If you were asked what business you are in, what would your response be? 'I'm in the petroleum business, I supply gasoline for my customers." In a re-cent Team Boston dealer survey (Insight), over 50% of the responders said they were in the supply business as opposed to the service business.

True enough. Your customers drive up and pump gas into their cars. Many even stay at the pump, so you don't have to talk to them if you don't want to. But wait a minute, have you taken a good look around your location? Do you know who your competition is? Do you wonder why more customers are lining up at the McDonalds across the street? Have you noticed that the Exxon station a block away seems to be doing a brisk service bay business? These businesses are successful be-cause they understand retail service. The simple fact is, you are not just a supplier of fuel, you're in the retail service marketing business. That actu-ally makes you a merchant. And, as a merchant, your ability to understand your local marketplace will help you

increase your sales and profitability. That means developing a sensible mar-keting plan for the growth of your busi-ness and to keep you on the competi-tive edge.

So, how do you know what the right plan is? By learning everything you can about your competition, understanding your customers' needs and finding ways to tie-in your promotions with lo-cal community partners, such as schools, churches and other businesses, you can develop a successful marketing plan.

If you attended Team Boston's Street Fighter seminar on September 15th, then you know how to develop a local store marketing plan.
 

Fax: 770-453-5728
Email romapr@starent.com
 

DON'T MISS October 14th
Write this date down . . . 
Team Boston will present Sid Gregory in a
full day seminar on writing a business plan.
 
 
 

Hot Tips by Jeff and Marc Slutsky

You can easily turn a simple inexpensive business card into a powerful mar-keting tool. All you have to do is, two or three times a day, hand out your business card to someone who is not your customer or client. Start with people you already come in contact with. When you're running errands, for example, you're likely to come in contact with the waiter at the local res-taurant, the grocery store clerk, hair

Speaking of service, the ultimate conven-ience, being Convenient for your custom-ers rather than they being convenient for you Receive $750.00 per month to help support your 24 hour effort.
 
 

Texaco Race
To The Millions

The final reimbursement date is October 9th. Please follow all reimbursement instructions carefully.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

stylist, your mail person, the dry cleaner clerk, the check out person at the discount store, and even the police officer giving you a warning to slow down. The list is endless. Simply hand them your business card then introduce yourself and invite them to become your customers or client.