Cleaner’s Supply issues Industry and Consumer pulse reports
Two reports by Cleaner’s Supply — both the result of surveys of hundreds of operators and consumers — are the buzz of the industry right now. Both reports are packed with interesting and provocative information, presented in an easy-to-understand format using charts, graphics and large print. You won’t fall asleep reading these, and you just might find ways to improve your business by taking them to heart.
What’s in them? How can you get them?
Alberta Conference 2024 Report
The Alberta Textile Care Association held it’s annual conference over the weekend of April 13, 2024 in Red Deer, AB. People attended from Edmonton, Calgary and many places in Alberta and Saskatchewan. They networked, shared information, and listened to interesting speakers on a variety of topics.
CLATA holds Annual General Meeting
The Cleaners and Launderers Allied Trades Association held it’s Annual General Meeting on April 4 in Montreal, QC. Various items were discussed, including the popular Annual Golf Tournament.
APRIL FOCUS: Value-Adding Ideas
You probably hear the phrase “added value” all the time, but what does it mean when it comes to dry cleaning or laundry? The purpose of added value is to make the customer experience so good, they won’t consider going anywhere else. All this month we’ll talk about how to do that in your business.
First, let’s clarify something. Value-added is something the CUSTOMER likes. It may take you a bit of work, and sometimes it’s a headache, but its not about you! The things that draw customers back, and make them tell others about your services, are what we’re looking for.
An article last year in Podium online magazine was entitled, “Strategies to Improve Customer Experience for Dry Cleaners.” The article gave ten ideas:
- Implement Mobile Payment
- Foster Real-time Communication
- Offer Personalized Service
- Enhance Pickup and Delivery Services
- Focus on Staff Training
- Reward Customer Loyalty
- Maintain a Clean Environment
- Provide Transparency
- Utilize Online Reviews
- Send Reminders and Updates
You can read the article for details here.
Do you have a clever added-value practice that your customers just love? Tell us about it!
Out of Their Minds
SERIES INSTALLMENT 2
One way to look at Value-Added services is to look at your business like your customers would like to look at it: they don’t want to think about it at all. If you are out of their minds but handling their needs, that is perfect service to a customer.
Join us as we look at one company that knows Value-Added and presents it beautifully.
Every Company Can Add Value
The decisions you make about how you run your company need to be grounded first of all in what customers need and want. Then you move to how to make it happen in a rational way for productivity. The first step is figuring out what your customers want.
Let me tell you about some of the things we do at Integrity Mechanical as an example. Use it as inspiration to better meet customer needs. Note: If you are looking for something convenient or easy, you can stop reading right now.
Does Everybody Know Your Name?
Curious to know how your competitor landed in the Sunday paper? Why do they get on the evening news for doing something good? They seem to be everywhere. They just catch all the breaks!
Actually, they are working hard to make their name synonymous with cleaning in your area. It’s very intentional. And you can do it, too. This month I’m sharing everything you need to know about public relations, a marketing tactic used to generate brand awareness, and how to implement a PR strategy within your own business.
MARCH FOCUS: MECHANICAL MAGIC
The worst day ever
Things go wrong in your plant all the time, but today is the day from you-know-where.
You arrive to find your security alarm battery died, and you can’t make it stop beeping. You replace the battery and peace is restored. Or is it?
READ MORE ABOUT THE WORST DAY EVER here…
All this month we’ll be saluting those who know which button to press, which hose to replace, where the blockage is, how to get things back in sync.
We’d love to hear your story of a situation where your mechanic was able to save the day. Send us a quick email and we’ll feature it: becca@fabricarecanada.com.
An Interview with
a Magician
INSTALLMENT 2 IN OUR SERIES
You’re probably afraid to ask your mechanic some of the questions we asked ours, because the longer they are in your plant, the more money they cost you. So we’ve saved you the expense and pinned down Kevin Marois of Integrity Mechanical on some behind-the-curtain thoughts.
Buy Yourself Some Magic
This is a great time to be in this industry. We have equipment that reduces the strain on your workers. It allows you to use less skilled staff but still produce well finished garments. These machines and chemicals will save you labour – if you are willing to use them.
Unlocking Customer Attention
You love your machines. They do wonderful things! They make a living for you. Wouldn’t it be great if your customers were as enraptured with all that technology? Linley has a simple way to unlock your customers’ attention and get them to understand and appreciate all that magic behind the curtain.
