I can’t believe that nobody cares about the quality of their work anymore, but that’s certainly how it seems. I have a friend who produces commercials. His business is down because those who need the type of products that he produces are no longer willing to pay for “professional” quality. They are now more likely to be content with You Tube quality. If that sort of product is to make a point, okay, but if you choose lower quality for cost savings, the public can tell!
Is quality now only reserved for high-ticket items or services? Does no one take pride in their work simply for their work’s sake, or is adequate the new level of what is acceptable? If the guy that is painting my house misses spots, I expect him to spend as much time as necessary finishing the job, and I don’t believe he disagrees. Unlike the guy that did my roof repairs, he cares about the quality of his work, and actually hands out names and phone numbers of satisfied customers. Those are real testimonials! Now that he’s done, I will certainly become one of his referral sources.
We all know the old saying about a satisfied customer telling one of his friends about you but a dissatisfied one will tell everyone about you. Especially with the speed of information flow over the internet today, it is far too easy to impune a reputation via Facebook, or Linked-In, or to file an online complaint with the BBB or Attorney General’s office. You no longer even have to get to a mail box or fax machine. Just file your complaint online and it’s done.
People don’t seem to be afraid of damage to their reputation anymore. There was a time when service providers actually cared what the Better Business Bureau thought of them. Now? It seems like if they have sufficient volume, they don’t care what a few customers think of their work. Maybe they believe that no one will actually take the time to check up on them. Big mistake!
I know several people who spend a lot of time on the internet checking out people before they do business with them. These days, it’s just too easy for there to be any excuse not to. I guess those contractors figure that most will not want to waste time if their price is good, and by the time they find out, the contractor has the money and is gone. Another of the “sue me” attitudes that seem to pervade business these days.
How about individual responsibility? Do you go to work, punch the clock, so to speak, and then do just enough to get paid and maybe not get fired? Do you not feel any compunction to excel? As a self-employed professional, I realize that there are many out there that can offer a similar service (though of course, not as good as me), the economy being what it is, so it is incumbent on me to be just that much better.
I’ve never really been a 9-5′er anyway. I usually like what I’m doing and therefore devote as much time as necessary to do the best, most thorough job. Sometimes, more than I’m being paid for, but I believe that quality speaks for itself, and if you do more than you agreed to for one client, they’re only too happy to tell their friends.
I do understand the mentality of not doing more because there’s no reward, but I see that more the employer’s challenge than the workers. Sometimes the reward is solely in your head. You do the best job you can because that’s who you are and it’s the right thing to do.
It is certainly much easier to have pride in your work when you’re on your own, or in a position where higher quality will be recognized. It takes personal motivation; an internal desire to excel. Even if no one notices, you do, and it makes a difference to you.
Everyone remembers when an otherwise enjoyable, or even just a neutral, activity was spoiled by the indifferent attitude of a clerk, waiter, cashier. It wasn’t even the fact that they so obviously didn’t enjoy their work, but more that they were determined to share that lack of life satisfaction with you.
Whatever it is you do, do it to the best of your ability. Eventually, someone will notice, and if not, YOU notice. Hey; it’s what you do for at least a third of your life, so figure out a way to enjoy it, and if that’s not possible, for the benefit of those around you…pretend!
