The human factor - A feel good story for the steemian soul!

                  

Peter stretched out behind the table. It has been a long day and he just finished his latest proposal. He wrote everything by hand, and he hoped that this time all his hard work would pay off. He was tired. He literally spent two weeks on this proposal and he was up against some big companies. He worked non-stop day and night, and hardly had any proper sleep. If they received this contract, it would mean the world to him and he would finally be able to retire peacefully. No one knows what this would mean for his family. His son George would take over and he too would be set for life.    

Peter always had a different approach than all the other big companies, and although he was not so technologically advanced as them, he hoped that someone human would see his proposal and recognize his efforts. He was old school. For him it was not all about money. He still wanted the human factor involved and he was super sensitive about proper service delivery. In many ways he was a perfectionist. 

He took over the company thirty years ago from his own father and over the years, built this company into a firm and successful business. He wanted to do the same for his son.   

It has been a few years since he received a good contract because he had always relied on all his old customers.  Lately business has been a bit more tough. Many of his old customers did not renew their contracts because there were better opportunities out there, and for them it was all about saving money. Life is tough and it has become more difficult to stay afloat. 

His son George had been nagging him for years to computerize everything but he didn't want to fall into the trap of technology. It was tough enough sending this email with the proposal but George has taught him well, and he could at least do that properly.  

Once he pressed the send button, he took out his cellphone to phone George.  Now it was just a matter of time. He did not like to play the waiting game, but he had no choice. Once they had this contract, George could take over and change whatever he wants to change. It was time for him to retire and spend some of the little time he had left with his wife. They had always dreamed of going to Italy and this contract would make all of this possible.

He was about to dial George's number but the phone rang while it was in his hand.  It was George and he sounded very excited.   

"We got it dad! We got it! We got the contract!" 

"What do you mean we got it? I just sent the proposal through a few minutes ago and there is no way that they could have seen it yet."

"No dad, the proposal is just a technicality.. It was like you said...the human factor. I just had lunch with two of the directors of the company and there were very impressed. They were actually so impressed they took out the contract right there and then and I've just signed it. Now you can finally retire in peace."

Peter smiled and congratulated George. A computer would never be able to replace the human factor. He dragged closer the computer and typed in  Airline tickets to Italy. Perhaps it was time that he embraced technology a little more. There was going to be a lot of traveling involved in the next few months....   

      

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