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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Wim, as an auto =
mechanic in a
former life, our industry went through the same thing a number of years
ago. The ASE, or Automotive institute for Service Excellence was =
started
to certify technicians much as we are looking to do. The =
differences
are:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1. ASE began with the =
backing of auto
manufacturers, parts makers, car dealer and the mechanics =
themselves i.e.,
lots of industry support.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2. Nearly every consumer drove a =
car and
nearly everyone had a bad experience at one time or another, creating a =
general
need for testing and certification. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>3. A nationwide advertising =
campaign was
implemented which made every mechanic WANT to become =
certified. It
became a badge of honor that the public recognized and still =
do.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Let's =
compare...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1. We are a comparatively very =
small group of
tradespeople who have little standing with the general public =
and few
financial resources.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2. Not everyone owns a piano much =
less takes
care of it as they should, so as a result, our market is =
limited.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>3. Advertising costs money, and =
it would take
an enormous effort to convince the public that they should use only =
registered
piano technicians, and to convince technicians themselves that they =
should be a
part of this process. Cost vs. Benefit ? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> My point is, that as =
noble and
worthwhile as the certification effort is, it will only go so far, and =
only be
marginally effective because of these inherent =
obstacles. The
best incentive for an associate to become an RPT is still and will =
remain,
self-improvement. We can make lots of proposals, rule =
changing and
wheel spinning, but there may be no definitive answer to this
problem. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Mike Kurta =
</FONT></DIV>
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