I hate inefficient systems. In my job in education I see a lot of these on a daily basis. Double marking, needless costs and time wasting tests all lead to extra work, extra cost and little benefit and it drives me mad. I see it on a day to day basis in my non-work life too.
One example would be when I had to go to the council office to hand in a photocopy of a document.
This wasn't a document that was confidential and it could have been left with anyone safely and it wasn't one I needed back. But no, this couldn't be a simple task. First I had to take a number followed by a 45 minute wait. WHAT! Just to hand in a form!
Next I had to go into a little cubical and see a member of staff, who simply photocopies the form, writes my national insurance number on it and then puts it in a box on the desk. A one minute job turned into 47 minutes (not to mention the wages of the lady who sits at the desk and hands out tickets and did not much else who could easily have done the photocopy and put it in the same box!)
The next time I go prepared. I have photocopied the form and written my national insurance number on it. I also have the original just in case they want to see it. ‘Hi, can I hand this in please' I say, brandishing the form triumphantly. Short-lived as it was when the answer came back ‘no, you need to take a number'. I point at the box. It just needs to go in there.
I argue my case that it is all done for them and they just need to put it in the box. 5 minutes later I sit down holding my ticket for another 30 minute wait. Genius. Their inefficient systems just cost me over an hour, when you consider the time spent travelling there and back. The bus fare, the wasted time, all gone.
In poker, inefficiencies can cost you money too. If you are looking to make a profit from it, keeping proper records is essential so that you can play the games that show you the most profit. Find the right tables to sit at and the right time to play and remove some of the inefficiencies that can be costing you the difference in ROI between a loss and a profit.
If not you, who? If not now, when?
