What Every Business Can Learn from Painter Joe
May 15, 2006

Joe is our painter. He's done so much painting for us that he's practically a member of our family.

Joe is the owner of a small operation that knows that business is not just about the final product, but about the process and the relationship that goes with it. He doesn't remember my birthday or send me notes in the mail, though I think both of those are very good things to do.

Joe does a lot of other things. Joe is genuine. He genuinely wants to do a good job. He genuinely has high standards. He genuinely cares about taking care of me as his customer. And, Joe always delivers. He is dependable. He is consistent.

In fact, he usually surprises me by doing something else that I never asked him to do, but that he observed as needing attention.

Here are a few other reasons why I've become one of Joe's biggest fans:
His team of painters arrive in white t-shirts with their names on them„clean, tidy white shirts. "White t-shirts, Joe?" I asked him once. "If they're clean, the job is clean," he said. And yes, the job is always clean. The corners and baseboards are always straight. There are no sloppy drips and drops of paint on the floor because Joe and his team cover the floors and the furniture. They do all of the necessary moving so I don't have to. They clean up perfectly after themselves so I don't have to. They leave their shoes by the door. They store the paint when they're finished. They know exactly what color and type of paint I need for touchups. They buy the paint so I don't have to. They get it done. They make it all happen. There is nothing for me to worry about„ever.

Joe and his team arrive quickly after I call them. They do a great job. They charge a fair price. And, they always arrive and leave with a smile, a laugh, and something kind or cordial to say.

Joe is the best vendor I have ever contracted. He doesn't have a fancy office or brochure. He doesn't advertise. He doesn't have complicated systems. He just does good work, always. He makes working with him a very pleasant experience, always. He always gives me more than I ask for, consistently. He takes away all of my worry, without fail. He makes an unpleasant task hassle-free for me, every single time.

He does what every business should do. He does what every sophisticated system should ensure. He does what we as customers are always looking for in the purchases we make, be they for products or service.

If Joe decided to leave the area, I would be very disheartened. I am so pleased with him, and enjoy working with him so much, that I almost look for reasons to paint something new just so that I can have him around.

Isn't that what we all want our customers to think of us?

Joe has taught me a few things. One, that people like him really do exist and delivering service like that doesn't have to be complicated. Also that the details really do matter.

Joe has restored my faith that genuine sincerity in doing a good job, treating people well, and making life easy for customers is what good business is all about. No award-winning marketing piece or sophisticated marketing strategy can beat that.

What lessons can you learn from Painter Joe?

Looking for a painter in the Houston area? I've got a great referral! Call or email me for more info.

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