Thoughts on New Business Models for Photographers
[by Kevin Lock]
I have been in the (“professional” photographic) business for almost 20 years. So let me ask you “what the hell do I know about new business models”? I imagine that I am not alone in my ignorance.
While completing a Google search on “New Business Models,” (drum roll please…) number 4 of 25,300,000 returns was a listing entitled “Scrambling for New Business Models” This includes a video short uploaded May 19, 2011 from Forbes.com. Since I was scrambling myself, I gave it a listen:
http://video.forbes.com/fvn/future-tech/scrambling-for-new-business-models
Up until now I have thought of myself as a high-end service provider. What I found has inspired me to rethink what I have previously “thunk” about business, customer service and alternative business models within the photographic industry.
Within the interview of Forbes staffer Rich Karlgaard, Rich explains the intricacies of a ‘low end’ service provider and offers his assessment of their success. “ Southwest Airlines does almost nothing for you. You have to print out your ticket. You have to stand in line where they say you do. Pretty soon they are gonna make you clean up after the flight. And somehow, you come out of a South West flight feeling upbeat…They’ve made a promise, they’ve kept it…they have a great investment in their service…their service really educates the customer to not expect a lot and then they over deliver”.
IFLYSWA. Simple. Or perhaps I am simple. Either way, I appreciate the ease and consistency of the process and the experience SWA offers me. I am thinking about following their lead.
Kevin Lock is currently a Director of the National Board of the ASMP. When Kevin is not offering high end service he can be found suffering thru another flight on his favorite airline, SWA.
3 Responses to 'Thoughts on New Business Models for Photographers'
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I think Southwest works because their employees seem happier, they make the flight more fun and checking in exactly 24 hours before your flight on the dot has become kind of a game to get the best A group number. I always thought they were the best airline before the others started charging for bags. I have never lost luggage with them, and their in flight magazine is really good. They definitely have it figured out.
I’m curious as to how you will use their tactics to provide better service. Care to elaborate?
Comparing a photographic free lance businesses to South West Airlines is nonsense.
Simple.
Nonsense….? I think there are a lot of ideas that SWA does that translates to what we should do.
1. Don’t over promise.
2. Get them (our clients) involved in the process.
3. Give them more (quality) than they expect.
4. Be first on their list when they’re hiring again.
Makes sense to me.
Joel Zwink