Why is the NT world so relationally dominated?

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So, I was out and about delivering my advertisements, and I inevitably encountered a few people. I offered my services, and then some of them said "We already have someone do it for us." and I reply "We can do it cheaper", and one person replied "No, that's ok, I believe loyalty is more important." and the other person I gave her back our price and she said something like "Only 5 dollars worth of savings, that's not worth it." and then she walked off feeling miffed/angered (Why, I wonder??). Hmmm, this is interesting because my main marketing angle was to attract two groups on the basis of price -- One, customers who didn't have a lawn service before and were attracted to the relatively low price, and the other group being those who would like to go with a cheaper service, but yet the latter group seems to really like sticking with their current providers even when they're more expensive (Even when they're significantly more expensive.)[And we have a few customers of the former group, so business isn't quite dead. ^_^ ]. This suggests that when it comes to services, customer-client relationships are far more more important for NTs than price. When it comes to physical commodities, like candy or flour, most NTs are more apt to go with competitors when the price difference is sufficient because they don't have a "relationship" and/or loyalty to the product -- there's exceptions here and there such as with brand loyalty (People will pay more for coca-cola as they like it.), but that's what I've noticed.

So, has anyone else noticed this? How can one "steal" customers? The only group of NTs that I'm imagining would tend to care more about price would be business owners / managers since there's a higher emphasis on finances in business, and I'm starting to think I should start marketing my services to professionals because of this relational dynamic that exists with the majority of NTs.

I can't picture you in the lawn service business. I honestly don't think the world operates quite like you're implying. I think it's more about people not wanting interruptions and going with people that have a good track record with them. Signs actually work well. I've heard of a business that volunteered to do the town's park in exchange for letting the business put signs at the park for advertisements.

So... How does your knowledge of high level mathematics help you in the lawn service business?

To me it sounds like they've already got someone and don't really feel like changing. I think a lot of trust has to go into letting someone mow your lawn. After all it's on their property. But then again I am somewhat paranoid and know nothing of relationships.

But when phone companies ask for us to switch to them it can get kind of annoying.

I can't answer for the people you spoke to, but I can give you my own reasons why I might have that reaction:

I don't like taking care of my lawn, and the other owner whose lawn we share (duplex) doesn't live in town. So we hire a lawn service. We've been through three in the last five years. The first two were remarkable in that they didn't show up and they did a bad job. We finally wound up with the third service. They show up, they do a good job, and they charge a little more than the other two. It's worth the extra money to get the job done well.

You're close to the mark when you say with service industries, customer-client relationships are more important than price. And yes, when it comes to physical commodities that's less the case. Look at it this way: If two stores are selling the same brand of unbleached bread flour, I'll go with the less expensive store. If two restaurants serve breakfast, but the less expensive one serves lukewarm food, bad coffee, and serves it with bad service, I'm willing to pay a little more for better food and service.

The problem is that until they see work you have done, they have no way of knowing the quality of your work. Simply being cheaper is probably not enough to get people to switch. Rather than stress that you're cheaper than other services, stress that you do a superior job for less money. That carries a lot more weight than simply being cheaper. The cheapest lawn service is free, after all: just let it grow wild. Typically people are willing to pay more than that if it means the yard actually gets worked on.

The business we use does something pretty cool: They have a panel van with giant signs covering both sides of the van. When they show up at a place, it's not subtle. Everyone knows which properties they handle. People see the same van showing up at places with really good lawn service, so word gets around. If you want your place to look like those places, hire this company.

It may not be that they're loyal, it may be simpler to stick with the same service because trying something new isn't worth the hassle.

You need to offer more than a cheaper price. Where I work, not only are we cheaper than the competition, we offer a higher quality product, above-the-call-of-duty service, and a wider variety of products than the other guy. Still, even with all that in our arsenal, I only manage to convince maybe 5 out of 100 to give us a try - and once they do, despite my best efforts, we'll retain only 2-3 of them. Some finally give in of my calling them monthly for 6 months, so you just can't give up.

My suggestion: anticipate what the responses are, come up with positive replies to them, and keep trying them over and over until they say yes or threaten you.

In this situation, it was probably out of laziness, and not trust.

Why is the NT world so relationally dominated?

a. NTs dominate the world.
b. Relationship-building is an NT trait.
:: The NT world is relationally dominated.

Ha, that's funny. I'm a mathematics guy too and for a while I worked doing organic lawn care. No mowing, but I'd aerate, fertilize, seed, etc. I got to work alone and rather enjoyed it.

Now I build websites for people. You don't need to live anywhere special to do it. I'm now in town that barely has a post office; my closest client is nearly 200 miles away and I've never met them in person. It all works just fine.

Advertising and marketing are an interesting diacotomy to the usual psychological assumptions about people. Face to face rules do not apply when looking to attact customers.

Loyalty is important - even over price. Many times the cheaper fly-by-night guy is the one who will hack up your lawn and leave you worse off. People are often suspicious of the lowest price when it comes to service businesses. The perception is that you are somehow cutting corners to acheive that lower price. There have been plenty of marketing studies that show when a product is rock bottom, it many times won't move but as soon as you raise the price the perceived value of the item also increases and it starts to sell.

You have a common product in a highly competitive market - price alone will not sell you. You need to really work your 'natural' hook. Green services routinely charge a bit more and people are willing to pay that price for the perceived value - whether its a real value or an ethical one. If you are advertising a 'green' business, make sure you are using recycled content paper and soy ink! And say that on your ad in small print. You gotta walk the walk... true believers will call you out on this in a second by walking away.

Once you get those customers a large majority of your business will come from word of mouth advertising. This is where the 'loyalty' comes in. Services businesses, more than any other, cultivate that customer relationship and treat it like the gold it is. Offer referral deals. Learn your customers names and use them! If you provide your service when a customer is at work - leave a small thank you note for them to find so they know you were there. It's akin to sending a thank you note after a birthday party. It is feel good factor! When you are in a new neighborhood, before leaving to the next job canvass the block with flyers (check if you need a permit to do this with the township!)

If, or when, your customers start asking if you also do gardening services, feel free to hit me up for plant advice! I'd be glad to help you diversify. Organic gardening is my specialty.