I just saw this on the CTMH BB and I wanted to remeber this. What better place to put it than here. I can go back and read it whenever I want. Thanks Tresa!
BTW, this is a super cute project! Who wants to join my club and make one?
"I just had to share this, because sometimes it's hard to always understand the customer's point of view, but I had a lightbulb moment that really worked for me. This is long, but hopefully it might help someone who has felt the same way as me.
First, some background. I have about 55 club members, I hold 5 classes during the month, they're all the same. I rotate "project", "scrapbook" and "technique" classes. This month is "project" -- we're making the All-Sorts Mini Album (pics on my blog) and it's 12 pages, so it's time consuming. I usually get into trouble on projects months and design something that is a wee bit ambitious, and the classes end up taking much longer than the allotted 2 hours. But I really want to give them something fabulous and they usually end up super happy with the project. However, during the class, several of the club members will moan and groan about how much work the project is. "All this cutting! Too much sanding! Do we have to stamp all these papers?" BLEAH! I hate the negative comments and always take it way too personally. Why are they complaining when they're getting a wonderful project for a fraction of the cost they'd have to pay at the local Scrapbook store? I just didn't get it. Some of the members are happy, but the complainers were really getting me down.
After suffering through three classes, and having two more to go, I was dreading the next classes. Then I woke up one morning and it came to me... the reason that some of the club members were complaining, and how to help them stop. So, last night I told my class a little story:
"Okay, class, here's the project we're doing tonight (showing off the album). Before we get started, let me tell you a little story. What if I were to tell you that I'm going to give each and every person here a gift certificate for a complete meal at a restaurant. (Okay ladies, this is just a story, don't get too excited). But you need to make a choice. The meal can be at a fast food joint, the best one in town with great hamburgers and super speedy service. You'll be happy and full when you leave. The second choice is a steak dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town. The food is fabulous and the service is impeccable.
Would everyone want the steak dinner? At first thought, of course! But wait, there may be reasons you'd rather have that burger. Maybe you're in a hurry and can't take much time to go out. Maybe it's been a long day and you're hungry but want to keep it simple. Maybe you've got to take your kids with you, or you're not dressed up for a big fancy dinner. All good reasons to choose the burger, and you'll still be satisfied and enjoy your meal.
Now, this project (holding up the book) is the steak dinner. It's not hard, but it can be time consuming, and you'll need to take home part of the project to finish on your own. It's fabulous, and you'll enjoy the time you're here creating, plus you get to take home the "doggie bag" to have another fun evening of creating at home.
If you just aren't up for the steak dinner tonight, you can still have a wonderful project. I have an alternate cutting and assembly guide that requires no stamping, very simple cutting, and you'll have your book done by the time you go home. You, too, will have a great time, plus be able to take home a finished project.
So, ladies, what'll it be?"
Every one of the club members selected the steak dinner. Not one person complained about the amount of work, or having to take home an unfinished project. And they were out of my house in 2-1/2 hours (compared to the previous classes at 3-1/2 hours).
Sometimes just looking at both sides of the picture really helps. I was only seeing my side of the story, and not understanding that everyone doesn't always want a big, time consuming class night. I gave them a choice, helped them understand the differences, and they were so much more relaxed and happy! Yeah for me!
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Tresa Black
Spokane, WA
Senior Executive Manager, Stamp Goddesses Unit
www.thestampgoddess.myctmh.com
Published artist! Look for my work in PaperCrafts and Stamp It! Magazines!
My Blog: www.fabulouslyartsy.blogspot.com"
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