01.25.08
The Left Handed Pastry Fork….
My father told me this story several years ago. He was working as a VP of Manufacturing for Oneida. An engineer cames into his office…
Engineer.. “You know, we really should make left handed pastry forks. It unfair that they are only made for right handed people”
Dad.. “Good point, I could see that”
Engineer.. “Good because we just made 300,000 of them by mistake!!”
We have all been led in a conversation. We have all had people try to convince us that what we need is exactly what they are selling. That the idea of a left handed pastry fork is a good one (they do actually sell them). Be aware of this during the simulation projects. Be wary of the simulation modeler try to explain away results that just don’t fit and be wary of the customer that wants to twist results to fit their pre-defined conclusions. Consider the motive. Don’t buy the left handed pastry fork unless you are truly left handed.
Mike Allen said,
January 25, 2008 at 10:25 am
…and be wary of the vendor who tells you his software will handle every modeling problem you will ever encounter.
joehugan said,
January 25, 2008 at 10:40 am
Van Norman from AutoMod used to tell a story about a software salesman who went to heaven… He gets to choose whether he goes to heaven or hell. He gets a sneak peak at each before deciding…. Bottom line, he feels like he fits in hell better. Once he picks it, the experience is horrible. Its hot, he’s getting stuck with pitchforks. He asks where is the toga party I saw earlier?
Reply — “you must have seen the demo!”
donny said,
January 25, 2008 at 10:52 am
I gotta get me one of those forks!