Goals for 2018

[encapman]

So what are your business goals for 2018? What's in the pipeline?

More commercial? More encap work? Less time on the truck and more time doing biz dev work?

[Bernd]

Good theme! I plan on doing more commercial work.

Have had a good year but would like to get more work during the week cause most commercial jobs are on the weekend.

Learned a lot the last year and would like to give up some work to a full time employee for weekend work.

Gesendet von meinem SM-A320FL mit Tapatalk

[encapman]

More commercial is a great goal!

How are you planning to target your new accounts?

And by the way, you're in Germany; what types of accounts are you mostly focusing on?

[Barry-QDCC]

I'm assuming you mean my business goals for 2018.  I doubt anyone wants to hear about my weight loss goals, needed projects around the house, etc.

I spent 1994 to 2008 in the ChemDry system.  Re-started as an independent in mid 2009.  Best year income wise since the re-start is 2013.  Then for some reason sales dipped 12% in 2014 and 12% in 2015.  Sales then  increased 20% in 2016 and around 15% in 2017.  However the numbers work out percentage-wise 2017 was just a few hundred less than 2013

So I'm hopin to maintain the 15% growth in 2018.   Trying out EDDM this year while maintaining my FB/Yelp/Website/Repeat customer postcards/reminder calls  - - marketing efforts.

I'm like 98% residential carpet cleaning.  I also do tile and upholstery. If I had my druthers I'd just do carpet cleaning.  Although I can most of the time make slightly more per hour doing tile or upholstery, at my age I'm happy with my $PH carpet cleaning rate, and it's just sooooo easy and kickback to do carpet cleaning.

No major equipment purchases planned.  Got a new van last year.

Here's hoping it all goes as planned!

[Lounge Lizards]

Onya Barry, & also for your weight loss, I'm trying to lose more weight, but I seem to find the weight that others lose.

Guess I'm a picker upper, & not such a loser after all.

On the biz; side, here's an upset.

I'm looking at getting out of carpet & upholstery cleaning within the next two years.

I want to do this before I turn 75.

Our area has had a significant downturn in overall work in the last 7 years with many bankruptcies.

Many tradespeople such as builders, plumber, electricians, etc; have left the area.

The bottom of the barrel low-ball carpet cleaners have moved into town from down south to make a killing.

They're welcome to it.

However, we do have plans in store for a much smaller business which will include carpet work such as stains, etc; as well as leather cleaning, etc;

Intentions are a three day work week & many long weekends + travel

[Barry-QDCC]

I'm 61 and still in relatively decent shape - Thank goodness! I have no intentions of growing into a multiple truck biz. Been there/Done that. My wife is 9 years younger than me and plans on working until at least 62. I'll work as long as she does - actually longer, I don't see myself stopping until I can't physically do it. I do see myself slowing down eventually to perhaps 1-2 jobs a day maybe 2-3-4 days a week.

Like you, I'm in a very economically challenged area. ( a county in Southern California.) This area has been at or near the bottom economically for all the things they measure the economy by for over a decade now. This county has not enjoyed whatever upturn the country has had over the past few years. It certainly does affect business in many ways.

That's my retirement plan - unless of course I win the lottery. Then everything is WAYYYY different!!

[encapman]

I like your goals Shorty. At 73 the fact that you're still going in business is encouraging to all of us. Trimming back some sounds like a natural fit. I'm sorry to hear about how your local economy has taken a hit. I hope you can slog your way through that. It sounds like you have a reasonable plan in place though to try to keep things simple. Simple is good.

Barry your numbers look like you've been on a steady track. Nice! It seems reasonable that your numbers this year will continue on the same course. And you may even be able to shed a few pounds. Nancy and I have been tightening up our diets even further lately, going mostly vegan in fact. I'm liking the change, feeling good. But when I hop on the scale the numbers are the same.

[Lounge Lizards]

I like the K.I.S.S. principle.

Keep It Simple Stupid.

I fit the category well. ;-)

I wanted to follow in my mates footsteps, Ray (Rambo) Moody, who retired at 75, but is now back training others in McDonough, GA 30253

But I'm no trainer, I'se a worker.

I'd love to see what others have in their plans for the coming year.

Shortwun.