May 2018
I
the REPORT
QUALIT Y, INTEGRIT Y, AND DEDICATION Moral Values We Should Never Sel l Out
me. If I chose to continue with the old pricing model I used in the past, my business would burn up almost immediately. So I’m left with a moral dilemma. Do I leave the suppliers that I am loyal to and have great partnerships with to try and find a better deal? Do I shop around and sacrifice the core values that have made Central Michigan Roofing what it is? Well, that’s not how I do business. Quality, integrity, and loyalty are the values that built this company, and I don’t think anyone should have to sacrifice the morality of their business just to make a buck. The one thing I would encourage in this instance is to remember that change takes time. What may be a price hike now can definitely change once domestic steel catches up with pricing. By the end of this April shower, we could end up having the May flowers of a flourishing steel industry with the same great prices, quality, and service you are used to. I believe a positive direction will yield positive results. Metal is still a superior roofing material, especially for our region. We still aim to provide unforgettable service and quality. These two things will never change. – Emanuel Herschberger
steel will continue to rise. This puts a small business owner like me in a tough spot. I am loyal to my suppliers, just as I am loyal to my customers. I respect quality, integrity, and dedication more than anything. I’m not willing to sacrifice these core values — I believe those tenets are what have made my business successful. I look at my relationship with my suppliers as a partnership. We attempt to benefit each other and work together to meet everyone’s needs. With these new tariffs and the ensuing effect on the cost of metal, suppliers will have no choice but to raise prices. This means I have no choice but to raise mine as well. If it were up to me, I would charge low prices every day. Unfortunately, this industry is bigger than just
The metal industry is an ever- changing market full of fluctuations. So far, 2018 has been a great example of the ebbs and flows typical of our industry. Some of the most recent upheaval is due to the new import tariffs imposed on metal. These price hikes from foreign imports directly affect how we do business in America. It’s no secret that the American steel and aluminum industries have suffered to near extinction in recent years. These tariffs are aimed at revitalizing those markets within U.S. borders. But as with any industry- wide change, things don’t happen overnight. These tariffs have already made a difference in pricing, and they’ll continue to do so for the next few months. Until local suppliers can begin to provide at a comparable rate again, the price of metal and
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Did you know that 8 percent of people have an extra rib?
‘NO PROBLEM’ VS. ‘MY PLEASURE’
Sending the Right Message
What these guidelines should look like depends on your business. Examine your marketing materials and your demographics. What kind of experience do your customers expect from you? How can your customer service meet or reinforce this expectation? Work with your team to create a standard for customer communication that fits your company culture and the people you serve.
When someone says “thank you,” how do you respond? It’s a core tenet of customer service that has inspired much debate. It may seem trivial, but the way you talk to customers matters. With branding, R&D, marketing campaigns, and relationship building, chances are that your business invests heavily in attracting new clients and retaining old ones. But often, a customer’s decision of whether or not to continue to do business with you comes down to old-fashioned conversation. That’s why Forbes and countless other forums have published think pieces on the phrase “no problem.” People can and will get irked by the wrong response to gratitude. The Chick fil-A franchise goes so far as requiring its employees to always reply, “My pleasure.” Should you pay this much attention to what your employees say? Absolutely. In his book “Age of the Customer,” Jim Blasingame observes that products and services don’t set you apart from the competition in the minds of your clientele: their experience with you does. Ensuring that the unique relationship you have with your clients stays positive is well worth developing some standard practice guidelines for your team. I’m going to let you in on a secret. Despite what you may have heard, metal roofs are not that loud in the rain! As a matter of fact, when your home is insulated properly, it is as quiet as a traditional roof when it’s pouring outside. I’m not claiming a big roofing conspiracy led by shingle manufacturers, because that’s just not true, but I do want to explain how metal roofing came to be regarded as the noisier option and why you should consider it for your home. HowMetal Roofs Got a Bad Rap In many cases, the reverb in older commercial buildings has perpetuated the idea that metal roofs are louder. This couldn’t be further from the truth in the world of metal roofing today. Just as style options have evolved, so have the ways metal roofs are installed. New technology and a superior understanding of best practices have transformed metal roofing into one of the quietest options in the industry. DEBUNKING THE MY TH Metal Roofs Are Not Noisier
For some businesses, this means that “no problem” may be just that. If an informal, down-to-earth vibe fits your business, this millennialism may be harmless. But it doesn’t do you much good, either. The problem with expressions is that everyone uses them, and the whole idea is to stand out in the minds of your customers. In many cases, a “you’re quite welcome” or even a “my pleasure” can make an otherwise forgettable
interaction stick out in the minds of your customers.
The Truth About Today’s Metal Roofs Every metal roof comes with an underlayment and a roof deck of some sort. This roof deck dampens noise, drastically reducing noise levels in the event of a downpour. In many cases, this makes metal so quiet that many people say they cannot hear anything. This isn’t just for rain, either. Falling twigs and branches and even walking on the roof are as quiet as or similar to any other roofing material. If you’re interested in learning the nitty-gritty behind the noise associated with metal roofs, reach out to me today. I’ll be happy to explain all the ways metal can meet your needs and the incredible benefits behind making this investment for your home.
Central Michigan Roofing | (269) 758-3330 2
Want to hear a joke about paper? Never mind ... it’s tearable!
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR Why Metal Roofing Is More Expensive
it more expensive. Without proper installation, the benefits of metal roofs are completely nullified. With just one leak, the entire roof could be compromised. However, it’s this specialized installation process that makes metal roofing so beneficial.
It’s no secret that metal roofing is more expensive up- front than most other types of roofing. Unfortunately, many potential customers are deterred from
metal because of this, and they opt for more traditional shingles. While the decision of which roofing material to use is completely up to you,
Longevity Metal roofs last significantly longer than roofs made from other materials. This means that sales of the product are significantly less frequent. As with most products that have longer sales cycles, the cost is generally more.
we thought it important to explain why metal roofs have a higher cost — and why they’re worth it.
Raw Materials The raw materials and
When push comes to shove, you’re always going to pay more for a metal roof. But as is the case with most major investments, you truly get what you pay for with our product. Metal roofing may be more expensive to install, but it is significantly more cost-effective over the long run. Although you pay more up front, you will make up for it in energy costs, durability, color choices, weather protection, maintenance costs, fire resistance, and a higher return on investment for your home. Don’t let the initial costs deter you from the bona fide long-term value of metal roofing.
processes needed to make metal roofing materials are much more specific and
elaborate than shingles. Also, most metal roofs are coated, either by
galvanization or by a special UV reflector, to provide durability and functionality that’s superior to shingles.
Expertise Metal roofing requires a very specific installation process. This specialized skill set is difficult to find, which makes
Gril led Ranch Potatoes
Have a Laugh
Inspired by delish.com
Ingredients • 2 pounds baby
• Ranch dressing for drizzling • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives • Bacon bits (optional) • Salt and pepper to taste
potatoes, halved • 1/4 tablespoon extra- virgin olive oil • Juice of 1/2 lemon • 1/2 packet ranch seasoning
Directions 1. Heat grill to medium. In a large pan, toss potatoes with olive oil, lemon juice, and ranch seasoning. Season generously with salt and pepper. 2. Skewer potatoes. (If using wood skewers, be sure to soak in water an hour before grilling.) Grill until tender and lightly charred, about 15 minutes. 3. Drizzle with ranch and garnish with chives and bacon bits.
What do you call a cow with two legs? Lean beef!
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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Inside This Issue
How the Price Tariffs Affect Business
The ‘No Problem’ Problem
Are Metal Roofs Really Noisier in the Rain?
Why Metal Costs More Than Shingles
Save the Bees
Spring is officially here. The grass is green again, trees have regrown their leaves, and flowers are emerging from the earth. Busy bees are ready to pollinate the new blossoms, but sadly, the rusty patched bumblebee may not be around to pollinate much longer. Bumblebees are a small species of bee native to much of the Northern Hemisphere. There are 250 species of bumblebees in the world, and the rusty patched bumblebee is one of 47 species native to North America. Most bumblebees have larger body sizes and denser hairs than other bees. This makes it possible for them to remain active in cool temperatures, low light levels, and high elevations. Rusty patched bumblebees are “buzz pollinators,” which means they cling tightly to their flowers and vibrate their flight muscles to collect pollen. In this way, the bees pollinate blueberries, cranberries, clover, and tomatoes. SAVE THE BEES Populations Are Decreasing, but You Can Help!
87 percent since the 1990s. Experts now consider the rusty patched bumblebee to be on the brink of extinction.
Though it can take years to place an animal on the endangered species list, President Obama made the rusty patched bumblebee a priority by placing it on the list in January 2017. The reasons for the bee’s decline are not fully understood, but it is hypothesized that habitat loss, diseases, parasites, pesticides, pollution, and climate change may have something to do with it. Thankfully, not all hope is lost. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has some ideas about how the public can help stop the bee’s decline. Individuals can plant native flowers, limit their use of pesticides, and avoid cutting grass and garden plants after summer to provide a habitat for bees during the winter. This, along with the critically endangered species status, may prevent the bee from extinction and even increase future populations.
Once ranging from North Dakota to Maine and Quebec, and as far south as Georgia, the bee’s population has declined by
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Did you know that honey is the only natural food that never spoils?
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