In last two days, we happened to notice two 'privatised' railway/road/air booking counters just outside the hospital. The heading read 'Internet Cafe' followed by booking terminologies below it.
Was just wondering how marketing was a common sense which did not require one to be a MBAite. These were localites (most of them would have struggled to finish their schooling) who got Cyber Cafes with these hoardings. A Super Speciality Hospital demands patients and their relatives to book their return journey dynamically, depending on the outcomes of the tests/procedures/surgeries performed on the patients followed by their progress in their health recovery. There is always a last minute rush for patients and their relatives for train, bus or/and air tickets to get back to their hometowns and work.
Thus, presence of these 'privatised' railway/road/air booking counters is an outcome of the large needs of these patients and their relatives. These headings are sure to attract their attention and earn these people good revenue. All it needs is a free IRCTC login and an SBI account with sufficient funds to manage online payments. Five minutes of activity and tickets are in the hands of these long-distance patients. At the same time, the owners would have pocketed enough for themselves. 2-min walk from hospital, convenience of sitting in A/C, without any travel and hassle is worth giving even an extra 20Rs per transaction.
This shows how unlimited number of railway/road/air booking counters can be opened across the country! If these people take up a post of Railway Agent, it simply adds value to themselves and also the services that they are providing.
These same Cyber Cafes back in town have the follow-up statements of e-mail, chats, etc. Another example of customized customer targetting.
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