The Tile Guy Goes to School
April 14, 2010
Most of us understand the importance of education. We encourage our children to do well in school, and learn everything that’s needed to become productive members of society, whether at college or by learning a trade.
Unfortunately, for many people, this commitment to education stops as soon as they get caught up in the day-to-day challenges of life.
It doesn’t have to be this way, of course; there are countless opportunities to continue learning in your personal and professional lives. Our Inner Circle Gold Coaching Members, for example, get a live webinar each month on a specific marketing topic, and an additional monthly “open critique” webinar where they can get their materials and web sites reviewed.
So I was both surprised and delighted when we started talking with the contractor who’s installing a tile back splash in our kitchen.
He asked what Lorie and I did for a living, and when we explained what we did, he said that he could sure use some help in that area, since his business has slowed considerably since the recession hit. Most of his work, it turns out, had been in new construction, where a single customer (a builder) could keep him busy for an entire year. (Please don’t miss the hidden warning here about having just one big customer…)
When I asked him what he was doing with all the down time, he shocked me by responding that he was taking electrical and plumbing courses so he could become proficient in those areas and become a one-stop-shopping source for his customers.
This is a great idea, and a fantastic use of “down time” that would otherwise be unproductive. In a time when many people use this time to complain about how bad the economy is, our tile guy is taking advantage of this time to increase the value he’s able to bring to his customers, which will, in turn increase his personal income.
What are you doing with your down time? A good friend of ours who commutes for several hours each day listens to books on tape. Another person is learning a language during her commute time.
There are always opportunities to further your education – are you taking advantage of yours?
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2 Responses to “The Tile Guy Goes to School”
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As I work at an association that constantly promotes education for its members consequently I was very impressed with The Tile Guy’s education plan. However, even TTG’s planning pales in comparison with a marine surveyor I have spoken with in Missouri. Michael Hunter budgets a very significant amount each and every year for education. He sees this an investment in himself. Michael feels if he is asking his customers to invest in him with their business, he should invest in himself via education to improve the service he delivers to those customers.
I had never heard self-improvement expressed this way before but it makes such sense. Every industry needs more Michael Hunters.
I am all for continuing education, and believe your Tile Guy is taking an appropriate direction with his plan.
On the other hand, I have reservations about your friend and the other person listening to books or learning a language during their commute time unless they are not driving while learning. They might just learn another, unintended lesson – “learning and driving do not mix”!