Quiet Days at the Yard? Reignite Your Business Energy

Every propane business hits a slow patch from time to time. It might not be due to losing customers or making mistakes – it’s just that things stop moving. You’re doing the same things you’ve always done, but the results aren’t coming in like they used to. The phones aren’t ringing as often, the number of deliveries has dropped, and your team might even feel a bit unmotivated. It’s a frustrating place to be, especially when you’re working hard and not seeing growth.

The good news is, a slowdown doesn’t mean failure. It’s often a sign that it’s time to make a few changes, step back to review your systems, or find new ways to bring energy back into your work. Small shifts in how you think and operate can help you break through that stuck feeling and get your propane business moving again.

Look at the Numbers Honestly
When things feel stuck, it helps to start with facts. Take a hard look at your recent numbers. Check your delivery volume, new customer signups, service requests, and profit margins. Compare these to past months or years. See what’s changed and when. Are you losing ground slowly or did it drop all at once?

Looking at your business data helps you see whether the problem is seasonal, competitive, or something within your control. Once you know what’s really happening, you can take better, more proactive steps to fix it.

Talk to Your Team and Your Customers
Sometimes the answers are right in front of you – you just have to ask. Your team may have noticed slowdowns in certain areas, like fewer refill calls or more customer complaints. Take the time to get their input. They might have ideas you haven’t considered.

You can also check in with customers you haven’t heard from in a while. Ask how they’re doing and if there’s anything they need. This opens the door to more service opportunities while, at the same time, showing that you care. A simple conversation with each of these customers can bring insight into what your business might be missing.

Review Your Services and Pricing
A slow period is the right time to review what you’re offering and how you price it. Are you offering the services your customers need right now? Is your pricing still fair based on current market conditions? Have any competitors introduced options that make your services look outdated?

This doesn’t mean you need a total overhaul of your company. Sometimes, just adding a payment plan, bundling services, or offering small incentives can help revive interest and attract new customers.

Check Your Marketing and Visibility
If fewer people are calling or visiting your website, it might not be because they don’t need propane – it could be because they’ve forgotten about you. Look at how visible your business is. Is your name showing up in local online searches? Are you regularly posting on social media or sending emails to your customers? How engaging is your website?

Make sure your message is clear, simple, and current. Remind your community why you are the propane provider they can trust. If your marketing efforts have slowed down, chances are your sales will too.

Add Energy With Small Improvements
When you feel stuck, even small wins matter. Work to improve your scheduling system, clean up your storage yard, or offer a short training session for your staff. These things may not seem like much, but they help move the business forward and lift team morale.

Change doesn’t always need to be big to be effective. A few solid steps can bring focus, motivation, and momentum back into your day-to-day operations.

Getting Back Into Motion
When your propane business feels stagnant, it can be hard to stay hopeful. But often, the answers are already within reach. Reviewing your numbers, listening to your team, adjusting your services, and making simple improvements can help shake off the stuck feeling.

Periods of slow growth are normal for every business, but what you do during those times makes the difference. By taking smart, focused action, you give your business the push it needs to start growing again. And once that momentum builds, your company – and your team – can come back even stronger.