Pianotech

One of the ways in which you build your business is by having an ever increasing number of faithful customers who are loyal to you. They continue to ask you to provide your services even though they might be able to get the work done by someone else for less money. These customers like and appreciate your good work, your honesty, and your friendship. These customers are very important to you because they not only provide you with a steady source of income, but they also promote you and help you expand your business.  Without your loyal customers, you would need to work twice as hard to stay in business.

When one of those loyal customers, who bought a rebuilt grand from you 15 years ago, and who has recommended you to a lot of friends and neighbors, has a stuck key, you probably get to her house within a day, (at least you should). You probably treat her a little differently than you would a new customer. You don't necessarily do a better job for her, but you do a little extra work, try to squeeze her into schedule, or work an extra hour, to make her happy.  You do that because she is a loyal customer, because she has helped you in your business, and because, in some cases, she is also a friend.

Part of being successful in your business is the relationships you have with the people who support your business. Just as you want your clients to be loyal to you, you should be loyal to the people with whom you do business. These people include your lawyer, your accountant, your bank, your car dealer, your car mechanic, you barber or hairdresser, etc. If you wanted to, you could probably find someone to do your books for less, or get a cheaper haircut, or find a new lawyer who doesn't charge as much or get a great deal on a car. But unless you are unhappy with the service you have received from the business with which you have been dealing, you should stay loyal to them.

The one business that you should probably know the best, and be the most loyal to, is your car dealer and the service department of that dealer. Your car is your life. Without it your business would stand still. That is why you should have the same relationship with your car mechanic, or the service department of your dealership, as your loyal customers have with you.

When I was in St. Louis, I dealt with the same car dealer and service department for 25 years. Over that time, I bought about 14 new or used cars from them. The service managers and the mechanics in the service department all knew me. When I called to schedule normal maintenance, I usually had to wait a week or 10 days to get the work done.  But when there was an emergency, most of the time I was able to get the work scheduled within 24 hours. And a couple of times I even drove in during the middle of the day without an appointment and had the car fixed on the spot. For that kind of service, I was more than happy to pay the sticker price for the car. I could probably have gotten the same model for less at a dealer further away, but then I would never get the service I got.

Now that I am in St. Augustine. I am building the same loyalty. I have used the same barber, I mostly shop at the same grocery store, I am using the same bank, and I get my car serviced at the same dealer. My loyalty to them has made my relationship with them more than just business. I have become their friend, and as a result, I can get the service I need, with a smile, when I need it. Just as you want loyalty from the customer you serve, be sure to be loyal to the people and companies who serve you. 

And last, we need to develop loyalty with the PTG. For most of us the PTG has been our prime source for education. But our organization doesn't run by itself. We have a Home Office Staff that takes care of administering us, but it's the many volunteers that keep the PTG going. We can show loyalty to the PTG by attending as many chapter meetings as possible, and by attending as many seminars and conventions as possible. It's at these meetings and seminars where you'll develop meaningful relationships within our professions; Members who can help you at a moment's notice in your business. 

We can also show our loyalty to those who run chapter meetings, keep the minutes, write the checks, and arrange the programs, by volunteering to give a technical or business program at the next meeting. Or better yet, volunteer to serve on a committee or as a chapter leader. 

If you haven't already done it, show your loyalty to the PTG by attending the next chapter meeting and registering for the next PTG Convention in Reno this summer. 

Wim

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
St. Augustine, FL 32095
Tnrwim@aol.com
------------------------------

Have you submitted this to the Journal? I think more people should read your fine words than participate here on the forum. 

One of the ways in which you build your business is by having an ever increasing number of faithful customers who are loyal to you. They continue to ask you to provide your services even though they might be able to get the work done by someone else for less money. These customers like and appreciate your good work, your honesty, and your friendship. These customers are very important to you because they not only provide you with a steady source of income, but they also promote you and help you expand your business.  Without your loyal customers, you would need to work twice as hard to stay in business.

When one of those loyal customers, who bought a rebuilt grand from you 15 years ago, and who has recommended you to a lot of friends and neighbors, has a stuck key, you probably get to her house within a day, (at least you should). You probably treat her a little differently than you would a new customer. You don't necessarily do a better job for her, but you do a little extra work, try to squeeze her into schedule, or work an extra hour, to make her happy.  You do that because she is a loyal customer, because she has helped you in your business, and because, in some cases, she is also a friend.

Part of being successful in your business is the relationships you have with the people who support your business. Just as you want your clients to be loyal to you, you should be loyal to the people with whom you do business. These people include your lawyer, your accountant, your bank, your car dealer, your car mechanic, you barber or hairdresser, etc. If you wanted to, you could probably find someone to do your books for less, or get a cheaper haircut, or find a new lawyer who doesn't charge as much or get a great deal on a car. But unless you are unhappy with the service you have received from the business with which you have been dealing, you should stay loyal to them.

The one business that you should probably know the best, and be the most loyal to, is your car dealer and the service department of that dealer. Your car is your life. Without it your business would stand still. That is why you should have the same relationship with your car mechanic, or the service department of your dealership, as your loyal customers have with you.

When I was in St. Louis, I dealt with the same car dealer and service department for 25 years. Over that time, I bought about 14 new or used cars from them. The service managers and the mechanics in the service department all knew me. When I called to schedule normal maintenance, I usually had to wait a week or 10 days to get the work done.  But when there was an emergency, most of the time I was able to get the work scheduled within 24 hours. And a couple of times I even drove in during the middle of the day without an appointment and had the car fixed on the spot. For that kind of service, I was more than happy to pay the sticker price for the car. I could probably have gotten the same model for less at a dealer further away, but then I would never get the service I got.

Now that I am in St. Augustine. I am building the same loyalty. I have used the same barber, I mostly shop at the same grocery store, I am using the same bank, and I get my car serviced at the same dealer. My loyalty to them has made my relationship with them more than just business. I have become their friend, and as a result, I can get the service I need, with a smile, when I need it. Just as you want loyalty from the customer you serve, be sure to be loyal to the people and companies who serve you. 

And last, we need to develop loyalty with the PTG. For most of us the PTG has been our prime source for education. But our organization doesn't run by itself. We have a Home Office Staff that takes care of administering us, but it's the many volunteers that keep the PTG going. We can show loyalty to the PTG by attending as many chapter meetings as possible, and by attending as many seminars and conventions as possible. It's at these meetings and seminars where you'll develop meaningful relationships within our professions; Members who can help you at a moment's notice in your business. 

We can also show our loyalty to those who run chapter meetings, keep the minutes, write the checks, and arrange the programs, by volunteering to give a technical or business program at the next meeting. Or better yet, volunteer to serve on a committee or as a chapter leader. 

If you haven't already done it, show your loyalty to the PTG by attending the next chapter meeting and registering for the next PTG Convention in Reno this summer. 

Wim

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
St. Augustine, FL 32095
Tnrwim@aol.com
------------------------------

One of the ways in which you build your business is by having an ever increasing number of faithful customers who are loyal to you. They continue to ask you to provide your services even though they might be able to get the work done by someone else for less money. These customers like and appreciate your good work, your honesty, and your friendship. These customers are very important to you because they not only provide you with a steady source of income, but they also promote you and help you expand your business.  Without your loyal customers, you would need to work twice as hard to stay in business.

When one of those loyal customers, who bought a rebuilt grand from you 15 years ago, and who has recommended you to a lot of friends and neighbors, has a stuck key, you probably get to her house within a day, (at least you should). You probably treat her a little differently than you would a new customer. You don't necessarily do a better job for her, but you do a little extra work, try to squeeze her into schedule, or work an extra hour, to make her happy.  You do that because she is a loyal customer, because she has helped you in your business, and because, in some cases, she is also a friend.

Part of being successful in your business is the relationships you have with the people who support your business. Just as you want your clients to be loyal to you, you should be loyal to the people with whom you do business. These people include your lawyer, your accountant, your bank, your car dealer, your car mechanic, you barber or hairdresser, etc. If you wanted to, you could probably find someone to do your books for less, or get a cheaper haircut, or find a new lawyer who doesn't charge as much or get a great deal on a car. But unless you are unhappy with the service you have received from the business with which you have been dealing, you should stay loyal to them.

The one business that you should probably know the best, and be the most loyal to, is your car dealer and the service department of that dealer. Your car is your life. Without it your business would stand still. That is why you should have the same relationship with your car mechanic, or the service department of your dealership, as your loyal customers have with you.

When I was in St. Louis, I dealt with the same car dealer and service department for 25 years. Over that time, I bought about 14 new or used cars from them. The service managers and the mechanics in the service department all knew me. When I called to schedule normal maintenance, I usually had to wait a week or 10 days to get the work done.  But when there was an emergency, most of the time I was able to get the work scheduled within 24 hours. And a couple of times I even drove in during the middle of the day without an appointment and had the car fixed on the spot. For that kind of service, I was more than happy to pay the sticker price for the car. I could probably have gotten the same model for less at a dealer further away, but then I would never get the service I got.

Now that I am in St. Augustine. I am building the same loyalty. I have used the same barber, I mostly shop at the same grocery store, I am using the same bank, and I get my car serviced at the same dealer. My loyalty to them has made my relationship with them more than just business. I have become their friend, and as a result, I can get the service I need, with a smile, when I need it. Just as you want loyalty from the customer you serve, be sure to be loyal to the people and companies who serve you. 

And last, we need to develop loyalty with the PTG. For most of us the PTG has been our prime source for education. But our organization doesn't run by itself. We have a Home Office Staff that takes care of administering us, but it's the many volunteers that keep the PTG going. We can show loyalty to the PTG by attending as many chapter meetings as possible, and by attending as many seminars and conventions as possible. It's at these meetings and seminars where you'll develop meaningful relationships within our professions; Members who can help you at a moment's notice in your business. 

We can also show our loyalty to those who run chapter meetings, keep the minutes, write the checks, and arrange the programs, by volunteering to give a technical or business program at the next meeting. Or better yet, volunteer to serve on a committee or as a chapter leader. 

If you haven't already done it, show your loyalty to the PTG by attending the next chapter meeting and registering for the next PTG Convention in Reno this summer. 

Wim

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
St. Augustine, FL 32095
Tnrwim@aol.com
------------------------------