akiro3.com

Read:File this under too hard.

Dear Mr van Caspel,

Thank you for your feedback.

AAMI is governed by the Financial Services Reform Act which requires us to ask the questions on our online quoting system in order to provide our quote to you. Whilst it would be more convenient in some instances for customers to have portions of the quote pre- populate, AAMI is restricted by FSRA licence requirements.

Also as AAMI is a direct insurer, we do not have any affiliations or direct links with any other companies and brokers.

We do appreciate and value all customer comments and thank you for taking the time to email.

Kind regards,

Fiona McGrath
AAMI eBusiness

Here’s the original message

From: Benjamin van Caspel
Email: ####

Reason for visiting the website : Obtain a quote

Useful parts of the site : Hi I just clicked over from Carsales.com.au, I was looking at a specific car which I was curious to know how much it cost to insure. Problem was that none of that information was passed to your site. So the first page I’m confronted with is accepting your terms on which a quote is given. Fine but then I’m asked if I want to insure a car or house or whatever. Think I can be bothered figuring things out from scratch again when I’m not even sold on that car model. I’d much prefer to ring up and then I’d also ask for a quote on 5 different car models in one hit so that way I can compare if they’re worth buying.

Improvements to the quote process : See last box.

Would purchase policies online : Well I’m from carsales and I’d be wanting to compare your quotes for several cars, purchase my car, then compare quotes with other insurers. If yours is cheapest but then also simplest to aquire then I would continue with the transaction online.

Had difficulities with the site : Pass

Web site additions or suggestions : A direct link from the site I’m on (any car classified site) to a page where I’m selecting my age and postcode, whether my car is modified, whether it’s garaged and a checkbox to say that I accept the terms of your quote. Then hit “get quote”! Also say if you saw it nessacary to capture my personal details then give me a cookie or session based login where I can easily click back to your site from a car site and retrieve another quote for a different vehicle without having to re-enter all my details all the time.

Other comments : Think how much this matter to customers. All you need to do is a good deal with Domain, Carsales, etc and you’re actually creating a value added for these companies and their site users, not just another annonying banner advert.

Really is it that hard to create a better experience for site users, that you have to tell them that legislation prevents it from happening? Wouldn’t a far better answer be “AAMI is trying to provide the best experience for users and that we are lobbying to see current legislation restrictions reduced to allow such site features in future.” The real question does any of the staff that actually know how the site is administered and marketed actually read such feedback or am I just pulped through an outsourced CRM program and given a “not policy” answer?

Consumers want their lives made simpler by your site, not impeded, in the past when I have asked for a quote online it’s been a far from desireable experience. Whilst it’s known Financial companies really need to lift their game (don’t get me started on how slow Banks are to adopt web enabled services pfft.), this example of the customer feedback loop has resulted in the opposite they would actually desire. You want to offer site feedback so that you can improve your site’s capabilities and let your customer share in the process of making your service better. A reply like the one I received contains a number of comments that you’d expect in any email, yet the unique content in reply to my suggestion says that it’s simply too hard for we a national level brand to come up with a way to make it work. I would have preferred a link to the mentioned legislation.

There are brownie points this wins tho, actually receiving a reply that does address my query and appears to be written soley for me is great. I can’t remember how many auto replies I’ve received that just don’t answer any questions and leave you feeling like a case number. Also having a person’s name on the email gives you some consolation that it was written by not only a real person but one that’s willing to put their name to the reply. Customers want to work with real people and build relationships with their brands and having real human representation is one of the great starting points. Unfortunately the likely hood of me working with the same person the next time I interact with this organisation is very slim, so that’s as far as my praise goes in this customer service loop.

Now for one CRM tool that I have a lot of praise for check the next post

Ok came across this band via an amazing project towriteloveonherarms. The first track I heard was For Miles and it just struck the right note, well more than a few actually. Anyhow, moments later I was over at their own site. Then I noticed that I’d already looked at the cover of their CD previously at JB’s, as I’d recognised the artwork as that of the unique Dave Eggers. Not often album artwork is as good as the music. Check them out for yourself if you like something like a mix between Muse, Emery and your conscience> http://www.myspace.com/thrice

Ok it’s old hat but it still humours!

http://www.akiro3.com/item/gol/

This is an interview that a friend of mine, Amanda, decided to do with me late one night (so please excuse some of my badly worded answers). I’d thought I might post it because as designers we can all do with some shared knowledge.

—How did you get into the graphic design industry?
A wealthy scoundrel seduced me. No. I was dropping grades at school while the art teachers were revelling about my work. A local business owner approached the school about finding a young up and comer and I was one of the candidates put forward. I went to and interview and they liked what they saw. The rest is history. But it’s something that I knew I wanted to do since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.

—What difficulties did you encounter when you first started out in the industry and what advice would you give others in the same situation?
Being overwhelmed by the amount of other great talent out there, and feeling like there was a never ending amount to learn before you’d be any good. Thing is there must be something inside you telling you that you’re just as good and if given the chance you could be better. Advice? Ask load of questions of people you know will have answers. No point asking a garbage collector or accountant about design. Find a mentor. Whether you know them or not though knowing them is a big plus. Study what they do. Analyse the world around and within you. Explore what you’re doing. And most of all have fun doing it. If you’re not, you’re doing something wrong.

—Are qualifications important to have to be a designer, why?
Yes. Qualifications are important for getting started. Qualifications are a way of differentiating you from the rest of the sea of applicants. So they count. But they aren’t anything on their own. They only show that you can persist in a course and gain enough marks to pass. Your portfolio is most important in design interviews and you don’t need qualifications to have a good one but they help. The thing is, there a plenty of designers out there who can do great work but can’t sell themselves. And if you can’t do that why are you in this game. That’s your job, to sell other peoples things. So at the end of the day qualifications are helpful for getting an interview but they are trivial after that.

—How much would you charge for a logo design on average?
This is a question that depends on a lot of variables. The primary one is who is the customer. How much do they want to spend. Then I work from there. Mind you, they don’t have to say that, you just need to know who they are. This is an important part of negotiating. Prepare, Probe and then Propose. I work by these. So there is never one set price. People are willing to pay the price for something depending on what it’s worth to them.

—What do you offer clients so to draw them to you rather than your opposition?
I’m not just a designer. I don’t just offer pretty pictures. I offer a whole package. If they want something, I can do it or I’m charging more to get someone who does. I do a thorough job and ensure that the client is pleased with the job still 6 months or more after. You will find that it costs much less to keep a client than it takes to get a new one. More isn’t always better. Better managed is.

–How do you identify prospective clients?
At the moment, when they call me. But I’m working on some people that I know have a need and trying to amplify it. I ask questions about where they are at with their business and if they are having any problems. People like to have someone to listen to their problems and sometimes their problems are your solution. Currently word of mouth is working but you need to advertise and the most left field way is the most effective.

—What sort of clients do you work for and why?
I am currently freelancing and running my own business, Caspel Design - www.caspeldesign.com (plug!). Many companies only require a person to do a few hours per week. I’ve done this to get started. Sometimes the rates are good enough to not warrant full time work, unless you want a loan that is. I’ll do anything people ask in the way of job type but I’ve been tending toward more upper end boutique websites lately. Mainly because I enjoy them. But the work that pulls in the money regularly is the run of the mill pre press work. The painful jobs others don’t want to do and are happy to pay to get out of their hair.

—How many people work in your studio, and what are their roles?
Well just me, but I have subcontracted others in on jobs where I don’t have the skills or equipment. It’s important to have good, reliable “employees” (suppliers and subcontractors) that you get along with but don’t muck around with. The latter can be a problem.
I’m always the designer though my other workers roles have included, assistants and programmer/developers. Though never be afraid to put the label, ‘project coordinator’ or ‘managing director’ on the bottom of an email. People don’t really care but I makes you feel good!

—To what extent do you work in a team or individually?
Well each client is a team member. I make that clear. We work together and I attempt to make the client feel just as responsible for making the final product as I am. Though it is hard sometimes to tell the client that your experience in your field may be better used if things were done your way rather than making the text that hideous colour. But work really hard to keep clients happy. Tell them they can call you at 2am if need be. But you really want to minimise on the bad ones. If you see one coming don’t even start with them. No money is worth the mental trauma. Whoa! Off topic. But I have normally been working alone in design but in teams on larger projects. Oh one last tip, still off topic. Never ever let the client look over your shoulder while you’re working they are the worst back seat designers ever.

—What is good design?
Something that the client is happy with. But also something I’m happy with. It needs to serve the function whilst still being full of innovative, creative and stylish form. It isn’t just another theme or style. Remember awards are just symbols of mediocrity, so always aim to break the mold. The straight path to a design is never really that way but make sure you don’t get lost on the scenic route either. I believe good design is an expression. Which is difficult to do in such a profit and retroactive world but to be stylish you often need to leave the fold.

—Please describe the process you go through for a good design.
I get a full and thorough understanding of the brief, put a good CD or if time permits go somewhere you can think and think about it for a while, make some sketches or notes. Explore the wild ideas now and try to harness them if possible. Then make it presentable and show the client. Make it clear the pros and cons and the risks. Eat some humble pie and then do what they say. Then make what they want. Conversing with the client at logical steps, never leave them out but don’t let them have too much play that you’re wasting time. Develop the ideas through to a product and finalise a presentable package. Test it and make sure it works before you ever hand it over. Six months later check it’s working or done it’s job. Then you know it’s a good design. Remember the retractable Adelaide Oval towers won great acclaim before the problems were exposed. So make sure things work before you celebrate your talent.

—How do you approach clients with a low budget?
I do as much as I can with what they have. Make sure you’re giving them value for money. If they come to you with an idea which may not be the best thing for their business, offer a more effective option. All business is looking for the best ROI, return on investment, so give them that. If they don’t have enough for your services (which is when?) refer them to someone you know can help them. Even ring them to check afterward that they got a good deal. That client may have more capital now.

—How do you combat picky clients?
Contracts. Go to a lawyer tomorrow and get the best thing you can afford or get something like the Proposal Kit. Set up contracts that have predefined points of conversation and input on the clients behalf. Stick to it like glue with the tricky ones. Secondly Try to keep them out of the design process as much you can. Play the dazzle game. Do something flashy and cool. Try to make them awed by their logo being on a van or a mug. Often there is nothing wrong with the design but the client just can’t visualise it working. Show them it can and they’ll love it.

—How do you keep up with new developments and technologies?
I do? Register your email address with all the market leaders. Browse forums and notice boards. Pick other designers and tech guru’s knowledge, don’t try to learn it all from scratch unless you want to become a brain. Read Magazines with a discerning mind (the stories are paid for by the ads, of course that’s the coolest latest thing that you need to buy!). Keep your ear to the street. You hear much more from the street press, or culture spots than from the Adverzines. Make sure you listen only to things said by people that know. Which doesn’t mean the script writers. Get some friends, they’re good.

—Are you selective with the clients you work with, why?
Hey is this a trick question I’m getting some dejavu. Well I pick clients that I know are worth working for. If the work is gonna be trouble stay away. I learnt this from an engineering company who would always leave the bad client, high profile, risky jobs to other companies to screw up and always looked better at the end of the day. Get some ethics, standards and morals and stick to them. You’ll attract like minded people after a while. Though you may have to turn down some damn good ($$$) jobs. If a client even appears not to be able to pay a bill or requests you to breach copyright for them, remember who will be burnt at the end of the day. Not them.

—How do you decide which clients to work with?
Umm I’m getting dejavu on my dejavu. I pray about it.

—What is your inspiration?
Jesus Christ. Though I know he didn’t really design much in the way we think of it but he did much more that we will ever do. So if it came to human artists that inspire me. H.R. Geiger, Joshua Davis, Eric Jordan, Arnaud Mercier, Ramond Lowey, Le Courbiser, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies Van de Rohe, the rest of the Bauhaus crew, Switchfoot, Seraphs Coal, Geoffery Smart, Pinin Farina, Bertone, Enzo Ferrari, Henry Ford, Benjamin Franklin, HB Toby Halicki and Gilles Villeneuve, Michael Schumcher (”I am an artist, the track is a canvas and my car is a brush”- Graham Hill) and too many more to mention. But God still is the greatest creative force in the universe. Come on he made me, now that isn’t a mean feat.

I came to the city to escape the noise of the country, the noise of nature seemingly yelling at me all the time. Animal calls and movements were disgusting, distasteful sounds that struck my ears constantly never letting me sleep at night. The country was so stressful with something always happening. Day and night this place worked. When could one rest. Even the things recreation became work. The country is constantly building and growing. It is always dirty. One can never remove themselves from that. You?re surrounded by the rubbish of animals, plants and the rusting wrecks of men who came before. Weeds are always decaying the things of harvest. The animals graffiti the land with their territorial markings. The filth of nature brings a bitter taste to my mouth. Awakening in the morn to a sky littered with water vapour.
One is either hunting or the hunted. I felt unsafe and tired which angered me in the many deeds of the day. Behind the noise of those polluting animals is the cold void of quiet that leaves me feeling alone.
So I ran and came to the city, a place of rhythm, peace and flavour. I am amazed by the tides of traffic that ebb around the structures of beauty. The sun as it rises, refracts through the clouds of chemicals creating wonderous hues in deep and dark browns. The smell of exhaust fumes awakens my mind. I enjoy opening my curtains and seeing the chaos engineered and designed to function together. I enjoy walking down the street and looking at all the artwork that shows the habitat of new products and juvenile social orders. This place is so sterile and ordered that the filth is washed from the streets with each passing shower. The leftovers of each household are collected in a weekly ritual. The way each inhabitant has a place in this ecosystem is amazing. They all fulfill a position in the food chain. Some work together, some work entirely alone, some live off others, while others supply for those. While in the end it all balances out.

Whoa just got back from one great gig, definitely not because of the organisation but because of all these thoughts and situations I found myself in.

I spent the first part of my day working on a website for a client and then after the sun had peaked I headed into the CBD. I went into town to pick up this t-shirt that I just knew was me as soon as I saw it. I asked the Rundle St. vendor to hold it overnight while I made a decision about whether the $50 price tag was worth it. After sleeping on it I thought it was. So I’m now the proud owner of a khaki green Paul Frank tee with a life sized postit note offset from the centre and at an angle with the following text scrawled across it - Note to self: I am a genius. I love it! I like clothes that I come up with in my head and then find already made. Though it’s annoying to realise someone else is making money off it. I was very tempted to put it on right then but the thought of it being pulled, stretched and rubbed by a sea of sweaty revelers made me decide against it.

So then I was off to the Tram for the 30 minute or so ride down to the Bay. The seaside commercial precinct around 20km south east of Adelaide, better known as Glenelg. I was on a journey to get to Harold. Harold is a yearly event, that usually starts in the mid afternoon and goes late, filled with some of Adelaide’s and Australia’s best punk/rock/emo acts. This year it was held at the shores function centre which is just a really fancy name for a massive shed (with all the mod cons in it).
So back to my tram journey which seemed rather brief as I was embroiled in Nicky Cruz’ Run Baby Run for most of it. When I reached the end I was on the hunt. My stomach was aching from the void of at least 8 hours that had passed since it’s last indulgence. So opting for the norm, rather than exploring the vaired offerings of the kilometre of retail shops, I went to Subway. As I walked in and noticed I was in the company of three members of Edison, an emo rock band playing tonight (my favourite too!). I sheepishly sauntered over to them and asked if it was at all possible to catch a ride with them to the venue (which was a good 20 mins walk from where I stood). After a second’s thought by Matt the lead singer, we were soon Corro-ro-rolling along to the venue. What a bunch of legends.

Once we had all alighted from the car, they went through the backstage door and I wandered around to the door for the standard plebs and devoured my Pizza sub before entering. I had come to Harold with some expectations. Not little ones either. And nothing to do with the music or the bands. I not only expected to have a good night and encounter some people I hadn’t seen for ages but one specifically that I had not yet met. Funny enough anyone who knows me or has read any of the other texts would sure be able to predict the story. I came with an expectation to meet someone unique and special, which she was if what people have said about her is even half true. Someone who may become a good friend. That was my main expectation, to start something. After a quick scout of the venue I realised that they were about so the pressure was on. I had to come up with the goods and go through with the premeditated introduction. I haven’t done this before but I thought it’d be something new and different. As it was only my pride that would suffer, what the hell, give it a go. Though from my previous experience I should know about such odd meetings of personable ladies. Especially at Harold. This event is just rife for such situations. Maybe it’s the fact that you’re there for so long so it allows you the time to plug up enough guts to actually verbalise or act on your thoughts. And maybe it’s also the way that it’s a place where you let your normal walls down a bit and get closer to the other gender in ways that no other situation quite allows. Any crowd surfing female can tell you that!

So I walked around for a while buying time by catching up with all these friends from the scene. Whilst walking around I realised that this is one of the few places I feel like I belong. At a gig with bands like STR, Edison and Cheapshot and all the characters that follow in their wake. These are the people I’ve grown up with. It doesn’t matter how much they know me and I know them but that I belong in this world. Weird to find such an identity while youre in a swirling mass of people.

Ow! I just moved my leg again. Yeah I’m getting to that. So after wandering around and looking like a lost child in a department store while I was trying to find my friend Ernie and Co, I went to listen to Wishful Thinking. A band of Melbournites who certainly have the skill of getting the crowd going down pat. After getting involved in the proceedings I came to realise the precence of the particular person not far from the fortissimo that was the lead singer.

After the hopeful ponderers finished their set the miss was making an exit that just happened to cross paths with a certain tall lanky fellow. I introduced myself but felt my impression just wasn’t enough, if I were her I would have expected more. But I guess that’s me playing the perfectionist. (Note to self: Perfectionism isn’t a good thing in the social world). We had a cool chat and I enjoyed it. It was weird that as soon as she walked away I felt like a load had been taken off but not just off, it’s weight was replaced with energy. I was smarting from the fact that I had actually gone through with it pulled the thing off. I didn’t care about making situations appear after that. I was leaving that to the future. I was now free to enjoy the night with a chip on my shoulder to boot.

I really got into Edison’s set and felt free to express myself however I please, which I think was obvious to the people around me. I’m so thankful for the likes of Luke who makes me feel fine doing what I do, as he does what he does with much more vigor. Their echoing rhythms danced across my ears like an ocean breeze soothing my soul and giving my brain this odd form of ecstasy that lets me think. I’d like to write more but I know you’re attentions already wearing thin if you’re still with me. So Paradise Burning got up and oh how I love a bit of hardcore. That’s when I really get to express myself. So whilst I was out cutting things I managed to bash my leg into something. I think it was someone’s head and it gave me this corky that wont go away. I think, well hope, it’s muscular. Though that didn’t really stop me still getting stuck into it. Next up were STR with the final set of the night and with the new and slightly makeshift line up they certainly entertained. I took some time out to think over some things that I was thinking (duh) and still found the energy to come up with some final antics with Pete. I also found the time to do some of those playfully (well to me) annoying things to the maam of the night. And funnily enough on exit she remembered my name and said seeya. wow!

Anyway my leg will get better amongst other things. Later shall i write.

I apologise to you maam
Accept it now I hope you can
I didn’t mean to look at your breast
yes that thing protruding from your chest
It was the logo on your top
that first made me look at that spot
It was then you noticed
my southerly focus
Then your palm and my cheek made contact
I was looking at a logo a jube
And had no time to notice your boob
So accept it now I hope you can
for you seem to be a forgiving maam
So my saddest of sorrow for my actions
For in future I will take precautions
To never glance below your chin
And allow such and event to begin

I ran into a friend today that really challenged me about where I’m at. At the least expectant moment I ran into her. She bounded up and greeted me with the warmest hug I’ve had for ages. She then asked how I was going. And did something amazing. Actually paused and waited for a reply. She really wanted to know what was on my mind but time was not permitting to elaborate. She continued on to her appointment and I with my window shopping. Nat is a talented designer that I met at a convention about year ago. She’s pretty, painfully honest and encouraging. We’ve shared a lot about our passion for design and the events of our day. But there’s one thing that we don’t share that makes things hard. Faith. Her life is poles apart in this regard and I find it very hard to relate outside the bounds of our superficial lives, the things that we do, not the things that we are. Around twenty mins later my phone rang and she wanted to catch up, right then. So we spent the rest of the evening venturing about the mall, talking about everything under the low slung moon other than ourselves. I came away from that night with an overall feeling of confidence and joy, she had taken the time and made the effort to spend with me. Things didn’t need to get deep, as with Nat they don’t, but she did touch something I’ve buried deep inside. My Heart.

The evening with Nat and other small instances, like the clothes clerk, have left me bewildered about myself & my regular friends, the one’s I see daily with which I share something far deeper. People of the church are meant to be the light of the world. Well why are the brilliant flashes I see, those who have no knowledge of Christ? For He is the source of true love. The first person to critisise is myself. For I know a love much greater than many yet do I reflect it? I would like to think I do, deep down I know I don’t. My life is like an irregular strobe light that spends more time off than on. I do wish to alight my heart to encompass others. Yet my failure to shine is not an excuse for others, who are equally called. This is just another thing that makes me think that we, the Christian majority, haven’t really seen the heart of God. How can we expect to show the world love if we can’t even show real love to each other. I feel deeply challenged by what Jesus had to say to our type (John 5:31). This just isn’t a passing hurdle, but something further lasting. A challenge I must choose to take daily. For we are and there are - Strangers to Love.

The art of romance is being lost amongst the self indulging messages of the world. Romance requires a selfless attitude toward the object of one’s affection. Romance is something that cannot be shared between two parties consumed with their own desires. It is more a preoccupation with one another that induces romantic bliss. It takes a party to plan and devise ways to bring joy to the partner before a situation of romance can develop. Then the partner needs to be just as prepared to share. It requires a level of intimacy that is exclusive. Romance is an experience that is often overlooked in the days of youth, as one is much to eager to be exploring one’s sexuality with an attitude that reaches no deeper than skin. The minds of partners need to be at a point of affection that is mutual. Where they aren’t pushing the limits of their knowledge of sensation but searching for a deeper understanding of their partner’s soul. Both parties need to be at a point of comfort that is regulated by the other without fear of exposure. A degree of trust is shared that is not felt anywhere else in life. Also the feelings of affection, grace, compassion, selflessness, humility and fulfilment are at their peak. It is a that point, not dictated by time, not dictated by physical experience, not dictated by any single feeling that one comes to the unique realisation that they love the other person.
Romance is no single deed or one single event. Once it occurs that moment last’s forever. Even though the inexcusable acts of a partner may tarnish the memory, the mind will always be able to return to the state in which it was experienced. Like a distant dream of hope it will linger in one’s mind. A dream that one longs to experience again, but knows can’t, due to the fear of changing any part of it.