Conference 7.286::digital

We here in UVO, (UK CSC, Basingstoke) seem to get them too. Every now and then
they will set up a little stall in the canteen selling all sorts of, for want
of a better word, stuff. We get all sorts from linen to chinaware. 

THey must be making some sort of moeny out of us because they keep comming back.

Steven F.
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

In my opinion, this is a blatant violation of corporate policy 6.54, especially
as there seems to be no tie-in to Digital.  (I was annoyed enough at the
sale last year in the ZKO cafeteria of overpriced smoke detectors.)


				Steve

    This is not DEC specific. Im doing a resident project at Osram Sylvania
    in Danvers MA. In this cafeteria today was a book seller, covering about
    20% of the table space with books. A few weeks ago a jeweler was here.
    
    I wonder if companies are using this as a revenue source? 

    Heaven forbid a DCU candidate send mail tho...

    
        maybe all ya need is a 'pal' that's an EAC member   8^)
    
    

    I work most days on site at AT&T.  Every building I've been in has a
    *different* vendor selling stuff each day, usually somewhere near the
    cafeteria at lunchtime (from real shlock like you see on Canal
    St. in NYC to the wholesaler whose one product was some very interesting
    and beautiful bonsai trees and plants, and who bent my ear explaining
    it all to me).
    
    I find it interesting and potentially useful - most of it I can safely
    ignore, since it's all very low key.

    Here in Valbonne we have a wide range of really useful vendors who
    visit us on a regular basis (photo printing, drycleaning, even the
    regular post office!)  - these are organised by the Comite d'Entreprise
    (employees' elected council) and are selected and announced in a very
    open and thoughtful manner - it is a great service.
    
    I understood from .0 that the Jewellery "special deal" was 
    unsolicited company distributed e-mail with no obvious explanation of
    the connection to Digital.  I would object to that.
    
    /Chris.
    
    

    At the CX0 Cafeteria the Mountain Man Nut Man visits every week.  They
    sell candies, pop corn, chocolate, etc...   

    Before the CSC moved into CXO, the Mountain Man people would park in the
    parking lot at the rented facility we were using and sell their stuff.  
    When the CSC moved into CXO, Mountain Man wasn't allowed on the property.  
    The CSC folks went through chocolate withdrawal and flooded the CSC 
    manager with email asking for relief.  After about a week or so, a deal 
    was worked out with the cafeteria vendor and the goodies returned.
    I don't know if this is against corporate policy or not but it is only
    one day a week and it does keep the troops happy.

    Mike

>>    I don't know if this is against corporate policy or not but it is only
>>    one day a week and it does keep the troops happy.

Must be nice, CXO1/2 sees them only 1 day every 2 weeks.  There for a long
time before they allowed Mountain Man to come into our building, the cafeteria 
supplied up with the bags of goodies but the selection was poor.  

    Dunkin' Donuts has a permanent coffee/pastries concession in the HLO2
    cafeteria, by agreement with Digital.  Judging by the number of DD cups
    carried in the corridors, it's rather popular.   

>    Dunkin' Donuts has a permanent coffee/pastries concession in the HLO2
>    cafeteria, by agreement with Digital.  Judging by the number of DD cups
>    carried in the corridors, it's rather popular.   

    But they don't ask you to buy it.

    /Ken

The Mountain Man folks are under contract to the caffeteria folks.  This is
because there was a near revolution when CX03 opened...when we were at KSO, the
"nut lady" visited every thursday  Alas, when CX03 opened, she wasn't allowed
in (bearing in mind that she never entered KSO, just the parking lot and often
in sub-zero weather.)

We, the original occupants of CX03 made it clear that we would not be here if
we couldn't have our weekly nut-lady fix.  Management quickly (one week) gave
in rather than face a walkout by 800 employees.

BobW

>================================================================================
>Note 4660.8     What ever happened to " NO SOLICITATION POLICY "         8 of 12
>CSC32::C_BENNETT                                      2 lines  14-JUN-1996 08:42
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>                              -< against poicy? >-
>
>    At the CX0 Cafeteria the Mountain Man Nut Man visits every week.  They
>    sell candies, pop corn, chocolate, etc...   
>

 
    I deleted my base note and reposted it again since some one objected
    to including their name in the distribution list without their
    permission. Sorry.
    
             <<< HUMANE::DISK$SCSI:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DIGITAL.NOTE;1 >>>
                        -< The Digital way of working >-
================================================================================
Note 4660.0     What ever happened to " NO SOLICITATION POLICY "      14 replies
SHRCTR::SRINIVASAN                                  172 lines  13-JUN-1996 11:42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    This kind of junk mail has started appearing in our mail box ! I just 
    wonder how this vendor got in to this kind deal to do business with 
    Digital at Digital facility.. Hmm ! Soon We will see all kinds of 
    deals in the facility " Grooming services, Shoe repair,Shoe shine, 
    Dry cleaning, Massages etc etc _ All under the unmbrella of Employee 
    activities.. I wonder where this will stop. 
    
    Perhaps we are charging these vendors a percentage of their revenue
    to increase our profitability and this is our new corporate strategy !
    Sheesh..
    
    Jay Srinivasan
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
From:	NAME: Site Employee Activities       <ACTIVITIES@A1@SALES@AKO>
To:     See Below

From  Wendy Aldrich, @PKO, DTN 223-2142

                       SACHS JEWELERS
   166A Boston Turnpike Rd, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 792-2300

                        ONE DAY ONLY
                  
                       June 15, 1996

                       10 AM to 6 PM

                       REMOUNT EVENT
                       *************
              
          Fabulous Diamonds & Colored Gemstones Fabulous
          Settings, Fabulous Savings, From "Dated" To Dynamite!!
          ******************************************
          *                                        *
          *        MILLION DOLLAR DIAMOND          *
          *                                        *
          *           REMOUNT EVENT                *
          *          30 % to 50 % OFF              *
          ******************************************

                   FROM "DATED" To DYNAMITE

  * On this day, SACHS will reset while you wait, watch the Jeweler right before
    your own eyes.

  * Hundreds of styles to choose from ...Mountings available in 14KT Gold,18KT
    Gold or Platinum

  * Choose from Sachs' large selection of top quality, loose diamonds or 
    gemstones....Hundreds od sizes and shapes to pick from.

  * Or upgrade your diamond by trading in your existing one.

        TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR CORPORATE DISCOUNT SAVINGS!!!

    Call today to set up an appointment with MARC or KARL SACHS

         Bring in your outdated Jewelery and we'll give it a makeover
         that will turn it into a splendid new creation. Hundreds of
         Loose Diamonds, Emeralds, Tanzanites, Sapphires available to
         help you.

  ALL REMOUNTS DONE WHILE YOU WAIT...CALL TODAY TO ARRANGE AN APPOIN



To Distribution List:


    

         
        Looks like this corporation is open to the idea of all kinds of vendors
    coming to its offices during the working hours to sell all kinds of
    products. I wonder how the vendors are selected ? Perhaps the EAC
    people get a better discount for letting then in. 


    Personally I hate this kind of junk mail coming to me or vendors in the
    work place. In my opinion they are nothing but distraction. If this
    trend continues we will see new kinds of excuses...

    Q : Where is so and so ? 

    A : She is getting her hair/nail done since today is the EAC sponsored
        50% off day by grooming CO.
     
    Q : Can Mr.B attend the meeting at 2 P.M.? 
    B : No Mr. B cannot since he has an appointment to get his shoe
    repaired, since today is the EAC sponsored Shoe repair day at our site.

    To EAC folks - Please stop this kind non-sense in the name of EAC.
    Events like 50% of diamond mounting event does not add value to DEC's
    bottom line. You are only distracting the employees from their normal
    work by holding these kinds of events during the regular business
    hours. If you still want to do these kinds of activities, do it on a
    saturday or after 5PM. ( Now see how many people are really interested 
    in these kinds of activities ?).

     
    Jay

                                            

Dunkin' Donuts came into HLO because we demanded a decent cup of coffee!  The
pastries are part of the deal, I quess.

/John

  re .12

   > But they don't ask you to buy it.

   On the other side of the coin... my daughter was selling candy bars
   for a local non-profit, so I set up a display box next to the coffee
   station where people could take a bar and leave a buck. Security here
   in LKG confiscated the box and the money because it violated corporate
   solicitation guidelines. After asking around, I was able to get the
   candy and the money back (they didn't even leave a note, they just took
   it!) along with a real nastygram...

   Go figure...
   -john.

	There was a guy in HLO that sold about 12 cases of the stuff. Weird how
that works.

The candy boxes are often out by the coffee stations here.  I've even seen
some employees take their daughters office-to-office to sell Girl Scout
cookies.

				Steve

	let me guess... on take your daughters to work day?

No - but that would be ironic, wouldn't it?

				Steve

But then it would be "Put your daughters to work day". :*) 
liesl

Re: .15

When I worked in Parker St., the Mill, or NH, it was quite a convenience to
have an ATM, DCU office, or an insurance agent on site, not to mention a food
vendor (called the cafeteria.) Now that I work in a small site, I even have to
go out for lunch if I don't bring it. That wastes time during which I could be
serving my corporate masters. %-)

We employees have just so much time in the day and if time can be saved from
one area there's more to give to another. I don't want to start getting phone
solicitations or junk mail, or be subjected to sales pitches, but I see nothing
so terrible about bringing needed products/services to the employees. 

--Steve

    re .23
    
    In my opinion it is foolish to have all kinds of business under the
    roof. While there may be some exceptions such as an ATM machine or
    cafeteria or DCU, I think other kinds of business are nothing but
    distraction particularly if the business is conducted during the
    regular hours.
    
    Hey ! If you really looking for some convienience, perhaps the
    corporation should also we have the following :
    
    An hair salon and a Nail salon so that you can get your hair/nails done 
    while working.
    
    Grocery / convieniet store : You can get the grocery purchases done,
    while you work.
    
    How about a Auto shop , so that you can get your car fixed.
    
    How about a flea market/ garage sale at the DEC parking lot every 
    Friday ?
    
    Now the question is where does one draw the line ?
    
    
                                    

    Lately we have been innundated with non-work related Readers Choice
    articles - jewelry sales, exercise classes, etc.
    
    But...  Recent attempts to have work-related (ie. product, service,
    etc. announcements) Readers Choice articles published have resulted in
    them being rejected with a reason of "no one reads Readers Choice" or
    "we use other communications vehicles", etc.
    
    Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    

RE: <<< Note 4660.24 by SHRCTR::SRINIVASAN >>>
    
>    Grocery / convieniet store : You can get the grocery purchases done,
>    while you work.

ZKO has had a convenience store (financed by the cafeteria vendor) for about
two years now.
						-- Tom

    An on-site auto shop is a great idea.  It would certainly ease the
    crushing inconvenience of having to hitchhike 40 miles to work after
    dropping the car off early in the morning...
    
    M

    Re: .24

    Connecticut General Life Insurance (now part of CIGNA) moved out of
    downtown Hartford, CT, in 1957, to a new corporate campus in
    Bloomfield.  (The building was designed by Gordon Bunshaft, but that's
    another rathole.)  Anyway, the intent of the company was to provide a
    significant number of services to its employees in recognition of the
    (then) rural nature of the community.  The campus included:

    A Texaco gas station

    A dry cleaner

    A bowling alley (well . . . )

    A bank branch (this was before ATMs, remember)

    A company store that was in reality a small department store, which
    sold men's and women's clothing and small gift items

    Later, an on-site company-paid day care center (being an insurance
    company, they probably didn't worry about the cost of the insurance)

    It's hard to imagine any American company providing such amenities in
    1996, isn't it?  And companies that did provide a lot of services to
    their employees, such as Tandem and Rolm and CG itself, have fallen on
    hard times in many cases.  I'll leave it to the conspiracy theorists to
    provide a linkage.

    George

    In many of the buildings in downtown Boston and other cities, the entire
    street level of single tennant and multi-tennat buildings have multiple
    small shops, food service, dry cleaning, show repair, barber shop /
    beauty salon, flower shop. I find it very easy to pick up the items I
    need before I head out.
    
    Connecticut General Life Insurance was in the middle of no where when t
    was built [no much closer today] but lots of services available. 

re: 29

>    In many of the buildings in downtown Boston and other cities, the entire
>    street level of single tennant and multi-tennat buildings have multiple
>    small shops, food service, dry cleaning, show repair, barber shop /
>    beauty salon, flower shop. I find it very easy to pick up the items I
>    need before I head out.
    
Ah, but you seem to be one of the fortunate few that work downtown.  Most DEC
facilities are out in the industrial park wasteland where one is lucky to
find a decent place to eat lunch.

    > It's hard to imagine any American company providing such amenities in
    > 1996, isn't it?
    
    Apple Computer opened an expansive new R&D campus, six buildings,
    volleyball and basketball courts, big grassy quad, full cafeteria,
    onsite dry cleaner, Computer Literacy bookstore, gourmet coffee stand,
    and a few other amenities...just a few years ago.  In between layoffs.
    
    Some companies aren't afraid of the future.
    
    DougO

        Why would any company make it convenient and enjoyable to be at
    work?  Even if they made a profit on the service, it might give the
    employees the wrong impression, or just distract the employees. :-)


    Jim Morton

re .28ff

My last client, an OTC pharmaceutical manufacturer, recently (last few 
years) built a day-care center, in addition to its well-equipped fitness 
center and its softball field and tennis and basketball and volleyball 
courts. The company store was recently turned over to the management of 
ARA, and handles film developing, party balloons, snacks, dry cleaning, 
cards, magazines, company-logo clothing, and discounted product from the 
company and its parent organization. (Wish I could get a name-brand PC for 
a third of its street price.) 

The employees feel very good about this company, from what I could tell.

    Well of COURSE they feel good.  The company makes pharmaceuticals, they
    sell discounted product, the product makes 'em feel good...  QED!! :-)
    

    DrDan, wasn't there a company which at one time had the tag
    of "Better living through Chemicals"? Dupont I believe. In any
    event I welcome any service as long as it isn't in my face and
    I'm made to feel pressured to use it. 
    
    Jim C.
    

    True, Jim -- I agree.  It was Dow Chemical, as far as I remember too.
    
    I was just funnin... 
    

Actually, it was Monsanto - "Better Living Through Chemistry".

				Steve

In the midst of the heightened awareness of environmental pollution in the late
1960s, I believe it was Dow that used the tag line "Without chemicals, life
itself would be impossible".

Paul

    
       Monsanto: "Without chemicals, life itself would be impossible".
    
          From their current/former exhibit in Future World at the Magic
       Kingdom.
    
       FWIW.
    
         Mark

        Re: "Better Living ... through Chemistry"

        Seeing the answers "Dupont", "Dow", and "Monsanto"
        above shows how effective this was in building corporate
        identity. :-}

        (Wasn't this also the unofficial slogan of the '60's drug
        culture?)

        Bob

Bob:

> Re: "Better Living ... through Chemistry"
> 
> Seeing the answers "Dupont", "Dow", and "Monsanto"
> above shows how effective this was in building corporate
> identity. :-}

  On the other hand, people *DID* think of three different
  chemical companies, one of which is surely the right answer.
  So a few other vendors tag along for the ride -- that's a
  much better situation than if your slogan doesn't get people
  to think of *YOU* at all.

                                   Atlant

    It is very interesting that so many of us remember the slogan, but cant
    recall the company.
    
    Market awareness is a VERY fleeting thing. You get it, and keep it, only
    by constant push.  Ive often heard people around DEC
    marketing say something like "oh, we already announced that we dont
    need to do any more". 
    
    We have had only ONE constant expression   since
    1957, that the entire industry remembers- DEC. And in our infinite
    wisdom of marketing and management, we are trying hard to kill that
    off.
    
    sad.

    It was DuPont.

    Didn't they recently attempt to change their corporate identity to
    du... or was it de...
    
    I'm so confused.
    

So why haven't we ever tried to play on the word "digital" to get some 
mindshare. It seems such an obvious ploy.

"Digital: we make computers, not watches."
"Next time you get digital equipment, make sure it's Digital Equipment."
"Digital: the name of the industry."

That kind of thing.

PJDM

   re:  <<< Note 4660.45 by BIGUN::chmeee::Mayne "Dumber than a box of   
    hammers." >>>> 
    
 > So why haven't we ever tried to play on the word "digital to get some
 > mindshare. It seems such an obvious ploy."Digital: we make computers,
 > not watches.""Next time you get digital equipment, make sure it's
 >   Digital Equipment.""Digital: the name of the industry."
    
    Have you considered "marketing" as a career choice? This makes too much
    sense! The main thing I've noticed over the years about our "stealth
    marketing" is the fact that "marketing" seemed to be the place where
    those who couldn't handle other kinds of jobs. No names mentioned here
    and I'll not point at any existing "marketeers", but I've seen quite a
    few "promotions" from the field to "marketing" that  made no sense at
    all. The <people> involved were peter-principles that couldn't handle
    their current jobs, and got "promoted" to marketing. This would not be
    a good thing in my opinion.
    
    jmho, ymmv.
    .mike.

    And all the layoffs are in the positions other than these marketing
    positions.  Therefore, the Corporation is being penalize for the lack
    of VISION from our Management Staff and Lack of Marketing to create
    Demand for the Products.  As a results, the Management Staff looks at
    the Software Product set as not a Core Competency and is selling it
    off.  However, when you look at HP, Sun, and IBM they're no different
    from Digital and how can they maintain these Competencies?  They appear
    to be able to effective communicate the values of these to their
    Customers.  Maybe this is Marketing again.

	I think I've seen this death cycle pointed out in here about a year 
ago, but the

while((Digital == STILL_EXISTS) OR (DEC == STILL_EXISTS)){
	build_good_product_and_services
	do_stealth_and_short_term_marketing
	crisis_time_assessment.a = NO_DEMAND
	crisis_time_assessment.b = LOW_ROI
	do_Corporate_level_evaluation_based_on_assessment
	can_a_good_product_or_service 
}

cycle seems apparent. The only way to break out of this cycle is to either 
have a product/service that is so good that it sells itself (AltaVista, and to 
a lesser extent Alpha) or to actually do some serious, long term marketing. 

	Of course the other way for this loop to end is if the condition in 
the while statement evaluates to false #:-(

	C'Ya,
	Wayne   

I used to work for DuPont.  The old slogan had been "Better Things for Better
Living Through Chemistry."  I saw it on some old documents and signs.  More
recently, the slogan was "Better Things for Better Living."  I wonder if the
60's T-shirt with the picture of the LSD molecule and the slogan "Better Living
Through Chemistry" had anything to do with the change; I assuem the T-shirt was
derived from the DuPont slogan.

						Brian

    Brian, I always figured the reference to LSD was the reason
    for the change.
    
    Jim C.