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He Didn’t Think That One Through… 😣
Hi Reader
Just when things are getting back to normal, we have another two public holidays coming up. Now that will be fun.
I had a strange thing happen to me the other day when I pulled up to mow a lawn.
It's a rental property with a young family and I sometimes see them and wave when I am doing the lawn.
When I arrived last week, I had an elderly gentleman come out to see me.
His first question was “Do you break many windows”
What the…?
What would you say?
I went down the honest road and said it happens from time to time. It can't be helped.
He then pointed to the side window next to the ranch slide and asked if I had broken many of those windows.
I was beginning to feel the need to defend myself
No, I said I don't break many of those windows. I then added that if I had in fact broken that window at any stage, I am sure I would have noticed.
He said, no it didnt happen here. It happened at home.
I said broken windows were possible, especially if they had a pebble garden nearby.
I asked when he lived.
In South Africa, he said.
It was then he revealed his brilliant idea that he had obviously been leading up to.
I have got an idea that will help you solve the problem. He said.
By that time I was starting to get a bit skeptical.
I thought he was going to try to sell me something.
Boy was I wrong…
He paused for thought and said, “You know those big boards, the 2.4 by 1.2 meter ones”?
I cautiously said yes…. We call it plywood here.
He was getting excited, Yes that's the one he said.
Then he explained his plan
Why don't you put one of those in your truck and lean it up against the windows as you do the edges?
For a fraction of a second, I thought “What a good idea”
Then reality kicked in.
That would be awkward, where would I put the plywood?, how much wood would I need?
I then did a quick cost analysis
Extra time spent on a job, Well let's be generous and say you do two fewer jobs a day.
The cost of the plywood idea (not including plywood) would be around $9K a year in lost income.
The money saved on broken windows, allowing for two a year and insurance, around $600
He didn't think that one through.
I thanked him for his input and said I had better get back to work.
When I went to leave, he came to see me and told me that he was leaving to go back to South Africa tomorrow.
I think his daughter might have sent him out to make sure I would know that he wouldn't be there next time.
He was a nice enough guy, but I don't think I could deal with that every visit.
Now let's talk about books.
This week I read The Brain Audit: Why Customers Buy (And Why They Don't) a book by Sean D'Souza. A great marketing book.
Audiobooks are not cheap but you can get it from Everand with a $9.99 all-you-can-eat subscription. If you would like to try a 60-day free trial click here
Anyway, get out there, mow lawns, and have fun
Stuart
www.lawnmowing101.com
Get a free two-week trial of some great lawn software Jobber
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Start and grow a six-figure lawn care business in your spare time. Increase your income every year by working smarter, not harder. Tips and tricks to your inbox each week. We care about our subscribers and we will never spam you or pass your details to anyone
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