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Who is more successful today: Jack of All Trades or Master of One?

After reading a few different blogs about ‘specialization’ in your market, I am wondering if this business model is still considered a good choice in today’s economy. When consumers have less money to spend, why would they choose to hire three different people instead of one person who can handle all the details?

All

Businesses are struggling to explore new ways to earn income. I believe in the 'perfect world' that specialization is KEY to being successful as a stand-out in your particular field. Yet, when dollars are being carefully weighed and doled out with measured moderation, I wonder if the quality of services provided is strengthened or weakened when one person provides too many 'specialized services'.

Ahhh....therein lies the rub.

For my taste, with many details to manage in daily work and life, I prefer to work with business services which can deliver top-notch results. The question is whether to rely on the Jack of All Trades or the Master of One. In the end, QUALITY of work DOES MATTER.

What do you think? Who is more successful today: A business-person who specializes in multiple services or the business-person who simply provides the best quality with mastering one service?

Warmest Regards,

Kathleen Garvey

Posted by Kathleen Garvey - Stager Idol - Florida Home Staging in Naples Ft. Myers on 09/27/2009 09:17 AM

Comments (35)

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35 Comments on Who is more successful today: Jack of All Trades or Master of One?

SEP

Kathleen: Good question and I love the art. For what it's worth, there is this annoying commercial on cnn radio all the time (I listen on the way to work) where they say, "It's better to do 12 things 4000 times than 4000 things 12 times." So, that guy obviously believes it's better NOT to be a jack of all trades!

Hi Kathleen,

My opinion is customers receive the best quality with someone that is a master of one service. Due to the economy, I see alot of people branching out to Jack of all trades. I think it is a rare person who can truly be a good Jack of all trades. If making more money is "Jack's" only motivation, then "Jack" may not serve the customer well. This is why we go to a Doctor who is a specialist if we're sick. Just my opinion...

Jeana Cowie, Broker Associate, Re/Max Real Estate Ltd., Bergen County, NJ

Hi Melissa, LOL...that is a funny commercial! I see too many businesses trying for every slice of the pie. This goes for many professions and I almost feel like it has become a standard....specializing, though likely to not provide a whole lot of quality (if too many specialties are offered). Thank for sharing the radio commercial example!

Hello Jeana,

I agree with your take on the question. Now more than ever, we appreciate someone who provides excellent service in one area. For the consumers, I feel it is getting more confusing for them to differentiate which way to turn. Your example of seeking a specialist MD when we are sick is right on the money....and not expect one person to cure all ills!

Hi Kathleen - I believe whatever you do you need to do extremely well. It's all about balance. I strongly believe a Reatlor should be a master sales person, a contractor should be a master at home improvement, a window washer should be able to make a window shine and a Professional Stager should be able to produce a product that stands out from the competition. That being said, a professional stager needs to be able to master of many aspects of preparing a home for market and have the knowledge and resources to bring in the right people to get the right job done!

Kathleen -- good post and great graphic! I like the idea of specializing in home staging while having the ability to recognize when to refer out to others whose skills are exemplary in their fields (painters, for example -- I select wonderful colors but am not a particularly fabulous painter myself, nor do I really enjoy painting). I'd rather specialize in effective consulting and home staging and feel so lucky to be doing what I love!

Great question and you are getting some great answers! I also believe that we each have a specialty, and we also are capable of branching out into other areas to get the job done. However, a true professional knows when to pass the torch on to another when the job calls for special attention. A professional always has their sphere of contacts that they know they can trust. It's not what you know it's who you know!

Hi Kym- You brought light to the underlying reason I wrote this blog. : )

Even when we are a specialist in our own profession, our services are numerous and must be done with great care. The end result for what we provide means better offers etc. for the seller. The same applies for many fields (medicine, real estate, etc.) Better focus begets better results!

During this time when money is tight, it is concerning to see people tagging on other professions as 'one more specialty' to their bag of services. Attention to quality is important...and as any professional knows, there are always more responsibilities than meets the eye in order to provide the best 'focused' services to a client! : )

Hello Maureen! Yes, I feel it is important to focus on what a business does best and refer out those tasks which are someone else's specialty. Internal Medicine physicians refer out to specialists a majority of the time....and even though the economy is difficult in areas, it would not be fair to the public if too many people are attempting to be the Jack of All Trades. Make sense?

Hi Sharon--Yes, you hit it correctly! There is a fine balance between learning and offering new skills and expanding an existing business ... and knowing when to call in a specialist for that particular job. :)

It can be a challenge for many to pass on the business to someone else who is primarily focused in one area...yet, we all need each other and the Universe shines when we are the Master of our specialty.

Great post Kathleen. Kym hit it dead on. We need to have the knowledge and the ability to provide a service. Always have told new stagers to "ONLY offer what you can do tomorrow". Do it well and to the best of your ability... if you can't do the job, refer to someone who can.

Those of us who have been in the biz for awhile CAN offer other services that best suit the community. Staging can be a big hat to wear and often is a "blanket" term for a variety of home related services. We resign to referring high quality contractors for any service that goes beyond what we can deliver as staging and redesign. No "Jack and Jill" of all trades here ;))

Hi LKP! This applies to not only stagers....it applies to the occupational market in general. I like that many of the Realtors have created a market niche for their style of realty business as well.

I think it is a good thing to be known for being the Master of Your Specialty! (And I caught the PC version: Jack and Jill of all trades!) : )

Thanks for the thought-provoking post, Kathleen! I love what Red Adair said: "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur." It occurs to me that when we're working in areas that aren't in our realm of expertise, that we are acting as amateurs, and can end up costing ourselves and the client more in the long run. I don't want that responsibility -- I'll stick to what I know I can do, and refer only people I trust to do the job right the first time!

Hey Laurie! Great quote from Red Adair....and so true. My thoughts about this subject run across the board for all professions and are not pointed at one field in particular.

Ex. Attorneys in Florida are learning more about real estate than ever before....and one pair of shoes does not fit all feet! It would not be prudent to expect a divorce attorney to handle real estate issues, right?

The drive to figure out more ways to earn income seems to have sparked great entrepreneurship as well. Expanding one's area of focus is good, however, spreading one's focus across too many areas may ultimately produce mediocre results. I feel that consumers are looking more closely at 'quality' than ever before.....and that is great news for professionals who are experts in their field!

After all....It takes time and experience to be a 'expert' and this does not happen overnight. : )

All I can say is.... As a Stager and Interior Designer I can pick a mean color scheme and finishes and I know what needs TO be done. However, I am NOT a painter, a plummer, an electrician or a handyman woman. I leave those details to the pros ~ What I CAN do is refer those services to quality professionals in THOSE areas (vs. a Home Owner throwing darts at the yellow pages)

Great post and good comments Kathleen! I strive to be the best professional home stager and keep my clients Realtor's and home buyer's best interest in mind. I refer all other services to an exceptional team of professionals. Without a general contractor's license I would never take on the liability nor do I have the expertise.

SEP

Hi Connie! You highlighted the additional value of hiring a Professional Home Stager who has a team to work with for the other specialty items. Part of our professionalism is the fact that we work with other 'specialists'. No matter how tough it gets out there, I love that my Staging colleagues here at the Rain are professionals and I want others in the Real Estate field to understand the value we bring to the table for sellers...it goes beyond 'de-cluttering' and straightening the artwork! Thanks for stopping in CT!

Hi Cathy Lee! Yes, having a general contractor on board when making large renovations is important. There are many times when I walk into a project and can see where a DIYer attempted to 'fix' something.....and hide the disaster. Do you ever see that happen?? (Nodding head: YES!)

Today I have a project that came with a flooring mistake.....and even though I know what needs to be done, I have my flooring contractor and team scheduled to fix it.

What I like about our job is that we prepare the home to SELL and often times identify issues which would need to be addressed prior to closing anyway....so our services have lasting effects throughout the entire sell process!! We do have a great core group here in AR and I hope many of the newbies learn from the best!

Hi Kathleen what a great post and conversation. In this economy you do see so many branching into other areas related to their fields to survive the current climate. This makes for scary waters for many consumers if they get stuck with the master of none type. Particularly in Staging where I see ads by realtors saying they are also professional stagers, then see the results of their "staging". I won't go any further with that.

Your last paragraph in the comment above is so true and is why Stagers are such a valuable and cost effective part of the real estate sales process.

SEP

I have noticed here painters, tile & floor companies, and even contractors have added staging in their advertising. I have no idea what they offer. But I do know, I would not hire a flooring company to stage my house, but I would hire them to do what the genesis of their business is flooring.

You can't be a master of all.

Hello Ana.....Scary waters is right! Like most of us, whenever I see the word 'staging' on any advertisement (as an example), I perk up and check it out. The same goes for regular surgeons who are suddenly now 'plastic surgeons' etc. This seems to be a trend all over the place...and it is motivated by the need to find new ways to earn an income. I have very strong feelings about the subject as I continue to see this trend gaining momentum. Buyer beware has gone professional BIG TIME! : )

Hi Cindy!! Yes, I have seen the same thing here too and wondered if they outsourced the staging?? No, likely someone has watched a lot of HGTV and thinks this work can't be too difficult. Of course, you and I know that the quality of staging work will depend on many things.....regardless, being the Jack/Jill of TOO MANY trades will usually backfire.

As business owners, we wear many hats, as does everyone who owns a business. I love expansion...however, within reason and ability. I agree with you....it is not likely that a business can be master of all....and maintain quality of product. (Hey, each one of us is only human!) : )

SEP

Aloha Kathleen,

As a design consultant I rely on several professionals to help achieve my clients goals. Which include the usual list of Realtors, contractors, plumbers, electricians, handymen, etc. I think the new paradigm is team work and cross marketing not so much "jack of all". I do small painting jobs here an there and I'll clean and organize a place but everything else is left to those who specialize and are licensed to do the work.

Peace,

Hi Kathleen, great post and one that I think about often. Personally I'm of the do the thing you do best and be the best one to do it mentality and leave the other stuff to other professionals who I know and trust. In this economy I do see those who are branching out in other areas they may not really enjoy or be proficient at but IMHO your business could suffer from burn out. Kym made some great points too. Hope all is well in Sunny FL!

OCT

Another great blog Kathleen! I think I know the guy (Happy Hal) driving the van.

When I first launched my staging biz, I repaired, replaced, repainted and did everything I was capable of doing to get a property ready for sale. I didn't take me long to figure out that referring others gave me more time and energy to focus on staging and I actually got busier from building a network of professionals.

I think that even in a poor economy, specializing instead of diversifying service is still the way to go.

Aloha Kimo! I believe that the cross-marketing aspect you mentioned is definitely a smart way to work in today's environment. The stager is essentially the 'manager' of each project. It is a responsibility which asks us to give our best...which includes hiring those ancillary services which provide licensed and professional work. Now....all we need to do is find more REAs who understand how reciprocity with marketing and USING professional home staging companies can really drive sales! : )

Namaste....

Hi Karen! There is an certain level of proficiency that should be expected from a person/business providing specialized services. When individuals are hungry to earn every dime, it can make for some far-reaching businesses who are attempting to be All to Everyone. In the end, it helps no one. Saying your business can provide a certain specialized service is easy....actually PROVIDING it with competence is another. Hope all is well in Texas!!

Hey Jackson! You used the correct description of the main difference....Specialization vs Diversification. We certainly provide a variety of services as professional stagers, however, a person's head might start spinning if one spreads their business out to include EVERYTHING.

Sure, you named a great benefit to outsourcing those tasks which are better served with a specific focus. (Ex. Painter, electrician, landscaper etc...) Our job is more efficient when we allow other specialty folks to provide us with their expertise. The Universe somehow seems to appreciate businesses which give-and-take with each other.

I told my main painting crew the other day that I think they may be my 'lucky charm' lately! : ) Sure, I CAN paint...yet, my focus specialty is not painting. Choosing colors, yes....painting, well...not so much! Just because someone has the ability to do more than 10 things, does not mean that they should actually spread themselves out in 10 directions. Quality makes a difference as does working with a team of excellent professionals!

Hi Kathleen, I certainly refer out repair, painting and such services.

But In addition to staging I can paint you a custom abstract, design you a fabulous floral piece, help you planing and setting a party (probably help you with the menu too) and design & make you a pair of spectacular earrings to wear to the party! Yes I have lots of experience in all those fields.

I know what I can do myself and what to refer out :)

Hi Cynthia- Sounds like you enjoy the creative arts! Ideally, as a business in the real estate industry, it would be great to see more Realtors referring out for our services. We cover quite a lot of ground in our business...yet, it takes a special eye to do our job well. Together we can create great results for the sellers....and it is simply the best way to achieve the best results for everyone!

You got it Kathleen, I'm a hands on type of person, my hands & creative energy are my tools for my survival & happiness and I couldn't survive without them! Great post:)

OCT

Hmmmm...interesting question, Kathleen. I personally would prefer to hire a speciallist vs. a jack of all trades, but only if it is cost effective to do so...or even better still is when I don't have to hire anyone when I can do the job myself and no specialization is needed. Of course, I'm generalizing here, but not when it comes to anything real estate related, no, specialization is always preferrable.

Hello William...Yes, I agree that we all would prefer to not have to hire someone to do a job....but as often seen (especially in real estate), hiring a professional to do what THEY DO BEST ultimately wins for everyone. The FSBO often finds a much better chance of selling if they hire a Realtor.

A Realtor will likely be able to market the listing much better if a professional home stager stages the home. The homeowner will likely receive the benefits of BOTH PROFESSIONALS being involved as homes typically will sell faster and with better offers! Thanks for stopping by!

NOV

I'm definitely a fan of being a master of one trade. Otherwise you find yourself spreading too thin and not devoting 100% to anything. If you are going to "branch out" to doing multiple things you should have the staff to handle that type of multi-tasking so that nothing slips through the cracks.

NOV

Hello Annie! I too like the idea of mastering one trade...though would support someone who was talented enough to handle multiple, without losing the quality of work. Having more staff/reliable sub-contractors is KEY when taking on larger projects....professionals do it better!

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