Ma, Pa and their young son have lived in the country their whole life.  They finally decided that they wanted to go into the city to see what there was to see there.  They load up the family wagon with supplies for the day and the three of them hop in and ride into the city.  The first stop they make is a shopping mall, which was something the likes of which they had ever seen before.  As soon as they step in the door Ma is overtaken and runs off to look at the various shops leaving Pa and his son standing dumfounded.  They look and they see a pair of metal doors a little ways away from them.  As they watch, an old lady hobbles up to the doors, pushes a button next to them and the doors open.  She steps in and the doors close.  Pa and his son watch the numbers on top of the doors go up, and then back down and when the doors open again a bombshell blonde steps through the doors.  Pa looks at his son and says “Go find your Ma”!

Do You Really Know What it Will Do For You?

This is another interesting anecdote that at first seems like some bumpkins not knowing how an elevator works but it can also parallel some things in our lives.  So often we are introduced to new technologies and ideas that at first glance we think we know exactly how they work and want to run with the idea.  The problem with this is that the time is not taken to really examine if this new thing can solve your problems or if it just looks flashy up front and really doesn’t do what you think it will for you. 

For example, say you are browsing around on the internet and Google-up a webpage for some software that says it can do everything you want it to do.  The website is extremely flashy, there are pictures, screenshots, videos... the works.  Based on this you decide that this is the product for you and you buy it up as fast as possible only to realize that you really didn’t know how it worked and the software really won’t solve any of your problems.

You Can Trust... But, Remember to Verify !

This is a scenario that I believe people can run into often where flashy videos and fast talking salesmen sell something that will not solve the problems you are facing and then you are stuck with a solution that isn’t a solution at all but another problem.  To this end I encourage you, if you are reading this blog, to take a little time to investigate.  Don’t let a flashy sales pitch and some glossy pictures sell you on something that you really don’t need.  Take the time to ask the hard questions and really investigate what you are buying to ensure that what it is will solve the problems you have and be a solution for you and your agency now as well as down the road.