actually i think the word your looking for is talent, the man ken wright :thumbup:Ken,
that covered 90% of what some wanted to say and they were too lazy or too tired to :notworthy:
I think this is an important part of this ongoing discussion about quality and success. I suspect that there is alot of the following:The way I view it is this: My customer's want and are willing to pay for an 8. The labor requirements to go to a 9 or 10 are exponential and thus the price must also go up exponentially. As you say, most customers won't notice the difference in the quality of the work. They will notice the huge price difference.
Brian Phillips
well put, and very true.
My customers love that I am the buffer between them and the labor. it helps them to critique the work without hurting someones feelings.
That is an excellent point and a detail I never considered.
well put, and very true.
My customers love that I am the buffer between them and the labor. it helps them to critique the work without hurting someones feelings.
I agree HomeGuard, here is a little tip for how we explain that "buffer" concept if anyone is interested:
We use the analogy of a restaurant.
"Our production manager is going to be here, much like a manager in a restaurant to make sure you have a great experience and handle any concerns or questions you might have.
For example, if the chef came right out and asked you how you liked the steak, most people are not going to tell them that it is undercooked, they're going to say Great! Thanks! and silently be unsatisfied.
But if the Manager of the restaurant, comes over and sincerely asks, its alot easier to say, Sir, this steak is great, but could you throw it on the grill a little longer?
Please feel free to communicate with the production manager!"
They completely understand and appreciate that we care and we handle concerns before they become a real issue.
Makes for alot of satisfied clients and steady referrals.
Ethan
I wonder how many of the guys who really need to read this are working right now trying to eat this week. Irony...
I liked your post Ken. I am not a man of great ego. I have actually taken to heart many of the things I've learned in this forum and put them into practice. I am happier than I've ever been right now and I mean this with the deepest sincerity-I owe some of the posts on here to my happiness right now including threads you have been a part of. Seriously, I am very thankful for how you've continuously tried to help people in here in a way that is very clear.
Why is Starbucks closing 600 stores and every Dunkins I see is getting remodeled?
Why is Starbucks closing 600 stores and every Dunkins I see is getting remodeled?
What painter drives a bmw? your comment makes no sense. as far as paying for quality...thats what i base my business on. clean your brushes!I think this is an important part of this ongoing discussion about quality and success. I suspect that there is alot of the following:
Painters doing 9-10 work at 6 prices.
Painters doing 5-6 work at 9-10 prices.
When their should be more:
Painters doing 8-9 work at 8-9 prices.
And the reality probably is that:
There is no such thing as perfection. You can just keep chasing it and trying to get as close to as it as you can, while as Brian said, costs are going through the roof, or you are losing your shirt.
In response to another aspect of the great quality debate of '08:
Would a car dealer sell me a BMW for the price of a Hyundai because he believes the BMW is the better quality car and, although the BMW is not in my price range, he is willing to absorb the loss to prove it? I hope so, because I will send everyone I know down there to get a BMW before they run out of BMW.
Guys who make the argument that they deliver quality no matter what are really interesting. In my BMW example, even if the dealer did that to prove it to me, chances are when I am ready for my next car, BMWs will still be out of my price range, and chances are out of most of my friends' price range too. So he wont be gaining a repeat customer or referrals. He just gave away what he believed was the appopriate quality car for me, and while I appreciate it, there is nothing I can do other than give him the money I would have paid for the Hyundai I was interested in.
scWhat painter drives a bmw? your comment makes no sense. as far as paying for quality...thats what i base my business on. clean your brushes!