July is Smart Irrigation Month; this is a great opportunity take a national initiative right to your customer's doorstep. The irrigation industry is in the lead regarding how to conserve, regulate, and use our precious water resources. This is an exciting thing, and everyone should leverage the opportunity.
Taking advantage of this initiative requires one very important step...educating your customer. You are going to have to explain what Smart Irrigation Month is, why it's important, and show the newer products that truly conserve water. YOU are the professional; your customer is relying on YOU to tell them everything they need to know. This is a tremendous opportunity, and a tremendous responsibility.
Being a professional, whether you are in irrigation, landscaping, water features, or a combination of them all, results in an expectation that you know more than the average customer. Your customer expects you, as a professional, to educate them on the products you use and how it best benefits them. Most of your customers are not looking for long presentations, but they do want information. We are a society of information.
While educating your customer about various products and initiatives, you also must educate them on all the services YOU can provide the customer. Do not assume they know your business, YOU are the professional and it's your job to educate them. Many companies have diversified their offering over the last couple of years, but how many of your companies know that you know install and service: irrigation, landscape lighting, outdoor kitchens, drainage, water features, etc.
Outdoor living is still the hottest trend going. Your customers look at home and garden magazines and think, "Wow...that looks great, where would I start?"
Landscaping needs irrigation, hardscapes need lighting, outdoor kitchens and fire pits are for entertaining, the list goes on. You have a great opportunity to educate in all these areas.
How would you grade yourself in educating your customers, in all aspects? Do they understand the benefit and savings they could realize by upgrading their irrigation system to a more efficient one? Are they aware that you have expanded your business and provide them with everything from "fixing" that wet spot in the backyard with some drainage solutions to installing the outdoor kitchen and living area they have been dreaming of?
The proverbial trunk-slammer is not a professional... you are. As a professional you have opportunities and responsibilities. REAMS is here to help you with both.
Thank you for your continued business.
-Mike
In challenging times, you can prosper by finding new ways to create revenue.
