Merc makes work a pleasure
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"WHEN USED intelligently, colour can be made to work constructively for the company as a whole," says the Permog laze Safety Education Trust. "It can create a welcoming environment for potential clients and employees, and improve the morale of existing staff."
Nowhere is that precept more faithfully followed than at the new Mercedes-Benz car and truck centre at Colindale in north-west London. The aim to create an ideal dealership must surely have been achieved.
The lofty 19,000sqft workshop has a cathedral quality which waiting customers can enjoy through glass panels. The walls of tan-coloured engineering brick match the immaculate quarry-tile floor, and contrast with the off-white roof interior. Workshop equipment is painted orange. Office walls are cream, with sage-green doors and chairs and brown floors.
Scrupulous attention to detail extends throughout the organisation. It is the only place I know that itemises labour costs in tenths of an hour and which does not allow fitters over-much time for nose-blowing. Computer-produced bills tell the customer exactly what he is paying for and the soothing atmosphere makes shelling out almost painless.
Indeed, while I wallowed in this luxury I completely forgot that motor traders were the lineal descendents of horse traders. I have a nasty feeling that before long someone somewhere is going to jog my memory.