When traveling overseas, especially India, I often hear the following:
“Where are you?
“I’m almost there”
“When will you arrive?”
“Five minutes!”
They always say: “five minutes”.
Once, I remember waiting, for at least 45 minutes.
Not sure if this is a cultural thing. I’ve heard Indians say:
“Oh, that’s IST – Indian Standard Timing”.
Friends – Indian Standard Timing might work very well for your own personal arrangements, but it will not work well in the USA / UK / Europe / Australia / NZ, on construction projects, where tight deadlines are involved, and where “Liquidated Damages” are at stake.
Why are ETAs important?
Because clients need to order material, organise labour, and equipment. It will not do to organise a crane, and hire labour, only for them to sit idle for a couple of weeks because you were overly optimistic with your delivery times. Cranes alone might cost $5000 – $15,000 per day. What about site crews? If you give the wrong ETA, then it could cost your client a lot of money. Which means it’s gonna cost you a lot of money.
Give real ETA. Not the typical: “5 minutes later” ETA. Update your clients constantly on your Tek1 status reports.
Summary: Give the correct ETA, and make sure you meet it.
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