Since 1978, Bane-Clene Institute has been conducting classes in the same building for nominal fees and in many cases there is no fee at all. Thousands have attended our "Course to Success," but it amazes me at the number in our industry who have spent vast sums of scarce capital on "get-rich-quick" or "guaranteed-to-succeed" scams conducted by so-called "Gurus."
About 15 years ago a strutting little example of such a "Guru," accompanied by two body guards, came up to my booth at the big Surfaces Show in Las Vegas. He introduced himself in an almost defiant manner as the one who could save and promote my company if we used his training and coaching programs. The names he dropped as associates and clients were like a "Who's Who."
This little braggart was only one of many making a pitch for the few educational dollars available in our industry. Fifteen years later most of the Gurus have either gone or have taken cover in their failure to keep the many wild promises they made to the struggling cleaners they fleeced. With apologies to Peter, Paul & Mary here's a parody:
Where have all the Gurus gone, long time passing?
Where have all the Gurus gone, long time ago?
Where have all the Gurus gone?
Gone too, are the exploited ones.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?
