Should You Help Your Competition?

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Permalink Reply by Donna Whitton on May 4, 2011 at 11:47pm

I have a specific MT I refer my clients to if I'm gone for an extended time. Some have utilized the other person, others vocalize they will wait.

The other MT has done the same with me. We understand there is a chance the Ct might prefer the other and opt to not return; but, we are mature enough to realize it's nothing personal, it's business...and, it's the client's human right to make that choice.

 

And, it has yet to happen!!

 

We know we have similar approaches to massage, and the outcome of feeling better, refreshed, looser, etc is pretty much the same; but, our techniques are different. As are we and the relationships we form with our clientele.

 

I'm a firm believer clients return to MT's not just for the massage pressure, routine, etc but also for the Massage Therapist him/herself! An MT could give a fantastic massage but if the MT and CT energies don't click, or their personality/charactors are just different enough the experience isn't going to be nearly as great as with some one with whom a connection is felt.

 

Once therapists can see that it will be easier to let go of the need to cling to everybody within a community as personal property to have in their office on a regular basis and realize for just as many who may not come to see them there are equal amounts who are looking for them, their skills, and them as a person who is nice to have a standing appointment with on a regular basis.

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on May 5, 2011 at 1:40pm

Sometimes I feel threatened, in a sense, from other massage therapists that work in my community.  However at the same time I have close friends that are massage therapists that work in my community...If they are good therapists...By good I mean skilled at what they do.  I dont feel threatened.. But if they are not good at what they do..Yet have busy practices. I feel threatened.  Or maybe the better word is irritated.  Does that make any sense to you guys?

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Permalink Reply by Donna Whitton on May 7, 2011 at 8:18pm

I know and understand exactly what you are talking about. For me it makes me question what thoughts on my skills and it can put me in a slump. I don't know if irritated is the right word but I think threatened may not be right either; but, it does cause some serious personal evaluation.



Gordon J. Wallis said:

Sometimes I feel threatened, in a sense, from other massage therapists that work in my community.  However at the same time I have close friends that are massage therapists that work in my community...If they are good therapists...By good I mean skilled at what they do.  I dont feel threatened.. But if they are not good at what they do..Yet have busy practices. I feel threatened.  Or maybe the better word is irritated.  Does that make any sense to you guys?

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on May 8, 2011 at 2:32am

Donna don't feel bad because of  my comments..Who am I anyway? Sometime I think Im really good at what I do after Ive healed someone from a long time pain condition that other massage therapists and medical professionals failed to do. Other times , and more then once, Ive gone home and crying, after a client complains in person  to my boss about how horrible their massage was with me, and wants their money back.    Oh man I've been depressed and thought about quitting many times during my 26 years of being a massage therapist. But Ive always recharged somehow, and come back. Evaluating yourself seriously from time to time means you care about what you do. It means you care about your clients. It means you're a good massage therapist. 

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