The next business book we're reading ...

We saw a review for this title today and can't wait to read it:

"The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do and How to Change It" (Charles Duhigg)

What especially drew our attention was the mixing of psychology and business perspectives that explain why bad habits persist and how good habits can be formed. You can teach an old dog new tricks!

Lowe's Inman News Service Review

Bloomberg Business Week Review

This review sealed the deal: "For those who truly crave to change their habits, their teams' routines and their lives, this book offers well-founded hope and simple, concrete tools that have been proven to work, over and over again."

One more good one on the shelf .. Next to some perennial favorites from Zig Ziglar, Og Mandino and newer stuff like Jim Collins, Michael Gerber or the Heath Brothers. What's on your bookshelf?

PS - I realize that this post is a little ironic given the last one "Why We're in this Business" ... But actually it fits right in because we see the methods and success stories the author uses for "good examples" as being very much in keeping with how we have been able to achieve our high standards ... It's all habit!

Got change?

Recent survey data we saw today showed that in 2011, 61% of moves in 2011 were for "life stage reasons." Our clientele definitely reflect this trend - getting married, having children, children moving out, job-related relocation and retirement - are common among the people we move.

No wonder moving can be so stressful! People are not only dealing with the logistics of the move but also these BIG life changes. No matter how joyful or welcome they may be, stress always accompanies change on this scale.

Add to it moving during the Holidays and WOW! So if you or someone you know is going through this all at once - moving, the holidays and a big life change - we welcome the chance to make at least one area of your or their life less stressful: the move!

Hooray!!! We're 3-years old this week!

We are so thrilled to be THREE this week. That's right, this week three years ago we got our truck, incorporated, printed tee-shirts, established our online presence and everything else you have to do when you open a business. Stay tuned for more musings, happenings and celebrations from Stronger's Third Birthday Celebration Extravaganza!!!

Point ... Counterpoint

I read this article in today's Bradenton Times

"Florida Challenged by Decline in New Residents" (The Bradenton Times)

And while we definitely agree that the decline in new residents is a challenge, we are seeing signs that it is starting to change. 

For a while, any jobs that weren't with our truck were loading someone else's (usually rental) truck to move out of state.  Recently, the balance is shifting to include more "unloads," that is people arriving from uot-of-state who need their stuff unpacked here in the sunshine.

While we specialize in full-service moves with our completely-equipped trucks, we are also pleased to load or unload rental trucks, storage pods or trailers.

And, looking at the blizzards blanketing the north this week, maybe we'll see even more to come!

Making the Better Business Council Directory STRONGER

Just wanted to share the Bradenton Herald's Better Business Council Directory with everyone today.  Check the "Movers" category and you'll find us there with some of our colleagues in the moving business:

Better Business Council Directory - Your 2011 Official Guide to Better Business (Bradenton Herald)

Thank you to the Manatee Chamber and Bradenton Herald for getting the word out in the community. 

What is the Better Business Council? As the article explains: "Members of the BBC agree to certain terms and conditions including clarification and confirmation of required licensing and proper insurance.  In addition, they must agree to respond to formal complaints filed through the Better Business Council and make every effort to resolve conflicts in a reasonable, prompt manner outlined by the BBC."

We're proud to be entering our 3rd year as both Chamber and BBC members.

What every business in Florida should know ...

I'll go out on a limb here and say that Florida is to hurricanes what Kansas is to tornados.  We're like hurricane alley down here and as such should have the best preparation, response and recovery for these massive storms.

At this morning's Realtor Business Hour with the Manatee Association of Realtors, we got a firsthand look at Manatee County's Public Safety Center.  Wow was it impressive - both the facility and the dedication, professionalism, knowledge and friendliness of the people working there.

We could go on and on (and on and on) about the how amazing this place was but you just have to take a tour yourself.  It's amazing to see one of the premiere facilities in the state and learn how it works.  Here's a taste from the Bradenton Times:


Media Day at the Brand-New Manatee County Public Safety Center from The Bradenton Times on Vimeo.

As a follow up to the tour, we will be working on our "Continuation of Operations Plan" for the 2011 Hurricane Season.  Our tour guide told us that 40% of businesses that close due to disasters end up closing for good - we don't want that!  So, we are using the resources from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and the Florida Business Disaster Kit to get our plan in place.

Nervous about an open tab? Ask for a flat rate

Let me preface this post by saying that in the past 10 jobs we estimated, we were smack in the middle - on average $30 above our lowest estimated price and $50 below our highest estimated price.  And let me make a few more points

• we try to estimate conservatively: estimate more, charge less
• we round down not up (a job ending at 3:05 would be rounded down to 3:00)
• we bill by the quarter hour (A job ending at 3:20 would be billed as ending at 3:15)
• you only pay for what we work, not what we estimate

That being said, some clients are still anxious about the final cost of their move.  The thought of what they perceive to be an open-ended bill starting at $80 an hour can a little nerve-wracking.  I understand, that's why we offer flat rates.

What's a flat rate?  Seeing a job firsthand allows us to make our most accurate estimate (although those mentioned above were done over the phone and we did pretty darn well).  If we can come visit and see your move personally to make a firsthand estimate, we propose a fixed price.  This is essentially and agreement where you say "here's what I have" and we say "we'll move it for this price no matter what."

But wait there's more ... Caps!  With Stronger, we often negotiate flat rate jobs with a cap.  This is us saying "we'll move it for this price BUT if the time we work ends up being less, you'll pay the lower price."

So if you're ready to move but nervous about how moving companies typically conduct their billing, call us and we'll work out a flat rate / flat rate cap job with you.

Stronger just got ... BETTER!!

We are proud to report that we are now members of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to joining the Chamber, we took the extra step of getting certified in the Chamber's Better Business Council.