Even I Get Scammed Sometimes
So I did what many would do — I hired an “expert.”
We’ve all seen them. The “business coach”, the “systems coach”, the “workflow optimisation consultant” — people who throw around buzzwords, have impressive LinkedIn profiles, and seem like they’ve got it all figured out. Only problem is, they rarely do anything.
I’m not talking about sports coaches. Those people train hard, put runs on the board, and actually get results. No — I’m talking about the ones who tell you how to do something you’ll only ever do once, then vanish in a cloud of jargon and invoice PDFs.
Let me give you an example. We recently changed stock management systems. On paper, it looked great — flexible, modern, clean UI, everything a growing business needs. But anyone who’s gone through one of these implementations knows the reality: it’s a nightmare. It’s slow, tedious, and filled with obscure settings buried under more layers than a Dunedin winter.
So I did what many would do — I hired an “expert.”
He came in all bright-eyed and confident. I asked him, “Do you know how to do this?”
He nodded. “Yes, that’s what I’m here for.”
What he meant, I quickly discovered, was: he knew how to tell me how to do it.
Not actually do it.
I found myself paying an eye-watering rate to be told how to click through a menu I’d never seen before to configure something I’d never need to touch again. I fumbled, got frustrated, and ended up doing it badly. But it hit me then: why the hell am I paying someone to teach me to do a one-off job I’ll never need again?
Why am I learning this? He should’ve just bloody done it.
We’ve somehow allowed an entire industry to spring up around “telling” instead of “doing”. It’s all over the place — local government, national government, big corporates. Everyone wants to be a strategist, a guide, a visionary… but nobody wants to roll up their sleeves and plug in the bloody printer.
I had a similar experience in Australia. A bloke gave us a beautiful rundown on workflows, customer engagement strategies, and which platforms to use. But when it came to printing a label, he was as useful as a chocolate teapot. Couldn’t install the printer, couldn’t even organise the courier. But hey, the theory was great.
This is where we try to do things differently. When someone buys a car audio unit from us, we don’t just hand over a manual and wave them off. We actually install it. We show them how to make a call, tune their favourite radio stations, and make sure it sounds good before they leave.
We don’t just walk away after that either. If something needs updating down the track — a software tweak, a radio reset, a phone pairing — we’re here. Not to point at a screen and tell you what to do, but to do it. Because chances are, that task isn’t something you’ll remember — and frankly, you shouldn’t have to.
That’s the difference. We’re not here to “coach” you through a maze of menus. We’re here to make sure it just works — now and next time.
YouTube videos won’t make your car stereo sound better. A coach won’t implement your stock system. And a “consultant” sure as hell won’t fix your Bluetooth settings.
This whole business coaching scene? For one-off projects, it’s a rort. If I’m paying someone, they better be doing the job, not giving me a TED Talk.
Even I get scammed sometimes. Don’t make the same mistake.
Best regards
Paul O’Connor
Customer Service
Got a question? Call us on 03 365 2666 or swing by 18 Iversen Terrace, Waltham, Christchurch (Monday – Friday 9am-5pm). One of our friendly team is usually around to help with quick advice, but for bigger jobs we might need a bit more time and a booking.