Permanent or Patch Solutions to Problems, even Hair
Since the start of COVID-19 quarantine, I have not gone for a haircut. As a result, my wife told me “You’ll be more attractive if you do something about your hair, Manny.” My career is all about solving problems for customers so they can run their business. In my mind, I am thinking about taking my chances and getting a haircut. I could knock out two birds with one stone – make myself so-called “attractive” and look professional when I visit customers. After giving some thoughts, I decided to solve my hair situation using hair gel instead.
Problem Styling
Many business owners go through a similar process to determine what direction to proceed to solve their problems – fix permanently (haircut) or patch (hair gel). As a voice engineer, my job is to provide all their options. I’ll describe the outcome in a way that makes sense to them. This also means to explain why certain services cost as well.
For example, one of my colleagues told his client that “you do not have to pay me for the visit for this time as a courtesy, as long as you come by my office for a coffee. It can be for a few seconds if you like”. The client responds, “That’s very generous, especially since you are far away.” Of course, the client is a business owner himself. He realizes why my colleague is willing to waive a fee. If my colleague goes himself, as a patch-up this one time instead of dispatching a technician, he saves money, such as gas and employee time to drive to the client site.
As a voice engineer, my job is to explain this to the clients, in a way they understand. I let them know the advantages of patch-up work vs. a permanent solution. As an owner of a business, it is their job to pick the path.
It is important to understand that there is nothing wrong with patch-up work. I may be scared of getting a haircut because of COVID-19, now. However, my mindset is to put off the haircut for a little while. This way, the barbershop has more time to prepare for customers in more effective ways. Permanent or patch.
