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<br><div><div>On Oct 8, 2008, at 7:43 AM, Barbara Richmond wrote:</div><blockquote type="cite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; "><div><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I still think the best way (for me, at least) is to find and keep <b>the people who really want to take care of their pianos</b> by booking ahead with them (like the dentist). These folks are the core of my business. Because they know my work and <b>trust me</b>, they <b>refer</b> me to other people, their churches and <b>they provide me with the bigger shop jobs.</b></div></span></blockquote><br><br></div><div>Hey kids----in the new economy---which we're in, seemingly overnight---the Darwinian conventional wisdom phrase changes: </div><div>it's not "only the strong survive;" it's "only the trusted survive." In this era we're being catapulted into, the value of work, of service done right by a trusted, interesting, "value-added" person becomes huge. Everything on the economic margins will die. The piano technician who has developed relationships, tells the truth, and brings calm, confidence, and fun when he/she arrives will survive and prevail. Those who show up distracted, worried, complaining, and cranky will see their businesses dwindle and fail.</div><div><br></div><div>The technicians that take advantage of ALL THE TRAINING AND MENTORING they can will thrive; the technicians that offer complete piano service, and can make a radical positive change in the sound and feel of a piano will thrive. Dale Erwin and I are looking forward to teaching two complete all-day classes at the CERS conference in Chicago this weekend. The men and women who show up, in large part, are the future of this business, the elite, and I want to welcome you all. I'm excited. Dale and I will paint a very simple and clear picture of how you need to <b>be</b> to prevail in these rocky financial times, and we'll have big fun and do good work.</div><div><br></div><div>It's a true pleasure to have my own business, to have at least some of my own destiny in my hands.</div><div><br></div><div>Best,</div><div>David Andersen</div><br></body></html>