Ego in the industry. What does that even mean?
There are people who have summoned up a list of individuals at this moment. Often, they do not realize this topic may also be about them. I doubt discussing this topic will automatically change the hearts and minds of many of those people. But being provocatively honest might lead to us transforming to a healthier representation of the detailing industry.
People say this, “it’s all ego” or “there is too much ego.” I do not believe that to be the case. I believe insecurity is and has always been the real issue. Ego is merely incidental, and not truly an accurate description of the neurotic behavior I am about to describe. In fact, a little pride is not necessarily a bad thing. We all started a business whether it was our goal or a reluctant realization of our responsibility to be our own boss. That inherit authority means to have clarity and act upon it without apology in honor of our company vision. Being the boss is about accepting responsibility for your business decisions. What I really see are limiting beliefs, jealousy, and animosity redirected towards other people based upon our own feelings of inadequacy. It is as if someone else’s decisions to attract customers other business owners may not want anyway have some perceived effect on what they should do. Social media influences have absolutely unlocked these problems. I will provide some of the most common examples that I see.
You only do full correction. You are built for quick one step polish details that you can efficiently send cars off. You wash cars, really you just wash cars!. You don’t touch interiors. You only clean the inside of cars. All of these businesses exist. Assuming there are some ethics in your offer, I don’t think any of this is a real problem. The real issue is telling another business they must be like you to be legitimate. Then there is the other side of the coin. People passively boasting that another business will fail if they do not duplicate your business model because it is the only way to make money. For the person critical of someone who focuses on multiple step polishing details, go to a reputable body shop and tell the staff color matching of adjacent panels doesn’t matter. Tell their manager, ego is costing them money.
I mention my concerns about certain local car washes and automatic washes due to the fact the group that consumes my content may care about swirls. But there are owners of tunnel washes doing financially better than most of us while making their customers very happy for a few dollars. Two different pots are calling each-other’s kettle black, screaming ego as if it is a negative to believe in the kind of services you offer and the crowd you cater to. Not being secure and focused on what you are doing is an issue of insecurity not ego.
What I really hear in these moments are business owners screaming, ‘it’s not fair, if only you were like me I can show you who the best detailer is.
From a business standpoint the energy spent communicating why the way you run your business is superior is better served creatively on your business social media pages. Real customers can get value from it. I can think of more constructive ways to communicate your value instead of posting perceived errors in someone’s detail to your peers with a different price tag. Often it is hinted at this detailer who offers a different accredited coating. Perhaps sparring the passive jab at Coating Brand XYZ, this would be a great opportunity to mention what a professional detailing service looks like versus another one. It is also a great opportunity to mention the importance of detailing maintenance. By not doing the former you are also validating (creating more of your real frustration) customers who shop price or value because they do not take the service SERIOUSLY. This is the problem on multiple levels. The attitude many people have about the industry along with our fear of expression and boundary control, I believe is the real issue that drives the infighting.
What is a common perception of anyone in the detailing industry by people who may or may even be your customers? It is not necessarily good and in fact often incredibly demeaning.
There is a distinction between the healthy and toxic ways we deal with the public. I never became upset or irritated by someone who (with class) communicates this is out of their budget. When someone is demeaning or responds feeling insulted by a value proposition we both can decline, that bothers me. It bothers me equally as much when other detailers are attacked for their pricing, by (obviously) many people who never ran a detailing business. It goes back to a visual description many people have in their minds of anyone off the street with rags in their hand on a Sunday morning. A part of the negative energy that detailers behind a keyboard give out, I truly believe comes from dealing with that abuse.
This is part of the reason why I speak and write so many articles about being professional, presentable, and also setting boundaries. I am hoping for an infusion of positive energy. I also hope that more people see skill, dedication, and business sacrifices, and while not necessarily wanting those services (higher end detailing vs car wash or other detailing), be more respectful.
I am not going to accept an opinion of myself that is derogatory because a significant number of people, many who will never be my clients, look at what I do in a negative light. I also don’t need to pick at what other detailers do on my personal social media for internal validation. I put a tremendous amount of effort to reach my goals and milestones. I have put as much effort on the business, outside of the hard work (several long days on a vehicle) you see on my social media.