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QUICK TIPS<br />
MONEY MAKING TIP<br />
The Vending Sales Formula<br />
Here’s the lowdown on L V S P R T C<br />
which stands for locations, visibility, security,<br />
reliability, time and convenience, according<br />
to Jim Holve, the vending expert behind<br />
ShurVend Vendors.<br />
“L” & “V” — LOCATION and VISIBILITY: When<br />
installing a vendor for high sales volume, the vendor<br />
should have “End Aisle” exposure for high<br />
visibility to make the customer take notice. Our<br />
experience indicates that the best vendor location<br />
is in or near the vacuum area of the wash site. A location<br />
at the end of one of the vacuum islands near<br />
the center of the vacuum grouping is preferred.<br />
“S” — SECURITY: This is priority #3 as the wash<br />
operator needs to have confidence that his/her<br />
vending products, sales, and profits are not stolen<br />
or the vendor put “Out of Service” due to vandalism.<br />
The current versions of our ShurVend security<br />
systems, which keep improving all the time, have<br />
been found to be very effective.<br />
36 • SUMMER 2019<br />
“P” — PRODUCTS: Experience over many years<br />
has proven that more product choices always produce<br />
higher sales volume in a vending center.<br />
“R” - RELIABILITY: Machines should operate<br />
24/7 and require very little attention from the owner<br />
other than collecting the money and restocking<br />
with product. The “Guaranteed Delivery” feature<br />
makes the vending experience hassle free for both<br />
the customer and the owner.<br />
“T” & “C” — TIME & CONVENIENCE: These<br />
are important to the success of a vending machine.<br />
The only unmetered time for a customer<br />
at a wash site is in the vacuum area where customers<br />
are not worried about the clock and can<br />
spend time cleaning their vehicle. When a vending<br />
product is needed, the customer will buy on “impulse”<br />
if the vendor is close by. If the vendor is<br />
not in the customer’s sight or is not readily available,<br />
the “impulse” to buy quickly fades away.<br />
That’s money left on the table by the wash operator.<br />
PROPERTY TIP<br />
What is wrong with this picture?<br />
These pictures were not taken at a car<br />
wash, but at a very popular hamburger chain<br />
that rhymes with “Nick Wonalds.” I took these<br />
pictures because I was waiting in line during<br />
lunchtime and was disturbed by what I saw.<br />
Tape? An illegible screen? A sad coiled hose?<br />
Weeds? Customers are stuck in their cars<br />
while waiting in the drive-thru line and this<br />
is the site they see. It wasn’t glaringly obvious<br />
unkemptness, but it did make me question<br />
the business manager’s commitment to<br />
quality food, quality upkeep and cleanliness.<br />
This photo was taken on June<br />
24. That is plenty of time to<br />
get the property in tiptop<br />
shape after the pollen and<br />
salt and muck of spring and<br />
winter. The manager or owner<br />
should know to clean off the<br />
POS system. Plant some grass<br />
seed. Buy new mulch. Hide<br />
the hose… you get the idea.<br />
And, for goodness sake, make<br />
a better effort that using a taped-up sign,<br />
messily clung to the screen.<br />
Curb appeal is important. It doesn’t have to<br />
break the bank and can make the difference<br />
between a one and done or a repeat customer.<br />
A few years back, the market research and<br />
consulting firm Morpace surveyed 1,000<br />
consumers. A whopping 95 percent of those<br />
surveyed said a store’s external appearance<br />
influences their decisions. Also, more than<br />
half of those surveyed said they would avoid<br />
a store if it appeared dirty on the outside. Two<br />
out of every three people<br />
also said the would not visit<br />
a store based on its outward<br />
appearance.<br />
Do you have properties<br />
you are proud of? Nice<br />
landscaping? Please share<br />
them with the readers by<br />
sending them to me at<br />
debrag@sscwn.com<br />
MARKETING TIP<br />
Keeping it Local<br />
My hometown area got a bit of the Hollywood treatment<br />
recently as Madison Vandenberg, of Latham, New York, was a<br />
top-three finalist on American Idol. Her reign as a finalist was<br />
all over the local news, on lawn signage and even our local ice<br />
cream chain made a special flavor in her name. Also, businesses<br />
would put special messages on their signage. It was a nice way<br />
to show hometown pride and also prove that a business wasn’t<br />
“setting and forgetting” their marketing initiatives.<br />
One idea for car wash signs would be to tap into local<br />
noteriety. For instance, did a local football team do well? A math<br />
team? Is someone being featured in a reality TV competition?<br />
Or make headlines for some noteworthy reason? If so, consider<br />
switching up your signage with a personalized, homespun<br />
message. Or, you can even have a professional banner made<br />
(costing anywhere from $30 to $100+) to show your local<br />
pride. The idea is that your business’s presence isn’t stale and<br />
you are taking pride in your area.<br />
SAFETY TIP<br />
Are you Prepared?<br />
Flooding season most commonly occurs between Spring and<br />
Fall. It can happen anywhere and it is important to be prepared.<br />
According to the Small Business Association (SBA), Floods are<br />
one of the most common and widespread of all disasters, and<br />
continue to grow in frequency and severity and businesses are<br />
more likely to flood than burn down, so it is vital to prepare<br />
now.<br />
The SBA also offers this checklist to follow before a flood<br />
strikes.<br />
33Review Emergency Plan with team, and key employees<br />
33Take all necessary steps to prevent the release of dangerous chemicals<br />
that might be stored on your property - locate main gas and<br />
electrical shut-offs and anchor all fuel tanks<br />
33Postpone any receipt of goods- deliveries, couriers, etc.<br />
33Contact insurance agent, discuss policy, etc.<br />
33Establish emergency communication method (Alert Notification<br />
System, phone tree,etc.); identify meeting place and time for all key<br />
employees in Crisis Management Team; create voicemail for when<br />
evacuated, or out of office, etc.<br />
33Update disaster recovery kits and begin crisis back-up procedures<br />
33Maintain accurate inventory of product on site<br />
33Use plugs to prevent flood water from backing up into sewer drains,<br />
or install flood vents/or flood proof barriers<br />
33Stay tuned to local media & community messaging<br />
After the Flood<br />
33Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply<br />
is safe to drink<br />
33Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw<br />
sewage - water may also be electrically charged from underground or<br />
downed power lines<br />
33Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded, roads may have<br />
weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car<br />
33Clean and disinfect everything that got wet, mud left from floodwater<br />
can contain sewage and chemicals<br />
33Implement DR plan, and monitor local authorities’ communication<br />
33Contact employees via determined method of communication and<br />
discuss next steps<br />
33Contact your insurance agent
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