The Problem of Client Cancellations

Loren Wesley Vankirk is the CEO of VanKirk Electric, a company that specializes in multi-family construction and mixed-use projects across the United States. Under Loren Wesley Vankirk’s leadership, the company has grown from its small-town roots to a national presence.

Big or small, electrical contracting businesses will always have to deal with the significant problem of client cancellations. It is a balancing act between maintaining good customer relations and keeping your business protected.

One of the most common ways to reduce cancellations is to introduce an associated fee. Cancellation fees protect you, but they still upset clients even if they are fully aware that the fee will be assessed. If you value a customer’s business more than the fee, you can choose to waive it.

Another way to protect yourself is by requiring a non-refundable deposit. You will find that this strategy is even less popular than the cancellation fees since a lot of customers see it as sketchy to require such fees. Ultimately, you could choose to absorb the cost and try to fill the time with other projects. Whatever your policy is, make sure your clients understand it when entering into a contract.

Maintaining a Network in the Electrical Contracting Industry

CEO and owner or VanKirk Electric, Loren Wesley Vankirk took over the family business in 1994 and successfully increased its revenue from $5 to $50 million in the intervening period. Loren Wesley Vankirk’s strong grasp of marketing and operational strategy has led to the small business earning a national presence.

One of the most important things you have to do as a business leader is knowing your target market. For an electrical contracting business, one of the best opportunities is to reach out to contracting and architectural firms in your area and get to know their leadership teams. Even if they don’t need an electrician at the moment, you can learn about what qualities they value in electrical contractors and potentially learn about other opportunities for business from their network.

Also, do not neglect residential work. Networking with homeowners associations can be an important source of business if you’re willing and able to leverage them correctly. No matter how big or small your company is, make sure you keep up with other electrical contractors both in your area and farther out. Professional organizations and trade events are excellent ways to learn and discover new opportunities.

The Georgia Club Offers Discovery Visits to Prospective Members

While serving as the CEO of VanKirk Electric, Loren Wesley Vankirk has expanded the company and increased the annual revenue to more than $50 million. When he takes time away from his work, Loren Wesley Vankirk enjoys his membership at The Georgia Club golf resort in Statham, Georgia.

A short drive from Athens and Atlanta, The Georgia Club offers a special tour for prospective members and home buyers called a Discovery Visit. During the visit, potential members have the opportunity to experience the resort’s top-rated 27-hole Chancellors Course and tour the resort’s 10 residential neighborhoods.

The Georgia Club offers two options for its Discovery Visits: Dine-and-Play and Stay-and-Play. The Dine-and-Play option includes a private tour of available homes and homesites, lunch in the clubhouse, and an 18-hole round of golf on the Chancellors Course. The Stay-and-Play option invites guests to spend a night in a deluxe clubhouse suite in addition to the 18-hole game and private home tour.

Dos and Don’ts of Visiting Mexico

A third-generation electrical contractor, Loren Wesley Vankirk leads Vankirk Electric as its CEO and owner. When he’s not busy providing general oversight to the company, Loren Wesley Vankirk enjoys traveling around the world. He is particularly fond of visiting Mexico.

Regardless of how many times you’ve been to Mexico, there are always a few things to keep in mind so you don’t run into any trouble during your trip. Following are several dos and don’ts of visiting Mexico:

- Do learn some Spanish. Most people speak some English in resort areas of the country. But that doesn’t mean you’ll never run across someone who only speaks Spanish. To keep communication smooth in these situations, keep a phrase book or translation app handy and learn some basic Spanish phrases.

- Don’t forget restrooms are labeled differently. In the U.S., it’s normal for you to see restroom doors marked with an “M” for men and a “W” for women. This isn’t the same in Mexico, though. Instead, the doors for women are marked with an “M” since the Spanish word for women is mujeres. For men, the door will have either a “C” for caballeros “H” for hombres.

- Do monitor what you eat and drink. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tourists in Mexico should avoid cold, uncooked dishes, such as salads, in favor of cooked, hot meals. This limits your risk of food poisoning and traveler’s diarrhea. Further, only drink water from an unbroken, sealed bottle.

- Don’t lose your immigration card. When you arrive in Mexico, you will likely receive a piece of paper that is stamped by an immigration officer. During your travels in the country, make sure you keep this piece of paper safe so it doesn’t get lost. Immigration officers will usually request this paper as you leave the country, and you may be charged a fine if you don’t have it.