A word on pricing
THIS IS MY FIRST COLUMN OF THE NEW YEAR. WHAT THOUGHTS CAN I SHARE TO INSPIRE AN OWNER OR MANAGER? What new insights can I provide readers into problems they may be facing? Let's begin with the state of the self-storage industry. I specifically want to discuss the issue of ...More
January 1, 2003 Jim Chiswell
Posted in Articles
Winning the Pricing Game
On a recent business trip, I accidentally left my razors at home and made a necessary stop at a convenience store. The same razors that would have cost $2.88 for a bag of 10 at Wal-Mart were $3.89 for three. What does this have to do with self-storage? It's a prime example ...More
January 1, 2003 RK Kliebenstein
Posted in Articles
Managers' Wages
IN THE COURSE OF RUNNING MY BUSINESS, I SEE WHAT a lot of owners are offering their management staff in the way of base wages, bonuses and medical benefits. Let me say this: We have certainly come along way in the past 10 years. Back in the Dark Ages of self-storage, you ...More
December 1, 2002 Pamela Alton
Posted in Articles
Marketing Events and Entertaining
OVER THE PAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS, MY HUSBAND, DAVID, and I have worked for an excellent company whose owner has shown us support in numerous ways. An owner should always be attentive to his managers' creative sides--some of us have great ideas, especially when it comes ...More
December 1, 2002 Tina Fleming
Posted in Articles
Hiring, Training and Retaining
Hiring the best person for the job can be a difficult task when the budget for a salary only allows for cheese and crackers and you want to hire caviar. It is possible to achieve your objective and still stay within budget. But it will take considerable time and effort, ...More
December 1, 2002 Tammy Ross
Posted in Articles
Rumors in Red
WHILE I AGREE WITH THE ASSERTION OF NOTABLE 1920S JOURNALIST WALTER WINCHELL that "Today's gossip is tomorrow's headline," I prefer the more contemporary rendition of columnist Liz Smith, who wrote, "Gossip is news running ahead of itself in a red satin dress." This ...More
December 1, 2002 Teri L. Lanza
Posted in Articles
Online Marketing Secrets
THE WORLD WIDE WEB CAN BE A TREMENDOUS TOOL for self- storage owners. The problem is, there are a lot of misconceptions regarding how to use the Internet to market a storage facility. Here are some good ways to make the web work for you and your site. In the storage ...More
December 1, 2002 Fred Gleeck
Posted in Articles,
Technology
Package Deals
Everyone loves package deals because they provide extraordinary value and a feeling people are getting a better deal than everyone else. A storage facility can purchase a package that includes an entry-access keypad, exit keypad, management software, real-time integration, ...More
December 1, 2002 Doug Carner
Posted in Articles,
Technology
Facility Spotlight: Dare Devil Storage of London
WOULD ANYONE CONNECT A NAME LIKE RED DEVIL WITH SELF-STORAGE? Probably not. That is precisely why entrepreneurs Angus and Simon Burnett chose the name for their corporation. The name, along with its fiendish image, makes the company memorable. And there's no missing the ...More
December 1, 2002 Elaine Foxwell
Posted in Articles
SummersTime Storage LLC
ROBERT B. SUMMERS DISCOVERED SELF-STORAGE WHILE RESEARCHING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES that would generate retirement income and create more time for him to spend with his family. Although he had been involved in other small businesses, Summers wanted one that could provide ...More
December 1, 2002 Elaine Foxwell
Posted in Articles
