Sunday, November 06, 2005

Exuberant Business Consultant Solves
Mystery of the Fairview Building

Despite the ongoing resurgence being experienced on West Ponce de Leon Avenue, from Commerce Avenue to the Post Office, businesses in the classic Fairview Building have continued to struggle, posing a confusing dilemma for the building’s longstanding owner/landlord.

Fearing the inevitable departure of certain key tenants, a decision was made to bring in exuberant local business consultant Glen Watkins to audit the situation, diagnose the problem, and propose a workable solution — all mainstays in the respected business consultant’s toolkit.

After considerable review, Watkins discovered a curious notation on the building’s front and side doors: “These doors always locked.” Red flags went up immediately.



“I couldn’t believe it,” said the 28 year old Watkins, a member of the local YPoDs (Young Professionals of Decatur). “We’re not just talking about some redundant access point tucked away on the backside of the building. This is the front door. The front door! And they’ve got it locked up tighter than a steel drum. Totally old school. I mean, I’ve seen archaic business practices before, but I always figured I’d need a time machine to witness something like this.”

Presented with the findings, property owners expressed surprise. “The street out there has a lot of people walking by and we were concerned that some of those people might be inclined to enter the building. We’re focused on the safety of our tenants. It hadn’t occurred to us that such passers-by might be customers who could help our tenants succeed professionally.”

Under the terms of his engagement contract, Watkins presented his recommendations in the form of a two-point action plan. First, unlock the doors during business hours. Second, remove the stickers.

“It’s up to them now,” said Watkins. “As a business consultant, I’m not empowered to flip the lock myself or scrape the adhesive lettering with a widget. My role extends only so far as advising my clients in their most responsible and advantageous course of action. Whether they ultimately take my advice is anybody’s guess.”