Professionalism....

[somberbear]

As a glassworker. what is professionalism to you.

To be taken seriously. our "craft". What should we strive for.

I have my own ideas. but I am really looking for others opinions.

Is there a harmony you have to strike between creativity and business.

Is it different because of the line of work?

peace
rob

[kruger]

the ability to perform consistantly is key. do something over and over and work at getting your time down. know the cost of materials in what you make, make sure your getting enough for your time. be able to keep personal and buisness funds seperate so your able to have a paycheck for yourself/family, and the buisness to buy glass,tools..etc..

to keep it creative i usually have a daily quota that i like to meet, then after i meet that i make something[s] without the main intention of selling, but rather with the intention of pushing myself and learning new things

also keep a balance of prodo for smoke shops and prodo for "art" galleries

-kruger

[christopher]

Those are all good tips as far as glass goes, but as far as professionalism, it's something that can be generalized across any field.

Here are a couple of my biggies:

1. Customer Service: This includes having a nice appearance (don't smoke a big old dooby and then go into a shop with your patchwork pants and your floppy hippy hat on.) You don't have to dress up fancy, but at least be clean and somewhat neat looking (I guess there's an exception for you dreads out there, but dreads can be contained to look neat too...)

2. Consistency in service: Make sure you treat all your customers with courtesy (yes, this is part of above) whether they're pain in the ass 50 year old rich beadmonger women or 20 year old hottie members of the opposite sex.

3. Spend the friggin' $200 and get a copy of quickbooks. If necessary, have a bookkeeper/accountant help you set it up so it properly reflects the business you transact. The IRS has a list of rules that they use to determine if your glass is a hobby or a business (you want it to be a business, they want it to be a hobby). One of these tests is (no shit) that any element of pleasure or enjoyment involved counts as evidence for it being a hobby and not a business. If you have exact records, a separate checking account, some business cards, etc., it will make your life easier if you ever get audited (and you can count on it eventually if your a Sch C business). In addition, quickbooks is cool. You can look and at any time see how much money you owe your vendors, how much your customers owe you, and a whole other slew of useful info.

4. Learn something about business. Either get some books, or go to your local community college, or something...

Just some ideas, don't know if that's what you meant, bear...

PS HELL NO I DON'T THINK STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM CHANGE BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF WORK...There are probably a higher percentage of unprofessional schmo glassblowers than say, accountants, though...

[somberbear]

Well i ment as a glass blower to glass blower? and how that networking changes because of the type of work.

Most of that is basic buisness you mentioned.

in total i believe that taking care of your own buisness is a sign of it.

Im talking of the attiude more then the result.

I think it does change.

all very good points . guys keep them rolling.

sorry im looking for more depth....

peace
rob

[Mr. Wonka]

In regards to attitude, professionalism boils down to one basic concept: Treat others with the same respect you would like in return… it’s that simple.

Also- When posting on the internet, communicate with people as if you were talking to them in person. During a face to face conversation you might say something like, “I disagree”, as opposed to saying “you’re an asshole” on a chat board.

Professionalism should not be disregarded just because you’re in front of a keyboard.

[skip]

ahh But Tom thats the greatest part of the Internet....

[BigTeasel]

wear a tie and say things you dont really mean to get what you want......or just do what it takes to do what you say you are going to do when you say you're going to do it.

i prefer the latter. if a business doesnt want to work with me because of my t-shirt and jeans, i dont want to do business with them. i didnt eject myself from a cubicle making decent money just to succumb to a different form of social pressure. be yourself and things will work themselves out, but definately do what you say you are going to do, and do it when you say you are going to do it. i know i said it twice, but that's pretty much all there is to professionalism.

[Swampy]

Exactly BT, if you're a store-owner and you sell out a maker's work, you want to know if they can remake stuff and bring it in on time cos it might be promised to another good customer.

Reliability and consistenly good work.