Working here in Corpus Christi with AEP Texas, I've noticed the dynamics are pretty different from what I hear about auditing in major metros. The business community is smaller, word gets around faster, and relationships matter more. When I found a $28k error for the largest hotel downtown, within a week I had three other hotel managers calling me. Anyone else work smaller markets and notice these patterns?
Small town utility auditing - different challenges than big cities
Absolutely Vivian. Here in Boise with Idaho Power the business community is tight-knit. I did work for one restaurant chain and the owner literally walked me across the street to introduce me to his competitor because "everyone deserves to save money on their power bill." Try getting that kind of referral in New York City!
Same experience in Springfield with Ameren Missouri. The downside is that bad news travels just as fast as good news. I had one client who was unhappy with my billing (even though I saved them $12k) and suddenly I'm persona non grata with half the industrial park. Took months to rebuild trust.
Elmer that's the risk. Here in Huntsville working with TVA customers I've learned to over-communicate and document everything because reputation is everything in smaller markets. One misunderstanding can kill years of relationship building. But when it works, the referrals are golden.
The flip side is that in Memphis with MLGW I can have a bad experience with one client and still have hundreds of other potential customers who'll never hear about it. In smaller markets you really have to nail the customer service side because your reputation follows you everywhere.