"Helping Big Brother"
It seems like every article I read focuses on the tough budget situations that states like California are facing. As I try to understand why "x" county has a particular fiscal problem, I have to admit I'm a little torn. On one hand, my mom works with special needs kids at a local high school and is dependent upon Uncle Sam for her paycheck. I've seen what she does and believe me, she earns every penny. Then I see a bid specification sheet come down from some county with multiple needless options, (like heated mirrors in Northern California), and wonder why do our tax dollars go there? (For the record I tried to talk them out of it.)
Don't get me wrong, I believe the 'bid' process is a necessary evil for public disclosure, but I wonder how we got to the place where some of these options made it on the bid spec sheet. Maybe they're needed, heck, it could get down to 31 degrees in the Bay Area and you may very well need those mirrors heated. I'm a California boy and when I was 7 years old it snowed 1.5 inches and my parents rushed out to buy tire chains. It melted by noon. But seriously, sweeping a parking lot with a $200k CNG broom truck may be overkill, especially, when these units are typically not as efficient as virtually every parking lot air sweeper on the market, (present company included).
So what does this have to do with contractors? Look for opportunities to participate in the process. Many times municipalities order trucks off a regular specification sheets that are administered on a level well above the practical point of the operator. And giving them the benefit of doubt, I believe this is due to a lack of education. Many organizations, like NAPSA, are working to bring information to municipalities about the private sector. We can participate. Nobody knows how to sweep better, with the right equipment, than your private business. We can help our local and state governments understand the alternatives which can include private contractors.
In road sweeping, many industrial contractors are taking the initiative to educate and inform their local municipalities of the opportunities which exist for private contractors to perform this work. In parking lot sweeping, we are beginning to see school districts and small townships look to the private sector for these services as well. Many times contractors can do the work more efficiently, at a reduced cost, helping ease budget constraints. Municipalities will see their job base and tax revenue increase, reduce their operating costs, and leverage contractors to use the proper equipment without having to purchase their own.
At the very least, getting involved with how our tax dollars are spent, may increase the awareness and lead to changes in the future. It could take some time, but I hope to see you sweeping a city hall soon, with brand new heated mirrors!
Tracy Day, President
| Accurate Financial Projections | |
Every sweeping business will need to make reliable financial projections at one time or another. This forecasting is critical at many stages of a company's life - when you are looking for financing, when you need to gauge the potential profitability of a new product or service, when you want to see the impact of staff expansion or cutbacks, or when you need to assess other important business decisions.  Coming up with reliable projections isn't guesswork. It requires you to analyze market research, trends, and business assumptions to come up with a reasonable forecast. When you're done, you'll have a realistic idea of costs and profits.Tracking your budget is paramount in your business's fiscal growth and sustainability. | |
| Maintenance Minute | |
Belt Tensioning of Main Hydraulic Pump (400-DX and 200-XLP models)  Before tensioning the main pump belt:
 Tensioning the belt:
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