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:

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Tokyo Olympics, two sportsmen makes us realise true meaning of joy:

 The scene is the final of men's high jump at the Tokyo Olympics.  Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi was facing Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim in the final.  Both of them jumped 2.37 meters and were on par !  Olympic officials gave three more attempts to each of them, but they were unable to reach more than 2.37 meters. One more attempt was given to two both of them, but Tampberi withdrew from the last attempt due to a serious leg injury.  The moment when there was no other opponent in front of Barshim, the moment when he could have easily approached the gold alone ! But Barshim asked the official "if the gold can be shared between the two of us if I withdraw from the final attempt ?"  The official checks and confirms and says "yes then the gold will be shared between the two of you".  Barshim then had nothing to think about, announces withdrawal from the last attempt. Seeing this, the Italian opponent Tamberi ran and hugged Barshim and screamed !  What we sa...
Read more

Learn B-school/Business lessons from street vendors:

- Captain Raghu Raman teaches an interesting business lessons from Street vendors. And in the last section he speaks about the after retirement life of young armed forces. Click to watch: About Captain Raghu Raman: Note:  The above video is linked directly from youtube. About 'Raghu Raman' detail is received from youtube description.
Read more

Yaadon ka Aangan:

 - *Yaadon ka Aangan* Ek hi chhat ke neeche tab poora jahan rehta tha, Har kone mein khushiyon ka karwan rehta tha, Deewarein khinch gayi aur sadiyan beet gayi magar, Dil mein aaj bhi wahi purana makaan rehta tha. Raaste alag hue, log musafir ban gaye, Bade ghar ke woh kisse, ab maahir ban gaye, Zamana guzar gaya par yaadein wahi taaza hain, Hum aaj bhi us aangan ke hi qaayal ban gaye. "Batwara toh sirf zamin aur deewaron ka hua tha, Yaaden toh aaj bhi usi sanjeeda aangan mein rehti hai, Log kehne ko toh chale gaye apne raste, Magar woh purani raunak aaj bhi aankhon mein behti hai." Source: Prompt generated through Gemini AI. --------
Read more

What can a radical leader do?

 Radical leader, can: Prepare oneself Exemplify Moral Integrity Go Beyond Self-Interest Establish Clear Goals Respect Your People Convey an Inspiring Vision Be A Mentor... and in doing so inspire revolutionary teamwork.
Read more

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?

 - Is anybody happier  because you passed his way? Does anyone remember  that you spoke to him today? This day is almost over,  and its toiling time is through;  Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you? Did you give a cheerful greeting to the friend who came along? Or a churlish sort of "Howdy"  and then vanish in the throng? Were you selfish pure and simple as you rushed along the way,  Or is someone mighty grateful for a deed you did today? Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that's slipping fast, That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed? Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;  Does a man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead? Did you waste the day, or lose it, was it well or sorely spent? Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent? Source:  taken from Edgar Albert Guest poem. Reflection of above poem: "Is anybody happier because you passed his way?" is a po...
Read more

About 'Life skills' initiative around the world:

 - Of late you might have been hearing the word 'life-skills' education. Many school boards and universities are including life skills education into their curriculum. Many companies are training their employees on life skills. In India CBSE board has made Life Skills training compulsory, and most other Boards are following it up. Engineering colleges are incorporating life skills training to ensure that students are made industry-ready; Bangalore University has made it compulsory for Arts, Science and Commerce students to study Life Skills in 4th Semester. What is 'life skills' ? Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable humans to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life. Life is dynamic which is full of constant changes, for which one is expected to be adaptable. Life skills is a term used to describe a set of basic skills acquired through learning and/or direct life experience that enable individuals and groups to effec...
Read more

Do you think people hurt you:

- Do you want to know the philosophy of why you get hurt when people say something; then this article is for you.   You might have come across people telling you, “You are very disturbing”. “I don’t like the way you behave” “You don’t know how to cook a good food” “You are not productive at work”   Do the above kind of attitudes from others affect and hurt you? Well, you should not be offended when they say something to you, or comment something on your behaviour, calm yourself down and think of it as their perspective or a joke for the day. I know it’s not so easy to practice.   Tell yourself the person who is the potential offender has as much right to his opinion as you do to yours. Besides, they’re only words. They are not judgements on you. What can words do? They certainly can’t break your bones!   Have a philosophy that ‘words-will-never-hurt-me’ it’s a very important philosophy of communication in any relationship. Think that people ar...
Read more

You don't die if you fall in water, you die only if you don't swim:

 💨 Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar: (Received this story as social media forward) I was waiting in line for a ride at the airport in Dubai. When a cab pulled up, the first thing I noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for me. He handed me a laminated card and said: 'I'm Abdul, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.' Taken aback, I read the card. It said: Abdul's Mission Statement: To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment. This blew me away. Especially when I noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean! As he slid behind the wheel, Abdul said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.' I sai...
Read more

Schools teach us to be poor.

Yes, Schools teach us to be poor. Schools teach us failing is bad. Reality is, to be rich you need to risk, to take risk means also to be ready to fail. To be rich you need to create- Jobs, emerging industry, tax, money, and more. To be rich you need to be big heart. Once you receive pay check you are programmed to be dependent on your employer. Imagination also needs knowledge to pull in thoughts. Schools never give you that kind of knowledge. Schools were built to create people who can work and make money for the rich. Watch a 7 minutes inspiring video. Click to watch and get inspired:
Read more

The Secret to a Happy Marriage: Stop Trying to Win and Start Nurturing:

 - Nurturing the Marital Garden: When the Relationship Wins In the grand tapestry of life, marriage stands as one of the most profound and challenging relationships we undertake. It's a journey filled with shared dreams, laughter, and sometimes, inevitable disagreements. Yet, the true triumph in marriage isn't about one person "winning" an argument or proving a point; it's about the relationship winning. It's about cultivating a shared space where both individuals can thrive, a garden that requires constant, loving care. Often, in the heat of the moment, our instincts can lead us to defend ourselves, to score points, or to push for our own way. However, this competitive mindset can chip away at the very foundation of the union. When we prioritize winning as an individual, we inadvertently lose something far more valuable: the strength and intimacy of our bond. The key to a flourishing marriage lies in shifting our focus from "me" to "us," e...
Read more