| Restaurants are a perfect
setting for decorative concrete. They often use stained,
polished or stamped concrete for flooring. In the kitchen,
they sometimes use epoxy coatings that wrap up the base of
the wall, to meet restaurant sanitation codes. Restaurant
bars are an excellent place for concrete countertops, and
the countertops can even include an integral spill tray with
embedded drain grills.
Your town probably has at least one architecture firm that
specializes in restaurant design. The AIN's directory of
architects is an excellent place to find out what firms'
specialties are. The guide fists AIA member firms, how many
architects work there, recent projects, and what percentage
of their projects are residential, commercial, government,
etc.
Kitchen designers are the ultimate partner for residential
concrete countertops. Your community probably has many kitchen
design firms or cabinet
shops of various sizes. You can find kitchen designers by
looking in the Yellow Pages and simply calling around to
find the ones who specialize in high-end clients that are
candidates for custom concrete countertops.
An easier way to build business
Relationship marketing increases your ability to reach customers,
increases your selling power and increases the power of your
marketing dollar.
When people decide to do a large project that potentially
involves decorative concrete, such as a new home, a new pool
or a kitchen remodel, they generally do not specifically
seek out a decorative concrete contractor. They rely on professionals
such as general contractors or kitchen designers to find
and recomend products and resources for them. If you align
yourself with these professionals, you increase the number
of potential
customers you can reach. You will find customers that you
otherwise would not have found. And, because a professional
is recommending you and your product, you On credibility
with the customer. A recommendation from a professional is
almost as strong as a referral from a friend or family member.
When a professional does recommend you, they often act as
a virtual salesperson for your company. For example, suppose
you make concrete countertops, and you have a good relationship
with a kitchen design firm. You have a oountertop on display
in their showroom, and they have several color samples to
show customers. Once you get to that point, the process usually
works as follows: The kitchen designer faxes you a drawing
of Mrs. Smith's kitchen and asks for a quote.
<<<BACK
TO PRESS | PAGE NUMBER:
1 | 2 | 3
| NEXT PAGE >>> |
