Real-Life Decision Making
Eight years ago you approached a logging company to help it manage its
forest reserves by analyzing information on logging and by tracking forestry
roads and distances.
You told the company you could help plan its logging blocks more efficiently
and keep track of watersheds and sensitive areas in its logging zone. You
tried to convince the people there, but like many other companies at that
time, they were unfamiliar with GIS. They weren't sure that they wanted to
spend so much money on something they didn't understand.
The logging company didn't take your offer. Instead it decided to stick
with its old method of tracking logging blocks. The company prospered. You
were disappointed because it would have been a big customer, and you know
that you could have helped the company bring in even bigger profits with your
system.
It has been eight years, and you're considering approaching the company
again. You could risk wasting your valuable time by trying to persuade the
company to employ your services -- even though it wasn't interested in the
past. Or, you could spend that time attracting customers in another field.
But you might be able to sign on the company, and by doing so attract many
other logging companies. If other loggers see a large company profiting from
GIS, they'd probably want to give it a try, too.
So, do you risk wasting a considerable amount of time and money trying
to win back the customer, or do you move on to other business?
What are you going to do?