Meticulous pre-shipping procedures are not always applied. All the good training and instructional integrity possible still cannot rule out simple human factors such as distraction, preoccupation with personal problems or impatience. Assembling the inventory of elements for a freight load that must be received – and installed – before the next stage of something can proceed, while arguing on a cell phone, is an invitation for trouble. An entire project can be brought to a halt if what is needed is missing from the delivery.
A client may have invested many hours making selections of materials and components, only to have installers arrive, open boxes or crates and find damaged goods, the wrong goods or an incomplete order. One unfortunate experience occurred when one of my clients, after waiting patiently for weeks, finally received their custom order of imported, unique and beautiful fabric. When the order was unpacked, it was discovered that within the folds of the fabric something had stained and ruined the beautiful material. It was obvious that the damage had nothing to do with its journey from factory to destination. It was packed in its damaged condition. Someone did not carefully unfold and inspect the many yards before packing and shipping. (Then there was that office completely painted in very wrong colors – to the horror of the client ... But that’s another story!) As upsetting as such examples are to the client, they do not compare to situations where entire aspects such as wiring or plumbing are placed on hold because equipment is delayed or arrives inconsistent with specifications. When such trouble occurs, your professional team is best equipped to do the damage control on your behalf. It is important to remember that your team knows the right channels through which to track down where and how the problem developed, and who can make it right. When you make a mistake with your own part of the project, or the team has to backtrack for something in their bailiwick, that’s a very different challenge! It’s the problems you or your team could not have predicted or prevented that can seriously compromise the timing and completion goals of your project. Your professional team has made sure that the responsibility for such problems is placed squarely on the parties responsible. It does not help the situation if you dive in and try to fix it without knowing the appropriately applicable way to get to the heart of the matter – however well meaning your intentions are. Let your designer, project manager or other appropriate professional know there’s a problem -- as soon as possible! |
Robert Boccabella, B.F.A., Certified Interior DesignerRED goes with everything! Read my blog and find out why. Collaboration & Writing: Ms. Zoe Tummillo
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September 2020
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