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March 9, 2012
"They hired consultants to restructure, and the consultants were instructed to ask me how I did it. "
"I told them I didn't do anything. I let other people do it.I told them that when the customers called, we always answered the phone, and asked them what they wanted. I told the estimators to accurately determine what it would cost us to perform the required work. I submitted the bids on time and told the customer I wanted the job. If they said someone else was cheaper I instructed them to hire them, and to please keep us in mind for the future. I kept accurate track of how we were doing, and made sure we charged for all the work we performed. And I directed that we deliver the jobs on-time no matter what. When I ran out of one kind of work, I looked for work that was similar to the kind we already knew how to do. I hired good people and I trusted them, while expecting a lot from them. That was it. They seemed disappointed." -- Sippican Cottage: I Wrote This In 2006. There's Been A Lot Of Effluent Under The Bridge Since Then. I'm Still In Business
Posted by gerardvanderleun at March 9, 2012 3:38 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
That's how you do it, man. You and my husband ought to get together. He's got the same 'trick'.
Posted by: Jewel at March 9, 2012 7:24 PM
I think this is relevant: I don't know about the USA, but over here in the UK we are plagued with many companies whose business is fitting UPVC double glazing and doors - and use distinctly dubious practices to sell their services.
A few years ago, my father wanted to have this stuff installed because his heating bills were going through the roof. He first called in one of the sharp-sellers; rep was the usual besuited guy with an immaculate briefcase. Asked what my father wanted, quoted an astronomically high figure. When rejected, did the "I'll have to ask my supervisor" routine, came up with a figure £1000 lower but still ridiculous. Phoned back again, this time with a still-too-high figure that, this time, was a "sign up now" deal. This whole wearisome process took about an hour; the man ended up being escorted out with a "I'll think about it" reply.
The next day my father rang another company, this time a small local one. Man arrives, in company van and wearing overalls - albeit clean ones. Listens to requirements, and quotes a figure a bit lower than the final figure from the suited one. Guess who got the job?
Sometimes, just doing a decent job for a reasonable price works.
Posted by: Fletcher Christian at March 10, 2012 1:30 AM