Piano Technicians Guild
WESTPAC - Western and Pacific Regional Conference
March 3-6, 2011
San Francisco, CA
Business Classes
NOTE: Click on an instructor's name to see a bio.
Business 201
Do you ever wonder if there is a better way to build a successful and sustainable business? Business 201 is a class created by Economist and Piano Technician Timothy Barnes. This class will address the challenges piano technicians face as we play the dual roles of piano technician and business owner. In the first part of the class we will examine the key differences between “profitable” piano service companies and the “I barely tune enough pianos to survive” businesses. In the second part of the class Timothy will provide an example of the systems we use and the tools you have available to efficiently manage the tasks required to keep your schedule full and your business profitable. These tools have enabled Barnes Piano, LLC to build and maintain a successful and profitable piano service company amidst the worst economy since 1930. If you own a profitable piano service company this class is for you and I invite you to come and learn how you can improve on your success. If you are just getting started or are struggling to make ends meet I invite you to come and learn from other successful piano service companies.
Contracting Work, Not a Disease
Allan Gilreath, RPT, PTG President
As a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) member of the Piano Technicians Guild
(PTG) he constantly strives to improve and upgrade his skills as a technician
in order to better serve you as our client. Participation in continuing education
venues such as workshops and seminars as well as research, teaching other technicians
and authoring technical articles further those efforts. His Bachelor degree
in Music Business from Berry College, many years of work in the piano sales
and service industry and vast experience in servicing and restoring pianos
places him in a perfect position to focus on the piano player's needs. In addition,
Allan now serves as the Service Consultant for Bechstein America, LLC and volunteers
his time both in the community as a Cub Scout Leader and as a volunteer for
the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG).
Contracts can be our best friend or our worst enemy. In this class that is focused toward piano technicians and not lawyers, learn how to put contracts to use in your business. Institutions live and die by contracts so come learn to avoid the pitfalls of this part of the business. These principles also work for the individual or store technician.
Chapter and Verse
Allan Gilreath, RPT, PTG President
As a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) member of the Piano Technicians Guild
(PTG) he constantly strives to improve and upgrade his skills as a technician
in order to better serve you as our client. Participation in continuing education
venues such as workshops and seminars as well as research, teaching other technicians
and authoring technical articles further those efforts. His Bachelor degree
in Music Business from Berry College, many years of work in the piano sales
and service industry and vast experience in servicing and restoring pianos
places him in a perfect position to focus on the piano player's needs. In addition,
Allan now serves as the Service Consultant for Bechstein America, LLC and volunteers
his time both in the community as a Cub Scout Leader and as a volunteer for
the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG).
This class brings years of experience both in guiding PTG and in building a piano service and sale business to the growth and development of the PTG chapter. Find ways to market the hours of volunteer effort. Learn ways to make chapter meetings exciting and attractive. Don't be at all surprised if some of these methods work equally well for your own business.