Raising Backyard Chickens, or Getting Back to Basics
A recent Associated Press story was almost silly enough to qualify as a headline from The Onion: “Chicken farming growing trend in suburbia.”
What do chickens and software support have in common?
The article wasn’t a spoof; it was a legitimate news story that appeared in the Dallas Morning News. The piece detailed the how suburbanites have taken to rearing chickens to make it through the recession. It sounds like a lot of work for one egg per day for each hen. There’s a coop to build, feed to buy, local livestock laws to obey. And then there’s the smell.
Chicken-rearers say it’s a way of “getting back to basics.” My gut says it’s just too much work considering the return.
But upon further inspection (namely, the mere existence of “Raising Chickens for Dummies” – yes, it’s a real book – and the popularity of a the site BackyardChickens.com), it seems it’s not such a crazy notion after all. Yes, there is an upfront investment, but the ROI is supposedly stellar.
Chickens are working pets that guarantee a steady supply of fresh eggs (and, perhaps, an eventual main course). Raising your own chickens is also “green.” They help control bugs and weeds without the use of chemicals, and they create excellent fertilizer.
All this talk of getting back to basics got me thinking about dwindling IT budgets and the move on corporate America’s part to get back to basics. In particular, it brought to mind the misconception that services like software support and training for employees are excessive and unnecessary in an economic downturn.
Like backyard chicken-rearing, software support is a ROI-generator in disguise. (Just go with me on this one.)
Like backyard chicken-rearing, software support is a ROI-generator in disguise.
Providing training and support is deemed excessive because the need is not properly documented. The stats show that average resolution time on frequently used software applications without an on-demand training or support options can fall in the range of almost three hours per incident. That, to me, is a demand, and not addressing it is costing companies boatloads of money in wasted time and productivity. (Read more about downtime analysis in this PDF.)
What’s more, providing your workers with the tools they need to get their jobs done more efficiently has the residual effect of boosting morale. Your employees feel more confident and take pride in their work.
Like raising your own food, when you are involved on such a micro level, you are more invested in the outcome. Such involvement instills a sense of ownership, and forces you to care more – whether it’s a hen house you are building or a widget you are selling. (Jen Darr)
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