WARNING! This is not about caskets! A couple of decades ago I was visiting with 3 funeral home owner friends. They were discussing among themselves that the expensive makeovers of their selection rooms, popular at the time, were not working as advertised. Having heard nothing but glorious praise about these "retail" style showrooms I was [...]
politically incorrect photo Last week's post was about casket discounting. I just want to make myself clear. I still meet people who believe their salvation is in the selection room. They even have incorporated their arrangement rooms inside their showrooms. (What kind of message does that send??) What I want my readers to [...]
So, it's not my hunt...not even my dog; but I just hate being played. A few weeks ago I was working with a client in the Midwest: 50 to 60 calls 30 - 35 caskets sold a year He was so proud of himself. He had just negotiated a 25% discount from one of the [...]
Lessons From Radar O'Reilly Some years ago there was a nationwide nursing shortage. Then some very wise doctor's and hospitals realized that there really wasn't a shortage...there was a problem. Too many nursing duties were non - nursing tasks. Things like paperwork, bathing patients, cleaning rooms etc. Doctors and hospitals were using nurses as glorified [...]
I subscribe to the Harvard Business Review Blog and an interesting article came through today that I wonder might have application to those of you who might be challenged by low price competitors. It is a way to separate those who are truly price shoppers and those who are looking for value. It also might [...]
There are two fundamental assumptions you must make in order to compete effectively against low price competitors: Some people buy solely on price...but it is the smallest part of your market Most people buy on value Let's talk a minute about the value buyers. People want value for their dollar. You do. Most people you [...]
Ever since it was revealed that SCI enjoyed a big discount the discussion around the convention lunch table has been preoccupied with the subject of discounts and rebates. For more than 15 years I have heard a lot about percentages but never about dollars. It's not my dog much less my hunt but I think [...]
This week we finish our discussion of barriers to succession with: 4. Serving more than one master. Change is hard enough. But there is an old biblical reference that is always true: "You cannot serve two masters." The business needs to stand on its own and only insiders should have influence. Too often non participating [...]
Last week we began a discussion of the ten things that are the most frequent barriers to real succession planning. Failure to plan this important event is an invitation to disappointment frustration and alienation among family and staff. This week continues that discussion with #7. 7. Entitlement Often referred to as the "lucky sperm club" [...]
