You're in the service industry now

[GroundKprs]

It is time to point out to many new operators in the grounds maintenance industry that you are now working in the service industry. This means that you are dealing with people, and often you are dealing with something very personal, the person's home. If you are not ready to deal with the myriad personalities of people, go to a factory where you can just cuss the boss and the machine. <p>People are most often really not buying a service based on value, but on percieved value. The person(s) providing the service guide this perception. Give me two operators in grass cutting with exactly the same equipment, and the one who takes the time to (appear to) present a personal service will go much further. Yes, you can do exactly the same job on three houses in a row, and have each homeowner believe that his job was special. Just observe a good waitress manage her tables in a lunch rush. And you deal with much fewer customers than the waitress. <p>Until you can realize that you are selling a service, and you must have people who appreciate your service to make a living, you are headed for unhappiness. To dictate to a client what you will do and how you will do it may be possible in the present economy; you would have starved if you tried this during most of the last century.<p>Look at one example of a service business, transportation. Ocean liners, stagecoaches, passenger trains and city busses died - while their freight components prospered - in private industry, because the respective industries didn't need to coddle to fussy individuals and keep up with new ideas. It is always easier to deal with objects than deal with people, because the objects can't complain if they are (or aren't) offended.<p>If you want to be a success, and be happy getting there, learn how to deal with people first, and learn how to recognize the people you personally cannot deal with and stay away from these. Most of all, just because you had a client for 2 weeks or 20 years, you should not count on them a permanent - you always need to let them know they are special. And don't forget PERCEIVED VALUE - you guide it.<p>----------<br>Jim<br>North central Indiana<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: GroundKprs

[Grasscape Inc]

good.<p>----------<br>-Grasscape<br>Http://sites.netscape.net/grasscapeinc/homepage

[Lanelle]

Thank you. I hope that each and every forum member reads this.

[Charles]

Well isn't that special. Charles&lt;~~~doin the Church Lady dance

[Barkleymut]

This is why I prefer large commercial customers. You do the work you get paid. And best of all you only have to kiss butt once a year. Shortly before the contract needs to be renewed. I don't have the time to make every old ladies lawn look like a million $$$.

[TGCummings]

::I don't have the time to make every old ladies lawn look like a million $$$.::<p>I can make the time, but best get paid in kind.<p>Jim, good post. Business and industry skills make up only a part of the overall package for success. Although the customer isn't &quot;always right&quot; as often speculated, one must learn to express that the right way as well. Customer relations.<p>Learn it. ;)<p>-TGC, Back from vacation!<br>

[Lanelle]

Barkleymut, I don't know where you got the idea that commercial accounts only need attention at contract renewal time. Granted, they don't require the hand-holding that residentials do. Still, reporting to the site manager about the services rendered, problems found and suggested additional work is a valuable form of attention. It is part of good service and a good way to get more work.

[yardsmith]

Good post Jim;<br>seems like serving people with a smile is fast becoming a dying art.<br>Today's incoming bunch want the money & they want it now (not all but most), & screw the customer. I'll just get another one. That is until the economy takes a dive & customers are dropping like flies. It's a rare art form to serve people, glad it's a somewhat difficult task, because that helps weed out the fly-by-nighters.<p>----------<br>Smitty ô¿ô<br>

[Charles]

To be serious though. I try to perfect every job i do.

[GroundKprs]

Wasn't trying to criticize anyone's finesse with lawns, Charles. It's all about dealing with the customer. You wouldn't be around if you couldn't deal with people in this business. Look at how many guys fuss about the customers thinking they're gouging them, but then how many guys also fuss about how the machinery dealers are getting rich off them. Turnabout fair play??<p>BTW, found a good place for the whiners: www.pissandmoan.com. Forum there is under construction, but site is active. Ain't the web a great place?<p>----------<br>Jim<br>North central Indiana

[Charles]

Jim, is good that they are just bitching on here and hopefully not to their customers. The forum is a good place to let off steam and relieve some stress. Its hard to compare what we charge to what dealorships charge. Because our prices havent changed much in the past 10 years. While dealorship prices, parts and labor have gone way up. We got a right to whine. Just the gas prices are killing me this year. But I never take out my problems on customers and no one should. In the 10 years since i been doing this prices havent really gone up much on average. Our productivity is the thing that has gone up with these ztrs and a more reliable and expensive equipment<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: Charles