Most commercial laundry equipment distributors host an Open House at least once per year and it’s a good idea to make plans to attend! The coin laundry store owner who takes advantage of these events will surely benefit and help better their business.
I’m sure that you’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating here. The business that is ignored and stagnant is the business that will be surpassed by the rivals. This is especially true with coin laundries. In order to keep your business competitive, thriving, and alive, you must nurture and attend to it. One of the simplest ways to do so is to attend your distributor’s Open House. Besides taking a fresh look at your business, you will receive tangible benefits from actively attending these events. Do yourself a favor and take advantage of them!
Service Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Typically, a distributor’s Open House is centered around service seminars taught by industry experts. These representatives are well-versed in their field of service and preventative maintenance of laundry equipment, and any time spent in these seminars is worthwhile. Even if you are not planning on servicing your own equipment, it is still a good idea for you (or a representative from your store) to attend this seminar to learn about preventative maintenance.
Network with Other Owners
In this industry, it is rare to get an opportunity to rub shoulders with other people in the same business as you and potentially speak to them and see what’s working (or not working) in their specific businesses. Many Open Houses facilitate networking sessions where owners can come together and share ideas and thoughts about their industry. Surrounding yourself with other people in your business inevitably leads to learning about ways to improve your own business. Why not take advantage of these rare opportunities whenever possible?
New Product Demonstrations
New products are being developed every day and it’s a good idea to be aware of these industry innovations, even if you are not ready to buy new equipment now. At an Open House, you can see, touch, and examine new products that can help your business make (and save) more money in your day-to-day operations. In the last several years, great strides have been made by commercial laundry equipment manufacturers to reduce the energy consumption of laundry equipment. When the coin laundry business is “selling utilities,” that alone is a good reason to attend the event.
Sales Prices
During an Open House event, you can be sure to be offered the best deals on everything the distributor has to offer. This will include items like financing specials, one-day-only coupons and sales, and excellent pricing on replacement parts. Make sure you take the opportunity to stock up on commonly used parts since the best pricing is available during these events.
Seminars and Self-Improvement
A good Open House event will most likely include various seminars and informational sessions designed to improve your knowledge of industry topics. There are very few opportunities for this type of instructional learning and it’s a good idea to attend as many of these events as possible. A well-done seminar will not only teach you something about the topic at hand, but will also generate questions (and answers) regarding your business.
Industry Vendors and Guests
Many Open Houses bring in industry representatives and other related guests to be available for customer questions and information. Speaking to these representatives may spark something that benefits your business or answer a question you’ve always had regarding their products.
Solve Specific Problems
Are there challenges that you face with your equipment or daily operation that you can’t seem to resolve? Making a list of these issues and attending an Open House with clear goals is a great step to getting them resolved. At these events, you can typically speak to nearly every employee at the distributorship and with several manufacturer representatives as well. If it’s a service issue, there are generally technicians available to speak to. If it’s an equipment feature that is not working, you can speak to the manufacturers themselves. If it’s a sales problem, many times this is an opportunity to speak to the Sales Manager or even the President of the company.
Free Food & Prizes
Open Houses are typically fun-filled events with plenty of food and the opportunity to win prizes all day long. Take advantage of the free food and drink throughout the day! In addition to door prizes, many distributors give out incentives and grand prizes as large as a free piece of laundry equipment. That definitely makes it worth a little of your time!
Don’t miss out on a distributor’s Open House as a business-building experience for yourself. These events are a valuable resource for the coin laundry store owner and a good opportunity for you to breathe some life into your business. “One of the most valuable things you have to offer is your personal time,” according to Richard LaMaina of Equipment Marketers. “The Open House is an opportunity to spend that time investing in yourself!” See what’s out there, learn about the industry, solve a problem that’s been nagging you, and invest some valuable time into your future! At the very least, I’ll bet you’ll walk away with a full belly, some new knowledge, and a few free samples!
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