The other day I found a security badge on the streets of NYC.
I made the honest attempt at calling the number on the back of the badge in order to return it to its rightful owner. Unfortunately, the number on the back of the badge was answered by an automated system that 1) did not include the “return badge” functionality and 2) did not include a way to get to an operator. I pressed zero just in case. (Note: This was also a very large financial firm with offices worldwide.)
Between the name and the company on the badge, I Googled both and called the company directly.
The company telephone operator transfered me to the woman named on the badge. We made plans to physically meet so I could return the badge to her. Which, in fact, happened yesterday.
In total, Googling her and meeting her took a total of a few hours (spread over a few days, including the weekend). Contrast that with mailing the badge (which would have guaranteed to take a few days) and then the company following the procedure on their end.
It does make one wonder: if I’ve had her security badge for almost a week, how’d she get into and out of work (etc., etc.,etc.)?
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