Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT
Senior Member
Username: rliebing
Post Number: 1240
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - 12:10 pm: |    |
110518
TAKES TWO TO
by Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT
Cincinnati, OH
It takes two to tango, two to tangoˇ Hey, wait here, this isn't Dancing with the Stars!!! But I must say that construction is replete with two tos¨. More than just the occasional small crews, but starting earlier and in greater numbers.
How about pro and rep? A twosome, right? Each with different needs and different information and different perspectives [and oh, yes the singular drive to be profitable]-- but still a twosome drawn [or thrown] together for a common cause. In a way a strange couple who do need each other to solve problems.
Q Be honest; even if your news or message is bad or adverse; donˇ¦t hedge or lie to meˇXit does neither of us any good;
Q Be open, straight forward, clear and helpful;
Q You are a member of my design team and I rely on your information when making some decisions-- best we be
in synch;
Q It is no sin if you honestly let me know your
status;
Q Be timely; respond when requested; try to make periodic calls for updates; Keep your info in my library current [IF you're interested in my work. business];
Q Don't dis your competition, I want to know only about your product and what you can do!;
Q To me, appearance, approach. manner and credibility are linked;
Q Be helpful, if you can, by giving only what is asked and alternates that seem reasonable-- don't try to sell me everything; your suggestions are welcome since you know the line better than I do;
Q I don't know!¨ [is a valid answer]-- please say so and find out quickly!;
Q Don't oozeˇ¨, be professional in all things from appearance to information offered;
Q Don't placate or pander, state your case and
understanding;
Q Don't expect miracles from me-- I must be a dispassionate and pragmatic professional in fairness-- to all;
Q Don't send me dumb gifts to motivate or reward me--
Q Just appreciate my position and what WE need to
accomplish TOGETHER!!!!
In return, during our tango [and always}, you have my pledge to give ALL of this back to you! But please understand that my not-specifying your product[s] is not a slamˇ¨ against your products or you personally. It means that in our judgement some other product makes a better fit. Of course, itˇ¦s the American way to make a product similar, but just different enough from others to make it unique. That most of the time is not automatically a new part of our tangoˇ¨-- our common effort is to make the project construction correctˇ¨.
You may consider us over-demandingˇ¨ or unreasonably strict, but our clients expect the very best project for the money they spend. And unfortunately [in a way] there are many solutions,an assortment where some include your product and some do not. Our job is to find the one that the Owner is willing to buy!
In that we need a partner, who is fully understanding and involved. You folks, unfortunately face the dilemma-- our product needsˇ¨ [many times very limited in normal production] which you try to match with products your manufacturers sell. Sometimes mass-produced items suffice; sometimes we need to customize them in some fashion.
Think of trying to do the tango as a solo dance and tell me we don't need amicable, informed, talented flexible and contributing partners!
Hey! And thanks for being there-- much appreciated! |
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