This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

The Herman Trend Alert November 30, 1999 Single Source Maintenance Convenience 31 days until January 1, 2000 397 days until January 1, 2001 Convenience is becoming increasingly important to us. As we scurry from home to work, and then on to the gym, volunteer activities, family, and social pursuits, there's precious little time left in our schedules. We just can't do it all-and that's frustrating to us! Too much to do and too little time. We look for conveniences like fast and efficient shopping, on-line banking, ready-to-heat meals, and concierge services to shuttle the kids, plan the parties, order the tickets, and make all sorts of arrangements for us. One of the challenges for homeowners is the ongoing maintenance of our properties, from changing light bulbs to reshaping the landscaping to painting the house. The time and expertise required make household maintenance inconvenient, directly contrary to what most people seem to be seeking in their lives today. Our forecast: entrepreneurial maintenance providers who are keen marketers will discover ways to provide a variety of services through consortiums, strategic alliances, and referral services. Their creative marketing will make it more and more convenient for homeowners to take care of routine maintenance, as well as those projects that are a bit beyond the ordinary. Much of the collaboration and consolidation in the property maintenance industry will be on a local level, but there are already national relationships that will make things easier for homeowners. Example: The Dwyer Group, based in Waco, Texas, is a franchisor of inter-related maintenance service companies. The franchises specialize in carpet care, appliance service, plumbing service, heating and air conditioning, electrical service, and glass replacement. The company continues to explore ways of integrating the services from both national and local marketing perspectives so the 900+ franchisees can benefit from their mutual relationship with the parent company. www.dwyergroup.com Whether connected to a franchiser or some other kind of network like Contractors 2000 [www.contractors2000.com], local maintenance entrepreneurs will find ways to connect for mutual marketing benefit. The real benefit will come to consumers who have to select a service firm from the Yellow Pages. Recommendations and relationships make a difference, particularly to time-challenged homeowners who just want to get the job done. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Or order the electronic version of the Employer of Choice book on your desktop for only $17.80 @ http://hermangroup.com/store/books_all.html#2. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

[ Home · About · Products · Resources · Media ]

Web site design by WebEditor Design Services, Inc.