http://businessisinthedetails.com/marketing-and-selling/you-just-have-to-measure/ For people making payroll, by people making payroll Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:08:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://businessisinthedetails.com/marketing-and-selling/you-just-have-to-measure/comment-page-1/#comment-23 ryan Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:21:42 +0000 http://businessisinthedetails.com/?p=398#comment-23 Hi, Darr! Funny you should mention the number-on-the-water-heater thing. We do that with our HVAC, electrical, and plumbing businesses. We put a sticker on HVAC units we service, on the breaker-panel door for electrical, or the hot water heater for plumbing. We figure if a homeowner's looking very carefully in any of those three places, they're probably about to need to call someone to help. :) Hi, Darr! Funny you should mention the number-on-the-water-heater thing. We do that with our HVAC, electrical, and plumbing businesses. We put a sticker on HVAC units we service, on the breaker-panel door for electrical, or the hot water heater for plumbing. We figure if a homeowner’s looking very carefully in any of those three places, they’re probably about to need to call someone to help.

]]> http://businessisinthedetails.com/marketing-and-selling/you-just-have-to-measure/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Darlene Saal Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:05:39 +0000 http://businessisinthedetails.com/?p=398#comment-22 Thanks so much for this article, I am printing it for all my clients. I am certain most do not have a seperate phone line, but they can accomplish the same thing by asking "How did you hear about us?" This simple question can save most owners money and stress. I do not believe the yellow pages will ever go away. The key for advertising is figure out how to get your information in front on the customer on the day they need it. We had a plumber write his number on the hot water heater when he installed it. When we need a plumber, we go to the hot water heater and retrieve the number. Go figure..Thanks, Darr Thanks so much for this article, I am printing it for all my clients. I am certain most do not have a seperate phone line, but they can accomplish the same thing by asking “How did you hear about us?” This simple question can save most owners money and stress. I do not believe the yellow pages will ever go away. The key for advertising is figure out how to get your information in front on the customer on the day they need it. We had a plumber write his number on the hot water heater when he installed it. When we need a plumber, we go to the hot water heater and retrieve the number. Go figure..Thanks, Darr

]]> http://businessisinthedetails.com/marketing-and-selling/you-just-have-to-measure/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Chris Gattis Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:24:53 +0000 http://businessisinthedetails.com/?p=398#comment-21 You can’t improve what you don’t measure. It’s the hallmark of continuous improvement and quality systems. Whether yellow pages advertising or manufacturing space shuttle parts, process improvement requires measurement. In your case, you would have patted yourselves on the back for saving some money but might be struggling to figure out why your business had declined a year from now when you had missed those 700 or so potential customer calls. The facts contradicted your ‘gut feelings’ about the system and common knowledge about the industry. This is an excellent story to illustrate your point. You can’t improve what you don’t measure. It’s the hallmark of continuous improvement and quality systems. Whether yellow pages advertising or manufacturing space shuttle parts, process improvement requires measurement. In your case, you would have patted yourselves on the back for saving some money but might be struggling to figure out why your business had declined a year from now when you had missed those 700 or so potential customer calls. The facts contradicted your ‘gut feelings’ about the system and common knowledge about the industry. This is an excellent story to illustrate your point.

]]> http://businessisinthedetails.com/marketing-and-selling/you-just-have-to-measure/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Becky McCray Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:10:28 +0000 http://businessisinthedetails.com/?p=398#comment-19 Keith, thanks for adding your numbers and story to our discussion. It's been very interesting to hear different experiences from real small business people. Keith, thanks for adding your numbers and story to our discussion. It’s been very interesting to hear different experiences from real small business people.

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