Vol. 2 - Issue Number 6 | 02-10-09
NEWS FLASH
The NRGCA Web Site is getting over 14,000 hits per day.
And we're just getting started!_____________________________________________________
In This Issue
Sales & Marketing: Old Word, New Twist
Installation Tip: Water Dripping Behind the Gutter
Weekly Safety Tip: Spring Time Ladder Safety
Coupon: 1000 FREE Business cards with 5,000 Brochures or Fliers_____________________________________________________
Parsimonious
You probably have never heard of that word. Don't feel bad it's an old word that dates back to the 1500's and nobody really knows it or uses it unless you're a word-nerd, like me. Our friends at Webster's tell us it is: 'the quality of being careful with money or resources.' and 'economy in the use of means to an end.' What does that have to do with your gutter business? Let's look at a more modern day paraphrase: why do something to get just one result when you can do something else and get 5 results. Starting to sound a little more relevant for today?In these economic times who has money to waste? No one! As business people we all need to invest our money wisely and so do our customers. Let's see how the principle of parsimony can be applied.
Parsimony in action!
Even with our current economic situation most people are still working. They have money and they still buy stuff. But they too are being, well, parsimonious. So that means they are spending money but only on really important stuff like their homes, etc. So they can invest money with you to put gutters or gutter protection on their home (one action) and get at least 3 immediate results: directing water away from the foundation preventing future damage, protecting their landscaping, and protecting themselves from falling off a ladder (when cleaning their gutters).Now, let's say you get a contract to install gutters and/or gutter protection. You get one inquiry and one sale, right? Not necessarily. By applying the principle of parsimony you have one inquiry, one sale, followed by 2, 3 or ???? more sales. How? By thinking parsimoniously. (This word will be forever burned in your brain.) You invested to get the lead. You invested to quote and get the job. Now maximize your return on this investment by getting more work through referrals.
We will continue on this theme next week. In the meantime, a little exercise. Write down all of the areas, big and small, in your business where you can apply the principle of parsimony. If you take this seriously it will change your business for the better.
A Preview of next weeks coming attraction!
More Parsimony: The Dynamic Testimonial Page!!! This is awesome!
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This week we will again look at a problem that has created quite a few service calls in the past: water dripping between the fascia and the gutter. There can be numerous reasons for this. One we have found is water wicking to the hanger screw when the hanger is angled toward the back side of the gutter.
With some installs, or certain areas of an install, there is no way around putting your hanger on a rearward slope. We see this a lot when installing gutters on C-drip edge. As we all know the ideal and recommended hanger position is on a very slight angle sloping toward the front edge of the gutter.
When you have no option but to install the hanger sloping toward the back of the gutter we recommend using a rubber washer with your hanger screw. To increase your installation efficiency you can purchase "pole barn screws" that come with the rubber washer already on the screw.
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SAFETY TIP FOR THIS WEEK
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Each week we bring relevant information on 3 subjects that are pertanent to Gutter contractors; Sales/Marketing, Installation/Production & Managing your company. Also we provide a weekly Safety Training Outline to help you comply with your Local, State & Federal safety regulations.
We are excited about bringing this informative newsletter to you and hope that you enjoy it. If you have question we can help you find the answers
Sincerely,
Tony Cobb
National Rain Gutter Contractors Association
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Quote of the Week
" Believe you can and you're half way there."
- Theodore Roosevelt
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Professional Gutter Contractors helping Professional Gutter Contractors!
nrgca.org/forum
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Would you consider going on a Carribean Cruise?
What could you learn from 40 to 50 other Gutter Contractors?
The NRGCA is checking to see if there is enough interest to make it happen!1. 4-5 Days or 7 Days
2. Jan or Feb 2010
3. West Coast or Carribeantony@nrgca.org
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Just a little humor
Not many people know that George Washington had a brother named Ralph. One day their father came home from work and found the cherry tree laying across their front yard. Mr. Washington looked at the boys and asked them if they knew who cut down the cherry tree. George said, "Father I cannot tell a lie, I cut down the cherry tree." His father walked up to George and put his arm around him and said, "George, I appreciate your honesty. Thank you." Mr. Washington then looked at Ralph and asked, "Ralph, do you know anything about the outhouse being tipped over last night?" Ralph, having just observed his fathers exchange with George said, "father, I cannot tell a lie, I tipped over the outhouse last night." SMACK!!! Mr. Washington hit Ralph upside the head. Ralph rubbing his head said, "gee father why did you hit me? I told the truth like George and you didn't hit him!" To which Mr. Washington replied, "Ralph, I wasn't sitting in the tree."