Professionalism Counts
[by Judy Herrmann]
Living in a house that’s undergoing major renovations has taught me a lot about professionalism. Our contractors, José Batista and José Salamanca, take responsibility for every detail. They’re careful about the sub-contractors they hire, they stand behind the work that’s done, they listen carefully when we explain what we want and take our concerns very seriously. They offer suggestions to improve the project but always acknowledge that it’s our call, our choice. They make our problems their problems. And they solve them. José Batista said to me the other day, “You know, every job we do, it has my name on it. My name matters to me.”
The carpenters they brought in, Milton and Antonio, sweep up every night. They take the time to reseal the plastic sheeting between the work zone and our living space every single time they go in or out so our space stays warm and dust-free. They bring our empty garbage cans up from the street, answer our 3-year-old’s endless questions, and work incredibly hard with amazing efficiency. They inform us of any problems they encounter but always give us solutions and options at the same time. They gracefully accept our input even when it means more work for them. They treat our home with the same respect as they would their own. From big decisions to small niceties, they do the right thing, and they do it consistently.
For the first time in my life, I’m the client on a major project where I’m spending a lot of money and have a lot at stake. In other words, I’m in the place that my clients live just about every time they hire my studio. As I write this post, I can hear the plumbers debating the best way to run the radiant flooring to make sure that a room with 8 large windows stays warm. The roofers are busily pounding nails, the wall guys are mixing cement and the dog’s barking wildly as yet another workman carries stuff up our front stairs. It’s total chaos but my stress levels are well under control simply because I know my project’s in the hands of professionals.
4 Responses to 'Professionalism Counts'
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I wonder how ‘professional’ they would become if you (the client) started asking for stuff for free. If you changed your mind half way through and demanded those sunk costs be met by the builders.
I wonder how ‘professional’ they would become when you (the client) inform them they wont be paid for the work until you have ‘onsold’ the house at auction later in the year.
I wonder how ‘professional’ and careful they would be with your house if you refused to accept their ‘terms’ until you have seen them complete at least one room of the house entirely on ’spec’ first. Explaining to them that if the spec room isnt up to your standards you will keep the room for free and not hire them.
What I am asking is this: how professional are your builders if you treat them with the same disdain that professional photographers get treated day in day out by art buyers and corporate clients?
I challenge you.
Judy,
If your clients are acting unprofessional, it does not help to stoop to their level. You should maintain your professionalism and integrity. If they want you to work under terms that are not fair or you find offensive, it is time for you to walk away and find new clients. Don’t waste your time with them.
I am always getting asked for free photos at my job. I politely hand them a business card, and say that they can contact my office to order a photo. If they persist, I explain that my company cannot make money if they give away their service for free. Sometimes even after that they persist and I will explain that if I give them photos for free (understand these are people working for the client, not our actual client), then our client would also want free photo thus hurting our business and ability to stay in business and providing photos. Usually they get it by this point. If not, I just stay the course with polite responses and a never wavering from our policy of no free photos.
One other tactic these people seeking freebies usually employ is saying, “it’s just one time” or “it’s just for me.” But if you can make them realize that pretty much every job you go to someone asks you that same question and gives you that same reasoning and you’re photos sell for $25 for an 8×10 (sample #s) and they usually want 3-4 photos, times maybe 3-4 jobs a day, times about 250 working days/year…well, that’s about $18,750 – $25,000 of lost income per year with the given numbers! Try asking them to think about that. Would their boss be happy if they were giving away $25,000 of free product per year?
Touche !
To add to my little ramble from yesterday…we also have 4 full time photographers where I work, so that’s about $100,000 of free photos…yikes!