“What I’ve learnt in the last decade of manufacturing distribution boards (DB) is this: if you ask too many questions, you get too many answers.” By: Josh Berman of Distribution Boards SA.
As a manufacturer, if I ask a customer, “When do you need your DB board?” they’ll answer, “Yesterday”. And if I ask what colour they want, they will respond: “Dusty blue-grey with a hint of green.” (Apparently, Eskom used this colour between Jan ’94 and Feb ’95, and now we need to match the shade to the transformer – which, by the way, is missing all its windings. Because, well… Eskom.)
“The Paradox of Choice” is a psychological principle coined by Barry Schwartz, which states that offering a customer too many options runs the risk of decision paralysis, anxiety, and ultimately dissatisfaction. And with anxiety and dissatisfaction at an all-time high, maybe there’s something we’re missing.
We tend to overcomplicate things. Like those site meetings that could have been an email. Or a site visit that could have been a WhatsApp. Or a site office that could have been a porta-potty.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing I love more than being called to a site to fix someone else’s mess. And I use the words “love” and “fix” very loosely – much like the South African cricket team.
But maybe we need to rein it in. Simplify the choices. For example, if you have six colour options, offer three. If you have four steel types, offer two.
The easiest choices we make in life are the ones that aren’t really choices at all. Coffee or tea? Still or sparkling? Neat or on the rocks? The attendant has already decided we’re drinking; we’re just “choosing” how we’d like it presented.
So, if this concept is so ingrained in our subconscious, then why are we still offering such complex solutions?
Welcome to the world of electrical, where everything is made up and the points don’t matter.
Granted, the electrical industry is remarkably dynamic and often the problem itself is complicated. But make the solution too complicated, and you risk making the customer disappear faster than a “tenderpreneur” who’s just received his third budget quote.
So, what’s your answer to overcomplicating, Josh? That’s a good question, and I’m glad you asked.
At DBSA, we’re offering a range of standard enclosures. Set sizes, set colours, set stock. You don’t have to make the decision. The panels fit a range of breakers in a range of configurations. Just buy the DB box. It will work – even if you need it yesterday.