The Timeline – PreSeason

The preseason is an important time for you. The effort you put into your weekends now lays the foundation for your summer success.
Focus totally on school during the week so you can free up your weekends.

Business Plan

At your business planning meeting with your District Manager (DM),

• you break down the next few months into weekly goals
• based on your schedule
• based upon the success you want to achieve

You have a clear idea of what you need to do each week in the preseason. The typical person averages 10-15 hours per week in the preseason, plus a full week of work during your spring/winter break.

We are experts at helping students organize their time such that school is in no way affected. In fact, many students report better grades with the increased organization provided by the Student Works coach. It is around this time that you will pick up flyers, lawn signs, business cards and other advertising materials to market your business.

Recruiting

Goal #1

The goal with preseason recruiting is to hire 8 to 12 of the best people, usually other students, you can find to paint for you. Accomplished through

• networking,
• putting up posters,
• classified ads,
• internet advertising
• active recruiting around campus

You are looking for people with great attitudes. Painting experience is an asset but not essential.

Hands – On

Goal #2

Let as many home owners in your exclusive area know you are open for business by;

• dropping flyers
• personalized letters
• knocking on doors
• putting up lawn signs
• making phone calls

It’s a numbers game – How may leads can you get?

More leads = more estimates = more jobs = more $$$ in your pocket

Sales

Goal #3

Do enough estimates so that at least 15-20 home owners give you the go ahead to paint during the summer months.

These preseason sales represent about 40% of your summer total. First, you estimate how much it will cost a client to have you paint their home (thoroughly taught at training and in the field with a District Manager). Second, you sit down with the client and:

• Outline that you offer the best painting value in the area
• Explain your personal commitment
• Try to sign the job using sales techniques you have learned

Tracking

Goal #4

Access Simon (the Student Works database) weekly if not daily to track;

• recruiting,
• marketing,
• sales,
• production
• profitability statistics

throughout preseason and summer.

You will also find a plethora of forms, the company newsletter and a whole host of other business tools.