| The Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time changes the | | | | lateral line then is not a factor. 22 degrees is still |
| way we live and do business. What are the true | | | | workable if necessary. If you are above the southern |
| dynamics of daylight Savings. It was to improve the | | | | most states you may need to follow the winter plan |
| efficiency of energy supply and demand issues | | | | more carefully. If you are a farmer or feeding livestock |
| originally. Does it still work for that purpose. To some | | | | there are issues with the water. Construction using |
| degree yes. But, not as much as you think. As a | | | | water to mix with concrete have issues. Lots of |
| matter of fact until people readjust a little it actually | | | | businesses drastically change and if they do not have |
| hurts energy costs for those cities burning coal. Some | | | | a plan then they will lose profits, lay off workers and |
| cities use fuels to power up. Nuclear is best next to | | | | be disrupted until they get back into the new reality. |
| hydroelectric power. Wind sounds great, but we have | | | | Daylight Savings time is the start of shorter days, but |
| not perfected that and the tax write off scandalists | | | | you will not notice very much for a while. It is a time to |
| made a mockery of what could have been great | | | | think about increased efficiency needs. If you do not |
| technology and environmentally sound energy. Solar, | | | | pay attention you could easily cost your self $60-100 |
| may work better more now than previously due to the | | | | per day if you are a single employee small business, |
| Infrared knowledge and more efficient solar cells due | | | | this can cause severe stress on a marriage or family. |
| to nano tech. Solar sounds good since it is coming | | | | The Farmers Almanac calls for a middle of the road |
| from the sun or space, stuff that happened billions of | | | | winter with perhaps a Scientific American Article |
| years ago now reaching us in other spectrums too. | | | | pointed out above average ambient temperatures of |
| Since the Earth turns at 600+ miles per hour and we | | | | 5-6 degrees hotter than usual, claiming Global Warming |
| have 4 times zones in the US, actually 6 if you count | | | | and inferred light increasing atmospheric temperatures. |
| Alaska and Hawaii. Then every 600+ miles we need a | | | | Good for some businesses, bad for others. Last |
| new time zone. Which, we almost have. Some cities | | | | Winter was good on the Industry one of lightest on |
| end up on the beginning of a time zone while others on | | | | records, costs for energy were not catastrophic |
| the end of a time zone so they are already an hour | | | | although we did have spikes which could be felt in the |
| off the of each other. Some states like Arizona do not | | | | Northeast as many small business owners complained |
| change so half of the year they are on Pacific and the | | | | about natural gas costs, although mostly due to the |
| other half they are in line with their Northern or NAFTA | | | | lack of new sources. Your competition may not be |
| Neighbors. This can cause problems in business due to | | | | prepared for the Time Shift even though it comes |
| scheduling and phone calls. Ever had problems | | | | every year with the same results, but you should be, it |
| reaching NY and find out its five there and everyone | | | | maybe a time to pick up new customers that they are |
| ran out the door at 4:59 their time? Happens. | | | | unable to service. You may notice some businesses, |
| The other problems that occur which you might not | | | | which are mobile, which have additional generators for |
| think about is the grassroots campaigning by Politicians | | | | lighting, logo'ed jackets, various safety items and lighted |
| stops when daylight savings starts. Why? Because | | | | clipboards? You may also notice signage on some |
| people do not get home from work until 5-5:30 and so | | | | businesses to not be turned on at dark while others |
| you cannot knock on their doors in the dark, it freaks | | | | are and some business vehicles with reflective |
| them out. And you may only have an hour or so to | | | | 3M-vinyl lettering, which can be seen in the dark due to |
| knock on doors before it does get dark. So the grass | | | | reflective-ness. |
| roots marketing of candidates and propositions hits the | | | | You might notice mobile auto detailers with enclosed |
| mass media and all of a sudden we are flooded on | | | | trailers or boxes to protect engine and components |
| the TV with ads, supply and demand price goes up, | | | | from weather, and re-circulation hoses so you can |
| then more money is needed and more political favors | | | | leave the machine running all day. You will see |
| are born. Surprising what a simple time change can | | | | contractors working out of enclosed vehicles with |
| do? When people go home they turn on their TVs and | | | | boxes and covering around equipment in truck beds. |
| so viewer ship is at an all time high. Polls change as the | | | | Without a scheduling strategy and correct market mix |
| ads begin. No longer can they use the door to door | | | | these types of mobile businesses could watch their |
| canvassing techniques, a favorite in local elections and | | | | gross revenues be reduced drastically from their |
| small town PACs. Probably because it works so well | | | | projected goals. But, if these businesses concentrate |
| to get votes. | | | | on those goals and prepare their customer list to be in |
| If you are on the end of a time zone like in Seattle, | | | | sync with their strategy, they can do fine. Using |
| Portland or in Boise, Amarillo, Indianapolis, Knoxville, | | | | enhanced scheduling software is one way to increase |
| Louisville, it can be tough on them. It gets dark very | | | | efficiency. Then the time change really only means you |
| soon. If you are on the beginning of a time zone such | | | | are forced to get the same work done in less time |
| as in Nashville TN, Montgomery AL, Chicago IL, | | | | and thus spend more quality time with your family. Be |
| Cheyenne WY, Denver CO, Spokane WA, Vegas NV, | | | | smart and follow a strategic plan. Let your competition |
| you will have a distinct advantage if you are a Brick | | | | falter and call customers back explain your changes |
| and Mortar Retailer or service company. More hours | | | | and modifications to your schedule, try not to make |
| enable a company to work with more clientele and | | | | excuses why it cannot be done and there is no time, |
| easier working conditions. Mans eyes are much better | | | | customers will not appreciate that as they themselves |
| in the light than dark and so innately we do our work in | | | | need better service as they find themselves with less |
| the day. Dark signifies the winding down of the day | | | | time in the day. |
| and time to eat. So restaurants start getting earlier | | | | A small business will pick up those accounts that their |
| crowds, happy hours change. The people flow in at | | | | competitors failed to communicate with which the |
| different times at the beginning of daylight savings time | | | | customer perceives as their lack of good service. This |
| while people adjust, and then even earlier once it gets | | | | is probably the best opportunity you will have all year |
| closest to the shortest day of the year, where as | | | | to acquire new accounts from the competition. It is not |
| during summer they have people still walking in for | | | | a time to buy more units or train new employees on |
| dinner at 10PM. People also go out and start drinking | | | | the job, it is a time to hone skills and cut teeth in the |
| earlier and therefore more drunk drivers earlier in the | | | | market, Get tough on service, get tough on |
| evening and people much more drunk by the last call | | | | competition, and play to win. It is a time when the free |
| due to the extra hour of kidney abuses. This takes | | | | market hands out awards for good service and |
| more police, more jails and court time. Also more fees | | | | strategy. You should be ready prior to the time change |
| for country courts. | | | | with employees and items you need to stay on top of |
| Now lets talk a little more locally, what about the car | | | | your customers. Remember that your competition now |
| wash business? Less traffic for after work during the | | | | is dealing with price per gallon issues and trying to |
| week customers. What about a mobile service | | | | remain efficient with delivery vehicles and/or service |
| business? If you are not an early riser you should | | | | vehicles and when they are additionally hit with shorter |
| adjust your sleep schedule by an hour and that way | | | | work days their stress level peaks, it can separate the |
| you will be up to work an hour early, eventually the | | | | prepared from the ill prepared, the winners and losers. |
| time and light will change to be more relevant to the | | | | One strategy for small service businesses is to keep |
| actual time of the light and day that humans are use | | | | prices as is until November 15 th and let the |
| to. Also it would be important to get some early | | | | competition drive to you their previously best |
| morning accounts and appointments. If you live in a | | | | customers due to poor service, shortened days, price |
| Northern State and are a landscaper or work with | | | | raises and lack of proper scheduling. Allowing the |
| water, then the water freezes and you need sun to | | | | Internet to help you drive sales might be another |
| warm it up or wait until later. But remember it now gets | | | | approach, since it cuts down on contact time. You will |
| warmer an hour earlier even though the gap is being | | | | find actually some customers prefer this type of |
| closed as the climate changes and it gets colder at | | | | contact. This will leave you more time with those who |
| night taking more time to warm up. If you are in the S. | | | | want more personal contact. |
| Carolina / Tennessee across to Southern CA states | | | | |