Lazy Australians

andyp · 02-02-08

Now before everyone starts jumping up and down I am an Australian too.

However I did live and work in Japan for over 10 years and though there are many things I don't like about Japan 'service' and 'work ethic' are not among them.

Compare - If you have a car serviced in Japan they always give you a loan car. When you enter a store they always welcome you and say thank you when you leave. Work men always arrive 10 minutes early rather than when they feel like it ( if at all). Delivery people give you a precise time - not between "9am and 5 pm". If you buy elctronics they deliver free and install free. If you have problems with a product they replace without question. If you buy something from a department store they will ask you if you want it gift wrapped ( for free) and the list goes on and on. There the customer really is king.

Here people want to make a quick buck with the minimal amount of effort hence the popularity of all these get rich quick schemes. If they really worked why would the people be advertising them? They would just get rich and bugger off to some tropical island. No they want you to do the hard work and give them some of your money. Isn't that obvious.
Obviously not! As people are always joining and getting scammed.

If you are not prepared to put in the hard yards, if you are unable to cold call or meet people, if you think you can just put up a website and sell trinkets and people will flood to you and make you rich, if you are unable to think of an original or differnt idea and constantly change with circumstances and if you are going to give up when you hit your first problem maybe you shouldn't be in business for yourself as you are going to waste your time and money.

Sorry if I sound cranky but it sounds like so many people think that having your own business is an easy way to make a fortune. It isn't - it's much harder than working for a company and a lot more risky.

Cheers Andy

BlackSpider · 02-02-08

Hi Andy,

I agree with you there on all points.

And yes, having your own business (for me) has been much more work and effort than working for an employer.

But, if you put the hard work in and work smart, then you will be rewarded very well for your efforts compared to the average employee.

I agree that in general, Australians could work much harder, so it doesn't take much more of an effort to excell far above average.

Spider.

Green-Moo · 02-02-08

I too agree with you Andy, that the service offered as standard in Australia isn't as high as it could be. I don't think this is necessarily due to laziness on the part of the service providers. I think it's more likely that they just don't realise that they are lacking!

For those here, this should make it easier for us to make a success of our businesses. Even one notch up from the competition could be enough to set us apart, but from what you are telling us Andy we have lots of room to manouver there!

Green-Moo

andyp · 02-02-08

You are exactly right Green-Moo a slight increase in service makes all the difference. 2 examples with workmen
A removalist came to our house to give us a quote with no shirt on and his fat belly hanging out and as soon as he walked in the door I mentally decided I was not going to use him. He just didnt look professional. And we had 2 tree cutters arranged to come round to give us a quote. Both arrived late but one had the decency to call and appologise and explain. The other arrived and said nothing.Guess who I used. I dont mind paying a bit more if I can trust the worker and rely on them to do a good job. First impressions do count not only for repeat business but for word of mouth referals.

1tothe2 · 03-02-08

I think as you guys have already said "Service makes all the difference", but the Australian culture has quite adapted.
For example if I walk into a retail store I am the kind of person to want to look around and choose a product at my leisure, I don't particularly want to be hassled by any sales people and I think alot of people feel the same.
I have been to Asian countries and although I can agree the service is good, they seem to be a little bit pushy in the way they try and get you to buy from them.
But one thing is for sure - When it comes to tradespeople in Australia there attitude really needs to change.
Cheers 1tothe2