Window Tinting -Perfect For Tampa's Rebounding Economy
Unemployment at plus 10% and foreclosures remain high but there has been glimmers of hope as we move into the last two months of 2009.
The window film business is clearly influenced by consumer spending and the rising cost of fuel. The Economic Recovery Act promotes triple tax credit incentives that make your window film investment a very attractive proposition. Combined with the window film rebates you earn from TECO and Progress Energy, the ROI is less than 6 months in many cases.
The car tinting business is influenced by the number of new cars being sold since a large percentage of clients are historically folks who just purchased or leased a new car or SUV.
Many window film tint shops have "hunkered down" a horde of window tinting shops have "gone away!" like our 3M Boca Raton Dealer friend B&B. (Can someone find out if their phone number is available??)
The result?
Not surprisingly the various window film manufacturers have also tightened their belts in 2009.
Marketing and travel budgets have been slashed and the "Bean Counters" have assumed a greater control of their business planning.
Their limited talent pool of MBA's with no real world experience seems more inflated with corporate kiss-assers than ever before.
If looks could sell, some of these manufacturer's would be in terrific shape.
Unfortunately for them success in tough times takes talent, knowledge, passion and solution selling skills.
Telling dealers they need to buy more film ain't gonna cut it in 2009-2010.
Having once been the corporate side of the equation, and now as an independent window film dealer, here's my advice:
The window film business is clearly influenced by consumer spending and the rising cost of fuel. The Economic Recovery Act promotes triple tax credit incentives that make your window film investment a very attractive proposition. Combined with the window film rebates you earn from TECO and Progress Energy, the ROI is less than 6 months in many cases.
The car tinting business is influenced by the number of new cars being sold since a large percentage of clients are historically folks who just purchased or leased a new car or SUV.
Tinters diversify with their vaunted squeegee skills. .
Many window film tint shops have "hunkered down" a horde of window tinting shops have "gone away!" like our 3M Boca Raton Dealer friend B&B. (Can someone find out if their phone number is available??)
The result?
Not surprisingly the various window film manufacturers have also tightened their belts in 2009.
Marketing and travel budgets have been slashed and the "Bean Counters" have assumed a greater control of their business planning.
Their limited talent pool of MBA's with no real world experience seems more inflated with corporate kiss-assers than ever before.
If looks could sell, some of these manufacturer's would be in terrific shape.
Unfortunately for them success in tough times takes talent, knowledge, passion and solution selling skills.
Telling dealers they need to buy more film ain't gonna cut it in 2009-2010.
Window Film manufacturers will have to do a whole lot better than that in the next twelve months!
Having once been the corporate side of the equation, and now as an independent window film dealer, here's my advice:
- Stop beating yourself up about your current situation. Sure, you have made mistakes (who doesn't?) it is unproductive to assign blame or kick yourself about your current situation.
- Ask for help! While the various manufacturer's and their distributors (whomever is left standing) have their own issues, there are many talented people who might be able to assist you develop immediate action items that will improve your bottom line!
- See if you can extend your terms: Be reasonable and ask your creditors for understanding during these tough times. You may be surprised at their receptivity.
- Find out who is growing their window film business right now and shamelessly imitate what they are doing! Forget your ego or fond recollections of how wonderful the world was in 2004 or 2005. That's old news! I see dealers copying what we do here at Advanced Film Solutions and enjoy the imitation.
- The answer to a positive growth in sales is already in your client base. Look at the where your sales are coming from right now? You shouldn't try to be "all things to all people." Find where your competitive strength lies (that old 80/20 paradigm) and concentrate on the 20% that make up 80% of your current sales!
- Review your product solution mix. If you are promoting one brand for example; it just may be the right time to expand your horizons. If your manufacturers are actively recruiting dealers in your marketing area, turnabout is fair play!
We can help you!
Call Advanced Film Solutions for a consultation.
877-575-3456
Ask for me, Mike Feldman
Call Advanced Film Solutions for a consultation.
877-575-3456
Ask for me, Mike Feldman
Posted by Mike Feldman at 11/8/2009 7:15 AM 
Categories: Consulting Coaching
Tags: 2009 economic situation
Categories: Consulting Coaching
Tags: 2009 economic situation
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