Oh that's so interesting, Irene. Makes total sense that in one context, people want more time, and in the other, they want it done as quickly as possible.
So glad everything turned out well for you, surgery and recovery. I've heard similar story from my brother-in-law, a plumber. He always said people were paying for his expertise and experience in addition to his time.
I am a small independent home builder. I spend a lot of time on site with every home. My current client framed my worth in a way that flattered me - “he ONLY builds one house every couple of years”. Attributing an air of exclusivity to my work that I hadn’t wholly appreciated in the past. It is nice to feel valued.
Love that reframe, David. I actually knew someone who took a similar approach way back when. And he ended up with a long waitlist, and the ability to charge premium prices, because it let him focus in and do truly extraordinary work on the few projects he'd said yes to.
After 20+ years, developing a body of work, and a reputation for quality, it was really nice to have a client frame it this way. I would genuinely tell people I was picky - preferring interesting work - not chasing the mundane or cookie cutter - and that definitely cost me some work along the way - but nothing that I have missed. Now, I look back at a collection of jewel boxes with a sense if pride and accomplishment.
My "expertise" is diverse, but it's come together perfectly in my mind. It's landed me in the non-profit world which feels totally right, but I have yet to figure out the lucrative piece. I totally agree with this concept-- and it works well with your 2x20. Looking forward to hearing more because you sometimes just live in my brain. Thanks JF.
Ah, yeah, that is always a dance, Torey. More and more folks I know have been exploring alternate "containers" to non-profit as a way to keep serving, but also make it sustainable for themselves, as well.
It's a little bit like the top of the iceberg being the only thing you see, or only the results as opposed to all the work that went into getting there. Yes, you're not paying for just that stretch of time, but all the learning and school and experience that went into it.
Great analogy, Nica. When I've been on the receiving end of great coaching or consulting, I'm always thrilled when someone is so experiences and skilled that that can give me what I need in less than the allotted time. It lets me reclaim the balance to then devote to making things happen.
Yes, what you said--except I phrase it backwards, when I've looked for a surgeon (orthopedic to be exact). I always ask how many they've done. The more the merrier. Experience counts. Always liked Malcom Gladwell's book Outliers, where he writes about the 10,000 hour 'club' more or less, of those we consider genius. It was a great chapter in a great book.
Yep. You know I agree with all of this. And I love the stories and the different ways of describing what is essentially pay for experience (like the one about the mechanic who takes two seconds to make an adjustment and their response is along the lines of you’re not paying for the time it took me to do that you’re paying for the time it took me to know which one to do).
Oftentimes when I’m quoting Coaching fees and people start mentally doing the hourly rate math I point out that the better the coach, the less time it takes to get from where we are to where we want to be.
And thanks to lawyers (no offence to your past) and purchasing departments who need some way to measure things I think we are stuck with people doing hourly rate math in their heads for a long time yet.
I agree it’s worth paying for expertise in certain situations where hiring “amateurs” is too risky.
After 30 years in my pain relief clinic I charge for specified results (not my time).
For “pampering” services, people enjoy leisurely service… for “problem solving” people appreciate fast, effective, efficiency.
Oh that's so interesting, Irene. Makes total sense that in one context, people want more time, and in the other, they want it done as quickly as possible.
So glad everything turned out well for you, surgery and recovery. I've heard similar story from my brother-in-law, a plumber. He always said people were paying for his expertise and experience in addition to his time.
Love the analogy with plumbing, Suzie. It's really about delivering the best possible outcome.
Experience does count for a lot. But when my dentist's hands started shaking with age, I was out.
LOL. To every rule, there is a "and, yet..."
I am a small independent home builder. I spend a lot of time on site with every home. My current client framed my worth in a way that flattered me - “he ONLY builds one house every couple of years”. Attributing an air of exclusivity to my work that I hadn’t wholly appreciated in the past. It is nice to feel valued.
Love that reframe, David. I actually knew someone who took a similar approach way back when. And he ended up with a long waitlist, and the ability to charge premium prices, because it let him focus in and do truly extraordinary work on the few projects he'd said yes to.
After 20+ years, developing a body of work, and a reputation for quality, it was really nice to have a client frame it this way. I would genuinely tell people I was picky - preferring interesting work - not chasing the mundane or cookie cutter - and that definitely cost me some work along the way - but nothing that I have missed. Now, I look back at a collection of jewel boxes with a sense if pride and accomplishment.
My "expertise" is diverse, but it's come together perfectly in my mind. It's landed me in the non-profit world which feels totally right, but I have yet to figure out the lucrative piece. I totally agree with this concept-- and it works well with your 2x20. Looking forward to hearing more because you sometimes just live in my brain. Thanks JF.
Ah, yeah, that is always a dance, Torey. More and more folks I know have been exploring alternate "containers" to non-profit as a way to keep serving, but also make it sustainable for themselves, as well.
It's a little bit like the top of the iceberg being the only thing you see, or only the results as opposed to all the work that went into getting there. Yes, you're not paying for just that stretch of time, but all the learning and school and experience that went into it.
Great analogy, Nica. When I've been on the receiving end of great coaching or consulting, I'm always thrilled when someone is so experiences and skilled that that can give me what I need in less than the allotted time. It lets me reclaim the balance to then devote to making things happen.
Fangirling a second over here that you responded, Jonathan. Thanks for all the work you put into the world.
Yes, what you said--except I phrase it backwards, when I've looked for a surgeon (orthopedic to be exact). I always ask how many they've done. The more the merrier. Experience counts. Always liked Malcom Gladwell's book Outliers, where he writes about the 10,000 hour 'club' more or less, of those we consider genius. It was a great chapter in a great book.
Ah, good additional question, Jeanine.
Yep. You know I agree with all of this. And I love the stories and the different ways of describing what is essentially pay for experience (like the one about the mechanic who takes two seconds to make an adjustment and their response is along the lines of you’re not paying for the time it took me to do that you’re paying for the time it took me to know which one to do).
Oftentimes when I’m quoting Coaching fees and people start mentally doing the hourly rate math I point out that the better the coach, the less time it takes to get from where we are to where we want to be.
And thanks to lawyers (no offence to your past) and purchasing departments who need some way to measure things I think we are stuck with people doing hourly rate math in their heads for a long time yet.
Love this, Karen - "you’re not paying for the time it took me to do that you’re paying for the time it took me to know which one to do"