How to Succeed When Your Biggest Challenge is Unpredictability

Make the proper adjustments that fit your business’ needs to handle any type of scenario and you can “weather the storm.”

By Gary Findley

Business owners typically try to stay as proactive as possible to maintain the “expect the unexpected” philosophy. However, what can businesses do when the foundation of its company is servicing unpredictability? No matter what life throws at you, it is always important to have a plan. Restoration 1 caters to tragedies caused by unpredictable circumstances such as weather, toilet over-flooding, water leaks, hot water heater breaks, fires, and mold found in long-leaky areas of the home.

The main thing about unpredict-ability is that it keeps your business on its toes, and you need to beprepared for any situation and react effectively. Staying prepared at all times is one of the greatest pieces of advice for any business to succeed in this industry.

Relate to Your Clients

Although our industry is servicing unpredictability, it is an absolute necessity. Once you get past the idea that you will not be coordinating through a standardized schedule, your business should measure success through the responses of those you service. Each day about 14,000 Americans will experience a water emergency at their home or work. About 37 percent of American homeowners claim to have suffered losses from water damage, and about 98 percent of basements will experience some type of water damage during their lifespan. 

In addition to small fires, smoke damage, mold, and sewer backups, the everyday household problems are the type of things that 90 percent or more of our business is made of. I know from experience with having a flood in my own home that caused $30,000 worth of damage. The natural disasters that are experienced each year can and will be part of our business, but it is not part of what we deal with on a day-to-day basis. That said, relating to your clients will help your reaction to challenges caused by unpredictable moments.

Be a Resource for Your Employees

Running a business that operates 24/7 is not difficult if you enter that industry with the mindset of knowing you could be called in the middle of the night, weekends or on holidays. Our franchisees enter the industry hoping for the best case scenario, but are always prepared for the worst. As a business owner, you want to set an impactful example of how to adapt to anything.

Specifically, with the restoration industry, it is important to be prepared with enough equipment to handle larger claims. This is why it is also crucial for the franchisor to be available at any moment to provide the resources that franchisees need to service any unpredictable incident. If you exemplify initiative, quick reaction time to clients’ needs, and prepare for multiple outcomes during a challenge, then your employees will follow. Restoration 1 also has a disaster team that is ready to travel anywhere nationwide at any time to assist our franchisees during larger disasters. Staying true to the brand and dedicating resources to franchisees at all times is just as important as being available 24/7 to customers.

Dive Deep Into Training

Another way to succeed in an unpredictable industry is to provide extensive training for your employees, franchisees, or other team members. It is important to become completely immersed in your industry, continue to hire industry experts, and to train employees and team members to be ready for any potential situation that may arise. 

Being prepared should always remain a top priority during training. Analyze common risks and how they may occur by specifying related challenges, then teach your employees how to react instead of solve the problem. Preparedness is not always about having an exact evacuation plan, but to increase the confidence in employees so that they can react effectively. 

Another recommendation that I have when training employees is to expand their knowledge within similar industries. For example, in addition to Restoration 1’s initial training, franchisees are also certified in fire, water, smoke, and mold remediation. This could also be done with other employees in similar situations to enhance their comfortability of being prepared for any situation.

Stop Fearing Change and Start Embracing It

Another tip for other business owners is to not fear unpredictability, but to embrace it. In a world of ever-evolving change, incorporating a business plan that outlines possible outcomes is an effective strategy. The thing about change is that it affects everyone. At one point or another, your business venture will be confronted with some sort of unpredictable circumstance. To implement those business plans and strategies, you need to hire employees that are just as passionate about the industry as you are. 

Establishing a trusted relationship with employees that have the same goals as you is always a priority. Having a distinctive business strategy and set of goals may not always go according to plan, so creating a roadmap that guides employees and your team how to get back on track will always be a strong asset for your company. One of the most important determining factors in succeeding in an unpredictable industry is the way you respond to change and how to capitalize on it.

Weathering the Storm

Every business has unpredictable moments, and most companies are somehow reliant on the weather. Formerly in the fitness franchise industry for over 20 years and 8,000 locations, I learned that the summer was the most difficult time for business in that particular sector. For instance, people are outside more often, travelling, and overall participating in more physical activity. For this reason, our potential customers are not using the gym or thinking about joining one due to these factors. This is why it is important to make the proper adjustments that fit your business’ needs to handle any type of scenario, and your business can “weather the storm” so to speak.  

Gary Findley is President of Waco, Texas-based Restoration 1, which provides property restoration services. His experience includes serving as President and COO of Curves International.