Winter Strategies for Asphalt Business Owners
by Marvin Joles of Wis-Coat Asphalt Maintenance
Winter can be a critical time for Asphalt and Asphalt Maintenance businesses to prepare for the busy spring/summer season ahead. Here are a few key areas I believe blacktop entrepreneurs should focus on during the winter months:
Planning and Strategy
Use the downtime to refine your business plan and strategies. This could involve analyzing past performance, setting new goals, and developing marketing strategies for the upcoming season. Consider updating your service offerings, pricing models, and customer acquisition tactics based on what you’ve learned from the previous year. Some of the best places to sharpen your insight and skillset are at industry conferences over the cold months. Not only will you get firsthand education form the organizations holding these events, but the networking you will partake in at these events can build relationships that become invaluable to your success in the future. Attend, make friends, succeed.
Equipment Maintenance and Upgrades
Ensure all your equipment is in top shape for the next season. Perform routine maintenance, make necessary repairs, and invest in any new tools or technology that could enhance efficiency or service quality. (Check out my “Winterizing” article in the October edition of APE Magazine for more details on this. This is also a good time to review inventory levels and order any supplies you’ll need to jump out of the gate successfully come warmer weather.
Customer Engagement and Marketing
I better not hear anybody tell me they cant find anything to do with snow on the ground. This is the best time to set up meetings, reach out on LinkedIn or just flat our make some cold calls to try to get in the ears of potential clients or repeat clients, to see if you can provide and services or quotes. Engage with your current customer base and attract new clients through winter marketing efforts. This might involve running special promotions, updating your website or social media profiles, and planning campaigns to boost visibility. Use this period to strengthen relationships with existing clients through newsletters or seasonal greetings, keeping your business top-of-mind for when the weather warms up.
By focusing on these areas, you can set yourself up for a successful and smooth transition back into the busy season. If you have any questions about this article or what’s in it, please reach out to me at marvin@blacktopbanter.com and I look forward to seeing you over these next winter months