标签: packaging

I got a two-line RJ-11 phone connector just recently. There's really no big deal with it, just a pretty standard item which splits a single jack into two parallel jacks, about $3 (true, some of us still have landlines, and conventional phones and fax machines). When I opened the package and looked at the connector, what struck me was not the design of the item itself, but that the company that makes it had inserted a dummy placeholder plug into one of the two jack outlets, see photo. In the bigger scheme of things, this is a very small touch, but it's a nice one.   (Top-center) the RJ-11 splitter/connector; (left) a telephone wire with RJ-11 plug; (right) the connector dummy insert.   Sure, we have all seen large, ruggedized equipment which has snap-on or screw-on protective covers (usually captive, attached by a flexible chain) for the various panel and cable connectors. These are a necessity in harsh environments where there is dirt, sand, and physical abuse, or safety-protection requirements due to high voltage, or especially sensitive inputs.   But the telephone's RJ-11 jack has neither safety nor ruggedness requirements. There is no reason the vendor had to add this small insert. And while it probably only cost a cent or two, that's a lot on an item which retails for a few dollars and where the BOM cost must be well under a dollar.   There have been other instances where I unpacked a new product and saw that someone involved in design or packaging had taken the time, effort, and expense to add a little "something" which made me think, "they didn't have to do that, but they did—nice, very nice." Sometimes, these little things can positively affect your perception of that product or vendor; in other cases (such as my RJ-11 splitter) it has no longer-term or more-meaningful effect—which it some ways, makes it an even nicer gesture.   Have you even been the one doing the "nice touch" design or packaging? Have you even seen it yourself? Or, have you ever tried, only to be pushed back by the product team or your management?   Now, if only I could figure out a way not to lose or misplace this dummy insert. Maybe I'll attach it with a piece of thread?        

I purchased a two-line RJ-11 phone connector a few weeks ago. It's just a standard item which splits a single jack into two parallel jacks. Really, no big deal (yes, some of us still have landlines, and conventional phones and fax machines). When I opened the package and looked at the connector, what struck me was not the design of the item itself, but that the company that makes it had inserted a dummy placeholder plug into one of the two jack outlets, see photo. In the bigger scheme of things, this is a very small touch, but it's a nice one.   (Top-center) the RJ-11 splitter/connector; (left) a telephone wire with RJ-11 plug; (right) the connector dummy insert.   Sure, we have all seen large, ruggedized equipment which has snap-on or screw-on protective covers (usually captive, attached by a flexible chain) for the various panel and cable connectors. These are a necessity in harsh environments where there is dirt, sand, and physical abuse, or safety-protection requirements due to high voltage, or especially sensitive inputs.   But the telephone's RJ-11 jack has neither safety nor ruggedness requirements. There is no reason the vendor had to add this small insert. And while it probably only cost a cent or two, that's a lot on an item which retails for a few dollars and where the BOM cost must be well under a dollar.   There have been other instances where I unpacked a new product and saw that someone involved in design or packaging had taken the time, effort, and expense to add a little "something" which made me think, "they didn't have to do that, but they did—nice, very nice." Sometimes, these little things can positively affect your perception of that product or vendor; in other cases (such as my RJ-11 splitter) it has no longer-term or more-meaningful effect—which it some ways, makes it an even nicer gesture.   Have you even been the one doing the "nice touch" design or packaging? Have you even seen it yourself? Or, have you ever tried, only to be pushed back by the product team or your management?   Now, if only I could figure out a way not to lose or misplace this dummy insert. Maybe I'll attach it with a piece of thread?