Welcome to the June issue of The Rigging Shack!
In this issue, we provide insights on how we measure, encouragement for building safety into every project, and thoughts on customer service.
Measuring History – Then and Now
The April issue of Wire Rope News included a feature story on the metric system. The article presented the benefits that companies who have adopted the metric system realize, particularly in a global market.
You may have seen the article already, and your firm may already have adopted the metric system. It provided a brief glimpse into the history of the Imperial system that has been a part of daily life in the United States since European explorers first set foot on this continent, and made for an interesting opportunity to think about how this system came to be.
This paragraph in the article in particular was a doorway from the daily routine to a brief walk back in history and to a look at some “Imperial Trivia”:
“Though we tend to see cups, pints, yards, feet, miles, inches and degrees Fahrenheit as our old reliable friends, there are also many other rather obscure measures, leagues, fathoms, furlongs, chains, to name just a few that go with the old system we use as well. This arrangement dates back to Roman and Medieval times when kings literally used body parts – such as an actual human foot or hand – to establish standard measurements…”
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to considering the peculiarity of the Imperial measuring system. For example, one source explained that one determinant of the inch (beyond the length of the last joint of your thumb), is the length of three barleycorns placed end to end. A fact stranger yet, and apparently still true today, is that shoe sizes correlate to barleycorn measurement.
Seriously. This, and more entertaining facts on measures (for example, do you know which is longer: a “moment” or a “jiffy”?) are offered in 10 Bizarre Units of Measurement by Listverse.
When it comes to the importance of measurements in our industry, however, we have you covered, whether your needs call for the Imperial or metric system. Our specifications display both systems. Just don’t ask us about Wheatons (also described by Listverse).
How did Will Wheaton inspire a unit of measurement?
Safety Matters
To be clear, safety matters. Tremendously. When it comes to rigging, the most important advice we offer is “Safety First”. It’s probably an understatement to say that the rigging process involves a complicated system of ropes, cables, and/or chains. Prevent problems by being alert, cautious and following proper practices.
See this “Safety First” post for steps to include in a well-thought-out project plan: The Best Rigging Advice You’ll Ever Receive.
Customer Service Tip
Help Scout is a virtual customer service “help desk” that helps businesses build strong relationships with their customers. Their lead content marketing manager, Gregory Ciotti, recently published this post: 15 Important Tips to Help You Keep Your Customers.
He opens with a compelling fact: “According to the Harvard Business School, increasing customer retention rates by 5 percent increases profits by 25 percent to 95 percent.”
All 15 tips he offers are great, but here’s a favorite:
“Customers enjoy businesses who know them. Telling your employees to spend more time with customers might seem like folly, but smart entrepreneurs know that isn’t the case. Numerous behavioral psychology studies have shown that everybody views their service experience as more positive when they don’t feel rushed or ignored. Don’t spend time idly, though; have employees attempt to find out key customer traits.”
So, Summer’s Here!
We hope that means you’re busy. We also the summer brings you an opportunity to escape for a bit of a break, relaxing with family and friends.
We’ll be back next month. We welcome your feedback on information our newsletter contains. We also appreciate you passing the newsletter along to others who may want to subscribe.
