... and this isn't just an excuse to post a picture of a hunky young repairman, either.
No, I was just thinking today about time-management and how we all know how important it is. It's essential for everyone in business to study the time-management qualities of their employees and their business as a whole. After all, and I know it's a cliché, time IS money.
So, what does this have to do with the hunky repairman?
Well, it occurred to me that in almost every service industry I can possibly imagine, there is a minimum charge, yes? Let's say that I needed some plumbing work done in my bathroom (ah - there's the justification for the repairman!) I have a leaky tap in the tub. There's some sort of dripping under the sink. I could really do with a new shower head...
So here's my plan. On Wednesday, I'll call the plumber out to fix the leaky tap. Thursday, I'll call him out to fix that leak under the sink. And then on Friday, I'll call him to sort out a new shower head for me.
He would think I was a madwoman, admittedly, but he'd be happy to present me with his bill for the work AND three call-out fees. Even if fixing the leaky tap was a two-minute new washer, I'd still be charged his minimum fee. You can see where I'm going, can't you?
Every design company I know has minimum fees. It might only be $50, but most will adhere to the guidelines of the Graphic Artists' Guild, so it may be much more. This makes sense, design companies have their overheads too, just like the hunky plumber does.
And yet, a client might:
(Wednesday) want a small copy change to their website or brochure -
(Thursday) require an image replacing -
(Friday) need a phone number added to their contact page.
This is just as crazy and me planning my bathroom repairs in the manner described above, isn't it?
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