Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 774 Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject: Which Came First?
There was a small business that I used to frequent. The owner was the main client contact person and one reason I went there. In recent years business has been noticeably slow and the owner clearly reflects it. A simple, “How’s it going?” would lead to a lengthy conversation about how bad things were and how there was little prospect of getting better.
Any question about what might be done had a long list of excuses. In time the place closed and is no longer in business. Toward the end I would avoid asking or making any mention of how things were. I wonder if the slow business brought out the attitude or if the attitude had a lot to do with the slow business?
Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 47 Location: Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:14 am Post subject: Re: Which Came First?
louis wrote:
There was a small business that I used to frequent. The owner was the main client contact person and one reason I went there. In recent years business has been noticeably slow and the owner clearly reflects it. A simple, “How’s it going?” would lead to a lengthy conversation about how bad things were and how there was little prospect of getting better.
Any question about what might be done had a long list of excuses. In time the place closed and is no longer in business. Toward the end I would avoid asking or making any mention of how things were. I wonder if the slow business brought out the attitude or if the attitude had a lot to do with the slow business?
Probably "yes" is the most accurate answer in situations like this.
We intend to grow this year despite the local economy which continues to deteriorate at a rapid pace. Almost all key numbers were up in January....but that is only one month.
If I ran down the list of all of things we are doing, most shop owners would cringe....many would call us crazy. But, it's working and we believe we will outlast many who simply won't be able to endure 2008 in Michigan.
_________________ Tom Ham
AutomotiveManagementNetwork.com - Hams Management Systems
Ok, Tom, that's great, but it is nothing to brag about.
2008 in Michigan is like 1975 to the present in Louisiana. Let's see, there were massive layoffs and business failures when the offshore oil drilling industry dried up.
Of course, the port of New Orleans was already losing most of its business to Mississippi. Add that to an already poor State, with a low average income, poor political leadeship and you have a recession that has lasted 33 years, and counting.
Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 774 Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: Which Came First?
Hi Tom,
Tom Ham wrote:
louis wrote:
There was a small business that I used to frequent. The owner was the main client contact person and one reason I went there. In recent years business has been noticeably slow and the owner clearly reflects it. A simple, “How’s it going?” would lead to a lengthy conversation about how bad things were and how there was little prospect of getting better.
Any question about what might be done had a long list of excuses. In time the place closed and is no longer in business. Toward the end I would avoid asking or making any mention of how things were. I wonder if the slow business brought out the attitude or if the attitude had a lot to do with the slow business?
Probably "yes" is the most accurate answer in situations like this.
I have a friend who believes in being perfectly honest. When folks ask, how things are going, he tells them, in detail. People quit asking and actually started avoiding him. I believe it has hurt his business a great deal.
Most people like winners and like hearing about and dealing with successful companies. Going on about how poor a person thinks the economy is will not likely put folks in a mood to spend.
There is always [should be] some aspect of a business that is good. Something new, something promising! Why not talk about that?
As an experiment, walk into a group that are complaining and brow-beating the economy. Start talking about the positive aspects of your business. New things you are trying, improvements and plans.
Most times, the atmosphere will instantly change and people will quit complaining and also offer ideas. There may be one or two dedicated doomsday naysayers. They may try to drag the group back to the "whoa is me" line of rhetoric. IF they can't, they will soon leave.
Tom Ham wrote:
We intend to grow this year despite the local economy which continues to deteriorate at a rapid pace. Almost all key numbers were up in January....but that is only one month.
That's great! I have always found the worst "the economy" [whatever that is] the more people need auto repair. I find they also search a lot harder for true value and that's going to be me. I think this article speaks to the same topic.
Tom Ham wrote:
If I ran down the list of all of things we are doing, most shop owners would cringe....many would call us crazy. But, it's working and we believe we will outlast many who simply won't be able to endure 2008 in Michigan.
An old Louisiana saying goes, "When the tide goes out, you can see who is swimming with no trunks." Adversity builds character and makes a business far stronger. I would trade nothing for the years I spent building a business in Louisiana.
I feel trying new things can be very good. I also think there must be a compatibility in the things tried. An overall, long-term and cohesive philosophy that encompasses everything done. If not a great deal of harm can be done. Using PDSA and the fourteen points helped me a great deal. Thanks Tom, I truly appreciate your input.
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