TECH CARE INDUSTRY - What Can We Do Together?

The Tech Care industry is a fractured one, tribal in nature. A collection of thousands of companies in repair, support, reuse and recycling that often really only care about themselves and their own tribes' success. Sometimes that tribalism gets nasty. For instance, I recently heard a story about a repair shop that once had to take out a restraining order on the owner of a rival store. I often hear parts suppliers who take every opportunity to trash a competitor over the "real" quality of their parts. R2 certified recyclers saying that other R2 recyclers aren't REALLY following R2 standards. YouTube personalities that constantly complain about the work of other companies. Then there is the folks who are supposed to be trying to help the industry move forward but put down companies that don't support a cause they claim should unite the industry.

Now imagine for a second what this tribal cannibalistic industry could do if it worked together. Imagine if we all got together to present a powerful united front to big tech companies (Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, etc.) and negotiate an end to some of the unfair business practices that cripple our industry. Could you possibly imagine if, as a powerful united group, we started working with equipment manufacturers (OEMs) by providing a comprehensive plan to support their products in and out of warranty instead of snipping at them in what can only be called childish and immature ways on social media. Imagine what that would look like for a second. Then think about this...


An industry divided against itself cannot stand

A united tech care industry is stronger and more powerful than one that is divided into petty little tribes or one led by individuals focused on their own selfish ambition. The only way to unite this industry is with a fulltime industry association, with fulltime staff that don't suffer from any conflicts of interest. A not for profit association that is focused on industry success and not just mere benefits to save a dollar or one only committed to a single cause. A professional association that seeks to raise awareness of an important yet invisible industry while providing attestation within the industry with affordable certifications. One that could set industry standards while holding rogue players responsible for their actions. One that will educate buyers that its own certification is better for refurbished equipment than that of certain big tech companies. An innovative association that lifts the tide for all members while creating more opportunity for everyone.

The tech care industry has done a lot of wonderful things and it has allowed a great number of people to build new businesses that have created a lot of jobs all across our country. The industry has so many inspiring stories of people who have started companies or paid their way through college fixing phones or those who never went to college but found a home within the industry.

While the industry has many wonderful groups like SERI, RIOS, WISE, The Repair Association, and others. There is an overwhelming need for a trade association that can work with these groups to spur the industry on to greater things in the future (and the future is going to be BIG!)


It's Time for Something New


The Tech Care Association

This concept has been years in the making. Having started my own successful tech repair business in 2006 I attended numerous industry events which were always hosted by other associations. Seeing a need, I raised the idea of an association for the tech care industry multiple times, only to be assured that someone else was already working on it. Only to be disappointed by the lack of organization each year.  

In 2019 I finally had the time to do something about it. So I did.

I joined the staff of The Repair Association to try to help them pivot in this direction but found that an organization with a part-time staff already had its hands full fighting the noble fight for the worlds right to repair (they are certainly an organization you should support financially and by volunteering your time towards the fight). Another organization launched just last year with good intentions to help the industry but it is only a discount buying group - great if you need it but not a unifying force for the industry.

While working fulltime for The Repair Association over the last year I spoke to numerous companies in the repair, support, reuse and recycle business while attending dozens of webinars (a 2020 kind of thing, right?) to learn more about the association world. The overwhelming response I got from those I spoke to was that they were ready to fully support a trade association that was in fact committed to industry success. An association that could help conquer the issues listed above.

I hope that you will find that I am uniquely qualified to lead this effort. While I have already spoken to potential board members and future staff members, I can't do this alone. This new organization will need you to be involved if we hope to be successful in our efforts. More details will come as we launch our website. Our goal is to be transparent to our membership in everything we do.

So, you're ready. I'm ready. Start thinking about what we can do together and then start setting aside funds to help support YOUR TECH CARE ASSOCIATION. 

Let's do this thing together!


UPDATED TECH CARE ASSOCIATION (TCA) INFO:

In the industry? JOIN US today by visiting our website at 

www.TechCareAssociation.org

Add our URL to your website

Share this post or your website or on social media

Let other people in the industry know about us

VOLUNTEER - JOIN A COMMITTEE - GET THE WORD OUT

Follow the TCA on LinkedIn

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HERE IS HOW ELSE YOU CAN HELP

Support local tech repair by finding a shop near you on the WTR website at www.WhereToRepair.org to help support small business in your community.

Tell big tech companies to work with the independent tech repair industry and the greater tech care industry!


Thanks for the read! 
Please be sure to comment below, follow me here on the WiGoMan blog 
and on twitter @RobBobLink


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