Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Getting Respect

["Mark Steed" <plutomark@mail.astate.edu>]

Excellent-Well put.    Mark Steed


---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Dan h <machine@epix.net>
Reply-To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Date:  Tue, 10 Sep 2002 08:56:15 -0400

>Finding people to take us seriously and give us and our projects the
>respect we think we deserve isn't always easy. The discussion on dealing
>with suppliers of view ports is a great example.  It's a frustration, I
>know, from both sides.
>
>Sometimes it's hard to get a supplier to take you seriously.  I hate to
>say, but I know I'm guilty of glossing over some requests put to me that
>I see as "never gonna materialize" also.  There are two separate reasons
>this happens in my shop.
>
>One, I try to screen the end use of what I am asked to produce as to my
>liability level verses dollar gain.  That is to say, if I can generate a
>thousand dollars producing hooks for hanging harmless laundry bags ten
>inches off the floor, why get involved with producing hooks for bungy
>cords, hanging people a hundred feet off the ground?  I have equal gain
>with either job.
>
>Second, am I getting involved with a job that the customer doesn't have
>a clear cut idea of his needs?  He may think he does, but, do I think he
>does?  These are usually the cases where I get a lot of time involved
>and the job doesn't materialize anyway.  It doesn't materialize because
>the customer, not knowing what he's asking for, isn't prepared for the
>price tag to get what he actually needs and in a way I feel safe making
>it for him.
>
>As most of you that are actually building a sub have probably already
>found out, sometimes you get better results if you don't even mention
>the word "submarine" unless it's really pertinent to your request.
>Sometimes to much information just clouds the water.  Convey only what
>you need to and with the confidence your potential supplier needs to
>hear.
>
>My point is, do your homework.  Know what you actually need.  Sometimes
>it's good to contact a supplier that you don't think you want to use
>anyway, just to gain knowledge and experience from someone in that
>field.  Approach it like going on a job interview where you don't care
>about actually getting the job.  After all, when dealing with anyone, to
>gain credibility, we first must learn how to best sell ourselves.
>
>Credentials may be required in some situations, I realize that, but if
>you did your homework and sell your request, you should be able to find
>someone to look things over and stamp the papers.
>
>Food for thought, Dan H.
>
>
>