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Networking 101
By JLP | September 7, 2006
Over the last couple of weekends I have been replacing several of our ceiling fans. When I got to the fan in the kitchen, I noticed that there were FOUR separate sets of wires when I was used to seeing ONE set. When it comes to electricity I don’t like to mess around. I mean I would hate for that particular ceiling fan to serve as a memorial to me!
So, I called a friend of mine who happens to be in the electrical supply business and asked him if he knew anyone that he could recommend. He gave me the name of a father and son business and told me to tell them that he referred me. I called them up and talked with the son. He told me that they would call back later that day to figure out a time to come by. NO CALL! Yesterday I called them back to see what was up. He apologized for not getting back with me and told me that he would call me at 1:00 PM. STILL NO CALL!
Here’s the lesson:
When a friend recommends you to someone, and that someone mentions that fact to you, the least you can do is CALL THEM BACK! I understand how business works. If they are too busy to get to me, then they should tell me that. I won’t mind. I would much rather that than to be told that someone will call me and then they don’t. Maybe I should send them a copy of One Phone Call Away – Secrets of a Master Networker by Jeffrey W. Meshel, a book I reviewed a couple of days ago.
All this leads me to a question:
Topics: Miscellaneous | 4 Comments »
September 7th, 2006 at 1:25 pm
Definately tell your friend, so he can decide whether to continue recommending them or not, but when faced with service this bad, go somewhere else.
September 7th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Tell your friend and call someone else.
September 7th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
The construction and home improvement business never ceases to amaze me. This behavior is common in my experience. Definately tell the friend and call somebody else.
September 8th, 2006 at 7:19 am
Tell your friend. If I were the friend in question, I’d be disappointed if you didn’t give me this critical feedback. Then call somebody else.
There’s no excuse for these guys not calling you back, but my guess is that their thinking it’s not worth the effort to come see you just to wire one little ceiling fan, especially if they have other large projects on their plate.
On the other hand, don’t be panicked by all the wires. As long as the circuit is off, you should be able to work with any number of wires — presuming they were all connected to your existing ceiling fan. Figure out where these other wires come from/go to and what they control. Then just make sure you get them reconnected to your new ceiling fan and you should be okay.