Commercial Office Accounts

I apologize to anyone who may think my posts are too aggressive, or abrasive.



But, the use of 'veiled' profanity seems somewhat sophomoric, particularly on this forum.
 
Jimmy Buffit said:
I apologize to anyone who may think my posts are too aggressive, or abrasive.



But, the use of 'veiled' profanity seems somewhat sophomoric, particularly on this forum.
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I missed it:nixweiss
 
You didn't miss much.



Just some guy who needs to put on some flip-flops and chill with a cold margarita.



I understood what Jim was referring to.
 
tdman said:
What are you, the Autopia police? He's a detailer who's obviously created a market and niche for getting other detailing business. While most people have to solicit business, he's getting paid AND getting the word out. Yeah, it IS just you. MYOFBMF. No, those aren't initials for new microfiber towels. Figure it out smart guy.
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Now, you got it...



Jim
 
joburnet said:
I am going to offer washes which is something that I've never been able to do before and I'm hoping that it will lead to a lot more business. At the office complex's I am going to be offering my full line of detailing services.
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Chris,



Have you given any thought to creating a mission statement for your business?

A mission statement that will help to define the basic concept of your business.



A- CAR WASH BUSINESS?

Do you want to be in the car washing business? And fill the need of people who want to get their cars washed for LESS THAN $15 on a regular basis.



B- DETAILING BUSINESS?

Do you want to be in the detailing business? And fill the need of people who want to get their cars detailed for MORE THAN $200 on a regular basis.



Try to think about how you really want your business to grow. I have posted a few questions that can help you to define the real target market of your business.



1- Who is the customer?

2- Where is the customer?

3- What does the customer value?

4- What are the realities of the customer?



Once your business mission is thoughtfully defined, you will then be able to begin to establish meaningful objectives and set realistic goals.



Although some people may not agree, car washing and detailing is basically two completely different markets. Sort of like the difference between eating at a fast food place and having dinner at a high priced gormet restaurant.



If you think I am just making up all of this marketing stuff, then just look around and see for yourself how many businesses you can find that are washing cars for LESS THAN $15 and also detailing the same cars for MORE THAN $200.
 
mirrorfinishman -



I agree that a car wash business and a detailing business are two different businesses and I'm not trying to compete in the car wash business. I am trying to get corporate accounts where I offer my full line of detailing services, but since I'm already there I am offering a lesser services such as just a wash.



I am charging $25 for just a wash and $40 for a wash and vac plus some extra's.



I had my first account yesterday and it went very well. I kept busy for most of the day, but part of it was detailing my own truck and stuff like that. I detailed the property managers car and he agreed to distribute my flyer to the entire building so I'm hoping that next week we will get more business. It looks like once we get established there and people know that we will be there every wednesday then we will get plenty of business.
 
Can you honestly answer these questions?



1- Who is the customer?

2- Where is the customer?

3- What does the customer value?

4- What are the realities of the customer?



Exactly how much do you really know about the customers you are trying to reach?
 
1- Who is the customer?



The professionals working in the building. Everything from secretaries to executives.



2- Where is the customer?



In the building.



3- What does the customer value?



Time and quality work. Being at their work offers them our service with the least amount of constraint on their time.



4- What are the realities of the customer?



Not sure exactly what you mean by this one but their reality is that they have a very good income and not a lot of money so paying $25 to have their $40k+ car washed or detailed is a no brainer because it's so easy, just park in a different spot and it's done when they get back.
 
mirrorfinishman said:




Although some people may not agree, car washing and detailing is basically two completely different markets. Sort of like the difference between eating at a fast food place and having dinner at a high priced gormet restaurant.
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How do you figure car washing and detailing are two completely different markets? I have several customers who want both from me. I detail their cars a few times then they mention in between details the local tunnel car wash just isn't cleaning their cars properly. What am I supposed to tell them? Too bad? Washing your car is beneath me? With me washing their cars, when it comes time to detail them again, the paint is in better condition because of proper washing techniques and the interior is easier to clean because of regular vacuuming and wiping down.



About 50% of my business is washing cars for my weekly regulars. It is income I can depend on week in and week out. In addition, the customer who is willing to pay a premium price for a quality hand car wash is willing to pay a premium price for a quality detail. Most tip weekly and very nicely at Christmas too, which is also a plus.



BTW, your analogy is flawed, at least in my case. The washing is the appetizer and the detail is the main course...at a 5 star restaurant. :)
 
Your answer to #3 about 'time and quality' shows that you are very capable of creating a mission statement for your business that can help you to define the basic concept of your business.



The answers to the other questions are rather broad based as they really have no impact on setting a direction of what you think you want your business to be all about.



Let's face it. You are the only one who can create the image that people will see when they think about your business.



Will those professionals see you as being in the car washing business? or in the detailing business?
 
If you look at it from a business perspective then a car wash business and a detailing business are very different.



Washing a car is part of detailing but if you look at the customers of the two businesses then it's very different. A car wash place that charges $8 to wash a car cleans several hundred cars a day. A detailing company that charges $40 a wash can only wash a few cars a day. Your going to get a very different customer for each wash and therefore the way you market, products you use, employee's you hire and everything about the business is going to be different.



You may just advertise by word of mouth but a car wash company must advertise in the paper, yellow pages, coupon magazines, ect...
 
joburnet said:
If you look at it from a business perspective then a car wash business and a detailing business are very different.



Your going to get a very different customer for each wash and therefore the way you market, products you use, employee's you hire and everything about the business is going to be different.
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It sounds like you are well on your way to understanding more about your potential customers and what it will take to fill the needs that these people have your services. In time, that will help you to define the mission and basic concept of your business.



Thanks for taking the time to reply!
 
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