Articles in the October 2008 issue:
After Hours
Scaring Up Business By Mary Shafer (page 66) Halloween King raises funds for community programs and gains visibility for his drain-cleaning franchise with an annual haunted house attraction
Better Business
Service: Another View By Ted J. Rulseh (page 30) A new book says businesses can best increase satisfaction, build loyalty and control costs by liberating customers from customer service
Cover Story
A Hard-Won Lesson By Ken Wysocky (page 46) Virginia contractor credits trade association seminars, and the colleagues they introduced him to, with boosting his business from pitiful to profitable
From the Editor
It’s Your Time. Use It Well. Ted J. Rulseh (page 10) You can gain more control over your time and get more done by conquering the problems of procrastination and interruptions
Industry News
Industry News (page 100) Federal Signal Expands Dealership; Logiball Celebrates 25th Anniversary; Lenzyme Installs Solar Heating Panels; Simple Solutions Adds Distributors; Mr. Rooter Presents Franchise Awards; WJTA Offers Vacuum Safety Seminar
Money Manager
Smart Leasing By Fred S. Steingold (page 24) It’s important to know when it makes sense to lease instead of buying, and to understand the lease terms and conditions
Money Machines
Business Partners By Ken Wysocky (page 72) Fully outfitted service vans support The Waterworks’ technicians in a compensation program that links pay to productivity
Product Spotlight
Monitor Tells When It’s Time for Grease Trap Service By Ken Wysocky (page 82) Determining when a grease interceptor needs cleaning can be an inexact science.
Reader Pipelines
Look Before You Line By Mary Shafer (page 86) CIPP repair is a valuable pipe-rehabilitation technology that also demands commitment to training from contractors who use it to solve customer problems
Safety First
Shine On By Scottie Dayton (page 16) Knowing what to do for a black eye can save valuable time and prevent possible loss of vision
Special Feature
The Dope on Diesel By Greg Northcutt (page 38) Market conditions and other factors drive up the price of fuel for heavy trucks and equipment. Expect prices to remain high in the foreseeable future
Special Feature
Weapon of Mass Detection By Mary Shafer (page 56) Sleuth Plumbing Technologies takes pride in being a resource for customers in a wide range of investigation and rehabilitation services
Tech Perspective
Main Entrance By Peter Kenter
(page 78) Lateral-to-main connections can be major sources of sewer leakage. Manufacturers have devised a variety of remedies for sealing that junction
Tough Job
High and Low By Scottie Dayton (page 98) Fiberglass-reinforced lining enables a California contractor to rehabilitate 10 miles of sewer piping in backyards and canyons
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