[pianotech] age-old question of what to charge for almost nothing and running a business as a business

[Gerald Groot]

Hi Thomas, 

Thanks for your input.  I have given many local PTG classes on just that
very thing, owning and operating a business.  I have also brought in CPA's
for different meetings.  I've brought various business owners for their
advice as well.      

It impacts me because I follow my own advice and the adivce of others that I
have spoken with or classes that I have attended (not just PTG related)
pertaining to operating a business along with reading a lot on the topic
online at various websites. It's no skin off my nose but, if what I say can
help someone else to better establish their business practices then that's a
good thing, no?  

I put it here, because I know there are many new techs and others here that
can learn, including myself.  I'm not as stubborn as I appear, believe it or
not...  :)  

As I mentioned in another email, here is a topic that I started about 2
years ago by request.  I had a lot of good input from others in there too.  

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/647259/Re:%20Owning 


Jer 

-----Original Message----- 
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Thomas Cole 
Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 1:20 PM 
To: pianotech at ptg.org 
Subject: Re: [pianotech] age-old question of what to charge for almost
nothing and running a business as a business 

Mr. Groot, 

You've been saying over and over what other technicians should do, but 
how does that impact you? If your business is good and growing, what 
skin is it off of your nose that people haven't acquired the business 
acumen you have? And why would you complain continually to this list 
when it might do some good to speak to the technicians you are referring 
to? Or maybe a better approach is to give some technical presentations 
to your local chapter with practical advice on how to improve one's income. 

There is a whole continuum of piano technicians ranging from part time 
hobbyists charging little or no money, to full-time technicians making a 
six figure income. If some of the hobbyists are complaining about a lack 
of income, they may have a problem with low self-esteem or maybe their 
work is substandard and with the help of some compassionate mentoring 
could improve their skills and self-esteem. Are you going to continue to 
focus on the problem or come up with some solutions? 

Tom Cole 

Gerald Groot wrote: 
> 
> ... The only thing that I AM VERY HARD LINED ON is that more piano
technicians 
> need to run this business like a business or learn how.  Yet, many do not 
> run it as such.  These same people do not know how to run it as a business

> or in my opinion, do not take it very seriously that it is a business.
They 
> need to stick to the principal of charging when appropriate, which is,
most 
> of the time.  They should not be afraid to charge and especially, should
not 
> apologize for doing so. As another poster mentioned, the owners of other 
> businesses will not allow their employee's to show up for free or to
charge 
> less for obvious reasons. 
>   



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