During WW2, when the majority of the manufacturing industry in the USA was focused on the war effort and marketing budgets were being slashed to the bone or non-existent, the then CEO of Heinz, Jack Heinz, chose to continue marketing his product range. When asked "Why"? his response was "One day the war will be over and I want my brand to be remembered"!
Between 1941 and 1946, Heinz sales nearly doubled to $4m.
I am offering to help retail outlets in Linden with postings like this to maintain their brand profile while they are in lockdown.
So, just like Heinz, they too will come out stronger and in a better position to tackle their post lockdown marketing strategies.
Unlike the Ruperts, Oppenheimers and Motsepes of this world, I don’t have R1b in my bank account to donate to the war chest, so this effort is my contribution to that initiative.
This is the second company to respond to my marketing initiative.
I have used them on a couple of occasions and I was about to book them when the lockdown was announced
and I was unable to set up the appointment.
And then along came THIS and closed this operation down.
I asked Antony Greene about his plans for the company and the staff.
These were his responses...
How long has the business been operational?
Our first day of Business was 16th December 2018, so almost 1 year and 4 months now.
Our first day of Business was 16th December 2018, so almost 1 year and 4 months now.
How many staff members do you employ?
We currently employ 5, excluding me, my Partner and our Developer.
We currently employ 5, excluding me, my Partner and our Developer.
Where are those staff members currently?
They are currently at home, waiting for the lockdown to be lifted. We are currently busy with some exciting changes to our App, some through normal evolution of technology
and some necessitated by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
They are currently at home, waiting for the lockdown to be lifted. We are currently busy with some exciting changes to our App, some through normal evolution of technology
and some necessitated by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
What arrangements have you made for your staff during and after lockdown?
They are being paid until further notice. We hope to pick up where we left off.
Our Business has been growing encouragingly, with almost 1000 registered people now.
We had just completed the training of 2 new Staff Members and
purchased a small bakkie to open our second Franchise in the East,
when the lockdown occurred.
They are being paid until further notice. We hope to pick up where we left off.
Our Business has been growing encouragingly, with almost 1000 registered people now.
We had just completed the training of 2 new Staff Members and
purchased a small bakkie to open our second Franchise in the East,
when the lockdown occurred.
Do you anticipate becoming operational again once the lockdown has been lifted?
Absolutely yes.
Absolutely yes.
How are you dealing with your debtors and creditors?
We are a cash Business.
We are a cash Business.
When you reopen will you be offering any ‘specials’ or sales in order to get cash flowing again? – Watch this space for an announcement closer to re-opening.
What would you like to say to my readers about your brand that will make it
“front-of-mind” once this is all over?
Hygiene has always been important, non-more so than now and as
Professional Vehicle Cleaners and Detailers, we have the products
and methods to ensure your vehicle is not only clean inside and out,
but sanitized too. To this end, we had already been utilizing EcoZyme
as part of our routine cleaning prior to lockdown.
We will be adding ZOONO once we are trading again
and we can purchase stock.
“front-of-mind” once this is all over?
Hygiene has always been important, non-more so than now and as
Professional Vehicle Cleaners and Detailers, we have the products
and methods to ensure your vehicle is not only clean inside and out,
but sanitized too. To this end, we had already been utilizing EcoZyme
as part of our routine cleaning prior to lockdown.
We will be adding ZOONO once we are trading again
and we can purchase stock.
How are you dealing with the mental aspect of the closure of the business and the fear that both you and your staff might share going forward?
This is a real concern, with no real formal plan right now.
This is a real concern, with no real formal plan right now.
The teams are able to get around Johannesburg quickly but relying on motorbikes rather than cars and everything that they need to clean a vehicle can be packed into the purpose-built carrier on the back of the bike.Log onto their App to book your choice of Valet-V service today.
Support local, support Linden.
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