Network Sites: Inside Self-Storage Inside Self-Storage World Expo Self-Storage Training Institute
Self-Storage Talk  

Go Back   Self-Storage Talk > General Self-Storage Forums > General Storage Chat
Register FAQ Advertise Newsletter Calendar Webinars ISS Magazine ISS Expo Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 04-14-2009, 08:01 PM
Gina6k's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Morgan Hill, California
Posts: 1,530
Default Alternatives to thumb twiddling

This thread is for JulieA. What types of things are you doing in your office when business is extremely slow and the phones are not ringing?

Rumor has it there has been an explosion of injuries in the self storage industry; carpal tunnel syndrome from thumb twiddling, and eyes bugging out from staring at non-ringing telephones.

Please share your productive alternatives to playing solitaire here.
__________________
Gina 6k
CochraneStorage dot com
Morgan Hill, California

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 04-14-2009, 09:16 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 181
Default

I was out cleaning units and spraying weeds today. Anything to escape the doldrums of the office! I'm going to have to step it up and be the maintenance person at our property for the next little while anyway--poor hubby got creamed at an intersection by a 90-yr. old driver yesterday and is very sore.

And when all else fails, I never play solitaire. Free cell is my game!
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 04-14-2009, 09:18 PM
Autodoc's Avatar
Mod
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Palmdale, CA.
Posts: 2,031
Default

as I just stated in the other thread -- I am using this time to work on our office remodel.

If not for that I would probably be getting hooked on video games.


Here is wishing everyone a lot of rentals this week!!!!


Tex -- glad to hear that hubby is OK!! Hope he is feeling better soon.
__________________
Wayne
All American Self Storage
Palmdale, CA.



All arguments can be resolved ... with high explosives and Humor!!!
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 04-15-2009, 05:35 AM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 392
Default

I actually look forward to the mail, UPS, FED EX. Yesterday the Schwan man came-- I bought some ice cream sandwiches!!! I even was excited to take a calls from sales people-- insurance, magazines etc!

On Monday I had a very nice long chat with a tenant who lives out of town and was here visiting!

Let me get some coffee and I will share some of my more productive ideas!!
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 04-15-2009, 06:38 AM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Hot Springs,AR
Posts: 127
Default

Now when you start getting exited about having sales people call, it's really bad.

Hope it picks up soon.
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 04-15-2009, 08:08 AM
Autodoc's Avatar
Mod
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Palmdale, CA.
Posts: 2,031
Default

My activities these days:

#5 - cleaning out files and checking all customer records (running out of records to check)

#4 - working on the remodel (when funding and energy are available)

#3 - playing video games and watching the clock

#2 - watching TV (Movies - I love NETFLIX)


And my #1 activity during these dry times --- (drum roll please)


hanging out on SST hoping someone will post a subject I can help with
__________________
Wayne
All American Self Storage
Palmdale, CA.



All arguments can be resolved ... with high explosives and Humor!!!
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 04-15-2009, 08:43 AM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 392
Default

I have emptied out a few file cabinets- and sorted through some piles of really old accumulated "stuff".

1. I have worked on follow up contacts with prospects
2. Marketed to contractors
3. Working on my referral program
4. Graphics for my car
5. Name badge to wear to community events
6. Thinking about Tshirts for my family members- for walks/bike rides/community events
7. Taken an online course- Marketing Your Business on the Internet
8. Starting another course- Web design
9. Making lists for my website upgrade
10. Redoing my brochure
11. Creating a price quote estimate & ordering a price guarantee stamp!
Much much more-- but that is enough for now!!
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 04-15-2009, 09:36 AM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 486
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JulieA View Post
I actually look forward to the mail, UPS, FED EX. Yesterday the Schwan man came-- I bought some ice cream sandwiches!!! I even was excited to take a calls from sales people-- insurance, magazines etc!
ah, you are feeling our pain. Few things are as fun as calling on owners, managers, installers, fellow vendors, and knowing what the answer is going to be even before the question is asked. On the other hand, my followups are all caught, the busy work gets done, and I've gained some insight by reading about things from the perspective of the other SST participants.

The best news is reality - every slow time has been followed by improvement. The mystery is in figuring when that improvement will come.
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 04-15-2009, 10:57 AM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Default Computer

I stay busy with the computer. With the weather getting warmer, I will have plenty to do outside at our storage facility. I am the owner, so I do have more things to do than just answer the phones and wait for customers. During the winter it did get a little boring and we are new, so it was getting a little scary not seeing many customers. We have picked up quite a bit, but I wish it were quite a bit more.
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 04-15-2009, 12:14 PM
Gina6k's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Morgan Hill, California
Posts: 1,530
Default

Well obviously I've had plenty of time to check in here of late.

Doing all of the obvious things you all listed above, plus

1. Revamping our policies & procedure manual
2. Reworking our employee contract
3. Ordering more and different marketing items
4. Just finished stocking up supplies for probably the next 2-3 months
5. Looking for a greener alternative to the hi-pressure sodium wall pack lights.
6. Doing website updates,
7. Devising more marketing stuff, just mailed out 1000 newsletters to our tenants and chamber members.
8. Researching & reading everything storage related.
9. Jumped into the Twitter world, still learning.
10. Thinking about jumping into the deep end of the pool and joining Facebook.

It's bad, we've already cleared files, cleaned everything 50x, weeded out the supply unit, washed down the buildings, got bids for new landscaping service, designed new flower planting, everything I can think of to do we've covered.

Tex - best wishes to your hubby for a speedy recovery from the aches & pains, glad he wasn't seriously injured. I concur with Freecell!
__________________
Gina 6k
CochraneStorage dot com
Morgan Hill, California

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:20 PM.

Inside Self-Storage World Expo
To get in-depth self-storage information from the industry's top experts, many of whom participate on this forum, join us for the next Inside Self-Storage World Expo.

Copyright © 2009 by Virgo Publishing LLC, all rights reserved.
P.O. Box 40079, Phoenix, AZ 85067-0079
Phone: 480-990-1101 - Email: webmaster@vpico.com
Privacy statement Terms of use