There's always more than one way to get things done...
I walked into a machine shop with a sketch of some parts I needed machined. The shop owner quoted me $300 which I couldn't afford. I began to walk away but paused and reconsidered. I turned back and approached him again.
I mentioned that I used to work at his shop long ago and was hoping he may remember me. We shared a lighthearted moment and I explained that I couldn't afford the amount. I asked if I could use his equipment and do the work myself.
He thought for a moment and said yes. Before you know it I found myself in the shop cutting these parts on the same hardinge lathe I used over 30 years ago.
I made the situation personal by humanizing it through a personal connection, humor, and allowing for an act of kindness.
What lesson can we learn from this?
Checkmate;
I learned to play chess while working at MIT as a young machinist. During lunch a few other machinists would play, and I watched them for years. Eventually I was invited to join them and I became hooked.
One day, I began playing with a nice man named Ray from the quality inspection department. He was a brilliant mechanical inspector and master at CMM. We would sit and play chess during lunch and he would teach me the moves and allow me to backup. Over time we developed a great friendship and I even started winning a few times.
It's funny, I remember telling Ray that I felt too skinny and wanted to gain some weight. He laughed and said, "Michael, don't worry about that. Just wait until you're my age."
He was right. I miss him.