Do you keep looking for a shorter queue?

Hi Andy

I think it is human nature to look for short cuts or that shorter queue only to find that the other queue wasn't shorter. I suppose it is a bit like the grass is greener scenario.

On the other hand though you wouldn't have known the other queue wasn't shorter if you hadn't tried it. Does that make sense?

Pete

We jump queues until we find the queue that moves the fastest! ;-)
Some people just find the right queue early on....which makes them "luckier" as you would say.

I'm not saying that it's how I behave, or that I think it's 'luck' - it's just an observation that seems to fit with how I see people behave in IM.

I KNOW that there are fast tracks and slow tracks, but the skill is understanding which is which.

This could relate to IM. Here's how I select which queue to stand in:

I look at the cashier and how fast they are scanning items. A fast cashier can check through many more groceries, regardless of how many people are in line.

If there are similar cashiers, then I avoid queues with elderly people or chatty people.

All other things being equal brings me to another key concept. Always veer left. This is because most people have a tendency to veer to the right.

This whole process takes a few seconds as I glance at the various queues.

When it comes to parking, I never drive around looking for the slot closest to the store. If I can clearly see one, I will take it. However, my normal practice is to take the first empty spot I see. Driving around looking for that pergect spot wastes time, sanity, and gas.

It's easy to make the analogy to internet marketing, IMHO.

All the best,
Michael

It's a good analogy Andy.

I see it happening most at the checkout in Tescos (Walmart, if you will). You arrive to find all the checkout points with a queue. If you shop there regularly you'll recognise the tellers with experience and those who are slow.

You'll also should be able to make a judgement about the shoppers in the various queues; the young couple with just a few items versus the doddery old woman with a cart full.

Selecting the right queue takes a little experience and good judgement. You might not be able to cater for unforseen circumstances, but an educated guess usually pays off.

Of course, if you have your wits about, you might always catch the eye of a supervisor and get them to open a new till for you.

The worst thing you can do, as you alluded to, is to choose a queue, but decide to chop and change when you see another moving.

Educate yourself as to the workings of the system, make the best choice you can with the information you have and stick to it. If you know someone with proven insider information (an IM checkout supervisor) ask them to help you reach your goal earlier.

Peter

I like the analogy, Andy - but imho there's an important factor (besides not learning from
purse-rummaging old ladies) that doesn't fit too well...

When you're jumping queues in a supermarket or traffic lane, it's usually because
you're driven (sorry for the pun) to reach a goal: pay & get out the shop / get to
the destination.

Often in internet marketing (or business in general) the queue jumping is because
the strong goals and strategic thinking required to see a route through haven't been
set up effectively in the first place, leading to flappy-floundering-arms syndrome...

...at least, I've certainly been guilty of that in the past (and have the rotator-cuff
damage to prove it).

@Steve:

I think you're being kind to old lady shoppers by associating them with debit cards: most of the ones I get stuck behind carry currency not greater than 2 and 5 penny coins, all wrapped up inside 35 moth-balled discount vouchers (from 1978).

Average queuing time: 1hr 36 minutes (more if they can't find their glasses)

And then do you get hammered from the person behind for holding up the queue?


Adam

As I was driving in my hardly-moving lane, a driver from my adjacent lane rolled down the windows and shouted out to me "Its a secret..dont tell anyone..that lane is always slow at this time of the year".

So, I yelled out my gratitude to him and jumped lanes. After 5 mins , a driver from my adjacent lane rolled down the windows and shouted out, "your lane has black ice and is slippery", I said thanks..and again jumped to the 3rd lane.

After I jumped lanes when my lane was again moving slow, my friend called and asked me which lane I was on..and asked me to move out from that lane, coz, construction was going on, on that lane..I said thanks for the heads up and again changed my lane back to the one I started, right behind the car which was initially 100 cars behind me.

Actually, while you're in that slow moving lane, just keep working on your business - it's perfectly safe...

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Peter