Paper Checks, A Modern Fable

Posted by Brad Osborne on August 22, 2021 · 24 Comments 

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I walked into the small deli just after the lunch rush. I was hoping to hit up the owner with my pitch during the afternoon lull which you could set your watch to. As luck would have it, shortly after being seated, he strolled by with a dishpan heading to the kitchen. I stopped him briefly in his passing and asked if I could have a few minutes of his time. With his obvious “can’t you see we are busy” look on his face, I did a hard sell and said, “I think I can help you make more money”.

I am not sure if it was genuine interest or just the desire to sit for a few minutes, but the old man screeched the chair back across the tile floor and fell into a heap on its uneven legs. I launched into my spiel on a digital point-of-sale (POS) for his place that would eliminate their use of writing kitchen orders on paper checks. I covered everything from cost savings, accuracy, inventory management, promotions, upselling contests for wait staff, detailed food cost analysis, and tons of other features that a POS system provides. All of which I was certain he had some knowledge of as all the other places in the neighborhood had one. Even his uncle, three blocks over had one at his pizza place. I had assumed that the only thing holding him back may have been the cost. But this was his lucky day.

With small business money readily available through government support funds during the pandemic, our huge discounts to have his business, and free installation and training, it would be virtually cost free to him. This was a win-win-win. He gets a free POS and the cost savings that go with it, I get my usual commission check, and my boss gets to tally up another sale for his territory.

He listened intently through my whole speech. Only, occasionally, turning to look at the door when the old brass bell above it chimed a customer’s entry or exit. I tried to wait patiently for his emphatic yes. He looked at me somewhat sheepishly and said, “Do you know why I use paper checks and always have? I only report half of my sales as income to the IRS. When you can save me that kind of money with your contraption, I encourage you to stop me and let me know. But I do appreciate the break.” He rose, grabbed the dishpan, and deftly slid the chair back in its place with one foot, then continued towards the kitchen.

I learned, that if you are looking to facilitate changing the way someone does something, it is best to fully understand why they do it the way they do. Something being better is a narrowly directional view.

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Filed under General · Tagged with better, change, fable, fiction, free, income, old ways, paper checks, perspective, point of sale, POS, taxes, technology, understanding, value