Basic Curriculum: Woodworking and Business
Woodworking and Piano Tools (1st 5 weeks of 1st Quarter)
Prerequisites: None
Course Length and Type: 5 weeks, 1.5 hours/week;
combined lecture, demonstration and hands-on (lab)
Text Requirements:
Understanding Wood by Bruce Hoadley
Other Text Resources: none
Tools Required: none
Course Description:
At End of Course, Student will know and be able to demonstrate
knowledge of:
- The nature of wood and piano woods
- Wood and moisture
- Wood: adhesives, wood joining and clamps, lubricants
- Shaping, sanding, carving wood
- Shop tools: safety and use
- Piano cleaning and case maintenance
Business (3rd Quarter)
Prerequisites: All prior Curricula
Course Length and Type: 10 weeks, 1.5 hours/week; combined lecture, demonstration and discussion; several guest lecturers (SBA, accountancy, business law)
Text Requirements: none
Other Text Resources: none
Tools Required: none
Course Description:
At End of Course, Student will know and be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
- General business operations such as: the ability to define a geographic location for starting their business, deciding on business structure (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation) and how to work within the legal environment, securing EIN's, accounting methodology, naming the business, computer software for tracking finances, customer databases, etc, designing business cards, letterheads, envelopes, and invoice forms with graphics, banking, setting up utility services (e.g. telephone), establishing trade accounts with major piano supply vendors, securing small business insurance and liability coverage, risk management
- General client relations such as: appointment making, tracking, follow-up, reminder cards, software for client-tracking, invoicing and follow-up procedures; general marketing principles; client relations problem-solving; pricing/valuing your services; appraising and assessing; warranties and guarantees, professional communications; liability, insurance, and bonding issues; brokerage of client pianos, communication with other technicians regarding piano problems (referrals)
- Business ethics including an examination of various codes of ethics (e.g. PTG) as a foundation for ethical conduct for running your business
- Writing a Business Plan--required for completion of the course
