I heard this story in my high school civics class and never forgot it. Over the years it became more instructive the more you visited with it too. The story centers around a huge important critical machine that broke down and needed servicing immediately. An expert was called and came out. The expert walked up to the machine and...
THE PROFESSIONAL WENT TO WORK
The man put his bag down and spent 1-2 minutes checking things of interest to him. Then, he reached into his bag, withdrew a large pneumatic tool, and struck a part of the machine with vibration force. Instantly the entire mechanism jolted and came alive. The unit was running smooth as silk.
THE BILL WAS PRESENTED
He was there for only 6 minutes and people praised him until they got the bill. $1800 for 6 minutes of work. The bill was presented in three parts. First part, has his traveling time and on the job time listed as $45.00. The second part under tool repairs needed $155. The third part was for $1600. The questioning of how do you rectify charging $1600 came up.
THE MAN ANSWERED
My time is nominal as would be anyone's times. My pneumatic wrench cost $155. However...it took years of experience and refinement in the industry to be able to identify, apply solution, and correct the problem which I value at $1600. Knowing where to apply my time and tools effectively and efficiently is the value
MORAL OF THE STORY
The crisis was cured. The money was paid and people went their way better off for the whole experience. Knowing what you are doing and applying that know and experience is the true value. Anyone can buy tools and run around town, but how many people know how to make them solve problems?
Comments(2)