Tasty tips for success served by IFI
Not satisfied with the status quo, more than 50 IFI affiliates attended the
International Fabricare Institute
’s marketing and management conference in Orlando February 22–23 on the hunt for fresh ideas to pursue “Business as UnUsual,” the theme of the conference.
Successful businesses have to continually reevaluate everything they do in today’s competitive market or they won’t continue to succeed. A program of innovative ways to retain customers,
motivate employees, and grow cleaners
’ businesses was presented by three top-rated speakers along with a talk by IFI
CEO Bill Fisher on the changing face of the drycleaning industry.
With IFI’s seminar speakers dishing out the ingredients, attendees cooked up plenty of
savory ideas to fatten their wallets. Here
’s an overview of what was covered.
Retail expert Lori Yarick’s presentation “Please Come Again…Creative Solutions for Keeping Customers” gave an overview of how to create a positive experience for customers by
implementing value-added programs, offering customer appreciation promotions,
and educating customers.
Trudy Adams, director of customer service and sales for Cleaner’s Supply, shared her insights into motivating employees in “Creating a Work Environment to Motivate and Retain Associates.”
Adams’ presentation covered methods cleaners can use to attract good employees and how
to write comprehensive policy manuals. Her presentation also examined the
relationship between managers and employees and how management can influence
the workplace atmosphere to inspire employees to give their best. In doing
this, she discussed ways to recognize employees and make the job more fun so
employees will enjoy their work more.
Methods for Management consultant Diana Vollmer answered some big questions for
drycleaners in her presentation,
“Establishing Benchmarks and Incentives in Your Production Department.”
Vollmer showed ways to determine how productive employees are and how to compare
their output with other cleaners
’ worker productivity. Attendees walked away with an understanding of how to
establish productivity benchmarks for their operation, compare their figures
with other cleaners, and get their employees up to speed.
IFI received kudos from attendees about the conference. “I learned a great deal from the speakers and from the other members,” one attendee wrote on an evaluation. Another said Fisher’s solvent presentation “was, in my opinion, very fair and factual. Thanks.”
Kathy Saul of Williamsburg Cleaners in Westlake, OH, another first-time IFI
conference participant, said,
“I came away with many new ideas.”
Maurice Culverwell from Chardonnay Cleaners & Shirt Laundry in Napa, CA, said the Business as UnUsual Conference was the most
beneficial conference he has ever attended.
“I could have walked out after the first speaker and got my money’s worth. I’ve been to a lot of seminars over the past 15 years, but this was my first IFI
seminar,
” he said.
“By far this one made the most sense to me as a drycleaner,” he added. “It was the easiest to follow and I am sure I got more out of it than other
conferences because of that. This one actually hit home.
”
Culverwell said he took many ideas home and had definite plans to implement
them.
“The things I want to do are not as simple as turning a switch on or off,” he said. “I’ve been working with my counter manager and my dad to see about putting some of
these things into play, but it will take a while. Behind the scenes, though,
the conference has given us a lot to think about.
”
Those who missed the Orlando seminars will have a second chance to avail
themselves of expertise from IFI
’s speaker network at the Clean Show in Las Vegas. Programs on guerilla
marketing, shirt production, solvent options and problem garments will be
presented on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings before the exhibit hall
opens.
Early registration for the show is $50; reservations at IFI’s headquarters hotel, the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, is $119 a
night night. To get the special rate at IFI
’s hotel, call (877) 584-6938.
