Plowing by the book
1 May, 2005 By: Wayne Volz LM Special ReportsPre-planning allows you to create visual instructions and reminders that reduce accidents and impress clients
Nobody's memory is perfect. People forget things, and when the snow is flying and conditions are difficult, our drivers' minds are occupied with taking care of business. That's why it's a good idea to create "snow books" and have one in each of your snow trucks.
This book shows the accounts that each driver will be servicing. It contains personal contacts (including cell numbers), special hours of operation if applicable and pictures of all your properties. Don't get fancy. Keep it simple.
First things first
It should contain your customers' wishes based on these questions:
- Do you need access 24/7 during snow & ice events?
- Are you open Monday through Friday only?
- Do you have weekend hours?
- Are you open holidays?
- Any special instructions ?
Take pictures of any obstacles, speed bumps or other potential hazards. Keep the pictures in alphabetical order in the book so the driver can access it quickly. The book provides specific information about each location, including its layout.
A different view
Many times when you look at a property at one time of the year and return to plow the snow months later it's easy to forget particular hazards. Once you get a heavy snowfall, much of the property starts looking the same. You have no idea where things are located under the drifts. Pictures will help you plow your properties without fear of damaging something you cannot see. Property repairs are costly.
Certain locations will require more site preparation than others. This includes locating drains, recognizing hazards and installing markers as needed. The following are some specific sites and suggestions:
- Driveways: Mark them at the end near the road and approximately every 50 feet unless there is a change in the direction of the area to be plowed closer to that.
- Subdivisions, patio homes, condos: Mark the entrances at the edges of the road. You may also want to use these markers on the curbs of any courts or islands within the areas to be plowed. This will give you a guide to use in the event of a deep snow.
- Parking lots, malls and similar areas: Mark any areas that may seem confusing when they get six or more inches of snow. This amount of snow will cover most curbs and parking stoppers.
In all these situations the costs associated with the markers and the time necessary to properly mark the hazards will save your company time and money in the future.
Take the time necessary to provide this service for your customers. This procedure will not only eliminate your potential for an accident but will also save you the time and money associated with the downtime of those accidents.
Your company will appear (and be) more professional, thus enhancing your company's image and perceived value.
One final point. Use this book as a selling tool with customers. It shows them that you're a professional and that you have concern for their individual property and its unique features.
— The author operates Wayne's Lawn Service, Inc., Louisville, KY, and has 26 years in lawn care and with snow services. Through his Profits Unlimited division, he offers a range of profit-building publications plus consulting services. Visit
www.profitsareus.com.
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