“But is that the real value proposition? I can definitely see the cost saving potential, but convincing the client may be a little more difficult. Do we have access to the key decision maker? Because if we do, then lets get them in the pub to discuss it further. I’m sure we can determine a unique selling point if we can spend a bit more time with them.”

As I sat on the train and listened intently to her conversation it became clear that this was a deal they were not going to win. I felt that I should contribute my views, and explain that the value proposition should be market wide, Features and Advantages remain the same, it is the Benefits that you personalise from organisation to organisation, but I am not in the habit of giving away free consultancy.

What I found more compelling was the way she was using her phone. Or more specifically the hands-free kit attached to it. It was one of those old fashioned wired contraptions that look like half a set of normal headphones.

She was using one hand to keep the ear piece securely in place, much like a secret service agent in a noisy crowd, and the other to hold the microphone piece close to her mouth.

The concept of hands-free was clearly lost on her.

It got me wondering what she did on the street when she got a call. I could not see a third hand that she could use to hold the phone or press the button to answer it.

“Hand on a second, I want to write this down.” she continued.

I knew instantly that this was going to be good. Something was going to have to give. But what?

She dithered for a moment, clearly torn as to which part of the device was going to have to suffer in order to make these important notes. Then, with a decisive motion she let go of the microphone and picked up her pad to begin writing.

“CAN YOU STILL HEAR ME? I HAVE HAD TO LET GO OF THE MICROPHONE…..REALLY? CAN YOU?…..JUST LIKE BEFORE? AMAZING! IT’S NOT EVEN NEAR MY MOUTH ANYMORE!… SO, WHERE WERE WE?…”

I often wonder what would happen if you brought someone forward in time from the Victorian ages, and how they would cope in todays society. This little vignette was a small glance at what might happen when someone finally invents the Flux Capacitor.

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