Many years ago, I had warned the carwash industry of problems brewing in customer dissatisfaction as we continued to grow our car wash company into a National Franchise Chain. I warned of environmental controls, speed of wash, water usage, quality of labor, price points, car wash fundraisers, car damage, up selling and hot wax. At that time I was called everything under the Sun by operators who did not wish to change.
Today, just over a five years later those changes are coming about. The ICA, International Carwash Association has sponsored training on saving water due to drought situations in North America. Many large consolidating Car Wash Companies such as Mister Carwash have adopted 5 minute wash policies, no waiting or bottleneck traffic flows, flex service with no upsell and responsible employee policies. Other Car Wash chains such as WashDepot, Mace Holdings, CarSpa, Splash . As a matter of fact this years listing of the Power Inc. Car Wash Survey shows that nearly all of the top 50 consolidated carwashes in North America have adopted 5 or more of Mr. Winslow's challenges of past year. Nearly all of these companies have adopted safer car wash chemical procedures, water saving systems and community volunteerism. Other major players have adopted incredible standards in Image like SuperWash Franchise Systems. At the time many in the Industry jeered my comments such as Industry Leader, John Moran who said in an article with Professional Car Washing and Detailing Magazine;
"What world do you live in? Surely not the same as the rest of us? What you are describing is a Utopian fantasy. Why don't you open up one of these full serve car washes and call it, The Utopian Fantasy Car Wash. Please show all of us moron's how it is done. By the way do you ever sleep, or do you stay up all night dreaming this stuff up?"
But never the less the challenge is being met due to the vision of our founder to deliver to the customers, that which they desire, we were right and saw the future others did not. Even more interesting was this announcement that the major industry magazine was not only adopting the community based car washing, but sponsoring a non-profit group to do charity carwashes nationwide.
http://www.carwash.com/news.asp?mode=4&N_ID=33110
They are now the official sponsors of WashUSA. Even the ICA and WCA, which in 2000 made it a point to try to limit or have carwash fundraisers from kids groups banned due to the fact it was costing them business, have dropped those efforts. They were using tactics similar to that of the Sierra Club to curtail the fundraisers claiming violations of 13.260 of California Water Code in Southern CA, Fish and Game in Puget Sound region of Washington State and Federal Clean Water Act in other parts of the country. This made for a consumer backlash. Meanwhile our company was being awarded for our assistance to the common good;
1.) Recognized by the City of Los Angeles
2.) Recognized by the EPA in an official Document Online
3.) Forming a Strategic Alliance with InfoSports Online, the number one youth sports website
4.) Recognized by the State of Washington in Puget Sound Region
5.) Helping Inner City Kids raise money for travels and education
6.) Diligent and Continued Efforts
Our company and our company alone, along with the vision of our team has brought about great and positive changes in the Car Wash Industry and we will continue to peddle past the name calling in search of our victory in the market. It is for that reason we have forced others to adapt to a higher standard or exit the market place. Today nearly every major Car Wash Association in the US is sponsoring or calling for some type of charity car wash fundraisers to help the youth of our country grow up to be hard working and good citizens to lead our future.
As a matter of fact in a brash and challenging way we have systematically changed the industry into our image and we have uplifted the dirty image of the former car wash industry adding a larger customer base for us along with all other market participants. Yes we have helped eliminate a few through these market demands, however the consumer is thankful for the changes as they vote with their dollars to more frequent car washing at professional car washes. The rest of the industry which are willing to follow the new higher standard are doing fine still. Today Wash Guys belong to no Car Wash Associations, we just command them to see our will for the benefit of the consumer, environment and future success of the industry, and to think that most of this started with a kid washing airplanes, who eventually wrote the book on Community Based Car Wash Fundraisers, as good clean fun to unite young and old, teach respect and service and raise millions of dollars a year cleaning the World one car at a time, with the help of thousands of Industry Active Car Wash Owners across this Great Nation.
Today all 50 of the top car wash chains in the Nation subscribe to more than half of our original initiatives and proposed industry changes of May of 2001. We are watching as the winners and losers in the market place are now separated by only these upgrades in the industry. We are now working on raising the bar in January of 2003 as soon as the market leaders catch up to all 12 of our visions for the industry. We have single handedly brought awareness to the entire industry through our challenging of old thought processes and conventional wisdom. We will continue to change, modify and up lift this industry for the betterment of all.
This proves when your mission is noble and you commit to go the distance you will always win in the end. We win Again, thank you Team. Now my question for the reader; What industry are you in? What have you done to improve that industry? What have you done to set yourself apart from the mediocrity? Think about it.
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.worldthinktank.net/wttbbs
Aurora limo prices to midway .. Madison to Airport carYou need to be visible to attract customers, right? But... Read More
How many "get rich schemes" have you joined? Or have... Read More
After over thirty years advising small business it still comes... Read More
The easiest way to lift profits is to cut the... Read More
How to do itPeople skim through newspapers and magazines and... Read More
In the book Women and Small Business author gives all... Read More
Unfortunately for all buyers, each selling organization and their individual... Read More
How far can you go based on your relationship with... Read More
Many mobile pressure-washing companies turn to government contacts to make... Read More
Has this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
As a solo entrepreneur or small business owner, one of... Read More
Introduction: This article is written as a general discussion on... Read More
Mobile detailers will find themselves with lots of competition even... Read More
Doesn't it frustrate you when you've given good service, sometimes... Read More
In the heavy equipment cleaning business you can make good... Read More
Part of the power plan is making sure you have... Read More
New Franchisors and Entrepreneurs need to watch out as they... Read More
As small business owners we're in business to make money... Read More
While there are few career paths that some would call... Read More
TACTIC #1 -- Never simply slash your prices, unless you're... Read More
Aircraft Interiors of personal and corporate jets have hundreds of... Read More
Franchising Directory Sites-Paid Advertising, Lead Generation for FranchisingFranchising Directory Sites... Read More
Rule 15C211Under SEC Rule 15C211, a U.S. securities broker or... Read More
Security Professionals provide the products and services necessary to create... Read More
How do we keep track of our business deals?If you... Read More
Cadillac Escalade rentals Spring Grove ..How careful are you with the data you collect from... Read More
Boston itself covers 50 square miles of concrete and traffic,... Read More
Essentially there are 5 tremendously powerful methods to make money... Read More
1. Don't Spend Too Much Time PlanningWhen you are entering... Read More
If you intend to franchise your company you will need... Read More
No matter type of business you operate you've got to... Read More
There will come a time in your business where you... Read More
The modern Franchise business model and the much different business... Read More
Support is critical for your small business survival. You may... Read More
Some of the very qualities that attract people to the... Read More
The book, "Become the Squeaky Wheel," by New Hampshire author... Read More
"What do you do?" It just might be one of... Read More
CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR INTERN: Specify the number of hours the... Read More
In the first article we mentioned the main characteristics that... Read More
No matter how small your small business is, it is... Read More
Is your business making money? Would you know?Figuring out whether... Read More
I meet and talk to hundreds and hundreds of business... Read More
If you're like me, you love accounting. It's so fascinating... Read More
The key to organizational focus and helping those who need... Read More
Send handwritten notes. That applies whether you're a guy or... Read More
You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of... Read More
Unfortunately for all buyers, each selling organization and their individual... Read More
Shopping for a franchise is easy if you know what... Read More
We visited Lexus USA, home of the Lexus North America... Read More
The Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time changes the way we... Read More
Small Business |