whiteface & 15444

[15444]

Alicia:

www.angelfire.com/on4/aek

That's odd, it should work.

[ALICIA]

15444- is your prefex aek.

whiteface-It reads like great minds think alike. Lets see want she has in Feb. I really like her and want a bull from that match, I can wait. I got Ted's book to night. Is that you at the lead.

[15444]

Alicia:

Yes, my prefix is AEK.

[whiteface]

I'm really excited about the future of those two heifers, Norchid and Azalea. I've got several out of country interests in embryos from both females, Magna as the sire is a request of two outfits, we'll certainly plan on a mating of these two. Agribition last fall the traffic on both heifers was nearly overwhelming, thanks Alicia for finding our great ones. Yes, that's me at the halter in my ad in Ted's book. 15444, I've been absolutly swamped with things to get done around here and getting my disc reader to read cd's or dvd's is one headeache after another. Needs to be looked at I think and my son and husband both are quite keen on getting it reading again also ( they love their computer games! ). Thanks again and I will contact you just as soon as I've seen the disk. In the short term, I saw your webstie updates, I'm impressed. We'll talk soon!

[15444]

Whiteface:

No hurry. Get everything done that needs to be done while the weather is nice.

Has been cold and wet here the past week, (haven't cut anything since last friday in fact). Hoping to get more down and work around the yard a bit in the next few days (lawn is catching up to the regrowth in the hayfields, LOL). This bit of staying inside and watching the rain fall is getting a bit tiring.

[InAHurry]

Hi Folks - looking for some tips. We're planning our first "official" open house and customer appreciation day - herd tours, supper, visiting & entertainment - all at the ranch. Have any of you hosted one? If you have been to one, what part of the event did you enjoy the most and what kind of information (how was it presented) was provided that helped you select your breeding stock?
Any ideas greatly appreciated.

[whiteface]

Thanks 15444, the weather for us here has been just about perfect this summer, the right amount of sunshine and rain, although I will say more rain than we normally get and thunderstorms scare the bejesus out of me. Yes, getting a lot of work done. Some strong interests from overseas, like I mentioned, I've gathered the calves together that we're keeping as breeding stock and taking herd videos, will get some of them clipped, photographed, website updates done and hopefully a few people in Canada still have a couple of bucks for the Polled power sale in Dec. Frankly, I'm scared to death, but we'll try to carry on with business as usual until all my operating money runs out! I sure appreciate your question, inahurry, I had to think about it for a minute, not very many people I feel really spend any amount of time thinking about what attracts a customer to their place and eventually buy the product. I think most people assume it to be shows, banners and more banners, it might help but I believe so much more. I believe all people like to be treated like real people and given individual time to recognize their personal requirements in selecting breeding stock. I mostley trust all my potential buyers to know what they are looking for but really make an attempt to go a step further in listening to their specific needs ( more milk, pretty udders, loads of performance, an extra dimension of muscle, the ability to sleep all the way through calving, an animal that can go out and win...whatever) we try to make them as "complete" as possible but I think people know what their specific goals are and what trait(s) they need for their own advancement. At my own open houses, right away what potential buyers respond to is the ability to see most of the cattle that I may have for sale (not just the "herd leaders" or "show cattle" but some good ones for sale up close on the hayfield usually ( I like an open house in the fall after second cut) where they are easy to look at, close to a bathroom ( preferably not a porta-potty, invite them into your home and use your facilities, hope that doesn't sound too much like George on "Seinfeld" but it's a little detail that adds some personal touch). Always offer food. The food depends on what your setup is, how many people, what your comfortable with. Finger food I find works for me. When people come to my place, they're looking at cattle, I'm not famous enough for them to see me or any other form of entertainment. I will say that I have been to several sales and open houses that were thrown by some pretty big cheeses and while they were impressive to be a part of the sheer amount of work that goes on to put one on, here's my opinion...( and keep in mind that these huge operations get big money and prestige and obviously something is working for them), I'm just one little guy but my observation is that if an outfit spends too much of their energy and resourses on the "party" who is making sure that the breeding quality of the cattle and the needs of the buyer are being looked after? I have yet to go to a "big bash" where I was given more than 2 seconds by the host and bought an animal that came anywhere near what I thought it was going to be on the day that I bought it. Way too much time spend on icing and flowers and no time spent on the cake.
So my summary is keep it simple. You're not trying to enter into the catering business and you don't need people comeing to your place for a party. They don't need to be drunk to buy your cattle, they need to be satisfied with your product and then not only will they not call you back next week complaing, they will tell all their friends the quality to be had at your place and how easy you are to deal with on top of that. Look after peoples needs. They need some real food ( they've probabley travelled a little way) they need to not have to work too hard to see your product for sale ( drive them out to a clean field to look at the cattle) and they need to relax and enjoy your company ( no pressure, let the good cattle you have sell themselves). I will say this also, from my own personal experience, one year I went to a sale when my son was only a few months old and while I was fully prepared to attempt to look at the cattle even though it was too cold for him and they weren't accesible by vehichle, I might have left early, but the wife of our host took my son inside, fed and played with him while I could be out looking at the cattle. I have since bought several, not out of obligation, the cattle are good and what I want, but also that kind of customer service rates high with me. My logic follows that if they would look after my son they would look after my needs if a problem ever arose. Honestly, I don't know how "normal" I am as far as what impresses me as a buyer but I do know that it is working for me the other way, in getting my cattle sold and positive comments are comeing back to me from satisfied buyers. Even people who don't "want" to like me (being a woman, didn't marry into this, wasn't born into it, just liked it and built from the ground up, with my own money and now being quite competitive with the "big shots") including Mr. Petrik (Alicia and 15444, you'll know him) was, I think "out of sorts" that the 2-year-old in his catalogue turned out so well, he figured for sure she shouldn't be as good and certainly not better than anything else he bought that year (and paid much more for, you know, the "names") but he wouldn't give me a compliment to save his life, it had to come from a few other people about her. This is long, so I'll go, hope it helps, please let me know!

[whiteface]

Hey, Inahurry, what kind of cattle do you have, where and when is your open house? I wouldn't mind going, if I'm not being too forward!

[ALICIA]

inahurry: Try to give avery one a pit of your time. A few words really mean a lot.

Whiteface & 15444- I had my speakers on and when I posted I didn't reallize that a cow mooed. Skared me. I thought the cows were all in my back yard.

15444- I tryed to get into your web by going throw CHA but it comes up (how to make a web.) That is how I got your prefix. Your name seem like I've seen it before or heard it.

[InAHurry]

Thank you whiteface and Alicia. Yes "simple" is our plan. The weather will guide us as to how we will view the cattle & horses (which are Black Angus & Paints)- and our home is our guest's home! We want everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy the afternoon and evening. Allow plenty of free time to talk, ask questions and visit, One on one and with everyone. We do not want to seem over-bearing & pushy with to much information directed at everyone, but no one in particular. I hope that made sense!

The cattle are quiet and we are thinking about expanding the field's holding corral with panels to allow cattle and people to mingle. Do you hand out an information sheet prior to viewing the herd - for reference then and later? I ask because I, personally, have a hard time remembering when visiting other's herds: who's who, by who, and out of which cow ... sort of thing! I'm thinking that holding multiple papers in the corral/field might be inconvenient, so would like to keep it as short as possible (with a pen to doodle) but still be informative. Maybe offer a more detailed package once back at the house? We have roughly 60 registered cow/calf pairs and 30 horses (cattle first, horses may be viewed when we return to the yard, for those who wish to do so) and don't want to rush them through the herd, nor the opposite. I expect that is something we will have to play by ear and experience. Our show trail is meager, mostly the past, the kids through 4-H, although they work for other breeders at larger shows. Therefore we can't offer to parade the cattle on halter, nor are the fitted in any manner.

Speaking of 'fit', today we thought we were going to have a "fit to be tied" moment. Found the purebreds 'mingling' with over 100 head of our steers. Could not have asked for better co-operation from everyone. Three riders in a near 2 section field - we had them sorted and back to their rightful field (with gate repaired) in under 2 hours!

The food department, hopefully most of it can be prepared before hand, I would like to spend it with the people not stuck in the kitchen. The menu will be decided once we follow up with calls to everyone and receive replies. The entertainment is free, thanks to some very good friends. I have arranged for a couple of people to watch younger children if the parents so wish, also a new sand pile is going in right next to the lawn area. A building is available incase of bad weather - which I truly hope we don't need.

I'm sure this first time around is going to be a learning experience and the "to do next year" list will be long.

Thank you again for your comments and helpful tips. Customer service is not breed specific that is for sure, and old and new ideas from posters here are much appreciated.

Whiteface, the date is August 26th. And we live in the very SW corner of Sask. You would be more than welcome, as would be others. That way you could make notes on what we should do different next year! LOL

I'll ask permission before posting our web site?? (which needs updating to correspond with the open house) As I am not talking with anyone specifically about Angus genetics, it would not be fair to post it here.