Devious Derek

Devious Derek was an ambitious piano instructor and one who’s profits were not going to be hindered by conventional opening hours.

He had tried and failed to book students in for late night appointments.

But apparently they all had homework and bed times, the babies!

So he had to stick to the typical hours of operation.

But that would not stop our boy Devious Derek, oh no!

Derek discovered that if he bought a second piano and placed it far enough from his first piano he could double up on lessons.

He could teach two students at the same time and cash in double the moolah.

Whoop whoop!!

This strategy also had the added benefit of escape.

If precious Priscilla was ever getting too pompous he could just go check on Belligerent Bertie and vice versa.

Devious Derek found a way to use ‘practice time’ to his advantage.

He instructs, leaves the pupil to practice, walks across the hall, instructs and leaves the student to practice.

It’s efficiency at its finest!

I daresay Henry Ford would be proud.

But I can see a flaw in Devious Derek’s dealings.

Whilst he may enjoy the short term profit I think his long term revenue will suffer.

I assert that Derek’s main source of new student acquisition is referrals, recommendations and word of mouth.

And what pray tell will be the conversation when precious Priscilla gets home to prim and proper Peter?

‘He’s a very distracted teacher’

‘He only spends half the time with me’

‘Sometimes he forgets what we’ve done and what he’s already told me’

All it takes is for Belligerent Bertie to experience the care and undivided attention of a focused piano teacher and he’ll never darken Devious Derek’s doorstep again I reckon.

I think if Devious Derek really wants to make more money then he should focus on personalisation, building relationships and word of mouth.

My two cents