There are signs…Enjoying the cheer and…

There are signs…And there are signs

The signs are everywhere. They’re simply the help wanted signs we see in so many operations. They represent a golden opportunity for improving our new account sales. All we need to do to capitalize on that opportunity is to figure out how to leverage it.

So instead of making an opening statement focused on lowered costs, faster service, better results, or even achieving an increased number of repeat customers, we could pose the possibility of lowering their back of the house head count.

Helping them achieve great sanitation with one less body might make that sign out front unnecessary. And if they can have the same level (or better) of sanitation with one less worker, they win twice. They’d have one less person to supervise and 100% of that saved labor cost drops directly to their bottom line.

Assuming that idea strikes home, a full survey of the operation is the logical next step. Hopefully it leads to a great aha that lets you come back with a plan that fulfills your opening idea. But even if it doesn’t, chances are pretty good that review might just unearth a clear need that you can fill.

Next up: Fashioning a labor saving plan.

Enjoying the cheer and…being present for it

This may be the slowest week of the year in most Soaper’s calendars. Of course it followed what was possibly one of the most hectic of the year – with the predictable pre-holiday emergency calls, getting those last few rush deliveries handled and (of course) actually wrapping up our own last minute family gift shopping!

But it’s now nearly the big day. Finally we can take a breath, start to mentally prepare for the kids, relatives (and overeating). Often those seem to get in the way of relaxing and savoring the special day and its’ memorable moments.

Yep, it’s all too easy to let the busy activity of the day distract us from really savoring it and the good memories it can create.

That’s why we need to be really mindful and be consciously “present” this year. If we can focus on the day and the better parts of it perhaps this might be the best holiday ever. And even if there’s no magic, it’ll still beat reliving your brother in laws bad golf stories.