July, 1937
AUTOMATIC AGE
15
IT ’S THE LITTLE THINGS
THAT COUNT
By A rth u r W. Luchs
I
T MATTERS not whether we are
operating coin machines, playing
a game for recreation, or just
indulging in our avocation, such as
painting pictures or playing a musical
instrument, it is the little things that
are important. They are the things
that really count in the end; they
are the means to an end. Who has
not sat filled with rapture by the music
of a symphony orchestra, or a bril
liant violinist as the clear sweet notes
poured forth from his bow and finger
tips, and who has not been impressed
by the finished mastery and perfection
of the player, or players. All the lit
tle things which go to make up per
fection, looked ridiculously easy to us
as we watched the finished musician.
Yet, what we have seen and heard
has been the result of long years of
steady practice, until not only the
little things, but also the difficult
tasks were mastered. By mastering
the little tasks and petty details, the
finished musician, or painter, or any
other leader is born.
Successful Operator Not Lucky
How many times do we hear fellow
operators condemn a successful op
erator by calling him lucky. He isn’t
merely lucky, he just paid attention
to the little things, until he became
an expert in the coin machine busi
ness. You can rest assured that the
so called lucky operator plugged along
through many weary hours of work,
often sick and discouraged at heart.
Many times no doubt he was ready to
quit and take up some other work,
whei'e perhaps he would find the pot
of gold at the foot of the rainbow.
By learning a lesson from every one
of his experiences, giving the best of
himself and his ability to the job and
by refusing to give up the fight, he
eventually built up the ladder of suc
cess, until today he is recognized as
a leader in his field.
No, the successful operator is not
merely lucky. There are definite rea
sons why some operators attain to
success in their work. It is because
they have paid attention to the little
things that bit by bit they have raised
themselves above the common group
of operators. They developed very
definite methods of working and
study. Thought and behavior patterns
were developed which caused them to
be attentive to the slightest detail in
their work. This became so much a
part of them that they could no longer
fail, because they had mastered the
little things that build success in any
work.
Keep Machines Clean
It is almost taken for granted that
an operator will keep his machines
on location, clean and in the best me
chanical condition. Yet countless op
erators fail in this one small detail
alone. Remember that you are judged
by the appearance and the condition
of your machines. Make it your busi
ness to see that they are in perfect
condition. When making collections
or service calls, the operator should
wipe off any dust or grime which may
have settled on the machine since his
last call. Do not rely upon the store'
keeper alone, to keep your machine
clean. It often happens that in a
l’estaurant a greasy film usually gath
ers rapidly on the top of the glass
and smears easily, showing finger
prints and smudge marks. Much of
the games playing appeal is lost when
the glass thus becomes dingy and
finger marked.
Personal appearance is another de
tail which it should not be necessary
to remind us is of equal importance
to machine appearance. That does
not mean that the operator should
be a flashy di’esser. By all means no.
If he is well dressed, not foppish, he
creates the impression that he is a
prosperous business man. Location
owners are accustomed to dealing
with salesmen and representatives
who invariably are immaculately at
tired. Since it is necessary for the
operator to sell his proposition and
his service to the location owner, he
must look the part, and speak the
part, of a successful business man.
Give Quick Efficient Service
Many of our unsuccessful operators
© International Arcade Museum
are so classed, because they errone
ously believe that once their machine
is placed on location, it is only a mat
ter of making collections and servic
ing it in case he is notified that it
has broken down. That should be
only a part of the operator's duty.
A friendly chat with the operator now
and then, or a little gift during the
holidays will do much toward creating
good will, the kind of good will which
cannot be measured in dollars and
cents, but which has been known to
hold a location when nothing elso
would. Remember there is a happy
medium to this good will.
Do Not Make A Nuisance of Yourself
It is all important that your service
be quick and reliable, fur that is what
distinguishes you from any other op
erator. Even though a machine is re
ported out of order to you late at
night, repairs should be made as rap
idly as possible. It may be necessary
at times for the location owner to in
cur some expense, either in calling
the operator, or in assisting the ser
vice man. This should be reimbursed
to him at once. He makes it possible
for the operator to earn a living by
providing the location, rent, heat and
light and should not have to pay any
additional expenses.
Play Locations Profitable
Locations where players are in
clined to gather around the machines
and compete with one another are
ideal spots for any operator. Natural
ly there is a limit to that type of
spot, but a wide awake operator will
make it his business to organize com
petition and pep up business by study
ing his location. Here again he must
do more than just be "the man who
collects the nickels.” He must be will
ing to spend a few extra nickels for
prizes and inducements in order to
hold the attention of the patrons.
Do not allow your machine to be
come obsolete on location. If you do,
it will have lost its earning power, in
addition to its resale value. Usually
after about two and one-half months
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