Jul
0

Wash Ideas Weekly #52 – “How carwashing is different Down Under”

This show is a great discussion with operators, association presidents, and suppliers from Australia. Cargroomers was kind enough to sponsor this weeks show and bring everybody together for this discussion. We talk about how this market is different, where they struggle and where they shine. What have they learned from the US market and what innovative things are they doing that we could learn from.

Featuring Ryan Carlson (Your Host)

Blair and Errol Woolcott (Cargroomers Australia) – Soap manufacturer based in Brisbane Australia who sells a water-saving line of chemicals in the US (slipstreamautomotive.com.au)

Chris Johns (Managing Director, Hoppys Hand Wash Cafe – Brisbane) – Chris is the winner of the 2008 ICA Leadership in Innovation Award.

Richard Holloway (Managing Director, Car Wash Headquarters) – Richard is also the current President of the Australian Car Wash Association.

Show Sponsors: Modern Car Care, WashCard Systems, Hydraflex Inc.,

This Weeks Sponsor: Slip Stream AutomotiveAustralian car wash suppliers have had to find ways to reduce water usage and improve wash quality, learn more about this unique product line by visiting them on the web or calling them at ph 0416188858

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Jul
1

Wash Ideas Monthly Bonus: A Tale of Two Carwashes – Part 1

This months ‘bonus show’ features a story about two car wash locations, a short sale, and the planning of a car wash retrofit. Originally featured in Modern Car Care February 2008.

Featuring Ryan Carlson (Your Host)

Show Sponsors: Modern Car Care, WashCard Systems, Hydraflex Inc.

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Jul
0

Wash Ideas Weekly #51 – “How Car Washing is Saving Lives”

This show is one of my favorite shows to date – It gives an entirely new meaning to “earning a customer for life”. This show isn’t about how to maximize your business profits, it’s about how car wash businesses are doing something far more important than clean a car, it’s in the way they are changing peoples lives. Tune in for two amazing stories – first we have cancer survivor Fred Grauer talk about how he is using his business to raise awareness and how Super Wash is putting food into food pantries in over a 160 communities.

Featuring Ryan Carlson (Your Host), Susan Black-Beth (Chief Operating Officer, Super Wash), Fred Grauer (Owner Whistle Stop Carwash, VP Micrologics), George Spelius (Editor, Modern Car Care)

Show Sponsors: Modern Car Care, WashCard Systems, Hydraflex Inc.

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Jul
2

On Vacation

Just wanted to let the regular listeners know I’m on vacation this week and will not get a show recorded. I will be recording a bonus show next week!

Stay tuned.

Below is a picture I took from the end of my dock on the fourth of July right before fireworks started with my daughter standing in awe of the sunset. Admittedly I was in awe as well.

A picture I took from the end of my dock on the fourth of July right before fireworks started.

Jul
0

Wash Ideas Weekly #50 – “Getting ahead by planning ahead”

We have some very special guests for the big 50th show – we talk about long term planning (or reacting in some cases) and ways in which planning will help grow your business.

Featuring Ryan Carlson (Your Host), Robert Greene (Carwash Express), Kate Carr (Editor, Professional Carwashing & Detailing), Paul Fazio (CEO, Sonny’s Direct)

Show Sponsors: Modern Car Care, WashCard Systems, Hydraflex Inc.

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Jun
1

Wash Ideas Weekly #49 – “Hiring great employees using Science!!”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could have a crystal ball that we looked in when we were hiring a new employee and could with a fair amount of accuracy know whether they will be a good hire? Learn about some really cool scientific hiring methods being put into practice today!

Featuring Ryan Carlson (Your Host), Ken Cook (Operations Manager, Carwash Express), Perry Powell (Owner, Perry Powell Consulting)

Show Sponsors: Modern Car Care, WashCard Systems

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Jun
0

Wash Ideas Weekly #48 – “Learning from your Competition”

We take our panel this week of industry insiders and operators to talk about looking to the local competition with fresh eyes. How can we learn about being a better business and a better competitor? Great show this week – a MUST listen.

Featuring Ryan Carlson (Your Host), Curt Aton (Franklin Carwash), Kyle Doyle (CarwashTV.com and Blue Sky Media Group), Robert Greene (Carwash Express Inc.), Kate Carr (Editor, PC&D)

Show Sponsors: Modern Car Care, WashCard Systems

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Jun
0

Wash Ideas Weekly #47 – “Beating the Summer Slump”

Those of us that have been in the business know that summertime is traditionally the time to ramp up marketing and keep those bays wet. We have a great conversation with some very progressive operators about what they are doing to combat the summer slump.

Featuring Ryan Carlson (Your Host), Tom Hoffman, Jr. (Hoffman Carwashes), Bob Schrum (Flagstop Carwashes, SECWA Board), Robert Greene (Carwash Express Inc.), Kate Carr (Editor, PC&D)

Show Sponsors: Modern Car Care, WashCard Systems

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Jun
0

Wash Ideas Weekly #46 – “Industry Insiders with Kyle Doyle”

kyledoyalI had the chance to catch up with Kyle Doyle, a guy who is (in my opinion) is really helping change the face of this industry and has his heart in the right place. He’s been in the wash industry for most of his life and has recently struck out on his own starting new ventures and preaching the gospel of Car Wash Marketing. So of course I’d get along with this guy, we are drinking from the same batch of kool-aid.

Featuring Ryan Carlson (Your Host), Kyle Doyle (CarwashTV.com, Blue Sky Media Group)

Show Sponsors: Modern Car Care, WashCard Systems

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May
0

How customers react to revolution, not evolution

Let’s be very clear that there is no one-size-fits-all pricing plan, magic menu or bullet-proof marketing plan that works for every business, location and demographic. Making decisions to change your business are some of the most frightening and stressful things an owner of a wash business can do because it borders on the unknown. Business owners that are making changes to their business are going to in nearly every instance fall into one of two camps.

Within the first camp there are the washes that have been running successful operations and have been making incremental changes and updates to their locations to meet the demands of an evolving customer base over time. These businesses won’t be perceived as those that are making “Quantum Innovations” because they are already seen as a successful business that give their customers what they want whether it’s convenience, a compelling wash-club, a price point that fits their community.

Then there are the businesses that have gone so long without making updates, changes, or modernizing their equipment that ANY changes that they make are going to be perceived as a Quantum Innovation. These are the businesses that are now struggling because they are losing business to competitors or have been recently purchased by new owners as a “fixer-upper.” The community is going to see new paint, new sign, new equipment decals and maybe even a new service or the ability to pay with credit cards in the self-service bays as a major leap forward. Any one of these changes is on it’s own not going to make a major impact on customer perceptions about whether the business made a “quantum innovation” but, a business that does many small things can make a big impact. Car wash owners that have any construction on site see a significant increase in their business during those months because people are curious and want to know what’s new.
Business owners looking for strategies to turn an ailing business around need to plan on doing more than one or two evolutionary changes to the location—the perception needs to be that revolutionary changes are being made. In concert with new equipment, launch a new marketing promotion, find ways to stand out from the other competitors in town that may be doing the same incremental updates.
Make your plans now to make a splash—if you’re going to make updates come out of the gates swinging. If you want to take full advantage of making upgrades or site updates make certain you’re doing a mix of visible changes with your back-room changes.

Businesses that are looking to improve their already successful car wash business are in a great position to find out what updates could strengthen their position in their territory. Would a monthly wash club be well received? Is your community receptive to businesses that “Go Green?”  Have you focused on the businesses in your community and are you attending to their need for a fleet-friendly car wash?
Don’t be afraid to ask your customers what they would like to see—you might be surprised with what they tell you!