Added for You - Business

New To Sales Management? Assess Your Team Sooner Rather Than Later
You need to begin to get the measure of people early on. Beware of thinking you are an expert psychologist, but do:• Listen to what people say and how they say it• Read between the lines• Check immediately anything that is unclear• Address (or note) any apparent hidden agendas• Be aware of the informal communications channels as well as the hierarchical ones• Note any areas requiring further investigationYou need to get to know people, their working methods, strengths and weaknesses. This cannot be done in five minutes; start early and handle it objectively.Beware of making, and acting on unwarranted, instant assumptions about people.A First Staff Meeting:Get the team together as soon as possible, on the first day if you can. Remember, your meetings speak volumes about the kind of manager you are. Plan to make them really effective, therefore.• Set the time and date to be as convenient to people as possible (you may need to check this with a new group)• Organise the administration

Guys based in Reno, Nevada offers mobile detail units, training, marketing and computerized software in one complete package. Each unit has a re-claim device, central vacuum system and enclosed lockable trailer. Visit their web site at; www.detailguys.com. The Detail Guys and "brother" company The Car Wash Guys set up franchises in 23 states to serve 110 markets nationwide.

DOING IT YOURSELF

Metal Working Lubricants - A History of Industrial Lubrication
Lubricants, fluids and coolants regularly used in the metal working industry are highly specialised and designed to perform specific tasks. In addition to metal forming, metal working includes a fairly broad range of tasks – including polishing, cutting, embossing and grinding.Metal working lubricants are used for several reasons. While one of the primary functions is to increase lubrication, they can also reduce thermal deformation, improve the overall finish of a metal surface and help to effectively remove loose metal chips from the cutting area.Lubricants can be used to carry abrasive powders, when used for polishing or lapping of metals. They are effective in acting as a cooling agent when used in grinding applications and they also prevent certain materials from sticking to surfaces. Lubricants can help reduce the effects of corrosion and rust.And perhaps most importantly, the correct use of metal working lubricants will help to reduce wear and tear, prolong the life of tools and other moving parts, reduce the time spent on maintenance – and of cour

If you are in the parking business and own or manage parking lots you may want to think on some additional concepts to increase lot revenues. Whether you are looking to add value for your customers, expand your customer base, or simply increase your revenue, the addition of a car wash and/or detailing service to your parking facility may be the answer. There are many options available to you if you want to provide these services. You can contract with a local independent company in your area with a good reputation, co-market with a detail shop nearby who will service your lot, buy your own unit and run it in-house or purchase a franchise name and equipment from a national company.

INCREASED REVENUE

Whichever route you choose, it is possible to increase daily income, if you hire the labor or contract out. "Car washing and detailing not only provide value for your customers, but also maximize the per space value of your lot," commented Philip Hutcheson, owner of The Car Wash Guys franchise in Nashville, Tennessee, who currently had Central Parking in Nashville as a client. "It's all about convenience and saving customers time. We're only washing their cars, but that can give them time to do other things they want to do," said Hutcheson.

HIRING A CONTRACTOR

If you choose to hire a local company to handle the job, then try to be respectful of their time. You may wish to start out one day a week. For example - Wednesday is car wash day. You collect the money and park the cars in car wash row. The local company arrives at the desired time and washes, waxes and details the cars and returns the keys to you. Make sure the mobile operator is licensed, insured, maintains quality employees, shows up on time and has some sort of re-claim device for wastewater.

To reach your revenue goal, increase services to more days and more hours a day as the work catches on. It will build slowly, but will give you an edge and higher average ticket charge per car. A typical financial arrangement with a detail service can net you $2 to $5 per car for a wash and wax and as high as $15 per car for a full detail.

A WIN-WIN-WIN

Here's an example of how a parking facility can partner with a detail service. Tim Morse, co-owner of The Car Wash Guys franchise in Oklahoma City, washed and detailed cars for SunPark, a private parking facility near Oklahoma International Airport. He washed their shuttle buses for free in exchange for use of a storage room to keep supplies in for his mobile detailing service. SunPark receives a percentage of each car washed and detailed. This relationship provides a win-win-win - for the customers and both businesses involved.

SunPark was bought by new owners in 1998. The previous owners had offered a basic wash and wax as an added service, explained Manager Larry DeLuca. "We took it a step further. We now also offer car detailing and oil change which have been well received by our customers. Our agreement with The Car Wash Guys allows us to offer detailing at a competitive rate to what our customers could find elsewhere in the city, just with the convenience of having it done while they're away," he explained. When travelers arrive, they are given a card inviting them to select additional services besides parking during their trip. They indicate their return date and if they desire a detail or car wash. Their cars are prepared the day before they return, waiting for them all shiny and clean. "The word of mouth about the additional services that you don't receive at the airport has helped increase our business as a parking option of choice," commented DeLuca.

With Hutcheson's work in Nashville, for the monthly tenants, the cost of a wash or detail is added to their monthly fee as an ongoing service. Washes can also be used as an incentive to customers, i.e. two free car washes a month. A lot owner can mark up contracted services for additional profit or add them as an incentive to retain long-term customers.

For a parking company in Tucson, Arizona, The Car Wash Guys team washed every car in the structure once a month and extends a special group rate of $4.00 per car to the lot owner. The customers were so happy to have the added "free" service that when the lot owner recently raised monthly rates there was only one complaint about the free increase.

BUYING A FRANCHISE

You can also buy a franchise if you're serious about adding detailing as a permanent source of revenue. One type of company which lends itself well to a model for your operations is the Detail Guys based in Reno, Nevada offers mobile detail units, training, marketing and computerized software in one complete package. Each unit has a re-claim device, central vacuum system and enclosed lockable trailer. Visit their web site at; www.detailguys.com. The Detail Guys and "brother" company The Car Wash Guys set up franchises in 23 states to serve 110 markets nationwide.

DOING IT YOURSELF

Striking the Right Tone: Formal vs Informal Communication and Marketing
The Formal Vs Informal Communication TestIf you have spotted an online marketing business opportunity, but are unsure how to approach it, you are not alone! It can be very difficult to decide on an appropriate ‘narrative voice,’ and to gauge what tone to strike when marketing your product online. There is no one answer to this problem, but if you remember that it all comes down to your brand identity, your target market and the message you wish to promote you’ll be on the right track.The test is really a set of guidelines that you need to consider before you can begin promoting your product.How do I market my product? Though it may sound obvious, you need to look at your target demographic. They are the people you are aiming at, so they are the people you need to please. It is widely believed that it is best to err on the side of the informal when attempting to sell a product. People tend to respond to a friendly voice, but they also need positive reassurance. Remind them that they need your product!It is the nuance that makes the article; the det

We're only washing their cars, but that can give them time to do other things they want to do," said Hutcheson.

HIRING A CONTRACTOR

A WIN-WIN-WIN

BUYING A FRANCHISE

DOING IT YOURSELF

Religious Cult Leaders are Often Solo Professionals
The life of a religious cult leader is often one of stress and hard work. The game never ends and they must always be on 100% of the time so no one figures them out. Indeed, Religious Cult Leaders are often Solo Professionals, because they cannot let anyone get too close or they will figure the whole thing and then in their self righteousness, attempt to destroy all the religious cult leader has built.Sometimes religious cult leaders and Television Evangelists will work with a spouse to insure that they have help that will not give them away. There are of course numerous examples of this and it allows them to keep up their act. You should not be surprised that the greatest religious cult leaders keep it close to the vest to keep up the fa?ade.Has it always been this way? Yes, actually it seems like it. These individuals have two faces and no one can see the real one if they are to keep it all going and growing. Religious Cult Leaders are often Solo Professionals, because that is what works and they act respectable and professional in public and must be careful to

in Oklahoma City, washed and detailed cars for SunPark, a private parking facility near Oklahoma International Airport. He washed their shuttle buses for free in exchange for use of a storage room to keep supplies in for his mobile detailing service. SunPark receives a percentage of each car washed and detailed. This relationship provides a win-win-win - for the customers and both businesses involved.

BUYING A FRANCHISE

DOING IT YOURSELF

The Forgotten Customers
Driven by an ad offering a 40% savings on a much needed piece of office equipment I ventured to the store. I found what I was looking for but it did not appear to be on sale. I asked the nearest employee if the item really was on sale; he promptly went to ask the manager. It was very apparent by the animated discussion that ensued that the manager was not thrilled with the inquiry and upon his return, the employee apologetically advised me that the item was indeed 40% off.On my way out of the store (with the item) I came across the manager who made a point of telling me that his stock person had messed up the display, but that the employee who helped me should have known better.Is there something wrong with this picture? Yeah, and it’s all about how you treat your customers. We are all quite familiar with the formal definition of customer- a person who purchases goods or services from another; buyer; patron.1 I refer to them as buying customers (in this case, me). They expect courteous service, fair prices and knowledgeable staff. The buying customers are the cru

eturn, waiting for them all shiny and clean. "The word of mouth about the additional services that you don't receive at the airport has helped increase our business as a parking option of choice," commented DeLuca.

BUYING A FRANCHISE

DOING IT YOURSELF

How to Win Friends and Motivate Your Team
How to win friends and motivate your team.Are you making Human Resources mistakes? Have you heard any of these methods before?We don’t need your suggestions..We’ll tell you what and when to think..We’ll write the manual and you follow it..A great many employees leave their brainpower outside the office because of the top down management, head office mentality that runs some companies. These companies don't find out they have a problem until they start to falter. That's when the blame goes everywhere except to where it belongs.I've seen well run successful BC companies bought by an eastern corporation and then operated from a distance. That's when they start to run the company their way and 'forget' about what works and who works. It's hard on employees to be managed from such a great distance. They soon learn that the local manager is not working for them but working for the eastern company. When mistakes are made at that distance, they are blamed on the economy, or the local governments or anything but the poor management of

DOING IT YOURSELF

If you opt for the do-it-yourself route, following are some suggestions regarding equipment. You'll need a pressure washer with cold and hot water, hot if you also want to occasionally wash down the lot or parking structure. For cars you need 1800 psi that will take an 8hp motor with a belt driven pump. (We do not recommend direct drive.) Ask for a cat pump, operators say they have nine lives. You'll also need at least 50 feet of non-maring 3000 psi single braided hose or a reel and a wand. Always operate a wand of less than 24 inches - less chance to ding a car, which is parked too close or over spray cars already washed or cars you are not washing. You need a 200-gallon water tank. All this can be mounted on an industrial Cushman cart. Make sure the cart has four wheels, since water moves and weights 8.2 pounds per gallon. That's 1,640 lbs! Insurance is not only an important factor to look at when hiring a contractor, it's essential if you plan to run the operation yourself. You'll want to get a liability policy of at least $1 to $2 million.

HIRING EMPLOYEES

You will need to hire experienced labor or your employees will need some type of formal training. A company called Detail Plus in Portland, Oregon offers training courses at your place of business and videotapes and manuals. For more information, visit www.detailplus.com. With professional training and profit incentive bonuses of 10-15% for employees, you may be able to put together an excellent crew.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

You'll also need to learn a little about car wash wastewater. Even if you are hiring a company on contract, you should at least be aware of the environmental laws pertaining to waste water. The basic law is this: do not allow wash water run-off to enter a storm drain. Block off storm drains and vacuum unevaporated water into a holding tank for proper discharge into the sanitary sewer. You or your contractor will need to locate a drain which is connected to the sewer treatment plan within your property or drive the waste to a nearby gas station, for example, to put in their R.V. dump. This BMP-Best Management Practice is consistent with nearly all NPDES-National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems permits. For additional information, visit www.epa.gov and search under water pollution.

CO-MARKETING/NETWORK OF SERVICES

If you utilize the services of a gas station, this will also be an excellent opportunity to co-market with another business, perhaps even help send them business. It pays to have a network of local businesses such as lock-out specialists, tow companies, or maintenance services. Remember you are in the automotive business even though you just park them.

A NATIONWIDE RESOURCE

The Car Wash Guys is currently working with numerous parking garages around the country. We'd be happy to talk with you if you are interested in adding services to your facility. We can also serve as a resource to help locate an independent detailing contractor or a franchisee if one is located in your area. The Car Wash Guys set up training centers for their franchisees in Columbus, OH; Nashville, TN; Orlando, FL; San Antonio, TX; Oklahoma City, OK; Overland Park, KS; Denver, CO; Palm Desert, CA; Sacramento, CA; Bozeman, MT; Portland, OR; Lewiston, ID; Reno, NV; and Scottsdale, AZ. The Car Wash Guys was founded in 1979 and now washes just about everything from cars, trucks, boats and aircraft to windows, buildings, graffiti removal and more.

Best wishes on your plans to maximize revenue as a parking professional. Just remember, success can be found in the details! Think on this.

HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
<a href="http://www.added4u.com/article/45278/added4u-Parking-Business-the-Details-on-Increasing-Lot-Revenue.html">Parking Business, the Details on Increasing Lot Revenue</a>

BB link (for phorums):
[url=http://www.added4u.com/article/45278/added4u-Parking-Business-the-Details-on-Increasing-Lot-Revenue.html]Parking Business, the Details on Increasing Lot Revenue[/url]

What's the #1 secret to making this year your best year ever? Find out from self-made, Internet millionaire, Yanik Silver.

Are you a starting entrepreneur? Is it your first month of operation? I can hear your knees knocking. Do you wonder whether you can hold your own against the giants that dominate your chosen industry. The entrenched enemy tend to have vast resources, a strong marketing machinery and of course, a powerful brand presence. How can one compete against that? It's easy: with a little bit of entrepreural guerrilla skirmishing. Microsoft did it. Gateway did it. IBM did it. Do you think these companies started out big? Of course not. Microsoft started out from Bill Gate's backyard. You can be a Bill Gates. Here's how.

Printed newsletters - more than any other type of marketing materials - last longer than a visit to a website. Printed newsletters can actually help bring new traffic and more visitors to your website.

Tags

Links

Added for You - Parking Business, the Details on Increasing Lot Revenue

Related Articles: