Your top customers are the backbone of your propane business. They provide the steady demand that keeps your trucks rolling and your operations running. While it may be easy to assume that everything is fine with these long-time clients, consistently staying in touch with their needs and habits is essential. Regular audits are not about… Continue reading Why to Audit Your Top Ten Propane Customers Every Year
No propane company wants to pull a tank and lose a client, but sometimes, leaving equipment on an inactive property costs more than it’s worth. Tanks take up space, tie up capital, and can become a liability. Pulling a tank too soon – or doing it without care – can damage the client-company relationship and… Continue reading Innovative Ways to Free Up Tanks Without Losing Customers
The propane industry is currently grappling with a significant challenge: a shortage of qualified bobtail drivers. This issue, intensified by factors such as an aging workforce, stringent certification requirements, and increased demand during peak seasons, has led to delays in deliveries and increased operational costs. As the demand for propane remains steady year after year,… Continue reading Innovative Approaches to Mitigate the Driver Shortage
Running a propane company comes with various risks – some of them legal, financial, or tied to unexpected accidents. As a business owner, you’re naturally focused on day-to-day operations, and it’s easy to overlook how your personal savings, property, and investments might be in danger. If the company is sued, hits financial trouble, or faces… Continue reading Protect What’s Yours: How to Keep Personal Assets Safe in a Risky Industry
The propane industry has long relied on traditional billing and payment systems. Still, new technology could change how businesses handle transactions. Blockchain, a digital record-keeping system, has gained attention in many industries for its ability to improve security, accuracy, and efficiency. While it is mainly linked to cryptocurrency, blockchain can potentially impact propane transactions in… Continue reading Blockchain Technology is Transforming Fuel Transactions
Expanding your propane business often means finding new ways to serve customers and increase sales. One option that more companies are considering is offering financing for propane equipment. Providing financing allows customers to purchase tanks, heaters, and other propane-powered appliances without the burden of paying the full cost upfront. This can make your services more… Continue reading Making Equipment More Accessible with Smart Financing Options
Safety is the highest priority in the propane industry, and having the right tools to help manage that vital need can make a significant difference in a retailer’s daily operations. As the sector continues to evolve, with new regulations and risks constantly emerging, having a reliable safety resource also ensures that businesses can adapt to… Continue reading Strengthening Safety: A Top Resource for Propane Companies
In today’s competitive propane market, technology platforms offer invaluable insights that can do much to drive business growth and enhance customer satisfaction. By effectively utilizing data from these platforms, propane businesses can make informed decisions, streamline operations, and stay ahead of the competition. Understanding Customer Behavior Modern management software provides detailed information about customer demographics,… Continue reading Unlocking Business Potential: Leveraging Technology Platforms
Rising interest rates are making waves across every industry – and propane is no exception. If you’re thinking about upgrading or building a new bulk plant, you’ve likely felt the pressure of tighter loan terms and higher monthly payments. Financing options today look very different than they did even two years ago. That’s why it’s… Continue reading Feeling the Pinch? Interest Rates and Plant Expansion
As more large corporations enter the propane industry and small businesses are bought up or merged into national chains, many local propane providers find themselves asking the same question: “How can I compete?” The answer may not be in size or scale, but in something you’ve already built – your local relationships. In an industry… Continue reading Your Local Advantage Is Stronger Than You Think
As a propane business owner, you are likely focused on the day-to-day challenges of deliveries, customer service, and keeping operations efficient. But there is a growing issue you should also pay close attention to: electric grid reliability. More states and utility companies are studying the future of the electric grid, and the results of these… Continue reading Turning Grid Struggles Into New Growth for Your Propane Company
Building lasting client relationships is the foundation of any propane business. These partnerships grow over time and often begin with small, steady orders. However, as your client relationships mature, there may come a point when increasing their order size makes sense for both sides. The challenge, however, is encouraging larger orders without sounding pushy. Clients… Continue reading How to Get Larger Orders Without Pressuring Clients
Your delivery drivers do much more than simply drop off propane. They’re often the only face your customer sees related to your business. That makes them your frontline team – your boots on the ground. If you train them correctly, they can do far more than just deliver fuel. They can notice great sales opportunities,… Continue reading From the Driver’s Seat to Sales Growth
When propane companies compete for customers, most of them focus on lowering prices or pitching better deals. But there’s another approach that often wins – offering better service. While the price may get immediate attention, good service builds long-term loyalty. If you’ve ever lost a customer to a competitor, they likely didn’t just offer a… Continue reading The Art of Outserving, Not Outselling, Your Competitor
In the propane industry, safety must always be a top priority. However, many companies struggle to get customers interested in paid safety inspections. While customers know safety matters, they often see inspections as something they can skip, especially when money is tight. So, how can you structure a paid safety inspection program that customers want?… Continue reading Selling Safety: Turn Inspections Into Must-Have Services
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) offers a comprehensive Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) program designed to assist individuals in obtaining their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME). This program aligns with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, which mandate specific training requirements for new CDL and HME applicants. Understanding… Continue reading Simplifying CDL and Hazmat Training: NPGA’s ELDT Program Makes Compliance Easy
Building customer loyalty starts from the very first day someone signs up for your propane service. While long-term customers often run on habit and well-established trust, first-year customers are still figuring out if they made the right decision by choosing your company. They are looking at everything you do, judging how you treat them, and… Continue reading The First Year Matters Most When Building Customer Loyalty
In today’s dynamic digital world, traditional propane marketing methods are becoming less effective. Consumer behaviors have shifted, new platforms have emerged, and companies that fail to adapt are at risk of falling behind. To remain competitive, propane retailers must embrace change, focus on digital engagement, and leverage tools that foster growth and strengthen customer relationships.… Continue reading Modern Strategies to Market Your Business in a Changing Landscape
Running a propane business means regularly facing tough choices. From equipment purchases and staffing changes to territory expansion or new service offerings, the pressure to make the right call can build fast. Getting caught in a cycle of overthinking is easy, but second-guessing your choices can slow down growth and cause missed opportunities. The key… Continue reading How Do You Make Big Decisions With Confidence?
In the propane industry, inventory levels play a crucial role in determining market prices. Fluctuations in supply and demand, influenced by various factors, can lead to significant price volatility. For propane businesses, understanding these dynamics is essential for strategic planning and maintaining profitability. The Role of Inventory in Price Determination Propane inventory levels are a… Continue reading Decoding the Impact of Propane Inventory Dynamics
In today’s fast-paced business environment, leaders often find themselves inundated with tasks and responsibilities. However, it’s essential to recognize that being busy doesn’t always equate to being productive. Effective leadership involves discerning which activities drive meaningful results and which merely fill up the calendar. The Challenge of Mere Activity Leaders frequently face the temptation to… Continue reading Beyond the To-Do List: Leading with Strategic Intent
Attracting young talent to the propane industry is important, but keeping them is what really shapes the future of your company. Many businesses hire promising technicians only to lose them after a few years because there is no clear path forward. If you want to build a stronger team, you need to offer young technicians… Continue reading Fueling Future Talent: How to Grow Young Technicians Into Pros
