what to do about the revolving door of managers

[juniorc82]

I have took notice to the fact that almost eveytime I get somthing really good going with a commercial account I am caught off guard with a new manager or contact person.
For example. I do once per month vct maintenance at a local retail store. I spent a ton of money getting my auto scrubber fixed to go in there and spent a ton of money on other equipment. I thought everything was going great. I called yesterday to set up this months service and my guy is no longer there ( MANAGER OF 10 YEARS) .
I have delt with this before quit frequently at restaurants and payday loan offices, but now this is happening to my key accounts. What if any fail safes are ther to wedge my foot in the door and secure my accounts when this happens?

 

[Connor]

Grease the rest of the staff so they like you enough to say "Junior's ProClean is our company". Promotional product, of course, are a must. Magnets on the filing cabinets, pens and send the occasional danish or doughnut tray a sackful of breakfast biscuits and bag of fancy coffee. One thing that is coveted in a lot of offices is whiteboard erasers, print some with your company info on it.

Send some over-sized postcard sized calendars with your company name and your picture on it. For the typical office environments, send a few of those Swiffer dusters with your name and picture on them in full color. When you make a return visit, leave a couple of refill boxes with your same full color picture and company information on them. Eventually, they will make their way into every desk in the office and hoarded, but if you buy in bulk, they can be pretty cheap.

 

[Jimmy L]

I agree you have to gease the staff who will always be there.
Managers will come and go .

Make a special efort to smooze the staff. Talk to them about their day, don't gossip but listen to them without revealing too much about "You".

People like others to listen to THEM, they really aren't interested in what you say.

Bring little gifts like cookies or an occassional pizza for their lunch.

When you visit those accounts make an effort to say hi to everybody.

THAT....is how you will hold on to your accounts.

 

[Connor]

Don't be like Jimmy and write your name on the wall with poo. :mrgreen:

 

[Jimmy L]

"For a good time call Connor he will do you good xxx-xxxx"

 

[rhyde]

Get used to it it's the new norm. We see it with contract building maintenance too owners switching companies it's price and wage driven everyone is trying to save money.

 

[Mike Draper]

I look at it as "nothing last forever". Just keep working your business, and try to get in good with them, but dont stress it to much when you lose an account. Unless that account brings you in $20,000+ a year, in that case stress out.