[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Ok, I start with a problem I'm having and need help with. At the moment we have 20 jobs on the books to be done, and about 10 for sure bids out that we will get, and more on the way (I'm not complaining:) its about a 35 day work load. We run 1 crew and are buying more equipement and hiring a new 2nd crew to help with the work load.

The problem: Scheduling, everyone want's it done NOW, they think we can send one of our 10 crews right out, even in our business the BIG boys only have 1 or 2 crews, even with the new crew we are adding we will still have the same problem because we will take on more work, nothing like greed. :) I had this problem for years when the busy season starts, its been at best a juggling act. I need ideas if anyone out there has had this problem and what you have done to solve it.

BigMack

[weikel]

I like this idea and it helps the cause of conservatism if we are all rich? Bump from a 20 year old college kid capitalist pig wannabe( with a rich girlfriend).

[Flyer]

everyone want's it done NOW

From a customer's perspective, never say you can do it NOW if you can't. Better to lose one customer that just can't wait than risk losing them all from over committing yourself.

---

[Focault's Pendulum]

The problem: Scheduling, everyone want's it done NOW, they think we can send one of our 10 crews right out, even in our business the BIG boys only have 1 or 2 crews, even with the new crew we are adding we will still have the same problem because we will take on more work, nothing like

You need a butt kicking sales crew with a top notch sales manager who knows how to negotiate the BS that every customer..."needs it right now!"

I do this every day....listening to "prospective customers needing immediate attention....the usual implied threat of "going to your competition."

%85 of my prospects walk back in my door.

[Henrietta]

I'm in!

[Drango]

Do you have someone else that can supervise? Try rolling 4x10's.

40 hours a week, 10 hours a day...then a new crew comes on for the next 40 hours. Then the first crew comes back...and so on. Large construction firms combine this with a second shift when they want to fast track a project.

The key is to sit down with your employess and work out the compensation issues and to make sure your state labor laws will allow such a program.

[mdittmar]

The problem: Scheduling

Don't know if this will help at all,but it's all about customer service.

Do not "bite off more than you can chew".

Do the jobs you can handle perfectly(which I'm sure you do),and you'll always have more business than you can handle.

[Focault's Pendulum]

And BTW my employer has been in one location for 40 years.

We tell it honestly.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

OK you have the best kind of problem. Work, to much work.

Growth is great. I spent 15 years growing franchising businesses. The biggest term I coined, and most certianly was not the first to coin it. "Controlled Growth".

If your limited resources (capital) limits expansion in the revenue department then it is time to reveiw the pricing structure. Either your too low, or too good, or etc.

Now is the time to revisit the pricing structure and increase the revenue rate until the work load is balanced.

Chicagofarmer

[Kermit]

"I had this problem for years when the busy season starts, its been at best a juggling act."

Offer discounts to schedule work in the slow season or discounts, if you can schedule at your convenience rather than theirs.

[abclily]

I would really like to be included and kept informed about the networking arrangements. Thanks!

[spokeshave]

Check out my web site at www.lanchester.com

Where you will find lots of ideas for sales/marketing strategy/tactics.

. Based on the work of English engineer F. W. Lanchester (1868-1946) and his book "Aircraft in Warfare" from 1916.

Lanchester derives the equations of combat (taught today in all military schools)

However the Japanese adapted the Lanchester equations for the case of sales and marketing in the late 50s.

Until Lanchester Press established, none of the materials were available in English. Reagards

[Focault's Pendulum]

We run 1 crew and are buying more equipement and hiring a new 2nd crew to help with the work load.

Having reread this part of your comment.....consider this:

Hire on temp labor
Take your best mechanics and make them foremen (again temp)
Realize the fact that not all good mechanics are good supervisors.....temporary bonus time (not competition) for any and all who complete the work satisfactorily to spec.

[happytobealive]

So the attempt at starting a Free Republic Business Networking Ideas thread came to mind

I hope your networking idea gets traction, but I'm skeptical because FReepers don't post many business articles.

[Texaggie79]

Perhaps ole John might make another topic area...........

[Gore_ War_ Vet]

This is a great idea! Now if only I could figure out how to make money in a food fight?

Ooooo! Ooooo! Ooooo!

Sell pies. #;o)

[rabidralph]

Just an idea that I heard while watching a customer service video. In a nutshell: Getting new customers isn't as important as keeping the current ones happy. Maybe you could hold off on the bidding until you get these current customers scheduled with concrete timetables for finishing their jobs.

Thanks, for suggesting this thread. I hope it bears fruit for the users.

[dtel]

Instead of having one crew "repave" I would assume that is asphalt maintenace correct if wrong, would it be possible to assembly line the work to a degree?
Have a prep crew and a finish crew, possibly.
This would keep your main machinery on-site a shorter time and allow you to squeeze in one more job a day.
Could you describe the process a bit?

[rdb3]

So, I've run it up the flag pole will anybody salute it?

Present arms!

Have you ever thought about "farming out" the overload?

Order arms!

[XBob]

sounds like you are bidding too low, or not willing to grow enough, one or the other or both.

If you are doing quality work and winning more bids than you can handle, raise your bids. Figure out what is a comfortable percentage of bids for you to win, which you can successfully accomplish.

Or alternatively, grow and manage your company to handle the business you win. Growing too fast is always a major problem with small, growing companies, and can lead to total business failure.

[XBob]

sounds like a good idea - a FR business forum, we have a lot of talent in a lot of areas on the forum, but do they want to discuss business?