There was a brief article in one of my construction and remodeling magazines addressing the issue of complaints that the “Millennial” generation has about quality of workmanship, contractor professionalism and performance, and reliability. The article did not offer any solutions, just pointed out the dissatisfaction this group of consumers were having with trade and service professionals.
People surveyed for this research reported missed appointments, technicians showing up not knowing what they were to do, materials not on hand, or prices not as promised.
And then it became obvious to me why this was happening. This same group was sourcing who they invited to their homes by doing Google searches and getting references from websites like Yelp. The details continued to disclose that many of the dissatisfied never had a verbal, let alone a face to face conversation with the hired professional before they showed up at their house! The booked on line, texted when necessary, left instructions, and probably paid by transfer. No wonder things went bad.
What ever happened to asking a parent, a friend, a neighbor, or a person you go to church with for a referral? This is how mistakes are avoided. People like to work with people they know and have a connection to. It is not that we are demanding special consideration, or that we are expecting some extra discount or service, we are just letting those we interact with know why and how we came to wanting to have a professional relationship with them.
How many of you do business with someone here at Church? I think about people in my life I count on for advice and professional services and the vast majority of them are all folks I sit in the pews with.
I would encourage you to get to know people of all generations at Church. Find out what they are involved in, if they are in business for themselves, where they work, how you might help each other. Ask questions. See if you may have something to offer them. Conversations go in many directions and if we can help each other out from time to time, that is a very Christ like thing.
Churches do surveys of their congregations asking “what you do”. Responders are sometimes leery to disclose the whole truth. Tell the church you are an electrician and you will be asked to do free work for all eternity right? Maybe, but not always. I would greatly like to support those who support the Church. I just do know who everybody is yet. Let me know if we could work together.
On a side note, I read a quote in a book last week that I found interesting. When asked as a young boy what he wanted to be when he grew up, John Lennon responded “Happy”. What a great and provoking answer. We should be doing what we have to, so that we can do and be what we want to.
I still do not consider my self-grown up. I turned 55 last month and feel I am still getting my adult foundation under me. Happy. I like that answer, and that is a goal I can always work towards.