Tim Stapp wrote:
In looking over these older posts, I was reminded today in the course of my "day job" that I've been doing for 41 years now as to how things have changed. In my job as in photography, electronics/photography has drastically changed. The one constant that remains still is customer/client satisfaction. How we relate to our client and meeting their needs. That is indeed constant.
After 41 years, I still do a "debriefing;" or "how could I have done this job better?" analysis. Despite the constant change, things really do remain the same.
In looking over these older posts, I was reminded ... (
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Tim! I can relate to your attitude and your debriefing procedure. It is especially difficult for me because I am self employed so I am not debriefing others- underlings etc., like employees- I have to debrief myself so my method is to be my own most demanding critic. I sincerely believe that learning, improving and keeping up with new technologies has to be a constant and in business, its a survival and longevity dynamic.
True enough, technologically, the photographic process has advanced at an exponential rate in electronics, computer driven tools and techniques, optics and automation. Sometimes, however, folks get so wrapped up and preoccupied with the science and technology that they begin to overlook the art of the craft and the quality of the service. It's very basic but oftentimes overlooked.
When I teach and train new photographers I always remind them that a camera has 3 basic functions- aperture, shutter speed and focus. When you fully understand the function and interrelationships of those three controls- you are good to go and concentrate on your art, creativity and development of your talent and potential.All the rest of the high-tech sophisticated features of your cameras are just for some added conveniences.
I hate to come off as pessimistic, cynical or reactionary but I am beginning to believe and observe that nowadays sincere, personalized and real dedication to customer satisfaction is deteriorating at an alarming rate. I like my gadgets and computers as much as the next guy or gal but some of this seems to be eroding the personalize human touch in the service and retail industries. Voice mail, texting, Email, online shopping, robotics, vending machines for everything (even cars), self service everything/everywhere, and lost of seemingly disinterested staff is stores and businesses is taking humanity, sincerely, and drive to please the client has taken the life, humanity and FUN out of business. I don't even want to talk about a lack of professionalism in so many places!
This might sound a bit paradoxical, but more an more the aforementioned coldness, apathy and "distance" of late persists, the more this enhances my own business. When I aproach each potential client with sincerity, interest, enthusiasm, and personalized attention and they detect that I am on their side and I am dedicated to satisfying their requirements and offering good value, they become my clients with no hard selling, little or no sales resistance or haggling. Of course, at the end of the day, I need to deliver exactly or better than I have promised but I have been managing to do that for many decades. Proof is, I haven't advertised or or promoted my wedding photography heavily for the last 17 years and my booking rate is better than ever- mostly recommendations and referral business. I do one big bridal show per year, I network with othere vendors and do the odd "institutional" kinda advertising.
I never took a course in salesmanship- I learned from being a consumer. I shop where folks are in love with what the sell and have copious quantities of product knowledge. I do business with folks who want my business. I prefer to go where I feel welcome and I work with by philosophy that folks won't pay their hard earned money to folks the don't like. Consumers are smart and they won't pay good money for bad product. It's very basic but oftentimes overlooked.