Why am I helping my competition. (You)

[Mushin]

Maybe it is a lack of sleep or maybe I am just tired of anwering the same questions over and over but as I sit here and read these posts I realize that I am helping my competition.

Sure we may not be in the same exact location but our serivces areas are beginning to overlap because of services like Remote Support and the growth of business. There are members from all over the world and I know that even some of my local competition can read what is posted. This is not ideal for my business. So... why do I help yours?

And why am I helping those that are just getting started or those that have been in business for a while? AND Why are you helping me?

The answer is simple... I (We) care about the industry. I give advice and help in the hopes that others will do the same for me. Every time I answer a question I have the opportunity to make the industry a little better. It is the collective experience that really makes this forum unique.

So... for all new members please keep in mind that we are putting countless years of collective experience out their for everyone to gain from and at the possible detriment of our own business.

With this in mind please... When asking questions.... please please don't ask us for the answer without doing a little bit of up front work. If you are unsure do a bit of research upfront. Search the forum. More than likely your important question was important to someone else and they asked the questions yersterday, or the day before, or last week, or even last month.

Please be respectful of our time and our experience. Sometime we will not give you the answer you expected. Sometime we will be blunt in our response in an attempt to set you on the straight and narrow. Other time we may not bother because we know the answer has been asked 5 times this week alone.

 

[PCSupportGlasgow]

]

And why am I helping those that are just getting started or those that have been in business for a while? AND Why are you helping me?

The answer is simple... I (We) care about the industry. I give advice and help in the hopes that others will do the same for me. Every time I answer a question I have the opportunity to make the industry a little better. It is the collective experience that really makes this forum unique.

Agree with almost all of your post.

Have singled out the part above for quote though as everyone on here will also have that little bit of selfishness aswell for a reason- Siimple facts if by giving advice to others (and even receiving it) more people raise their standard and ETHICS it helps everyone of us. If some local competitor (no matter what every company will have compitition and it is that compitition that helps us improve by making sure we do things better) sees some posts and becomes more professional all the better as it also helps clients in the area spot the chancers more easily and the long term real companies who want to always improve will make more money.

Certainly the lurkers and those that come on for a couple of posts then vanish can be a bit frustrating at times but the fact that there is also so many business owners who do care negates the negatives.

So for all you lurkers come in join the forum and offer your knowledge. Local competitor or not it will make no difference.

 

[Alan22]

I learn just as much as I give. Nobody knows everything and it's great to be part of a group that freely shares information and experience. We won't always agree, but that's OK.

 

[hyfidel]

I ran a flowershop ($700k-1M gross) for 3 years and was active in a flowershop forum, and it's amazing how similar the advice was to the Technibble forums. Just replace all the techie stuff with flower stuff (especially with regards to marketing).

Business is business is business. Lots of good "common" sense here.

 

[Mushin]

I ran a flowershop ($700k-1M gross) for 3 years and was active in a flowershop forum, and it's amazing how similar the advice was to the Technibble forums. Just replace all the techie stuff with flower stuff (especially with regards to marketing).

Business is business is business. Lots of good "common" sense here.

All too true.. And some people are business minded while others are not.

Once difference in industries though... In the flower business I doubt that you could easily pass off a tulip as a rose and charge for the rose. Where in pc repair people can tell the client that they have a virus when in fact they don't or.. they can milk the clock.

But on the marketing and sales side... the basics can be applied to any buisness.

So... with some being business minded and other not so much... My advice really helps those that are not so much business minded. But in turn... There are others that have done things that I have not so their advice helps me.

I would say then that regardless of expereince we all have something to learn and a place to bounce ideas around.

 

[Appleby]

Well I for one appreciate all the help I can get. I've only been doing this 4 years or so and I've still go so much to learn.

To be honest, I would like to get together and talk to the other repair shops in town (there are only a couple) and have a working relationship with them. I wouldn't mind "officially" referring them business when its something I can't do, don't want to do, don't have time to do etc. I'm sure there are things they do that are better than me and vise versa. I honestly would have NO problem being on a friendly working basis with them.

There is only one other "big player" in town and the owner has cancer and I've been getting alot of his customers while he's been out. I've always been very quick to tell them that I hope he gets better and that they should go back to him when he gets better if they like his services etc. I wanted to go by and talk to his wife and just say I was thinking about them and if they needed anything to let me know. However, I was afraid she might see it as some kind of underhanded ploy trying to kick a man while he was down, so I just avoided the situation.

 

[Alan22]

To be honest, I would like to get together and talk to the other repair shops in town (there are only a couple) and have a working relationship with them. I wouldn't mind "officially" referring them business when its something I can't do, don't want to do, don't have time to do etc. I'm sure there are things they do that are better than me and vise versa. I honestly would have NO problem being on a friendly working basis with them.

Exactly. I have a couple of independent techs like myself I call when I'm overloaded or it's a job I don't want (or can't) do. One of the guys gives his core clientele my number when he goes on vacation. I do the same. We do not steal each others clients and help each other out when needed.

 

[mraikes]

I really appreciate the openness with which information, tips, encouragement, and even the occasional smack-down are shared in these forums.

It reinforces the attitude that while we may be competitors, we don't have to be enemies.

Thanks everyone!

 

[MrUnknown]

I thought it was because you loved us...

 

[Appleby]

Exactly. I have a couple of independent techs like myself I call when I'm overloaded or it's a job I don't want (or can't) do. One of the guys gives his core clientele my number when he goes on vacation. I do the same. We do not steal each others clients and help each other out when needed.

That is exactly what I'm talking about. I would really like to get a working relationship like that going. It's good for everyone involved if everyone stays honest.

 

[billkelley]

There is only one other "big player" in town and the owner has cancer and I've been getting alot of his customers while he's been out. I've always been very quick to tell them that I hope he gets better and that they should go back to him when he gets better if they like his services etc. I wanted to go by and talk to his wife and just say I was thinking about them and if they needed anything to let me know. However, I was afraid she might see it as some kind of underhanded ploy trying to kick a man while he was down, so I just avoided the situation.

Appleby, I know this isn't computer advice, but is good human advice: When someone is sick enough there is no such thing as business. We can't take our customers, money, tools, or other such items with us. If you truly want to make a difference don't hesitate to talk to her and offer your friendship. Don't forget to offer help when you can. If we as a society, offered our right hands in a token of friendship and brotherly love more often this world would be a much better place.

 

[Appleby]

Appleby, I know this isn't computer advice, but is good human advice: When someone is sick enough there is no such thing as business. We can't take our customers, money, tools, or other such items with us. If you truly want to make a difference don't hesitate to talk to her and offer your friendship. Don't forget to offer help when you can. If we as a society, offered our right hands in a token of friendship and brotherly love more often this world would be a much better place.

I totally 100% agree. However, I'm just concerned that it might appear to her, as she struggles to keep the doors open, that I'm making a move on their business. I would like to find a common person we both know to introduce us. I might take your advice and just walk in there one day, I just know how I think it might look to her. That's all.

Thanks for the advice, I honestly appreciate it.

 

[billkelley]

You are very welcome

 

[IJAC]

I know for me since I found this forum I am becoming better at the business aspect.I don't post a lot because most times I don't think I have enough smarts
to chime in.My view is this is a great plce to learn and share so I will try to
share more.I would like to thank everyone here for all the help.
Not to long ago I was ready to hang it up several people gave me incouragement and I am truley grateful.Since then my business has picked up
so if I would of given up I would not had these rewards.
Hoganberger