Skip to main content

Even crazy looking problems are sometimes real and all problems seem to be simple only when we find the solution:

-

*Vanilla Ice Cream that puzzled General motors!!!!*

An Interesting Story. 

Once long time ago a complaint was received by the Pontiac Division of General Motors:

'This is the second time I have written to you, and I don't blame you for not answering me, because I sounded crazy, but it is a fact that we have a tradition in our family of Ice-Cream for dessert after dinner each night, but the kind of ice cream varies so, every night, after we've eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it. It's also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem.....


You see, every time I buy a vanilla ice-cream, when I start back from the store my car won't start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just fine. I want you to know I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds "What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?" 


The Pontiac President was understandably sceptical about the letter, but sent an Engineer to check it out anyway.


The latter was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well educated man in a fine neighborhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn't start.


The Engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, they got chocolate. The car started.  The second night, he got strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start! 


Now the engineer, being a logical man, refused to believe that this man's car was allergic to vanilla ice cream. 


He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem. And toward this end he began to take notes: He jotted down all sorts of data: time of day, type of gas uses, time to drive back and forth etc.


In a short time, he had a clue: the man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavor. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store.


Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. 


All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to check out the flavor.


Now, the question for the Engineer was why the car wouldn't start when it

took less time. Eureka! - Time was now the problem - not the vanilla ice cream!!!!


The engineer quickly came up with the answer: "Vapour lock".


It was happening every night; but the extra time taken to get the other flavors allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the vapor lock to dissipate.


*Reflection*


Even crazy looking problems are sometimes real and all problems seem to be simple only when we find the solution, with cool thinking.


Don't just say it is "IMPOSSIBLE" without putting a sincere effort....

What really matters is your attitude and your perception.

Business learning:

Never underestimate your Clients' Complaint, no matter how funny it might seem!

This is a real incident that transpired between a customer of General Motors and its Customer-Care Executive.

“Try to Fix the Bug instead of accepting it as a Known Issue"

Story Source:

Received through whatsapp.

Note:

What is Vapor lock:

Vapor lock is a problem caused by liquid fuel changing state to gas while still in the fuel delivery system of gasoline-fueled internal combustion engines.

Vapor lock happens when your fuel boils in your carburetor or your fuel line. Vaporized fuel creates back pressure in your fuel system and prevents gas from getting to your engine. It commonly occurs when a car has been idling or has been turned off and then back on (source: Google search).

Click below 👇to explore 200+ articles:

Popular posts from this blog

Right attitude is a great power (story):

😒A Businessman was deep in debt and could not see any way  out. 😒Creditors and Suppliers were demanding payments. He sat in the park, deep in thought, wondering if anything could save his company from bankruptcy. 👍Suddenly an old man appeared before him and asked, "I can see that something is troubling you seriously". 👍After listening patiently the old man said, "I believe I can help you". 👍👍👍He asked the man his name, wrote out a cheque and put it into his hands saying, 👍"Take this money, meet me here exactly one year from today... and you can pay me back at that time". 👍Then he turned and disappeared as quickly as he had come. 👌👌👌The businessman saw in his hands a cheque for $ 500,000... signed by Warren Buffet, one of the richest men in the world. 👍"I can erase my worries instantly...

Is Humility the Most Valuable Skill We Can Teach?

- 💡 The Unexpected Lesson: When Seniority Bows to Skill: Last week, I had an experience that didn’t just brighten my day—it reaffirmed the value system we desperately need to cultivate in every learning environment. I stopped by a local learning center where a guest faculty member was teaching. This wasn't just any instructor; he was a highly respected individual, a senior professional with years of corporate experience under his belt. In almost every conventional sense—age, career tenure, general experience—he was superior to me. But there was one crucial connection: I had trained him in a specific, professionally-certified skill that he was currently teaching to his students. He had learned this particular expertise from me. A Masterclass in Humility As I quietly stepped into the back of the classroom, I expected to simply nod and observe. What happened next was a moment I will never forget. The senior faculty member, mid-sentence, spotted me. He immediately stopped the lecture,...

Beyond Fear: How a Single Attitude Change Unlocks Growth:

  🌟 Open the Door to Opportunity: The Power of a Positive Mindset We often encounter situations that highlight the stark difference between a closed, fearful mindset and an open, positive attitude. The choices we make daily—even small ones—are often dictated by whether we focus on the potential loss or the potential gain. A perfect illustration of this took place in a restaurant. I noticed the owner kept the large front door closed, essentially hiding a valuable marketing display and limiting the shop's visibility. When I asked him why, his reason was simple and fear-driven: "What if people will eat and go without paying?" His focus was entirely on preventing a minor potential fraud cost . The Opportunity Cost of Fear I challenged him to compare that small potential loss (the fraud cost) with the much larger benefit he was sacrificing: the marketing opportunity cost . By keeping the door closed, he was missing out on: ...

Focus- The secret to High performance and Fulfillment:

 - Click to hear lecture: Summary: Source:  The video is directly linked to youtube and the summary is adopted from the comments section of this video.

Life is all about adjustment:

 Watch the video: Source: https://youtube.com/shorts/9StYMnwbbG4?si=EcQ_uV7WGQ0FH5pM

Explore tools to improve your job performance:

 *Why "No" is a Leader's Most Powerful Tool:*   *6 Strategies top performers use to master "No."*   *Saying yes to everything blurs focus.*    *Use these methods to prioritize what truly matters:*   1. *Not sure which tasks matter most?*    ➟ Use the Pareto Principle   ➟ Focus on the 20% that drive 80% of results. 2.  *Overwhelmed by urgent tasks?*   ➟ Try the Eisenhower Matrix   ➟ Prioritize by urgency and importance.  3. *Unclear about your goals?*   ➟ Implement OKRs   ➟ Keep objectives clear and mission-aligned. 4.  *Struggling to prioritize tasks?*   ➟ Apply the MoSCoW Method   ➟ Classify tasks to focus on what counts.   5. *Need data-driven decisions?*   ➟ Use the RICE Scoring Model   ➟ Rank projects by impact and effort.  6. *Want to delight your customers?*   ➟ Explore the Kano Model   ➟ Find features that boost satisfaction.   *Remember:* ...

How to deal with criticism.?

Hearing criticism can be hard, especially in a professional capacity. But learning to deal with criticism is also a very useful life skill.  In a broader sense criticism is the expression of disapproval of someone or something on the basis of perceived faults or mistakes. Criticism can be either constructive or destructive. Constructive criticism is designed to show you where you went wrong, but also help you to improve. Destructive criticism is often malicious, although it can also be the result of thoughtlessness.  Constructive criticism is the process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner rather than an oppositional one. The purpose of constructive criticism is to improve the outcome. You can use both constructive and destructive criticism in one of two ways: as a way to learn, or to reduce your self-esteem and effectiveness. The first is...

Beyond the Clock: Reclaiming Our Most Precious Hours for Family:

 - The sun climbs, painting the morning sky with hues of promise. For many, that daily ascent marks not the beginning of personal pursuits, but the quiet march towards another workday. From **8 AM to 5 PM**, five days a week, the most vibrant, energetic hours of our lives are often exchanged for the steady hum of the office. This isn't just a block of time; it's the very core of our waking, productive selves, poured into tasks and targets that shape our careers, but often leave precious little for the dreams that stir outside the cubicle walls. Think of it. These are the hours when the mind is sharpest, the body most resilient, the spirit most eager. It's when children are at school, when the daylight holds the most potential for outdoor adventures, creative projects, or simply quiet reflection. Yet, for nearly a decade or two, sometimes even longer, this prime segment of our existence is dedicated to the demands of professional life. We arrive, often before the world fully...

Automated voice and text based AI powerd cab booking option in ola:

 - The future of urban mobility is here—**Ola’s cab service** now comes integrated with **Krutrim’s AI platform**, delivering a seamless booking experience unlike any other. By combining Ola’s extensive ride-hailing network with Krutrim’s intelligent assistant, this collaboration ensures a faster, more intuitive way to commute.   #### **Why This Integration Excites Commuters**   - **Krutrim-Powered Booking**: Effortless voice/text commands via Krutrim AI to book Ola cabs in seconds.  Krutim (Kruti) option is now available on ola app main screen. - **Ola’s Reliable Fleet**: Access autos, sedans, with real-time tracking.   #### **City Commute, Upgraded**   For a city that thrives on efficiency, this **Ola-Krutrim partnership** is transformative:   - Skip app-switching—just ask **Kruti (Krutrim’s AI assistant)** to book your ride.   #### **Final Take**   Innovations like these prove that AI and mobility belong ...