Associations,,,

Associations,,,

First off this is not about the PWNA, I want to discuss all types of memberships.

I have just realized that I need to belong to way more than what I belong to now.

I’m not referring to the standard chamber of commerce and the locals. I’m talking about the organizations my customers belong too.

My customer based is grocery stores, property management and restaurant and hotels and resorts.

Each one of these customers has several main organization and it’s important that I support there industry. Its also keeping me in tune with there problems and I can possibly help them better and understand there needs.

The PWNA has been and eye awaking experience. I been involved with a few non-profit organization and have volunteered my time and have seen things unfold for better or worse. These folks want the organization to work but I believe travel in the wrong path.

It’s this simple they need to form and alliance with our end users association and bingo you have the customer recognition that you need. If they join organization that supports our customer then soon customers will see a difference. They will in turn support the people who support them.


You can do it on your own however it would be nice if we had one main voice. Still on your own you can go to meetings and network with potential customers. We have made several contacts at certain trade show and restaurant and hotel shows over the years. It’s sad to say we have not done enough. I will for 2003 be joining and supporting my customers.


Ask yourself what is your primary focus of customer. This is where you should focus next year. If you’re a PWNA member you should demand that they help you. If your not do it on your own I will.


My main focus will be increasing the property management and the grocery section of my business. I’m strong in the property and overwhelmed in the restaurant. I belong to several groups that support them and will get more active. One of the groups has round tables every month. These round tables come with a price, wait you'll laugh!!! Over 250.00 a plate. I think its funny because that the price of the entire years membership to the PWNA. Often they have key note speaker because the food never is worth 250.00.

A charity event is also a great way to help network and don’t worry you’ll be asked. I’m solicited all the time and donate money to every customer with a cause. I probably should say no. I can’t so I donate a few dollars and in some cases more.

I had a contractor call me from another one that knew about us doing the Opra house for abused children. This was a project for elderly people and the contractor called us and said would you be willing too help us? When people ask of our time and not our wallet I’m always willing to help. Not expecting to receive any compensation we got four tracks the following month. Sad to say his current contractor turned him away. (STUPID)




Maybe we could start a listing of associations that might benefit our customers?

I will list the Number one org to belong to if you want property managers. BOMA

This is the best property management organization to get involved with. They have monthly meetings and speakers in my area. Again it’s expensive. Membership is 750.00 to 1000.00 a year.

The restaurant associations have several; he distributors for restaurant even have a separate one. Lots of dollars floating around for control. Big company’s competing for millions in revenues. I have not quite found my market or place with these guys. I still maintain some presence and will step it up a bit in 2003


In closing please share your idea and experience, we do learn from each other and I hope my posts have helped. This secret is not a secret anymore. Many large PW companies belong to upwards of 20 organizations at the same time.

Another good property management organization is NAHMA, and is an organization serving the Affordable Housing industry. There are many sub-organizations around the country (Ours is SAHMA, covering the Southeast). There are state meetings each year which include trade shows. You can find them at www.nahma.org and should be able to find any sub-groups for your area from there. The membership for contractors is, if I recall correctly, around $500.00/year. It is a good place to meet management company reps, some of whom manage many complexes each.

boma?

hey ron,
i was wondering if you could explain the advantages of belonging to an organization such as boma. how exactly do you generate leads and such? just good ole fashioned networking? it sounds very interesting. a way to gain an inside track to property managers.

Now that you mention it I may look into the Local Board Of Realators, I am sure they have some sort of organization. Should be a great place to prospect propert MGR.

I used to belong to A local organiztion here that was a group of proffesional men and women who would get together once a month for breakfest and network with each other. You could find insurance people, car dealers, realtors, maintenace co, there was about 40 of us and we were in aggreance that any lead we got would go to someone in our group.

Worked pretty good

Here in Gainesville we have a Home Builder's Assn, and I would imagine there are similar organizations in most other cities. That might be a good organization to join if you're looking at new construction cleanup, or even equipment washing.

Joel: Let me know how it goes if you contact the Board of Realtor's. My understanding is that you can't join unless you're a Broker or Salesperson, but that may vary from city to city or state to state. It would definitely be a good place to gain contacts. I have a friend who runs a maintenance business part time aside from his regular job and clears around $20-30k just on the work he gets from one realtor. Lots of rental homes, homeowners wanting to sell and needing cleaning services, etc. Let me know how it goes.

Glabarta, you should visit boma and then come back and ask that question. if you want flat work Boma is the best org yuo can belong too.

Joel

I have been a member of the Board of Realtors for about three years. Very expensive. I own and operate a home inspection company, so Its a must for me.

I must say it has paid off with my pressure washing business. The key is to target the realtors with mail-outs. Talk about curb appeal and how they (the realtor) can benefit.

shoot me a email - I have lots of examples. I clean approx. 40 houses last year for realtors.

Bomas cheap by you Ron......

The charge here in Chicago is like 1500.00. Some of the owners only use boma affiliated companies up here. That's the word on the street. I'm gonna join,it allows you to login and direct email pm's . I will let you know how it goes, maybe It will keep those low-balling dirt- bags out, you know they cant afford it!

i'l be there n 10 days

Cool

I would like to do a ride along.... I'll be your pressure washing cadet!

saddle up,,,!!!!!!!

yeee haw !!! LOL

BOMA in Denver is $1620 a year.. Ouch!!

I would love to join. I think it would be very beneficial.