Idea to boost work / enquiries

[Tom10]

Actually another thing he different wash get himself CRB checked an advertised that to all theOAPs in our area they all only use him now he charges them less but he has good work volumes.

 

Nice idea

[felixthelogchopper]

...and I'm not doing jobs with unskilled staff,

 

Stop it, you'll make me blush

[Bing!]

Go back 2 years and see what hedges you trimmed/topped, get in contact and see if they need doing again, return customer discount etc etc.

 

Council: We do shed loads but by god they drive a HARD price, some days we lose big others we make big, you know which ones we hope for. It's this work that is currently keeping our firm going, laid off 2 chaps a few weeks ago... Treading water waiting/praying for things to pick up, TPO 6-8 week wait feels like an eternity....

 

Bing!

[John Roberts]

To be honest its not ticket science its just about finding that USP you all have them so shout about them and play to them if you tell people long enough and hard enough what they area they will remember them.

Nice idea

[Tom10]

Go back 2 years and see what hedges you trimmed/topped, get in contact and see if they need doing again, return customer discount etc etc.

 

Council: We do shed loads but by god they drive a HARD price, some days we lose big others we make big, you know which ones we hope for. It's this work that is currently keeping our firm going, laid off 2 chaps a few weeks ago... Treading water waiting/praying for things to pick up, TPO 6-8 week wait feels like an eternity....

 

Bing!

 

Interesting feedback from your council experience - sorry to hear you've laid guys off but its easy to see why.

 

Agree with the TPO application time! Does not help cashflow. I priced a job recently at a pub, by the time I applied for the work and then booked it and and got it done it was 7 weeks, the pub paid the invoice in about 4 weeks, received cheque on a friday afternoon so could bank til monday, 5 days to clear.

 

From quote to money banked it was over 3 months. Doesnt help the cashflow of the business at all.

 

I personally (and not to start going off topic) think the councils need to be looking at their application system.

[John Roberts]

Its also about maximising output. I am on a train the work for the day is done I could listen to Perry Como on the MP3 or I can spread some love with you guys, and show off my business skills.That way when you area successful and need help you know where to come. It works both ways the guy I use is someone I discovered on Arbtalk.

[Andy Collins]

Two ideas.

idea 1:

put in the hard work, the foootwork, get on the phone and talk to people, get down the supermarket with your truck, get it cleaned and smart, and be seen. People soon forget youre about. Its holiday time, noone is thinking about getting in staff with a holiday weekend and half term, saws and kids dont mix. BUT they wil talk to you, just make the effort.

 

Idea 2:

Do nothing, do not advertise and do not affiliate with trade bodies, do not call people, cos they'll call you (if you can fit them in as you will be soooo busy). Sound ridiculous? Believe me i know of some it actually works for.

 

Whatever happens, do not panic, it will come again, stress because you have no work, stress cos theres too much work, never a happy medium

[vernon28]

I put flyers out and It did work, but only for a short time! as alot of people forget about the flyer or just put it in the bin, so every two mounths or so i go back over the same area but it dose cost £100 for 1000 flyers but after the first job they have been paid for. nursing homes and pubs are good to send them to but i include grouund mantnance as well just to try and get out the door in the morning.

[Tom10]

Two ideas.

idea 1:

put in the hard work, the foootwork, get on the phone and talk to people, get down the supermarket with your truck, get it cleaned and smart, and be seen. People soon forget youre about. Its holiday time, noone is thinking about getting in staff with a holiday weekend and half term, saws and kids dont mix. BUT they wil talk to you, just make the effort.

 

Idea 2:

Do nothing, do not advertise and do not affiliate with trade bodies, do not call people, cos they'll call you (if you can fit them in as you will be soooo busy). Sound ridiculous? Believe me i know of some it actually works for.

 

Whatever happens, do not panic, it will come again, stress because you have no work, stress cos theres too much work, never a happy medium

 

Idea 1 - Seems the pro-active way and the way most of us should be looking at!

 

Idea 2 - I think is a brilliant idea but only works if you've been established for long enough to get away with it. Once it picks up word of mouth will come to its own and people will use you, because other people use you. I believe you can charge a premuim on this basis too, or certainly be questioned less about price and less quotes obtained from the customer. I haven't been established so long as to get away with it and if the phone isnt ringing with adverts in the paper it sure wont without.

 

Tom

[Pedroski]

My daughter delivered flyers for us in 4 streets. We paid her £40. It has so far generated about £3k of work on one job and more to follow