"Michael A. Terrell" on Mon, 28 Jan 2013
15:01:40 -0500 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following:
pyotr filipivich wrote:
"Michael A. Terrell" on Thu, 08 Nov 2012
09:14:54 -0500 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following:

"John B." wrote:

pyotr filipivich wrote:

Do "Consultants" make their own office furniture, pencils,
projectors and brochures?

Nope, if you are doing your job right the client supplies the office,
desk, chair, pencils, and other necessary services.

That depends on the indusrty where you do the consulting.

So his consultants live on the streets until they get a gig?

The point of the observation was that even the "service"
industries have a "material component" without with they cannot
provide their services.
Or would he hire a cleaning service that expected him to provide
the materials they will use to clean his establishment?

Some industries do supply the bags & cleaners, but it is calculated
into the cost of the service.

My point remains - there are very few "services" which do not
require a manufactured component: Stand-up comics, story tellers,
preachers / politicians. Maybe lawyers, if you keep the laws simple
enough that nothing needs to be written. Prostitutes, but even then,
I'm sure most of their clients would prefer a mattress of some kind.

But cleaners need soap, water and wash rags, and a means to haul
off the trash; Lawyers need legal pads, law books and coffee;
Consultants need office furniture, cell phones, paper, pens, business
cards and computers. It doesn't matter if they bring them to the job,
or are provided - someone has to make the soap, bucket, trash bags,
legal pads, desks, business cards, books, and the coffee pot (and
cups), etc.
Which is where the whole idea of a "service" economy breaks down.
Who is making all that "stuff"? Where do these "wizards" get the
"material components" of their craft? If the client provides them,
that just moves the problem one step back.


--
pyotr filipivich
"With Age comes Wisdom. Although more often, Age travels alone."