Money: Getting it and Keeping it
The Curse of the 25% Casket Wholesale Discount
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 […]
You Don’t Need Another Licensee
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 […]
A New Approach To Price Shoppers
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 […]
4 Ways To Compete Against Low Price Competitors
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 […]
The Fallacy of Casket Discounts
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 […]
10 Barriers to Succession Planning Part 3 of 3
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 […]
10 Barriers to Succession Planning Part 2 of 3
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” […]
10 Barriers To Succession Planning In the Funeral Business — Part 1 of 3
Speaker and family business expert John Davis made this comment as he addressed the St. Thomas Center For Family Enterprise: “When I introduce the concept of making the B.O.S.S. successful all heads turn towards the father. I announce to the father he has just been demoted, and that the real boss around here is four […]
Signs Your Preneed Program is Underperforming
With almost 30 year’s experience I think I can safely say I know something about Preneed selling and marketing. Sadly, it has been my experience that most independent funeral homes practice a form of benign mediocrity in which everyone fails to reach their potential but they all love working together. “Happy Failures” is what we […]
How To Stop Customers From Fixating On Price
Equalize Price Points to Crystallize Personal Relevance. This is the first recession to show a measurable impact on DeathCare. Most surprising have been the many reports from rural and “rustbelt” funeral directors that cremation has recently spiked, not because people in their markets want cremation but BECAUSE THEY CAN’T AFFORD BURIAL. YIKES!!!! A recent article […]
4 Early Signs You May Be Losing Control of Your Business
Recently I read something that triggered an insight. In my Funeral Home Consulting practice it is clear that businesses don’t just suddenly spin out of control. Except in the rare case of disruptive innovation like an unconventional competitor, calamity does not occur overnight. “Things” start happening well before the challenges are apparent. Almost all of […]