The Online Resource for the Painting Industry
The 2012 U.S. Interior Paint Satisfaction study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates came out in April. Benjamin Moore ranked highest in customer satisfaction, Sherwin Williams was second and Behr third. While we salute the manufacturers who scored well, we also have to peel back the layers of this onion and see if it brings any […]
Below are six practical steps we have found to be highly successful. Use the items below to create a plan for your team.Then stick to it for at least six months. If you like, Summit can help. After six months, our experience tells us you will have come a long way and you will want to keep going.
Every morning, you get up, go to work and lead your painting company through another day. You‘re satisfied if you get through the day without too many problems from your customers and employees. You’re even happier if there’s money left over for you. Then, you get up and do it again. So, where’s it all […]
Are you spinning your wheels? Many of us are so busy working “in our business” that we put working “on our business” low on the priority list. Add to the list Social Media, Training Employees, Hiring , Paperwork and keeping up on the endless changes in RRP Rules, and it is a wonder how we […]
Your paint store can be one of the most valuable resources in your business. They can provide product knowledge and expertise, assistance with estimating quantities, colour advice, delivery of products and REFERRALS
Most of you know me from writing about lead based paint, but I wanted to step outside the box for a minute and mention a product, DocuSign that painters may be interested in.
Doing what you love isn’t easy. For many, the challenges of making ends meet; paying the bills or striving to survive takes the wind out of the love sail.
Let’s preface this discussion by saying that there is no right or wrong size for a paint contracting business, no one size fits all. Crew size and configuration is completely dependant on the market you operate in and your potential to generate work. This discussion is geared more to the paint contractor who is in […]
Growth is change. It requires more processes, controls and people. Too much growth too quickly can create financial and quality risks that if not properly managed can lead to the demise of the business. Keeping tabs on all of these factors can easily overwhelm business owners.
This article isn’t about accounting. But every year, almost to the day, my accountant sends out to all of his clients a year end tax planning document via email. It is rich with information about current tax legislation and expected changes in tax law from the current year to the next, which is a great […]
1. Appointment times are set in stone. Its a given to avoid being late at all costs. Your salesperson should give the customer a warm introduction and make small talk prior to running around with a tape measure. In his hands are a laptop and a picture presentation binder. He should look like a contractor. […]
I was talking this week with fellow one-man band master decorator, Jonathan Graham, about the challenges of taking on bigger than normal jobs. For most UK painters, normal means redecorating a lounge or bedroom, which to be honest, is like falling off a log. From quoting, to ordering materials, to doing the work, to getting paid, it […]
Have you ever sat down with a friend to ask him/her their advice on your business challenges? Have you complained about the trials and tribulations of running a painting business? Chances are you have, and chances are you were given advice that your friend wanted you to hear. Recently I spoke to a business owner […]
We say yes. Sure, we all have sharper pencils today than we did 5 or 7 years ago. Alot of the (would be) competition has become pretty adroit – or sloppy -at figuring out where to compromise product and process to make lower numbers work. Some will even tell you that they make more money […]
In the last few articles, I stressed developing your vision of the future, leadership skills, choosing the correct employees, and attracting and keeping customers. In this article, I will focus on being the type of person and leader others want to follow. Some businesses I have visited have retained the same employees for twenty years […]
