Customer clusters

maddrama · 04-30-09, 12:41

Starting the business soon and my ideal situation is where i have enough customers in office parks or big corporate headquaters buildings to keep me busy for the day. Like, enough in one location for one day then enough at the next to keep me busy for the next day. I don't really want to have to go running around the county catering to peoples schedules. I'm only offering washing in&out and light wax starting out until i can afford the equip and training for more services. Is this realistic? Any of you have that type of setup? I imagine one day having multiple crews at numerous business locations like these simultaneously. What was or would be your approach? Go to the people directly or HR(what to say to them to convince them to get ppl to use the service) or just leave b-cards? I'm looking for some insight into how its done or good ideas how it can be done. Thanks a lot!

toyotaguy · 04-30-09, 01:11

totally realistic, and exactly what I am setting up to offer...

todd@bsaw · 04-30-09, 03:13

What city do you live in and what is the commercial district like?
In my Minneapolis shop we did a lot of work for the parking garages in the high-rise financial district. I set up an exclusive account with the business management to offer a service for their customers (the businesses that leased the building) and that spread to multiple parking garages throughout downtown.

The building management's goal was to get people to lease office space and park in their complex, so the premium services that we offered was a perk when they were pitching to possible tenants. People would park at one of our contracted garages and walk blocks away to work so they could get service done.

I'd recommend finding who owns the entire complex or the office management company that runs the office park and pitch the idea to them. You are probably going to need to get permission from them anyway to operate on their property. Generally, they'll own multiple complexes around the area.

maddrama · 04-30-09, 04:12

thanx for you input. I would love contracts like that. I live in the carolinas. Right between Columbia,SC and Charlotte, NC. These are the large cities I can target. Columbia is the SC capitol while Charlotte is a large and rapidly growing city.

EcoAutoCT · 05-01-09, 03:13

Todd has posted a great idea and it's also one of my best sources of income during the winter months. Find the property management company then present your services as a convenience for their current customers, and a draw for new tenants. Remind yourself that you're helping them increase their revenue as much as they are helping you do the same. I've had people from parking garages across the street move to one I was operating in solely to take advantage of my services.

After introducing my services I ended up putting up 12x16" laminated posters including the pricing at all the elevators. Now I do nothing to maintain visibility and promotions at these facilities other than continue to produce good results.

maddrama · 05-01-09, 03:37

That's great Eco! Sounds like you two have a good thing going. How much do you guys charge the company per car? Do you feel a need to discount the services to get them to bite? I'm really excited about this marketing strategy. A little while back when this stuff was still just an idea in my head, I thought how nice it would be to do peoples' cars in those multi tier parking garages. But thought about just going to the drivers. Didn't think of going to the head of the whole thing. Great idea guys.

todd@bsaw · 05-01-09, 04:07

They all got a 10% discount for me.

Many of them will have some sort of car wash set up already, possibly even in house. They might have some guy hired to sit there the whole day for $7 per hour and wash peoples cars. It's your job to tell them why you're better and convince them to fire the other guy. They'd probably be happy to have one less employee to pay every week.

jrib · 05-01-09, 04:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd@bsaw

What city do you live in and what is the commercial district like?
In my Minneapolis shop we did a lot of work for the parking garages in the high-rise financial district. I set up an exclusive account with the business management to offer a service for their customers (the businesses that leased the building) and that spread to multiple parking garages throughout downtown.

The building management's goal was to get people to lease office space and park in their complex, so the premium services that we offered was a perk when they were pitching to possible tenants. People would park at one of our contracted garages and walk blocks away to work so they could get service done.

I'd recommend finding who owns the entire complex or the office management company that runs the office park and pitch the idea to them. You are probably going to need to get permission from them anyway to operate on their property. Generally, they'll own multiple complexes around the area.

Here is Tha Flip Side...I have a customer who "OWN's" a couple of the most sought after commercial property in Memphis.He does not allow ANY mobile rigs on his property.His main beef is the mess they leave behind.All the brake dust/engine grease/tire dressings.
And as far as trying to contact these "OWNERS" of said property.....Good Luck,They have bigger fish to fry than the local Car Wash guy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EcoAutoCT

Todd has posted a great idea and it's also one of my best sources of income during the winter months. Find the property management company then present your services as a convenience for their current customers, and a draw for new tenants. Remind yourself that you're helping them increase their revenue as much as they are helping you do the same. I've had people from parking garages across the street move to one I was operating in solely to take advantage of my services.

After introducing my services I ended up putting up 12x16" laminated posters including the pricing at all the elevators. Now I do nothing to maintain visibility and promotions at these facilities other than continue to produce good results.

You may be able to slip it thru with a Property Mgmnt Group,just hope the "OWNER" is not a local.

todd@bsaw · 05-01-09, 04:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrib

Here is Tha Flip Side...I have a customer who OWN's a couple of the most sought after commercial property in Memphis.He does not allow ANY mobile rigs on his property.His main beef is the mess they leave behind.All the brake dust/engine grease/tire dressings.
And as far as trying to contact these "OWNERS" of said property.....Good Luck,They have bigger fish to fry than the local Car Wash guy.

I did all my work off-site at my shop. We would pick up the vehicles, collect the keys from the owner (or their assistant) and collect the money when we dropped the vehicle off.

To avoid any confusion, I no longer run this shop as I moved and now have my own mobile business, which I like much better although I'm still building my client list.

Edit: And by "own" I guess I meant "manage"... Although I know many of those owners as well and they appreciate a good entrepreneur trying to make a buck.

jrib · 05-01-09, 05:04

No, When I say Own. I mean Own.

maddrama · 05-03-09, 02:38

Well, I intended doing them on-site using ONR and waterless wash products as my means of cleaning. I'll be placing a towel on the ground to catch the very little amount of water that does happen to run off to eliminate that problem though.

EcoAutoCT · 05-04-09, 04:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrib

No, When I say Own. I mean Own.

That's what I had inferred, and wasn't suggesting pitch to the guy that works in the security booth or the parking management company.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrib

You may be able to slip it thru with a Property Mgmnt Group,just hope the "OWNER" is not a local.

The properties I operate on are either 15+ story buildings owned, operated and managed by regional real estate investment firms who increase their revenue by providing incentives to new tenants and renewing contracts with current ones; or multi acre corporate parks owned and operated by national insurance companies who are eager to provide their employees with the added convenience of these services that increase productivity; and state owned government offices who are eager to adopt environmentally responsible methodology that helps shape public perception.

It's all in how you spin it.