Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2009 | Page 20

life

PROPERTY

LEGAL ISSUES
Technology
but at what costs?

Photo: Mark & Terence Willey

As the Scandinavian comedian Victor

immediately lost by this process and often

the internet, have maintained a personal

Borge once joked "at the age of

frustrations develop.

enquiry and appointment service, which

three I was sat in the living room in

Whether it be home Service Accounts,

in my view is a commendable approach.

front of a roaring fire which made

Insurance or Retail a trend appears to

my father very angry, because we

be developing to have as little personal

to be seen from modern technology by

didn't have a fireplace!" Just like a

contact as possible and encourage the

the use of the internet and email, both

fire without backbone I believe that

use of electronic communication via the

of which serve to offer expediency in the

modern technology, which is now being

internet, or via centres operated more

process of communication. The ability

widely used in business and commerce

economically abroad. Processing units are

to communicate via email directly to

throughout the world, often lacks the

used to administer and transact business

a mobile phone or via software from

backbone of a "fireplace" (i.e. personal

at considerable distance from via agency

offices to a mobile phone is indeed

service).

referrals and shoppers are encouraged to

all very impressive. The next obvious

purchase on line via the internet.

advancement will be the regular use of

I have always held a firm

belief, and continue to do so, that good
business practice should be able to

There are clear advantages and benefits

I believe there is no substitute for the

visual communication to a mobile phone.

embrace modern technology and at the

personal contact and the confidence that

Do I sense the “robot age” creeping upon

same time providing a personal service.

is derived from such. Having said all this it

us?

Banking and financial institutions actively

can be seen that the pendulum is turning

discourage customers from telephoning

and those organisations that are returning

developed it will remain to be seen

branch offices and customers wishing to

to the old principles of personal contact

whether the personal contact will be lost

speak to their personal Bank Manager or

are reaping the rewards in a competitive

for ever in this advancement.

Account Manager are subjected to call

market.

centres, often operated abroad.

In my

view the confidence of the customer is

The Land Registry in introducing their
own technology of direct line access, via

As technology continues to be

I sincerely hope that the thrill of the
"fire" will always require the security of
the fireplace!

Terence Willey & Company., Lawyers and Commissioners for Oaths
(incorporating Malcolm Daniells & Company and The Bembridge Law Practice)
Telephone contact Terence Willey 01983 875859 or
Mark Willey 01983 611888. www.terencewilley.co.uk
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