The past year has been a difficult time for many businesses with the uncertainty of the pandemic and multiple lockdowns.
With that being said, the fenestration industry is one sector that has seen a surge in demand as, with people spending more time in their homes than ever before, more and more homeowners have opted to make some home improvements that they may not have got around to doing previously.
With higher demand and a busier workload comes an added pressure and an increased strain on the industry to keep up with the demand which can quickly become difficult to cope with.
But it doesn’t need to be unmanageable. By putting in place certain measures and a strategic approach, your business can capitalise on this new-found demand.
In this article, we discuss how your business can keep up with this rise in demand and how to best cope with a busier workload.
- Give realistic timeframes
It can be very easy to over promise to customers which can leave you rushing to try and meet deadlines that aren’t achievable. In most cases, customers are willing to wait longer than normal if they are informed early on.
By being honest with customers from the start that the wait may be longer than normal, this can help to not only keep your customers happy but also alleviates stress on your business.
- Be more selective
With demand at an all time high, it can be tempting to take on as much work as possible whilst you can. However, this isn’t necessarily the best approach to take. If you find that you are overselling past your ability to deliver then it is important to be more selective with what work you take on.
Time is even more valuable than it has ever been so spend it on work that is better for your margins or is less demanding on your schedule.
It’s often common to focus only on new installations, for example, rather than double glazing repairs.
- Utilise digital
Technology was introduced to make our everyday lives that much easier and the same can be said when it comes to business. With a wide selection of apps and software, ranging from delivery trackers to schedule organisers, it has never been easier to streamline your business by utilising technology.
Keep abreast of your busy schedule by using apps such as Google Calendar to know when your next sales call is, when a quotation is due to be sent, etc.
You can also streamline your sales process through the use of video conferencing, we have previously discussed how to use video conferencing for appointments.
- Better planning
In terms of organising your workload, effective planning is integral. With so much to balance from carrying out quotations, site visits, to deliveries and after-care service calls, planning is necessary to ensure that everything operates smoothly.
By prioritising your work and tackling the most important and pressing tasks first, you are able to avoid work piling up and creating a hectic work schedule.
With so many businesses struggling in the current climate, It is understandable that as an installer you want to make the most of the demand whilst it lasts but as mentioned earlier, it is important to be able to manage the work that you currently have on, so as to avoid lower levels of customer satisfaction which can result in negative reviews and hamper your business’ long-term growth, all for the sake of trying to take on too much work in a particular period of time.
Implementing the above points will undoubtedly result in a workload that is not only manageable but also profitable.
