Some might consider this type of information as Classified or Top Secret.
I don't.
I don't.
Click on images below for a printable PDF
I have yet to encounter, in all my years, anything that one might consider a "trade secret". Not that there's anything wrong with trade secrets, I just don't like them.
A good businessperson would be wise to value a trade secret. In many cases, trade secrets can make or break a business. Truth be told, trade secrets, and more importantly the ability to keep them, are some of the key components required for continued growth in many forms of industry.
However, as an overly enthusiastic fan of decorative ironwork in all of its purest forms, I still don't like them. The approach that I prefer to take is one of full disclosure along with words of encouragement. Having said that I believe that the sharing of knowledge is vital to the growth of our industry as it stands now.
Please, I encourage all to download the drawings above (they are in pdf format). If you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me.
INFORMAL NOTE CARDS
Another in a long line of Trade Secrets, this one is going to cost you .75 cents. That was the price for this tidbit. It was offered to me, for all, by Mr. James Minter of Imagine Ironworks. And if you know Mr. Minter, then you'll know why I consider this .., well.., Gold.
Sending your customer an informal, personalized note (after the job has been completed) speaks volumes about one's business, the business' character, and that of, at the very least, the owner of that business. If I had to describe it in one word, that word would be 'Respectful'.
And I can't begin to emphasize enough about the amount of character that it shows.
"It is another opportunity to touch your customer".
It's not expensive and it takes about 1 hour per week. Commercial customers or residential, it doesn't matter. Everyone gets one, period. Employing that kind of strategy into your every day business dealings will do wonders for you and your business.
I challenge anyone who does not yet incorporate this technique to try it for 1 month. We'll call it the 'One Month Challenge'. If it doesn't work for you and your business, I will personally refund your .75 cents. It's that simple. If it does work for you I simply ask that you pass it on. (Without the .75 cents, of course).
However, as an overly enthusiastic fan of decorative ironwork in all of its purest forms, I still don't like them. The approach that I prefer to take is one of full disclosure along with words of encouragement. Having said that I believe that the sharing of knowledge is vital to the growth of our industry as it stands now.
Please, I encourage all to download the drawings above (they are in pdf format). If you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me.
INFORMAL NOTE CARDS
Another in a long line of Trade Secrets, this one is going to cost you .75 cents. That was the price for this tidbit. It was offered to me, for all, by Mr. James Minter of Imagine Ironworks. And if you know Mr. Minter, then you'll know why I consider this .., well.., Gold.
Sending your customer an informal, personalized note (after the job has been completed) speaks volumes about one's business, the business' character, and that of, at the very least, the owner of that business. If I had to describe it in one word, that word would be 'Respectful'.
And I can't begin to emphasize enough about the amount of character that it shows.
"It is another opportunity to touch your customer".
It's not expensive and it takes about 1 hour per week. Commercial customers or residential, it doesn't matter. Everyone gets one, period. Employing that kind of strategy into your every day business dealings will do wonders for you and your business.
I challenge anyone who does not yet incorporate this technique to try it for 1 month. We'll call it the 'One Month Challenge'. If it doesn't work for you and your business, I will personally refund your .75 cents. It's that simple. If it does work for you I simply ask that you pass it on. (Without the .75 cents, of course).