HARBOR / SOUTH BAY DRYCLEANERS ASSOCIATION

October Meeting Recap

Where has this year gone? ? It is hard to believe we’re into October already. This year has been so exciting because we have accomplished so many projects. Every seminar, dinner meeting, or program has been successful. Sponsoring the Environmental CARB classes has almost doubled our membership. Everyone who helped this year deserves a big pat on the back. Thank You! Elections are coming! Support your new Officers and Board of Directors!

Howard Damsky helped organize our September meeting which featured a roundtable discussion of marketing ideas led by the Mayfield Group from Denver, Colorado. A handout by John Graham, president of Graham Communications in Quincy, Massachusetts listed 7 deadly red flags that indicate a problem in the marketing program. These are:

1. Price is a driving force in getting sales.

2. An inability to differentiate the company from competitors.

3. A steady stream of sales gimmicks.

4. Sales strategies that are constantly changing.

5. Most of the leads come from the sales staff.

6. Even longtime customers are saying, “I didn’t know you did that.”

7. An inadequate (or non-existent) customer and prospect database.

These seven red flags signal problems with a company’s marketing. Whether a business is well established or relatively new, these problems should serve to focus attention on developing a more effective marketing effort. Bottom line? The best sales environment is one that is created and supported by an active marketing program. When marketing is driving a company’s overall strategy, present customers are better served and satisfied, new doors open, former customers are reclaimed and sales personnel spend their time doing what they do best—making sales.

The Mayfield Group offers a planned program with monthly advertising planned in advance. They plan promotions months ahead so that you can count on a program that won’t break down. For further information on their program call (800) 783-3711.

James Foasberg offered the financial report for our association at the meeting. We are doing quite well as the following figures indicate: Total Income to date $21,856 Total Expenses to date $12,995 Net Income $8,861 Cash in Bank: Checking $12,726 2 cd's $1,617 $2,610 Total in Bank: $17,007.

Southern California Seminars in November

Kelleher Equipment Supply Inc is hosting a free 2 hour class on Friday, November 1 at their location of 2121 Curry Street, Long Beach. This class will cover Fibers and Fabrics and how they finish, finishing basics and techniques and demonstrations. In addition, anyone that is planning to attend the Everett Childers’ Complete Drycleaning Class on November 2nd and 3rd will receive a certificate for a $25.00 discount.To reserve your spot at this free seminar call Kelleher Equipment at (310) 422-1257.

Service Chemical is sponsoring Everett Childers’ Complete Drycleaning Class on November 2nd and 3rd from 8:30 to 5:00 both days at an excellent area hotel to be named later. The instructors for the class are Everett Childers and Doug Porter. Everything about professional drycleaning is covered in the class including Fibers/Fabrics, Dyes, Trims, Drycleaning, Spotting chemicals and procedures wetcleaning and bleaching. New equipment for drycleaning, wetcleaning and finishing is discussed. The class is necessary for owners, managers, production and counter service personnel. The cost for two days instruction, the Master Drycleaners Notebook and lunch both days is only $280.00 (less $25.00 if you attend the FREE 2 hour seminar on Friday). The class coming to you saves transportation to the East coast and two weeks living expenses, plus being away from work for two weeks. The class is loaded with practical tips for easier and safer processing of garments. Certificates of Completion will be awarded after the class. One free garment analysis will be made for each person attending. Please bring any specific questions and problems to class for analysis, determination or explanation. To register, call (360) 695-8802 or mail company information to Everett Childers, PO Box 1005, Vancouver, WA 98666.

We had another overwelming increase in membership the past month due to the popularity of our CARB Certification classes. Our 11 new members in alphabetical order by plant name are: Jay Surh & Mike Hoffman, Ajax Supply Company, Los Angeles; Rameshchandra Knatha & Dhirubhai Patel, Aladdin Cleaners, Lancaster ; Husmukhlalk Knatha, Alpha Cleaners, Huntington Park ;Bob Gorajia, Apex Superb Drapery Service, Garden Grove ;Avalon Cleaners, Torrance ;Mike Homaizad, Classic Cleaners, Torrance ;Joe Torres, California Rehabilation Center Education Department, Monrovia ;Bipin Patel & Arun Bhula, Dryclean Express, Lancaster ;Luigi Garden Village Cleaners, San Pedro ;Serge Aguilar, Technichem Engineering, Santa Fe Springs ; Steve Scansen, Westside Cleaners Lancaster. We hope that all these new members become active in the best local dry cleaners association and we hope to welcome them at an upcoming event.

For information on our association,
E-mail us at hdca@cleanersonline.com