Should We Train Others And Risk The Consequences?

There has been talk on a forum recently about the problems of people who trained and who then 'left' and are 'stealing' clients.

It seems to be fairly common so I've been thinking about it again and here's some of those thoughts, obsevations and decisions I've made.

IF people doing this were to make you change what you do ... that's bad. Some (several) have said "Oh I just won't teach anyone else again". I presume that this is because these 'student' painters have gone away and are now committing various 'crimes' against you:

• Marketing to 'your clients'
• Using the designs you taught them
• Undercutting you
• Getting gigs you'd like
• Making a name for themselves
• .... and more

SO what?

If these fears make you paranoid and insecure and then prevent you being you and doing what you want to do, enjoying your business and growing as you'd want - that's bad. But this is more caused by your attitude about that person than the actual result of what they do. So, change that attitude, deal with it and move on. But certainly don't let it affect you, or change what you are and do!

I know people who have been so paranoid they

stopped training people altogether
stopped sharing in forums and groups
stopped networking with fellow professionals
stopped posting their work on forums and groups
stopped demonstrating at conventions
stopped contributing to magazines
stopped putting pictures on their website
stopped working at events with fellow performers
stopped publishing testimoniials on their website
stopped chatting case histories on their blogs

I have to say that a couple I know who have taken much of the above action, are now at the bottom of their game! Their profile is at an all time low, they've disappeared from 'the scene', their work has slumped ....

How sad.They've let their previous students actions cause harm instead of taking a stand, asking for it to stop, then getting back to business as usual.

The very things we all enjoy in the industry, in addition to working and earning money have all been 'taken away'. Well, they've been stopped unecessarily. Stuff like giving, sharing, socialising ... all stopped through some fear. But like all fears ... it's a false impression that is worse than the actuality.

Don't harm yourself or your business by going into hiding.

When you find someone who is abusing the fredom, trust and love you gave - tell them. At the earliest opportunity simply write to them telling them three important things:

a) How you feel about what they've doneState clearly what you believe they did, how this is wrong (in your opinion) and how it makes you feel.

b) What you expect them to doState the changes and how that's then better

c) How it will be when they do and what you'll need to do if they do not

This clearly states in an objective way the situation as you see and feel it and how to correct matters.

But I'll finish these thoughts by saying that they cannot actually 'steal' anything from you. If something really is 'legally' yours, you must take appropriate legal action. But variations of something you taught them (which may not have even been original with you in the first place!) is not staling. Nor is pitching for and to the same clients. You do not own them.

Clearly, if you have some evidence that they have gained access to your client 'list' that is another matter, but marketing to local clients is bound to cause a lot of cross-over. If your clients really do value the services you have previosuly delivered, they'll be back to you, no matter who markets to them!

When you are in frequent contact with both prospects and existing clients, building relationships, nurturing them, and keeping them informed about developments, new 'products', stories, news and events ... they should have little or no reason to even consider another artiste. I'd even include a carefully written post or article about being ripped off by an unethical ex friend and how they should be avoided, and why!

That's my thinking on this .........

John Gordon
The Infotainer

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