Folks, our industry is in an interesting position right now. We have a shrinking supply of qualified personnel and a growing demand for our services. Sure, this means we can get away with alienating customers because there will always be more. Or, we could sow seed for the future by appreciating our customers, treating them better than "the other guys" so that we have a stellar reputation in the future, when (not if) the table turns.

So what if you can compete in the technical game with top tier contractors? That game is no more noteworthy than saying my toilet is just as white as the other guy's toilet. There's no real difference in the outcome at the end of the job. The leak stops, the water heater heats water, the toilet flushes.

Or, you can compete with better service, longer warranties, fewer hassles and foster a happier relationship with your clientele. Earn their business and appreciate them for choosing you out of the cacophony of the yellow pages and the throngs of "other guys" that are out there.

I prefer the latter because I enjoy having customer cheerleaders, I like to smile and have more pride in this business when I have a good relationship with my customers. Besides all that, we make more money in spite of an occasional bad apple that slips in.