I’ve often wondered why public service organisations feel the need to spend money on advertisements telling us what they do or rather what they are supposed to do when it’s pretty obvious to anybody with at least half a brain. I’m currently working in the USA where police cars display slogans describing the fantastic service they provide to the populace.

Yes, in the USA  vehicles have phrases  like “Professionalism with respect”, “Courtesy with efficiency”, “Caring for you with pride” and other such sound bites pasted on their sides just to keep everybody bang up to date. It’s all complete nonsense, of course, since all that matters at the end of the day is how well they do the job that they are paid to do. The job of the police the world over is to protect and to serve the public. Quite simple really so why waste money on adverts?

It happens in the UK too. Whether it be a recorded voice on the telephone or an advertising slogan on the side of a van we are forever being told of the efficiency of both public and private organisations, including our own police. We are told that they offer us quality and a professional service and that customer satisfaction is their number one concern when the reality is that, in many cases, nothing could be further from the truth.

Talk is cheap and whilst marketing and advertising in skilled hands can be a very impressive and potent tool it all goes to waste if the product itself fails to come up to scratch. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and no matter how eloquently the cook describes his wonderful dish it all goes to waste if it leaves a lousy taste in your mouth.