Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/434930
30 • JANUARY 2015 • WORLD FENCE NEWS The fence industry's keys to the future are pride and professionalism BY TOM LUBY, PRESIDENT, PROFIT BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL As we discussed last month, hav- ing a positive attitude about our work is so very important, and equally im- portant is the pride and profession- alism every fencer worth their salt should feel about their work. I have said it time and time again. Many of you may even be tired of hearing me rant and rave about catch phrases like attitude, pride and profes- sionalism in fencing, and value selling the quality and value of your compa- ny's products and services. To those of you who get it, I apol- ogize for my stubborn insistence on the importance of those phrases, but really these phrases are the key to a successful fence business. For any of you who don't get it, without trying to sound like a politi- cian on my soap box as if I am run- ning for office (which I am not!), I cannot overstate the importance of these few powerful concepts. Have pride in your workmanship, value your products and services and carry a positive attitude and you cannot help but succeed, as will those around you. It is as straightforward as that, period. So let me ask just one more time for us all to take a long and serious look at fencing as a trade or profes- sion. Plumbers, electricians, carpen- ters, and general contractors all work for, in most cases, a very good wage and make a substantial living. Try to get any one of these trades or profes- sions to work for eight or ten dollars an hour. Many good tradesmen can make 30 or 40 dollars an hour and sometimes even more. Why not in the fencing industry? Over the years I have heard scut- tlebutt from architects, builders and other trade groups snickering a bit about the thought of a CFP or Certi- fied Fence Professional, as if it car- ried less meaning or value than that of plumbers, electricians, general con- tractors or even an architect's license. True, it is far more rigorous to go through four to six years of college studying to become a certified and registered architect, and they have a right to be proud of their accomplish- ments, as do plumbers and electri- cians and general contractors. But so do fencers. I personally resent anyone that would take away from the accomplish- ments of the true fence professional. There is certainly more to fencing than digging holes in the ground, just as there is more to plumbing than sol- dering or welding pipes together. And not just the professional fenc- er in the field, even more so this is true for the owners and general managers who have put in their time, money, heck, their entire lives, into their fenc- ing business. Many times even the employees of fencing contractors themselves don't realize the amount of sweat and blood that the owners and operators contribute, and in many cases with too little reward. These owners and managers deserve more than breaking Custom Gate Systems Vertical Lift • Swing • Slide • Pedestrian Beautiful! Efficient! Unique! Full system capability • Standard electric or solar power Easy to install! We can ship anywhere in the U.S. (incl. AL & HI) as well as Canada! Call or e-mail us for your free quote today. 800-704-2837 nelsbloom@msn.com • www.rsigate.com If your customer can dream it, we can build it!