I recently had the need of a car repair.
Of course it was ill-timed. But, really, is a car repair ever is not ill-timed?
Fortunately I noticed that really weird noise before it became a full-blown problem that would have left me stranded on the side of the road, with more problems.
So, I had to find out what was the problem and get the problem repaired.
My first thought wasn’t to take it to the dealer, but I did anyway. I needed the problem diagnosed and repaired. As expected, the problem was a serious one and so was the price quoted to repair it. Sticker shock set in.
I decided to take my vehicle home and see what other options I could come up with that wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg. But after making a few calls, I began to wonder if the dealership was going to be my only recourse. Time was not on my side.
Then late in the day, after many leads fell through, I happen to remember a conversation with a friend from about two years ago. “If you ever need a mechanic….” And, as luck would have it, I saw that friend sitting about 50 yards away. After telling my friend of my day’s ordeal, I was introduced by phone to this ‘mechanic’ who said “sure you can come by right now.” I did, and this is where I first started to sense that ‘something was different here.’
This ‘mechanic’ was self-employed, so I immediately felt a kinship.
As he walked through the problem under the hood of the car, I noticed his mannerisms. The mannerisms that said, ‘this guy really knows this car.’ I listened as he talked to himself about what he was hearing (not seeing) and what the repair entailed. I paid close attention to these things, because when you know your craft, you can spot someone else who knows their craft.
This ‘mechanic’ knew the gravity of my repair and set up an appointment for the following morning at 7am. “Just call to make sure I’m up” he said with such a calm demeanor. Should I have been concerned about that comment? Well, at 7:05am the next morning, he was waiting for ME to arrive.
This ‘mechanic’ then courteously drove me home so that I could continue my work day while he repaired my vehicle. During our light-hearted-getting-to-know-you conversation, I asked, “would the repair be completed by at least 3pm?” I was assured that it would be. Although, I did wonder if I’d have to cancel my afternoon meeting, due to lack of transportation.
A hour and a half later, I get a call from this ‘mechanic.’
I’m listening intently, waiting for the shoe to drop; it always does with a car repair, doesn’t it?
I was informed that he would be over to pick me up in a half hour, the repair was completed. I was surprised, the pleasant kind.
As we completed the transaction and exchange, I was still paying close attention to this very soft-spoken ‘mechanic.’ I was being educated about my vehicle, things I should be doing, what was needed, what to expect. And yes, the cost of the repair was reasonable. No sticker shock.
As my day continued, I lamented on this experience. As one self-employed to another, I took away something that I didn’t expect at all. Yes, my car was repaired, but as a self-employed there was something more recognizable here for me. Focus. Time-management. Service.
Being self-employed, we strive to give our customers the four things I received today from this ‘mechanic.’ A task was honed-in on, completed in a timely manner, with exemplary customer service and with a price-point that worked for both of our bottom lines.
If this isn’t your goal as a self-employed, you are out of touch and soon to be out-of-business. This is what brings you professional and personal success and repeat clients. When a client is rest-assured about a project that they have placed in your hands; that no matter what, the task will be completed, completed in a timely manner and be what they expect or more than they expect, you will always have work. Work that you will be paid for. Work not always directly from that specific client, but they will recommend you; vouch for your expertise and professionalism amongst their trusted friends and associates.
I went through the next few days inspired by this ‘mechanic.’ Every task that stood before me didn’t stand a chance. Yes, I practice time-management all the time. But today, time-management has new focus, and better, new deadlines. I pushed myself to shorten timeliness to get projects completed sooner but maintain the quality that my clients have come to rely on. Even personal projects that had haunted me for too long to admit to got completed. We never know where we will get the energy or inspiration that drives us to do our best. Presently, I have a self-employed ‘mechanic’ to thank for mine.
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