How do you measure the success of your initiatives?
We have to measure our franchises by law, so we have reply cards for every customer. I used to mail them all out to customers and then I would read them all. They were hilarious at times. But as we’ve expanded, we’ve outsourced the mailings. We have had 100,000 cards come back so far, so we have an accurate picture of what our customers think of us.
What do you do with the information received?
Once we receive those cards, we immediately return them to the franchise owners so they can see how their people are doing. We have contests every month in our newsletters to see who has the best feedback, and we share that information so that everybody knows how the other franchises are doing. It’s peer pressure.
Another area you’re committed to is corporate philanthropy. Tell me how the roots of giving back were planted.
The first year, when I started this business, I made $1,000. I was a single mom and had three teenage kids. I had always been real involved in community activities, so I decided to give that money away. I took my $1,000 and wrote 10 checks to local charities. It was the best feeling in the world. I felt so empowered. Today, we’ve ingrained this philosophy into our company from the corporate office down to every franchise. We’ve always used this company to help others; our tagline is ‘Movers Who Care.’ It means we care about people in the communities.
How do you find ways to make the most impact?
My children and I run the company. When we receive requests, we really analyze every request. With the economy still tough in Michigan, there is not much chance for donations that don’t have an impact. So we’re looking at food banks and things for children to help the community. When things are better, we do more of the fun things.
HOW TO REACH: Two Men and a Truck, www.twomenandatruck.com
Corporate Growth
There are several new bright spots in the economy as expectations about corporate growth went from downtrodden to positive, according to a new survey by Ernst & Young LLP.
The prospects of increased revenue, profitability, technology spending and hiring all were on the minds of executives running companies from $500 million to $3 billion in annual revenue as 75 percent said they’re optimistic about achieving their respective companies’ growth expectations over the next two years.
“Growth companies are regaining confidence that they can deliver on their potential and their promise to investors,” says Maria Pinelli, Americas director, Strategic Growth Markets, Ernst & Young. “Their beliefs about hitting strong numbers are great news and a potential bellwether for the markets and the economy as a whole.”
Among the survey’s findings:
- 64 percent of respondents expect their revenue to increase over the next 12 months by an average of 11.3 percent
- 58 percent anticipate profit increases this year
- 73 percent are optimistic that the current economic recovery will continue to expand this year
- 55 percent say domestic operations solely will drive growth revenue
- 39 percent indicate a combination of domestic and international operations will foster growth
- 40 percent project an increase in hiring new employees over the next 12 months
- 80 percent of those who expect to make new hires anticipate that hiring will occur in the U.S.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.ey.com
