Season’s here and the customers have come on like gangbusters!  Your crew (or crews) are working at peak efficiency, they’re doing all they can to beef up production, but you’re making too many sales for them to keep up.

We at CTi see this predicament each Spring season when the weather starts allowing homeowners to utilize their outdoor patios or pool decks, or they notice their driveways and walkways could use a new look.  It sometimes seems like everyone contacts your business at once, whether it’s through a Home and Garden Show, or your phones simply become a lot busier.

So what is a Dealer supposed to do with this situation?  The knee-jerk reaction is to add more people, create another crew and keep up with the increased demand.  This is not a bad idea and it definitely will lead to more revenue for the business, but it comes with challenges that should be considered prior to pulling the trigger.

First, do you have the time to train a lead person for this additional crew?  Unless you can teach a new person how to effectively handle and manage a job site, you’re going to see issues in productivity and quality.  Training a new manager will normally take a few weeks and many Dealers just don’t have the time once season has come on them.

Second, can the business afford the increase in overhead?  New wages on payroll, new equipment and a new truck are just some of the expenses the business is going to incur when you add another crew.  It’s going to take some time for the cash flow from the increase in production to pay for the increase in overhead.  This lag may be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, so you need to prepare accordingly.

Third, and most importantly, is increasing the size of your business truly what you want?  Most business owners get caught up in growing a business for the sake of increasing its size.  If not done properly, the business, over time, may become an entity the owner didn’t want in the first place.

There are other possible solutions when customers become too plentiful.

One is looking at adding some extra help to the crew you currently have (instead of adding an additional crew).  An extra set of hands used at critical times during the installation process can help a crew get additional square footage down each week.

A second consideration may be to look at equipment that may speed things up.  If your crew is grinding concrete with a 7″ hand held grinder, a larger walk behind can increase speed and efficiency and will lead to more production.

The final consideration is your selling price.  Business owners forget this option when they’re in the heat of running their business, but many times it’s the most effective way of growing a business’ profits while addressing the issue of too many customers.  A Dealer who has a backlog of work can increase his average selling price by $.50 per square foot without losing too many customers; the ones he does lose can be tolerated by the business because of the backlog.  The beauty of this solution is that the $.50 per square foot (of $500.00 for every 1000 square feet installed), goes directly to the bottom line of the business; no other increases in overhead or cost of goods has been incurred.

Create the business you’ve always wanted by keeping in mind the vision you had when you first started it.

Laminate counters can be found in many homes across the United States.  If your home has these types of counters, give them new life by having your local Concrete Technology Dealer install the CTi Euro Bond or the CTi Reflective finish over the existing laminate.  Your existing laminate counters can have the look and durability of marble, granite or you can have a look that is uniquely yours.  The Concrete Technology Systems are less expensive than marble, granite or other industry standard products so you can have all the beauty in your home without the expense.

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The durability of the Concrete Technology products (which are stronger than concrete), combined with the beauty of wood. Here are some examples of our Dealers’ work around the country.

We would like to congratulate the following Concrete Technology Dealers as they celebrate the anniversary of their Dealerships:

Koetting Construction – TX – 18 years
Concrete Graphics – CO –  17 years
CTI of Pittsburgh – PA – 4 years
Concrete Master Works – TX – 4 years
Holm Concrete Solutions – IL – 3 years
Slab Doctors – NC – 3 years
CTi of New Orleans – LA – 3 years
Concrete Resurfacing of Connecticut – CT – 3 years
Elite Concrete Technology – KS – 2 years
Decorative Concrete of Knoxville  – TN – 2 years
CTi of Northern California – CA – 2 years
Americraft Decorative Concrete – OK – 1 year
Exterior Designs – LA – 1 year
Concrete Professional Restoration – AL – 1 year
Kennedy’s Decorative Concrete – OK – 1 year
CTi Northwest – OR – 1 year
CTi of Katy – TX – 1 year
Modern Design – MN – 1 year
CTi of Central Kentucky – KY – 8 years
Concrete Solutions & Restorations – MO – 8 years
Superior Corp. of IL – IL – 7 years
CTi of Elk River – MN – 6 years
Eagle Concrete – NY – 5 years
Dean Brothers Construction – NY – 5 years
Enhanced Concrete Concepts – PA – 5 years
Custom Concrete Designs – WV – 15 years

The weather has finally allowed our Dealers to start work on the driveways, patios, pool decks, walkways and even vertical surfaces around the country.  Take a look at the pictures they’re sharing on Facebook by going to Concrete Technology’s Facebook page.

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Chuck and Ryan are working hard with our Video team to put together some new training movies.  CTi is always striving to keep our Dealers on the cutting edge when it comes to products and techniques!  Shout out to Dan at Videophotog for helping us look good.

If your home has a pool, summer can be a time when the entire family enjoys the area for both fun and relaxation.  CTi can provide your pool deck with an exciting new look while offering a coating that is impervious to the chemicals used in your pool.  In addition, the CTi coating cleans up with a hose and comes with a 10 year warranty.

Concrete Technology Inc. would like to congratulate its Dealers who are celebrating their business’ anniversary in May:

CTi SMN – AR – 21 years
Advanced Surfaces – CT – 17 years
PRC Home Services – MO –  17 years
Concrete Design Solutions – LA – 8 years
Concrete Upholstery –  AL – 5 years
Southwest CTi – NM – 5 years
CTi of North Central West Virginia – WV – 4 years
D2 Concrete Restoration & Design – VA – 4 years
Concrete Innovations of Kansas – KS – 4 years
Creative Concrete Resurfacing – LA – 4 years
Concrete Specialty Coatings – NC – 3 years
CTi Creations – AR – 3 years
I-80 Concrete Designs – IA – 3 years
Vintage Construction & Masonry – MD –  3 years
CTi of Tampa Bay – FL – 3 years
Suncoast Concrete Design and Solutions – FL – 3 years
IIB Hardscape Designs – TX – 2 years
JoMa Business Enterprises – CA – 2 years
CTi of Fresh Coat Concrete – OH – 2 years
CTi Houston – TX – 2 years
RTZ Decorative Concrete – TX – 2 years
Cooper & Webbs – NJ – 2 years
GM Concrete Technology – FL – 2 years
Luxury Interiors – AZ – 2 years
Zion Concrete Restoration – TX – 2 years
American Hardscapes – TX – 2 years
Artizan Concrete Designs – VA – 1 year
Superior Concrete Solutions – SD – 1 year
Porter House Concrete Designs – TX – 1 year
CTi of San Diego – CA – 1 year
Virtuous Decorative Concrete – TX – 1 year
Creative Concrete Designs – CO – 15 years
Custom Concrete Coatings – IL – 9 years
Durable Concrete Designs – IA – 9 years

Have your ever thought about how the curb appeal of your home impacts its overall value?  One of the key elements to this appeal is the concrete that is seen from the road.  CTi Dealers have been improving the look and hence the value of homes across the nation for years.  If you don’t believe us, check out the before and after pictures below.

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Concrete Technology offers a full line of urethane and epoxy coatings that are perfect for commercial and industrial use.  Give your business a new look and watch it soar!

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