It’s an old line that always gets a laugh. I live
with a local version. Every now and then Yale University sends out an email
with the encouraging news that there’s a new process being implemented that
will make life easier.
I react to Yale the same way most folks react to the
government.
A few months ago we got an email that began “In an effort to
streamline the check approval process . . .” Here we go, I thought. The message
went on to state that I would now be required to file an I9 form for any new
vendor to whom I wanted to send payment. (The I9 is the federal government’s
form that proves someone is legally allowed to work in the U.S.). Along with
that, I would be required to complete the Vendor Set-Up form, if this person or
business was not already in the Yale system. Finally, I was to complete the
actual Check Request to order payment.
That’s three forms. For one check.
It used to be that one form was enough. But now, thanks to
Yale’s "streamlining", I need three. Yeah, that sounds like progress.
Here’s another example of how helpful Yale can be. The first
image is a screen shot of a page I encounter whenever I file an expense report.
You can see that there are two places on this page where I can click a “Contact
Us” link if I need help. As you would expect, clicking that link opens a new
email message wherein I can ask my question. Thank you, Yale.
Oops, one problem, as the second image makes clear: the
email isn’t addressed to anyone!
It reminds me of a conversation Don and I had recently, in
which we talked about the therapeutic value of writing a letter to someone with
whom I am having difficulty. It’s not so important that I mail the letter; just
writing it is a therapeutic tool.
I guess Yale feels the same way. Ask all the questions you
want; just keep them to yourself.
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