Blinded by work thinking

krooton · 23 Feb 2011 at 10:51

So a 'head of' doesn't think that my proposed wording of a menu option would make sense to the general public.

The option in question reads: "Mobile network providers"

If you phoned a company, and were given a menu option labelled as above, what would you assume as being the next thing you hear?

I need feedback from Joe Public, as I am sure it's as clear as we can make it.

Thanks!

krooton · 23 Feb 2011 at 10:59

I've set the feelers out on a few forums, but all feedback is good feedback.

You're both correct, but she just won't have it. I don't see how it could possibly be any clearer without actually saying "such as O2", which would just sound stupid in a single menu option.

krooton · 23 Feb 2011 at 11:11

Trifid said:
"Mobile phone service providers"?

^^ I hate you!

My manager likes this! Lets just hope the head of does as well, thanks

krooton · 23 Feb 2011 at 11:27

fez said:
I have never understood this, if you have a question such as "Mobile network providers" and a list of options such as orange, t-mobile etc, there isnt ever going to be any confusion. If there is, there is little that you will be able to do in re-wording the question that will suddenly reveal the meaning to the customer.

I would wager that most people in the world who could read english would understand that question.

I would like to think that most people would look at the options to a question if they don't grasp the question fully.

If managing IVRs has taught me anything, it is that the general public are pretty stupid.

krooton · 23 Feb 2011 at 11:33

Skyfall said:
I think better wording to connect with the general public would be "Companies you get your moby from innit.".

I don't work for Phones4U

krooton · 23 Feb 2011 at 11:42

fez said:
It just looks like another manager sticking their oar in to feel like they contribute. Your wording is fine and without providing an extended explanation of what a mobile, network provider etc is, I doubt you will achieve much more clarity.

Oh I know it is. Too often I have presented my proposal, had a 'higher up' request various wording changes, then change them again a week later, then change them back to what I originally proposed after another week. Complete waste of time and money just trying to justify their roles.

Still, not much I can do about it (other than be smug about being correct in the first instance).

I even showed that there will be progressive disclosure explaining all the options in more detail if they don't make a selection after the first playing of the options, but nooooooo.