<div> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">It's been interesting, hasn't it?  And it promises to get more so.  Hopefully, this won't be another big D, but I've heard it mentioned.  <br> <br> Today I took the morning off and went for a bike ride--a weekly event on Wednesdays, and a very nice self-employment perk.  One of the people on the ride is a former investment banker (aren't they all "former" now?") who became a professional bike racer.  Most of her money has been tied up in stocks, and in the last week, she's seen her income and investments cut in half, possibly more.  When we stopped for coffee, she was on her blackberry checking to see what's happening on Wall Street.  She vented and fumed, and the other cyclists present were glad to provide her with on-the-spot therapy.<br> <br> It made me grateful that while the current debacle that's happening right now may eventually affect most of us to some degree, what we as piano techs (and other service folk) do will be affected far less than those who have counted on the money shuffling game as their primary source of income.<br> <br> IN the meantime, I'm as busy or busier than I have been in my 8 year career.  More clients, more referrals, more institutions--and no in-store work!    I do my best work, and if the phone calls and e-mail bookings slow down, I mine my database for long-time customers who might not have used my services for more than a year.<br> <br> Hang in there, it won't last forever.  Go to David and Dale's seminar.  Should be dynamic.  Have fun, Boyz!<br> <br> <br> </font></div> <div> <br> </div> <div id="sig8179" style="clear: both;"><font>Dave Stahl<font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></font></font></div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> -----Original Message-----<br> From: David Andersen <david@davidandersenpianos.com><br> To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org><br> Sent: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 8:16 am<br> Subject: Re: the economy<br> <br> <div id="AOLMsgPart_2_0445d592-c210-462c-a279-0403885c543a"> <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-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> <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> = </div>  <div id='MAILCIAMB016-929d48ed8b308b' class='aol_ad_footer'><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - <A title="http://toolbar.aol.com/elections/download.html?ncid=emlweusdown00000001" href="http://toolbar.aol.com/elections/download.html?ncid=emlweusdown00000001" target="_blank">Download Now</A>!</FONT> </div>