Many governments are announcing financial aid, the floodgates are being opened and infrastructure projects should protect against the damage caused by the Corona virus.
State-owned business development banks, local banks.. this could all be too slow and too late for some. Companies, whether large and small, are doing everything they can to protect their employees. But it's also about keeping the business running. At Jarltech, we have a pandemic plan in place that is asking a lot of all of us. But, and I'm sure we are not the only ones, our employees are also involved. Big time!
What the EU or the individual countries should do now - and immediately - is:
1. The large credit insurers must freeze their credit limits for customer deliveries at the level it was as of March 10th, 2020, and in return receive back-up from the ECB or the countries. After all, if the insurers will now haircut across entire countries or sectors again, then in many cases we can no longer deliver. And that is exactly what credit insurers do every time there is a little cough. I think we are on the verge of this.
2. Providing funds through state-owned banks takes too long and is too bureaucratic. If the phantom is supposed to last another five weeks, lets say, then its important that payment terms are adhered to and that debits work. So the countries, or the ECB, should simply obligate the banks (with a national guarantee, of course) to increase all working capital credit lines approved on March 10th, 2020 by 30%. With this you usually impact companies that are currently healthy, because, after all, they have had their credit lines approved. The sum will be huge, because the increase will also be granted to companies, such as ourselves, who probably do not need the money at all. But if we do not use this additional liquidity at all, then the government also has zero risk in these cases.
3. It is imperative that the free delivery of goods in European continues remains possible. We are all interlinked and need things from each other.
4. School children, who now have »off« prematurely, should be told clearly that this is not a holiday and be asked not to take the bus or train to bars and discos. Not even during the Easter holidays, because we have a special situation on our hands. It's no use if we all isolate ourselves, but the kids are in a party mood, sharing bottles and joints. No, we're not on »Corona holidays«. We have an emergency here. You're endangering old people and the healthcare system!
5. Politicians are hammering out one employee-friendly regulation after another. Free time for child care, sick leave by phone for 14 days, if you are afraid, you don't have to go to work - that's all good and the right thing to do. But we have to catch up later, the Chinese are showing us that perfectly. There are 14 Saturdays in the fourth quarter on which Europe is working. We should all restrict ourselves and show solidarity. But please, really all of us. And I bet that employees will see very clearly how the employers are making an effort and would have no problem at all with such an arrangement. That would also be another signal to everyone that we all have to behave responsibly now, because we all (!) have to pay for the downtime somehow. So far, privately, we all can't help that the pandemic is here - but slowly the point has been passed where we can now point our fingers at the people who live as if nothing had happened.
6. Let's stop with the infrastructure projects. Even now, retailers can hardly find or pay for construction companies or handymen. These industries are working at full capacity. If they get a forced break imposed on them now, plus additional government projects, the rest of the world can forget finding handymen or construction companies in the next few years.
7. Why should processes be postponed? If we can buy 100 liters of disinfectant from our pharmacy on one day - yes, they have it again - then perhaps a court can do the same. And there you sit far enough apart from each other anyway.
I wish all my readers: stay healthy! And don't let anyone look at you funny if you are more careful than others. Thats not »uncool«, but rather, totally cool.
Complaining – the national pastime of the Germans
Let’s be honest, we Germans love to complain – about the weather, football, the economy, politics, etc....
Let’s be honest, we Germans love to complain – about the weather, football, the economy, politics, etc. This unites us all – regardless of our social class or political affiliation. Complaining is a national pastime in Germany. We love to grumble about high prices, the shortage of skilled workers and the weakening economy, while at the same time discussing our next holiday or the four-day week. Please don’t get me wrong, I am all for everyone taking a lot of time off and having a good rest – the only thing that bothers me is the fact that we love to see everything in such a gloomy light! We have to start working together to find solutions, because what we forget amidst all the moaning are our own abilities.
No, Germany is not falling apart! Germany still has a lot of untapped potential. We have people with great ideas, curious and inquisitive people (yes, even among Gen Z), a high average level of education, a high degree of legal certainty, a consistently strong industry, very good research ... and yes, we also have the capital. But we have to stop complaining and focus on our strengths. We are capable of innovation, we can be or remain market leaders in many areas, but, at the same time, we have to be open-minded. Even if one area collapses, we can successfully develop and expand a subsequent one. These are our strengths. However, we have to accept the challenge – be it in society, in politics or in the economy. Burying our heads in the sand won’t help us.
We are once again facing enormous opportunities for our future – whether in medical research, industry, the energy sector or, of course, across the board in the field of AI. And that’s just what comes to mind. There is, of course, much more. Let’s work together to develop new ideas that will advance us not only as a society, but also as a business location. There is potential out there, it just needs to be tapped! And by the way, we’ll have less reason to complain!
The road to success: do we really have to get worse at everything?
Last week I had a conversation with a customer that left me speechless....
Last week I had a conversation with a customer that left me speechless. Our sales department asked me to speak to a customer on the phone who doesn’t buy from us because we supposedly supply end customers.
No problem, I thought. I called and explained that this is exactly what we don’t do, and that this is a key promise to our dealers. There are extremely rare exceptions – only if a vendor forces us to or a retailer explicitly asks us to. But that almost never happens.
Then it turned out that there was a misunderstanding: the customer said that we also supply small retailers. My answer: »Yes, we do and we have to, based on our contracts with the vendors. Our competitors do that too.«
»All correct«, I hear, but then it got exciting: »Your large competitors are not interested in small customers, so they are poorly served. At Jarltech, small dealers feel comfortable because you provide great service.«
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry ... A customer doesn’t buy from us because our service is too good? I hadn’t expected that.
But don’t worry, contrary to the headline: We will continue to endeavour to offer every customer the best service we can!
Why is good service so important again?
I'm writing to you today from China. Here I have learnt once again why good service is so important....
I'm writing to you today from China. Here I have learnt once again why good service is so important. If you want a customer to pay more than elsewhere, then you have to make the difference! You have to know what they like and anticipate their wishes.
Here in Shenzhen is the Grand Hyatt Hotel – I was here at least six times a year before Corona – and even stored some luggage in Shenzhen, so that I only had to fly with hand luggage. Liquids and such ... that was difficult on the plane.
It’s been over three years since I was last here, and I arrived to be greeted by an armada of hotel staff. My beloved Coke Zero was waiting for me in the car outside the airport. My luggage, which I hadn’t expected to see again, had been stored for three years and completely cleaned for my new stay. Everything was hanging in the wardrobe and the bathroom was neat and tidy. My razor was charged and my chargers stood on the desk. Of course, the fridge was full of Coke Zero and the white wine I had last drunk three years ago. Even the room service knew what I liked to eat.
That’s what hospitality really is. And we have to do the same at Jarltech. Always write down what our customers want and like. And when I go out to dine with a customer, I need to know whether they are vegan or if they don’t like pork, for example. Some customers want to be called and courted on a weekly basis, whereas others find this rather annoying. Some still prefer paper catalogues, others believe it’s environmental pollution. And all the better if a customer returns after three years, and I still have it all written down somewhere. Jarltech may not be a hotel, but we are a service provider that has to differentiate itself The difference is always in the details.
The world's smallest chef gives a guest performance in Usingen
It's finally back on: Our 3D projection dinner show »Le Petit Chef« will be back in our restaurant »Uwe and Uli« (www.uwe-uli.de) from the 11th of October...
It's finally back on: Our 3D projection dinner show »Le Petit Chef« will be back in our restaurant »Uwe and Uli« (www.uwe-uli.de) from the 11th of October 2023 to the 30th of April 2024. Personally, I always have fun enjoying delicious food with a bit of a show. Come by sometime – it's also great for Christmas parties with up to 20 people. And if you're a customer of ours, why not have your sales contact invite you next time you visit Jarltech? 😊
Have fun with the little chef!