Baby It's Cold Outside....
While Winter work in the pressure washing industry may require a little more planning, it can be done. But when the temperatures go below freezing and remain constant, it sometimes can put a temporary hold on outdoor activities which means that your indoor activities should be ramping up.
The term "indoor activities" could refer to any number of things depending on your mind-set and sense of humor although I am truly referring to business-related activities. If you haven't already completed some of your 2019 planning, it's never too late.
Let's consider just a few things that should be at the top of your planning list.
1. Many folks use downtown to re-design their equipment set-ups. Even if you can't do the re-work at this point, you can always draw the design and consider the who, what, when, where and how's of your plan. When you initially start in the business, many times you start with a few pieces of equipment and gradually start adding. So maybe you started with a cold water machine and a hose reel. But as the busy season went on during 2018, you added another hose reel, threw in a clear bowl water filter to your system, bought extra high pressure hose and a spare garden hose. You figured out your favorite soaps and chemicals, but you aren't happy with how you are transporting or storing gallon jugs or 5 gallon pails. In addition to completing your jobs, it's important to complete efficiently....time is money....so the greater the efficiency of your set-up, the quicker you can get the job completed and move to the next. Consider the position of the main components of your set-up....the items you use the most. Consider how you transport your equipment to keep it safely stowed for its longevity, and your safety should a travel accident occur.
2. Have you worked a simple line-item budget? Consider your projected sales and your projected expenses. Enter figures for these but don't get bogged down in matching your budget. Your budget is a somewhat living document and will probably be re-visited throughout the year.
3. Have you worked your marketing plan? Marketing your business can be done through word of mouth, various social media platforms, print advertising, mailers, radio, tv and referrals. Take time and review your efforts in 2018 and determine the ROI (return on investment) that you received from those. After reviewing, it's time to determine if changes need to be made. Sometimes it's just a little tweaking and sometimes the market changes and you need a larger re-work. Use ideas and advice from others but remember to tailor your marketing to your area. Some contractors find great success in Angie's List, Thumbtack and Home Advisor and others have found them to be a complete waste. Find your sweet spot and develop it.
4. Larger equipment purchases many times occur during the colder months so that any design set-up changes can occur with those as a part of the re-work. The warmer months will come sooner than you think and that old saying "the early bird gets the worm" can be very true. Waiting until March for equipment purchases can sometimes be too late. Consider your season and the timing for your next equipment purchase.
These are just a few things to consider. While you may want to hibernate and just call the couch home. If you are working it hard, these colder months should be some of your more busy months for the behind-the-scenes work that goes in to making a business successful.
Good luck to you and stay warm!
- Kimberlee Handl
