If you have read my other threads, you know I will help a friend in need
however, I have a competitor that wants to learn something that I am good at, he wants to pay me as a “tutor” for a day to work with him or his crew.
He has phoned me and now e-mailed me. the awnsering machine got the phone call, havent responded to the e-mail.
I know for a fact that he will use this in competiton with me, either imedietly or in the future when he figures it out
he says in his phone call, needs help NOW ( its a all glasss sunroom, the company he is using is very slow to respond and dont know “jack” about field installs)
by not responding am I a “bad ” guy
by resonding and saying, sorry jake, I dont have time
or “hey why should I show you, so you can under bid me for my lunch money”
or so that you can advertise ( and he will) we now do …………
this is not a person that would help in return and has alsways been me , me, me
I have heard of him going on to job sites and saying” what are you paying, I can do this for……..” ( ok therre is a time an dplace for that)
I have only been in biz for 5 years with only 3 guys. He has been in biz since 72 wqiht about 12 guys and a real nice showroom/office
Id be amazed if he is on this forum, and if so, well now jake you know wher I am coming from
Replies
"sorry jake, I dont have time"
Who Dares Wins.
There are two ways to look at it, job security and market expansion. If you're the only guy in your market area that does a particular thing, there won't be many people who hear about it, so there won't be many people who decide they want to buy it. If ten guys do the same thing, then a lot more people will hear about it and decide they want some, and if you're good you'll get more than your share of the business. IMO, job security is illusory. Market expansion is the way to go.
That doesn't necessarily mean you give your knowledge away or sell it cheap. Charge him a consultant's hourly fee rather than your usual builder's hourly. Then let him decide if he wants to know bad enough to pay the market price. My own personal fantasy for consulting is $250/hr, 8 hour minimum, plus travel and expenses. Cash. In advance.
Isa,
Instant expert, the man to go to when you need.
I'ld go for it.
But! (That's a big 'but', in case you didn't notice)
Charge classroom rates. Find out how many men are going to be there, and charge $500 for the first 2 men and $200 each for each extra man.
The curriculum starts at 8:00 am in a resturaunt meeting room, with coffee and donuts, (he pays,) lasts till 11:00. lunch from 11:00 -12:00 (he pays).
Moves to the job site and is over at 4:00. (short day)
If he doesn't like that, too bad mon.
You gotta take samples, an easel, a big artists or display pad, and a couple of big markers.
In class you talk about why, brands, pros and cons, etc. talk for 45 mins, question and answer for 15. 15 min break at 10:00.
On the job, YOU DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING. Break at 2:00.
If you do this once, you will do it many times.
Email me, I'll give you my phone# and talk you thru a lesson plan.
SamT
Great suggestions from Sam. $1000/day or more is fair for consulting.
isa... i like sam's suggestion... what's the bottom line ?... your rep. get's enhanced
you become the area guru...
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Sam has it right, especially the don't touch anything part of it, tho I might not do the same setting. I like on the job.
I have done this with competitors,
BUT
theyare generally good guys who return favors etc and pass on referalls. This yokel you are hearing from doesn't sound so great so the procvess Sam suggests sets up a barrier for him to jump over to get into your domain, and lets him decide whether it is worth while.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Take care of yourself. His reaction is not your responsibility. It sounds like there is no advantage in this for you, so I would think that he is making his problem your problem and your desire to be kind is playing into his hands. What would he do if the tables were turned?
If you do decide to do it, make sure you get a hefty check up front. Don't forget you will be letting yourself in for some liability.
me ....
I'd offer to work as a sub for him.
and I'd tell him nonoe of his crew around to steal all my good ideas ...
what's wrong with a little honesty?
tell him this way U make 100% ... he makes an additional 20% ...
and you'll be more than happy to take all the sub work he can throw at ya ...
win/win.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Tough one but I would bend over backwards to help anyone that treats me right because that is how I treat them. But to tell you the truth I don't even say hello to the guys who abuse our relationship. One thing to stay away from are trades people who only approach you when they want something (borrow).
I help my competitors all the time lend tools, temporary power from my site, information, materials, etc. but again it is all the guys who respect me as I respect them.
There is no written law that says you have to compromise yourself for another.
He will learn it from somewhere, might as well be you. Charge him well and teach it like a school like the others said. Then in your sales presentation mention that you trained his company. DanT
"Then in your sales presentation mention that you trained his company. "
Nice touch!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
yeah I like that too
That is a good idea on the surface.But it could backfire if the guy did not keep the same quality standards.
Your to busy . If he's 1/2 a man he'll step up to the plate and bite the bullet .
Mike - Foxboro , Mass.
"this is not a person that would help in return and has alsways been me , me, me"
Right there is the problem.
I work along with " my competitors" all the time in a network that we set up.
It only works if everyone is looking out for each other.
Heck, I've even passed jobs on to others and then helped them do them.
I would NEVER work with someone I didn't trust or thought he was trying to take what was mine.
You've got it!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
right on
Thanks everyone
After talking to severa friends, adn all of you, the majority answer is to say
sorry, I really dont have time
and that is the truth
( besides sometimes experience, even if crash and burn , is the best teacher)
thanks again
Edited 1/9/2005 1:45 pm ET by Isamemon