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

When you think about growing your propane business, your first calls are probably to your banker, supplier, or marketing team. But one expert you should not overlook is your insurance agent. They play a bigger role in your success than you might think. Planning for growth without them can leave you exposed to risks that… Continue reading Planning to Expand? Bring Your Insurance Agent to the Table

The energy industry is shifting. What once was a transaction-based service – deliver, bill, repeat – is being slowly replaced by something more familiar to modern consumers: subscriptions. Just as consumers now pay monthly for streaming services, software, and groceries, many are becoming more open to subscription-based energy models. For propane businesses, this change might… Continue reading Is Propane Ready for Subscription-Based Energy?

In propane, as with every industry, every cent matters – especially when margins are tight. Yet many companies quietly lose thousands of dollars each year without even realizing it. How is this possible? Financial losses are not always due to big mistakes or fraud. Often, they stem from your team doing favors for long-time customers,… Continue reading Your Best Intentions Could Be Costing You

In the propane industry, traditional marketing methods like direct mail, newspaper ads, and word-of-mouth referrals have long been the norm. While these approaches definitely have their merits, the digital age offers new avenues to connect with customers, enhance visibility, and drive growth. Transitioning to digital marketing doesn’t mean abandoning tried-and-true methods; it simply involves augmenting… Continue reading From Print to Pixel: A Practical Guide to Embracing Digital Marketing

In the competitive realm of propane sales, understanding the dynamics of the purchasing process is crucial. Often, sales efforts are directed toward individuals who are involved in the buying process but lack the authority to make final decisions. To enhance sales effectiveness, it’s imperative to identify and engage with the actual decision-makers within prospective client… Continue reading Empowering Sales by Engaging the True Decision-Maker

In the evolving landscape of the propane industry, private equity firms are increasingly seeking platform companies – businesses that serve as a foundation for growth through acquisitions. For propane business owners aiming to attract such investment, understanding what makes a company appealing to private equity is crucial.​ Key Attributes of an Attractive Platform Company Private… Continue reading Positioning Your Business for Private Equity Investment

The propane industry is more competitive than ever. Growing demand over the years has attracted more propane marketers, raising customer expectations beyond just receiving fuel. Today’s customers expect reliable service, seamless communication, accurate billing, and safe, on-time deliveries. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. propane consumption reached 1.48 million barrels per day… Continue reading Six Propane Sales Strategies You Can Implement Now for Long-Term Growth

Appliance stores sell the tools. You supply the fuel. However, many propane companies overlook how strong a relationship can become between those two types of operations. Partnering with appliance retailers – especially those that sell propane-powered products – can help you grow your customer base, boost referral traffic, and build greater brand visibliity in your… Continue reading Fueling Trust Where It Counts: Building Appliance Store Partnerships

When your propane business starts seeing a dip in commercial sales, the reaction can range from mild concern to full-on panic. But before you change pricing or chase new markets, it’s worth stepping back to ask one key question: Where exactly is the breakdown happening? Diagnosing a decline in commercial sales takes more than looking… Continue reading Losing Commercial Clients? Here’s What to Check First

In the propane industry, your delivery drivers often have the most face-to-face time with your customers. They’re in the field daily, pulling up to farms, homes, job sites, and commercial locations. They see things that others on your team don’t – like new construction, a business expanding its footprint, or a competitor’s tank sitting on… Continue reading From Delivery to Discovery: How Drivers Can Fuel Growth

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) is inviting propane industry professionals to register for the 2025 Mid-Year Board Meeting and Propane Days, taking place June 8–10, 2025 at the Hilton Washington D.C. Capitol Hill, located at 525 New Jersey Avenue NW in the heart of the nation’s capital. This annual event is a cornerstone of… Continue reading Registration Now Open: 2025 NPGA Mid-Year Board Meeting & Propane Days in Washington, D.C.

California is known for its bold energy goals and strict environmental policies. However, recent developments there demonstrate that propane is carving out a stronger role in the state’s clean energy conversation. From new laws to local victories, propane is proving that it decidedly belongs in California’s energy future. A Major Win for Propane Vehicles One… Continue reading California’s Propane Future: Bright, Bold, and Building Momentum

When propane companies think about growing their commercial base, they look to the usual channels – restaurants, schools, or larger facilities. However, rural contractors are one often overlooked group that can be a steady source of long-term business. These builders, remodelers, and service crews depend on fuel in remote areas, especially during peak building seasons.… Continue reading Get Ahead of the Season: Win Over Rural Contractors Early

When you’re in the thick of daily operations, getting used to how things are done is easy. You know your team, your routes, your customers. You trust your process because it works – most of the time. But sometimes, that same comfort can quietly block growth. That’s where an outside perspective can make a big… Continue reading What Can an Outside View Teach You About Your Business?

A propane business is more than trucks and tanks. It’s a team working daily to deliver heat, comfort, and service. But even the most loyal team can feel tired, disconnected, or discouraged when company culture slips. Often, it’s not the significant changes that affect morale; it’s the small, repeated habits that go unnoticed until people… Continue reading Hidden Habits That Are Draining Your Crew’s Energy

Propane businesses operate in a market where price fluctuations create uncertainty for both companies and customers. Offering programs that lock in rates is one way to provide stability, but many retailers limit these options to a short seasonal period. Extending pricing stability throughout the year can offer significant benefits, helping businesses improve customer retention, manage… Continue reading Expanding Pricing Stability to Strengthen Your Business

As your propane business grows, so does your list of vendor partners – from tank manufacturers and software providers to fuel suppliers and printing services. These partnerships are meant to help your business run smoother and grow faster. But sometimes, what looks like a good deal on paper can subtly drain your profits over time.… Continue reading Vendors Can Fuel Growth or Drain Profits

When the busy season wraps up, and the winter rush slows down, your propane business might see a welcome boost in cash from those high-demand months. But that extra profit can slip away quickly if there’s no clear plan to put it to work. Reinvesting wisely during the off-season is one of the best ways… Continue reading Smart Ways to Put Off-Season Profits to Work

Every mile your truck drives costs money. Fuel, labor, vehicle wear, and employee time all add up, especially if you’re serving rural or hard-to-reach areas. For propane companies, determining how to price deliveries fairly and profitably is one of your most significant decisions. One way to manage that cost is by adjusting your pricing based… Continue reading Propane on the Move: Should Distance Shape Your Delivery Pricing?

Every propane company works hard to win new accounts. So, the idea of firing a commercial client might seem risky or even wrong at first. But there are times when continuing a business relationship can cost you more than it’s worth. Knowing when to let go can protect your operations, your team, and your profits.… Continue reading Knowing When a Commercial Account Becomes a Liability