Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2009-04-11 12:16:28 - Graham Ellis
Systems grow - "what a good idea" we say in 2000, or 2004 and perhaps it is a good idea at the time. Perhaps it works well. But is it the product for 2009? The problem comes that all the ideas grow into a complex system and with things like phone numbers (and programming languages too - look at the Perl changes to version 6, Python 3, and some of the things that were in early PHP), we end up with a system that supports something now because it is right for today but because we're looking to maintain compatibility.
Our array of phone numbers has been getting over complex, and we're stepping through systems to reduce that complexity. A lot of that is behind the scenes, but I am making a point here today that we are ceasing to support the 0845 (local) numbers. You can phone us on a geographic line, you can phone us on the more recent freephone. There's really no need for a halfway house option in between and indeed usage information I have tell me that it's rare for anyone to choose that number to call. So where do we stand?
Revised Phone Numbers for Well House Consultants / Well House Manor
Well House Consultants: 01225 708225
Well House Manor (bookings and admin): 01225 709638
Well House Manor (guest line at hotel): 01225 793803
Freephone / 24 hours emergency contact: 0800 043 8225
Fax: 01225 707126
Our local numbers (0845 8382 404 for voice and 0845 8382 405 for fax) have become redundant now that we offer an 0800 freephone number which costs you less to call and can be routed by us to give you a 24 x 7 answer. So these numbers are being withdrawn. We do not use premium rate numbers, or non-geographic numbers from which we would receive payment.
Only in exceptional circumstances do we hand out a mobile phone number. Not only am I in front of a class most of the time (so unable to keep answering the phone) but I also spend a lot of time driving to and from venues (where once again I'm unable to answer). Lisa, or another team member when she's not around, can help with most questions anyway ... and she knows how to reach me on any particular day.
My personal email is graham@wellho.net; general enquiries should be sent to info@wellho.net which is a share account routed to the duty member(s) of the customer facing team, who will answer personally as appropriate. Web sites are http://www.wellho.net for the training and http://www.wellhousemanor.co.uk for the hotel and training and conference room hire.