"Ten Secrets to Success"

[buda]

The Investor's Business Daily, has a feature, "Ten Secrets to Success" and one of them is:



"Don't be Afraid to Innovate; be Different"



These ten secrets are great strategies for succeeding not only in business, but in life too.



Doing what everyone else is doing is a sure way to mediocrity. If you want to blend in with the pack just do what they do.



Detailers are famous for "talking the talk," but few really "walk the walk." They claim to be a professional, the best detailer in the area and better than everyone else. But when you look closely at their operation they are using the same primitive technology that everyone else uses: heavy electric buffers; shop vacuums; maybe a portable extractor a few supplies and a few chemicals.



They have the same training that most have, "trial and error," seat of the pants learning vs any formal training. And they refuse to even go to any seminars or training sessions, "heck they already know everything there is to know."



The reality is that the motorist has a very difficult time telling one detailer from another because all of them say about the same thing. "We are the best detailer in town...." or "We can save you money..."



But, in today's competitive marketplace it is only the knowledgeable superstars that stand out and get noticed.



It is said "you don't have to act like a fool to get notice," but you do need to break away from the pack.



Take a look at how you do business honestly and then check out the competition from a customer's point of view, are you really any different? Why? What do you do that is unique? If you can't find that you are doing anything different than other detailers in your area you will just blend in with the pack.



Find out who is successful in the detail business in your area and objectively look at what they are doing instead of complaining that you are a better detailer and should be getting the $500 per car they are getting. They are getting it and you are not because the customer believes they are worth that money, and you are not no matter what you think of your skills.



Being a professional is important of course, BUT standing out and getting noticed is the only way to boost sales and make detailing a lot more fun.



Just some well intentioned ideas to help you technicians get out of the technician's rut and grow your business not your detailing skills.



Bud Abraham

DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS

 

[togwt]

The Keys to Success~

​

• PRACTICE ~ learn ‘how to’ use tools and chemicals

• PREPARATION ~ the final finish can only be as good as the prepared surface it’s applied to

• PROCESS ~ learn what products really work and in what order to apply them

• PRODUCTS ~ what’s available and what ‘fixes’ a given paint condition

• PATIENCE ~ it’s the journey not the arriving, so enjoy

• PRIDE ~ in a job done to the best of your ability

• CREDITABILITY ~ is the biggest challenge for small businesses.

• QUALITY ~ will enhance your reputation

• CLIENT ~ find out and satisfy their needs

• EXPECTAIONS ~ meet and wherever possible exceed client expectations

 

[SVR]

The Investor's Business Daily, has a feature, "Ten Secrets to Success" and one of them is:



"Don't be Afraid to Innovate; be Different"



These ten secrets are great strategies for succeeding not only in business, but in life too.



Doing what everyone else is doing is a sure way to mediocrity. If you want to blend in with the pack just do what they do.



Detailers are famous for "talking the talk," but few really "walk the walk." They claim to be a professional, the best detailer in the area and better than everyone else. But when you look closely at their operation they are using the same primitive technology that everyone else uses: heavy electric buffers; shop vacuums; maybe a portable extractor a few supplies and a few chemicals.



They have the same training that most have, "trial and error," seat of the pants learning vs any formal training. And they refuse to even go to any seminars or training sessions, "heck they already know everything there is to know."



The reality is that the motorist has a very difficult time telling one detailer from another because all of them say about the same thing. "We are the best detailer in town...." or "We can save you money..."



But, in today's competitive marketplace it is only the knowledgeable superstars that stand out and get noticed.



It is said "you don't have to act like a fool to get notice," but you do need to break away from the pack.



Take a look at how you do business honestly and then check out the competition from a customer's point of view, are you really any different? Why? What do you do that is unique? If you can't find that you are doing anything different than other detailers in your area you will just blend in with the pack.



Find out who is successful in the detail business in your area and objectively look at what they are doing instead of complaining that you are a better detailer and should be getting the $500 per car they are getting. They are getting it and you are not because the customer believes they are worth that money, and you are not no matter what you think of your skills.



Being a professional is important of course, BUT standing out and getting noticed is the only way to boost sales and make detailing a lot more fun.



Just some well intentioned ideas to help you technicians get out of the technician's rut and grow your business not your detailing skills.



Bud Abraham

DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS

Hi Bud

You always say that Electric Buffers are primitive. I agree with you to a point



Problem is the Buff Pro isnt totally user friendly and pneumatic rotaries require the use of noisy compressors and dont have good speed settings (need 400 to 1500 rpm) not two speeds - flat out or stop.

We need to take our focus from removing paint defects to filling them for long periods of time. therefore not requiring any machines whatsoever.



Shop vacs dont cut the mustard thats for sure. pro Steamers and Extractors are the way to go.



The whole industry needs a massive revolution.

 

[buda]

SVR:



THANKS FOR THE REPLY.



You always say that Electric Buffers are primitive. I agree with you to a point



INTERESTING THAT DETAILERS ARE THE ONLY TRADE THAT USES HEAVY ELECTRIC TOOLS. EVERY OTHER AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE USES AIR TOOLS. THAT MUST SAY SOMETHING. WHY IS THAT? MOST DETAILERS CANNOT AFFORD AN AIR COMPRESSOR, OR SIMPLY KEEP DOING WHAT THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE.



Problem is the Buff Pro isnt totally user friendly and pneumatic rotaries require the use of noisy compressors and dont have good speed settings (need 400 to 1500 rpm) not two speeds - flat out or stop.

We need to take our focus from removing paint defects to filling them for long periods of time. therefore not requiring any machines whatsoever.



BUFFPRO IS A HEAVY AND BULKY, BUT THE TRADE OFF IS THAT IT WORKS. IT DOES NOT LEAVE SWIRLS AND REMOVES THOSE THAT ARE IN THE PAINT. AND THE ROTATION OF THE DRUM TAKES ALL THE WEIGHT OFF OF THE USERS HANDS AND ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS LET THE TOOL DO THE WORK.



YOU PUT A COMPRESSOR IN AN EQUIPMENT ROOM OR OUTSIDE, YOU WOULD NEVER WANT THE AIR COMPRESSOR IN THE WORKSHOP, TOO NOISY AS YOU SAY. BUT ARE NOT GASOLINE PRESSURE WASHERS EVEN MORE NOISY?



AS FOR ADJUSTABLE SPEEDS AND AIR TOOL HAS VERY ADJUSTABLE SPEEDS FROM 0 TO 2500 RPM, VERY EASY.



Shop vacs dont cut the mustard thats for sure. pro Steamers and Extractors are the way to go.



EXPENSIVE THOUGH, AREN'T THEY?



The whole industry needs a massive revolution.[/QUOTE]



OF COURSE, THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS.





BUD ABRAHAM

 

[SVR]

The whole industry needs a massive revolution.[/QUOTE]



OF COURSE, THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS.





BUD ABRAHAM[/QUOTE]



i cannot believe that detailers cant afford a compressor. bloody hell thats insane



bud if you were to have a machine designed and built that you sold that was a random orbital and DA in one with tonnes of power and torque in it with OPM range of 3,000 to 15,000 opm and 3 inch to 7 inch backing plates that can be purchased and it can run on air and an electric model as well, I'd buy two of them in a heartbeat



What I think the industry needs is

Better pneumatic rotaries and

Buff Pro with 600 to 1800 rpm rev range with surbuf MF or Megs MF disc pads for it.

Random orbital and DA in one with 900 to 1200 watts and tonnes of torque with the rev range up to 12- 15,000 opm



The DA needs to spin clockwise



In Australia we dont have PC's, Griots DA's and the Megs DA's dont last long. All our RO's and DA's have issues with them. too slow rpm, one with high speed but no torque, other high torque but no speed, dont have other size backing plates for it etc etc

 

[Kevin Brown]

The antithesis detail, I reckon:



Driveway Detail, No Extractor, Lots of Water, In the Sun, Lo-Tech, Not Enough $$$, Drat Again

...They claim to be a professional, the best detailer in the area and better than everyone else. But when you look closely at their operation they are using the same primitive technology that everyone else uses: heavy electric buffers; shop vacuums; maybe a portable extractor a few supplies and a few chemicals.

My rotary buffer was heavy, my shop vac sucked and blew, sounded like a trash truck compactor at times, and I had a few supplies. Oh, and chemicals. I used that rudimentary wall socket (single phase, takes up loads of room, but costs a ton) to "juice" my tools.

They have the same training that most have, "trial and error," seat of the pants learning vs any formal training.

This describes me. I am interested in taking a class about carpets and materials. I would like to increase my knowledge in the chemistry realm. Still, the truck needed doing, and my friend needed the favor to do a favor for his friend, so I took the low paying and difficult job. It turned out decent. I doubt I will make it through a few years of chemistry class, but the carpet & materials training- I kick myself for not attending a one or two-day class by now.

Take a look at how you do business honestly and then check out the competition from a customer's point of view, are you really any different? Why? What do you do that is unique? If you can't find that you are doing anything different than other detailers in your area you will just blend in with the pack.

The only thing I do that seems to be different... do the job to the best of your ability given the time you have. If you have to make a choice- cut corners to meet your time estimate, or do the job your customer expects... duh... do the job your customer expects. Saying this, I know of many detailers through the forums that do the same thing.

Being a professional is important of course, BUT standing out and getting noticed is the only way to boost sales and make detailing a lot more fun.

What does this mean? Say what?

Just some well intentioned ideas to help you technicians get out of the technician's rut and grow your business not your detailing skills.

Some guys need to grow their detailing skills first.

Bud Abraham

DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS

Kevin Brown

www . buffdaddy . com





Thanks to the IDA for being a forum sponsor, and making an effort to see things more than just one way. Street is Neat! :hippie:

 

[TedFred]

I love the IBD (Investors buisiness daily) If I would have just paid attention to their big picture column I woould be rich .I am now and am making a large percentage on my investments unfortunately it sin't a lot of money by most peoples standards. I am going to teach their investment methods to my kids.