Keeping your fleet in top shape is essential when running a propane business. Trucks that run well ensure smooth deliveries, safer operations, and lower costs. On the other hand, ignoring minor issues can lead to big problems. That is why regular reviews of your fleet’s health matter. Checking your trucks every quarter clearly shows where… Continue reading Avoid Costly Surprises: Quarterly Fleet Checks That Save You Money
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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
In the fast-paced world of propane distribution, it’s easy for managers and business owners to become overwhelmed with daily tasks. However, constant activity doesn’t always equate to meaningful progress. To drive real success, it’s essential to focus on priorities that align with your company’s goals and delegate tasks effectively. Understanding the Importance of Prioritization Effective… Continue reading Key Strategies for Propane Business Leaders
Every propane company hears it—”No thanks, we’re good.” It’s part of the job. You reach out, offer your services, and the prospect turns you down. But just because someone says no the first time doesn’t mean the door is fully closed. In fact, many propane clients who said no at first often end up switching… Continue reading Second Chances Start with the Right Message
A propane business requires reliable cash flow to cover expenses, maintain equipment, and support growth. A business credit line can provide financial flexibility, helping you manage seasonal demand, unexpected costs, and expansion opportunities. Setting up a credit line may seem complicated. Still, with the proper steps, you can secure funding that will serve to strengthen… Continue reading Unlocking Financial Flexibility with a Business Credit Line
The propane industry is at a turning point, with an aging workforce and a growing need to recruit younger professionals. To remain competitive and sustainable, companies must rethink how they appeal to millennials and Gen Z job seekers. These generations prioritize work-life balance, career growth, environmental responsibility, and technological innovation. The propane industry can attract… Continue reading Attracting the Next-Generation Workforce to the Propane Industry
The propane industry continues to evolve, offering new ways for businesses to expand their services and attract more customers. One opportunity that is gaining attention is propane refrigeration. While propane is widely used for heating and cooking, its role in refrigeration is growing due to its efficiency and reliability. By adding propane-powered refrigeration to your… Continue reading Why Propane Refrigeration Can Be a Smart Addition to Your Business
Pricing your products is no simple task. The propane market is influenced by a variety of unpredictable factors such as supply disruptions, seasonal demand shifts, and geopolitical events, making it difficult for fuel retailers to maintain stable pricing. These fluctuations can lead to uncertainty for both businesses and customers, impacting profitability and customer trust. While… Continue reading Pricing Strategies for a More Stable Approach
It can feel personal when a long-time propane customer suddenly starts shopping around. Maybe they’ve been loyal for years, always paid on time, and even referred others. But now they’re calling to ask about rates – or worse, they’ve already gotten quotes from other companies. It’s a situation no business owner enjoys, but it’s also… Continue reading The Subtle Signals Indicating Your Best Customers Might Leave
