While I understand and even agree with your consumer-centric view, I cannot agree with the statement that corporations don't give a flying hoot about consumer's happiness. There's a whole school of thought based on the work of Michael Porter* that suggests that corporations carve out significant benefits from listening to their customers, especially those who bitch about their products.
Of course there are companies who apparently have no need to be nice, like the telecoms. But that is only because for some reason, and usually only in certain segments, the laws of competition aren't working properly. But on the whole, I think, consumers have a lot of power to pressure their suppliers of choice towards excellence. This is a 'macro' thing, of course, so there will always be examples of customers being treated badly by corporations.
And yes: do name them.
*Google that name if you want more info. Also in connection with 'Competitive Advantage'
Not really. If you've ever had a hangover you know how that feels. You also know that a milkshake is not going to make you feel like that. So they go check the produce and find its in perfect order. They may even think they got hit by a virus. But both of them at the exact same time with the exact same intensity of symptoms? Unlikely.
There's also a good chance they had reasons for suspecting the kid was up to something. She'd probably voiced her disagreement over the curfew over and over before, perhaps even boasting that she'd already figured out a way around it. Most teenagers - luckily - aren't very discreet about such things and observant parents know more than the kids think.
One thing is to be a loving parent. This doesn't mean you have to be stupid.
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While I understand and even agree with your consumer-centric view, I cannot agree with the statement that corporations don't give a flying hoot about consumer's happiness. There's a whole school of thought based on the work of Michael Porter* that suggests that corporations carve out significant benefits from listening to their customers, especially those who bitch about their products. Of course there are companies who apparently have no need to be nice, like the telecoms. But that is only because for some reason, and usually only in certain segments, the laws of competition aren't working properly. But on the whole, I think, consumers have a lot of power to pressure their suppliers of choice towards excellence. This is a 'macro' thing, of course, so there will always be examples of customers being treated badly by corporations. And yes: do name them. *Google that name if you want more info. Also in connection with 'Competitive Advantage'
Not really. If you've ever had a hangover you know how that feels. You also know that a milkshake is not going to make you feel like that. So they go check the produce and find its in perfect order. They may even think they got hit by a virus. But both of them at the exact same time with the exact same intensity of symptoms? Unlikely. There's also a good chance they had reasons for suspecting the kid was up to something. She'd probably voiced her disagreement over the curfew over and over before, perhaps even boasting that she'd already figured out a way around it. Most teenagers - luckily - aren't very discreet about such things and observant parents know more than the kids think. One thing is to be a loving parent. This doesn't mean you have to be stupid.