“Two years ago, City L was listed 14th in an annual survey

The following appeared as part of an article in a magazine on lifestyles.
“Two years ago, City L was listed 14th in an annual survey that ranks cities according to the quality of life that can be enjoyed by those living in them. This information will enable people who are moving to the state in which City L is located to confidently identify one place, at least, where schools are good, housing is affordable, people are friendly, the environment is safe, and the arts flourish.”
Discuss how well reasoned... etc.

The above passage quotes that two years ago City L was rated 14th in an annual survey and that this information will help people, who plan to move to this city, to choose a place where they can settle. Even though the claim may be true but there are few assumptions which need to be addressed. I will be addressing them in the following paragraphs.

First of all, author made an assumption that the ranking given to city L, two years ago, is still valid. It leads us to another assumption that there is no change in the conditions or living style of City L. Based on the same ranking, people can make decisions to move this year too.

Further, there was no detail of the survey made. It simply states it as an “Annual survey” without providing information such as, who participated in the survey, what were the various agenda in the survey and the like.

Finally, it goes on to make assumption that by the ranking alone, people can get a good picture of all the important aspects of daily life such as schooling, community, people, environment and so on, which can help them to decide whether they can move to city L .

To conclude, I would feel that the ranking of City L will make more sense if we get the most recent one. Additionally, the annual survey should provide details about the participants and the different criteria on which they are being surveyed. Further more, the ranking should provide more relavant and detailed information on the other factors like schooling and community. If all the above assumptions are addressed, people planning to settle in City L, will have lot more data in their hand to make a judicious decision.

MY Scrap :
Assumption
1) Ranking made before 2 years is still valid
2) Ranking gives a detailed picture of all the essential factors viz: housing, school, people, environment etc

The following appeared in a memo from the customer service division to the manager of Mammon Savings and Loan.

The following appeared in a memo from the customer service division to the manager of Mammon Savings and Loan.
“We believe that improved customer service is the best way for us to differentiate ourselves from competitors and attract new customers. We can offer our customers better service by reducing waiting time in teller lines from an average of six minutes to an average of three. By opening for business at 8:30 instead of 9:00, and by remaining open for an additional hour beyond our current closing time, we will be better able to accommodate the busy schedules of our customers. These changes will enhance our bank’s image as the most customer-friendly bank in town and give us the edge over our competition.”
Discuss how well reasoned... etc.

In the above passage made by a bank executive claims that by providing excellent customer services the concerned bank can differentiate
itself from other banks and can get new customers. He also claims that average wait time per customer will be reduced. The executive also
predicts that customer service can be improved by providing customers more service time, so the bank timings should be extended. Even though,
all the predictions are optimistic but there are certain flaws present and without addressing them with proper assumptions, the bank’s plan will not be successful.

At the outset, author makes an abject assumption that the only area where the bank can improve upon is Customer Service and nothing else. On saying that, the passage makes an unspoken assumption that bank provides excellent services in all other areas like best Interest rate, Flexible loan plan, Vehicle loan and the type. In the same vein, it also assumes that customer service is the only means to get new customers.

Further it goes on to state that by increasing the bank working hour, customer average wait time can be reduced from six to three minutes. In fact, there was no data provided to calculate this figure. It may so happen that on certain day there are a lot of customers and some day its very low.
Additionally, it assumes claims that by extending the office timings, customer service can be improved.

To conclude, the bank executive has made a lot of assumptions, but they can be successful only if he addresses the hidden assumptions. For example, if the author can provide relevant data that the only area the bank is lagging behind other bank is customer service, so it may perfect sense to work in that area. Next only by increasing the work timing will do no good if the quality of service is not improved.

My scrap notes………….
Assumption
1) --Customer service need to be improved
2) --Customer wait time wil go down
3) --All other services like Interest rate, Flexible loan are perfect
4) --Customer Service is the only means to get new customer
5) That customer service can be only improved by extending the timing

How to advice somebody ?

The best way to advice somebody is to find out what they want and advice them how to attain it?

An apt topic “How to advice somebody ? “ As a matter of fact, I WOULD take the same stance as the author descibes that its absolutely necessary to listen to somebody before I give him any piece of advice.

First of all, I feel its always important to undertsand whats going on in the mind of the person who seeks my advice. For example, few years back my younger brother came to me one day and questioned asked me whether he can join Army. I said Yes, Why not ? In fact, that’s not what he wanted to become. He wanted to become an engineer, but he was little afraid of the competitive exams that he has to undergo before he finally secure a seat in an engg college. I went on to tell him that everything is possible with hard work and diligence.

Another example that came to my mind was of US late president, John F. Kenedy. He mentioned in his memoir that his father Sr Kenedy was always there to guide him, but never forced upon his views; His father, rather listened to him patiently to discover whats going in his son’s mind and then helped him chalk a plan so that he can tread on that path.

Moreover, there is a fair chance that we may mislead the advisee if we don’t understand his mind. In the same scenario, if without listening to my brother, I would have started babbling on the Army and passed on whatever little knowledge I have on that subject, who knows, my brother could have choosen a different career path.

Nevertheless, I do agree that there are a few people, who are misled and have no aims or aspirations in life. They don’t know what to do next or in future or in their life. In such cases, I would say, those people need much more understanding and attention than an average guy needs. Deep in their heart they have something which they may not be able to bring out, so as an able advicer, it will be my duty to make sure that they come up with their inherent thoughts and ideas.

Finally, I would reiterate that its absolutely necessary to listen and understand the concerns of a advisee, before we can impart our knowledge.