Al E. Gore(y)
Mar. 9th, 2016 09:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
captainsblogThere are two major supermarket chains in this town; let's call them W and T.
We love W. We buy all kinds of stuff at W. But W has this Thing about wanting you to pay for everything you want to take home. Say you buy a gallon of milk from W. You drink it. You're still thirsty. You want another gallon. Hell, you'd settle for a fresh quart. But W insists that you pay for the extra milk.
These rules do not apply in the business I work in. It's expected that I will give an extra quart, or gallon, or an unlimited supply, long after the original bottle is drained- without any payment whatsoever. And I do it- because that's how it is.
----
Occasionally, I go to T instead. Very occasionally. I much prefer W. They're good to us, and we to them.
But imagine a world where W is able to say, No. You can't shop at T, because you shop with us. Even if we jacked up all our prices, or lowered our quality, your existing relationship with us prevents you from walking in T's door.
That, pretty much, was the end of my day. Not able to help T because of the existence of W, but still obligated to talk to both of them and essentially dispense free services to both.
It never stops. Every day they get my best.
Someday I may explain further. Or I may not.
We love W. We buy all kinds of stuff at W. But W has this Thing about wanting you to pay for everything you want to take home. Say you buy a gallon of milk from W. You drink it. You're still thirsty. You want another gallon. Hell, you'd settle for a fresh quart. But W insists that you pay for the extra milk.
These rules do not apply in the business I work in. It's expected that I will give an extra quart, or gallon, or an unlimited supply, long after the original bottle is drained- without any payment whatsoever. And I do it- because that's how it is.
----
Occasionally, I go to T instead. Very occasionally. I much prefer W. They're good to us, and we to them.
But imagine a world where W is able to say, No. You can't shop at T, because you shop with us. Even if we jacked up all our prices, or lowered our quality, your existing relationship with us prevents you from walking in T's door.
That, pretty much, was the end of my day. Not able to help T because of the existence of W, but still obligated to talk to both of them and essentially dispense free services to both.
It never stops. Every day they get my best.
Someday I may explain further. Or I may not.
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no subject
Date: 2016-03-10 02:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-10 02:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-10 03:38 am (UTC)Then the sponsoring organizations got into the act, lawyered-up, and produced a common disclaimer to which all participating organizations had to subscribe. That was some relief.
Regardless, competitors' employees became friends and ate & drank together, talking about what was interesting without the benefit of counsel. Then we work together on matters that, because of the common agreement, would not be considered for anti-trust action.
The tangible benefits: If you have an electronic health record that is shared among your doctors and health providers, you're welcome.