DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42346#0147
OPEN-PRICE ASSOCIATION
135'
bers must be represented by those who are familiar with
the business and can speak authoritatively; meetings at-
tended by subordinate agents who have only hearsay
knowledge are a waste of time. The atmosphere may be
surcharged with irritation and distrust owing to the manner
in which a number of contracts have been closed. Under
the old competition this is never cleared, but goes on from
bad to worse.
Under the new competition it is the business of each
meeting to clarify the atmosphere and start each month
with a clean slate so far as complaints are concerned.
The quickest way is for the presiding officer to call the
name of each member and ask whether any other member
present has any complaint to make or questions to ask re-
garding work taken during the preceding month by the
member under fire.
As between each member and the party complaining the
other members are impartial listeners. Their presence and
their neutrality, together with the good sense of the pre-
siding officer, prevent the discussions from becoming acri-
monious ; the fact that each -member has to go through the
same ordeal is a strong deterrent to personalities.
As each member has the right to make any price he
pleases there are no complaints on account of cutting, but
only regarding the circumstances attending the cuts.
Nine-tenths of the complaints will simmer down to fail-
ures to live up frankly to the reporting plan. At first the
best of men may do things they ought not to do when after
work they need or want very badly, but as time goes on all
will see that in the long run it is more profitable to observe
the rules.
At first, and for many a month, not a member at a meet-
ing will escape criticism. All the contracts and all the bids
will be overhauled and scrutinized. The secretary present
with his records will be called upon to show just what
135'
bers must be represented by those who are familiar with
the business and can speak authoritatively; meetings at-
tended by subordinate agents who have only hearsay
knowledge are a waste of time. The atmosphere may be
surcharged with irritation and distrust owing to the manner
in which a number of contracts have been closed. Under
the old competition this is never cleared, but goes on from
bad to worse.
Under the new competition it is the business of each
meeting to clarify the atmosphere and start each month
with a clean slate so far as complaints are concerned.
The quickest way is for the presiding officer to call the
name of each member and ask whether any other member
present has any complaint to make or questions to ask re-
garding work taken during the preceding month by the
member under fire.
As between each member and the party complaining the
other members are impartial listeners. Their presence and
their neutrality, together with the good sense of the pre-
siding officer, prevent the discussions from becoming acri-
monious ; the fact that each -member has to go through the
same ordeal is a strong deterrent to personalities.
As each member has the right to make any price he
pleases there are no complaints on account of cutting, but
only regarding the circumstances attending the cuts.
Nine-tenths of the complaints will simmer down to fail-
ures to live up frankly to the reporting plan. At first the
best of men may do things they ought not to do when after
work they need or want very badly, but as time goes on all
will see that in the long run it is more profitable to observe
the rules.
At first, and for many a month, not a member at a meet-
ing will escape criticism. All the contracts and all the bids
will be overhauled and scrutinized. The secretary present
with his records will be called upon to show just what