few hours to evaluate the new kit on display. If the buzz at last year’s event is anything to go by, it should be well worth the visit. If you have never visited ExCel, don’t be deterred. I have done the journey by both road and rail and it is easier than might appear. If you are coming a serious distance, City Airport is right next door. The flavour of the month will no doubt be HAV. Last year it was Work at Height and with all the super access kit in the hall I was bemused by the sight of one of the venue maintenance men securing a cable whilst stood on top of a soft drinks vending machine! You can’t win ‘em all. A Happy and Profitable New Year to everyone. Executive Hire News › Archives › January 2006 › Crosshire › Corporate back patting
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