Use This, It Works

M

Michael Cappa

Member
I am not talking about a piece of equipment, but I am talking about a tool. I want to share a little story that happened to me today (I will try to keep it short). First off, let me say that I just started reading a book called "How to win friends and influence people" last week. This is what happened...

I noticed my neighbor across the street power washing their driveway this afternoon. I went across the street to introduce myself (I have only lived here for 3 months and don't know everyone yet) and offer any suggestions I could or lend a hand or even let them use some of my detergent. Keep in mind, I was not trying in any way to make any money, just trying to lend a hand. I got talking with Jim, the homeowner. He told me where he got his machine, I then thought to use what I have learned so far in my readings. I didn't really talk much, just asked a few simple questions about, his 1970 chevelle (he took half an hour telling me about that). Then he told me about his outdoor hot tub, then we talked about me letting him use my deck wash chemicals so he could also re-finish his deck outback of his house. After he talked about anything he wanted to he asked how much I would charge to do his deck. I did give him a good price, he then said to do it when ever I want and leave a bill in his mailbox and he will drop off a check when it is done. He also told me that he did not want his hot tub any more. It needs a new line or something, and if I wanted it I could have it. WOW, what a great day, a deck job and a hot tub. This I attribute to what I have learned in the book. I am not a salesman for the book, just sharing what I truly believed to work. Buy it, read it. You will make more money.
 
What BOOK? How to win friends and influence people?
 
i have not read this book but i think i have allready discovered how to win friends and influence people.

my philosophy is put whats right and honest first,and whats most beneficial to the other person, and not worry about whats profitable to me.

i also think people can tell a difference of who you really are and who you are pretending to be.

the moral of the story is to take the advise of the book and incorporate it into your life,not just use it from 9 to 5.

EXTREME,the reward you received from this experience was an example of what happens when you truly try to help people at no obvious benefit to yourself,it is when people see that you are trying obviously to get something from them that they become unreceptive.
 
ron p

maybe he read that book before you did.
He gets a "good deal" on his deck and you have to remove his broken hot tub that he did'nt want for FREE. He used the dumb blonde thing, and it worked. lol just kidding.
 
Mike C.

Great post, trying to give something back? Keep it up, I have read that Book( big surprise ) I want to congratulate you in your first pay back post. It’s a very popular Book and many have read it, the great thing is you got it and know are using it as a weapon. ( BIGBOY would be proud of you )


Thanks Mike for sharing.
 
The book is a classic by Dale Carnegie and the basis of the Carnegie Sales Training courses. You can get it at your local book shop, library or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...104-4647900-5847138?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Even though you are in a service business it is important to have customers to service. In that vein it would serve professional contract cleaners to join the local Chamber of Commerce (as a source of referral networking) and take some salesmanship courses (handling objections, prospecting, closing the sale etc.) and even look at a uniform presentation of you and your product (truck to trailer to worker appearance to invoices etc.).

Sometimes you only have to appear better to be perceived as better. If you are perceived as better you may be able to get a higher rate. If you treat your vocation as a profession then everyone involved stands to benefit. A professional is someone who is never satisfied with the status quo but is always trying to learn more about themselves and their business.

Hope this helps? Cheers.
 
I got chewed out yesterday for not charging labor on a 10 min job. All I did is remove a fitting with an easy-out and put a used fitting in. I told the guy no charge and he bought a gauge and some quick couplers from me. He said he would give all of his business to me from now on. My boss has a different idea on the subject. He was upset because I didn't turn a profit on the labor. We had a 2 hour discussion about turning a profit and I have a different idea on the subject. I call it honesty. You gain the customers trust with something and they will become your loyal customer because they feal comfertable with you and they trust you. His idea is to turn as much profit as you can .
 
wiz

in my book you did the right thing.
As long as its not a habbit[the customer that is] you are #1 in his book and will come back ten fold. Anyone that ever asks him about service will become a customer for you also.
i stop and help an old person or someone stranded on the road to fix a tire for them.
One of our best customers came from helping a lady that had a flat. Turns out her husband had a trucking co. and after hearing about what i did for his wife and never asked for anything in return. He hired me to do all his truck work and never even asked for priceing.
"If everything is money, you will never have enuff"
ron p
 
Wiz, I also think you did the right thing. You will be rewarded later.
Ron P., HA HA. LOL
Ron M., Thank you. Anytime I have usefull information, I will definitly pass it on here. God knows, I will be asking enough questions here.
 
John, you did good! I was explaining to my helper on Monday that you want to do something 'special' on every job. Also, when I get asked to do work that takes 10 or 15 minutes I normally don't charge the client. Sends a message that they are important, plus I don't need to go through the paperwork.
 
John(WIZ),
I like your way of thinking. How about working for Clean County Powerwashing. If I had an opening for a guy like you I would make you an offer you couldn't refuse.

Did you ever think about going into business for your self?? It seems to me that you would do pretty good as a business owner in this field. Why have your boss make all the real money from your expertiese?? You should be calling the shots at the place you work at.

If you could own a place like the one you work at how do you think you'd do?? I bet you would say pretty good.
 
I agree it is a great book. I have always thought it may have been titled wrong though. I read it approx 12 years ago. I still refer to an outlined I wrote from the book. It has been a great management tool, also when I was in sales full time, but perhaps the biggest benefit I have gained from it is as a Dad.
 
I love reading stories like this. You know, things along the line of the old addage, "You get back what you give out". I was distributing fliers awhile ago and received a phone call the next day. This irrate women said she would NEVER use my service. She said my fliers and distributing them was "disgusting and tacky". I was upset (and pissed off) for awhile. Here I am, a small businessman trying to make a living, put food on the table.
A few hours later I went out to do a job. I passed two little girls at the end of their driveway with a lemonade stand set up. I said to myself, "Two little entrapeneurs". What the hell. Pulled over and bought one cup for 25 cents. As I was leaving, the parents came out running after my truck and asked for a price on doing their house and driveway. I got the job. Not bad for 25 cents.
Poseidon
 
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