DECEMBER 2015
In this issue: 1. Never Quit 2. Words of Wisdom 3. Kudos 4. Top Ten Volume Leaders 4-5 Personal Best Vol. & Chart Toppers 5. CEO Award Winners 6. In Memory of Kerry Sauner 7. M anagement Skills, Grayson James Gamma 8. Convention 2016,
SUN
THE
SERVPRO® of Southern New England and New York
Never Quit
We believe in the power of determination, singleness of purpose and an unwavering commitment to our most important goals and priorities.
Larry Hackney & Robkat, Inc. ~ a reflection of the last 20 years It is hard to believe I have been here in Connecticut and affiliated with SERVPRO® for the last 20 years. (Yes, sometimes it seems much, much longer!) Since December 1, 1995, much has changed: • Then our first Norwalk office was a sometimes-heated open-shell building on Perry Avenue. Now we have remodeled the current office, which provides space for production and estimating training facility plus the house next door and a satellite warehouse! • Then, Melanie and I, were the only employees, (we think there was one who disappeared). Now Fred has a current staff of 16 including, 5Franchise Business Consultant specialists. • Then we supported approximately 24 franchises and now there are 108 in 5 states. • We have grown from 2 Directorships to 3, plus 2 new Trainerships. • The gross revenue in 1995 was $14 million. Now, thanks to you, the gross revenue is over $200 million in 2015! • We have numerous 2nd generation owner participation, now. • From floppy discs and antiquated computers and accounting programs to innovative Stages of Development
Models, Franchise Management System, WorkCenter™, Xactimate, QuickBooksTM, ServproNET®, National Call Center servicing the National Account Participation program, CAPA; new equipment, products, processes; high speed internet, the ‘cloud’, websites, and social media marketing; and updated Territorial Policy. • Yes, since December 1, 1995 much has changed. • I have been asked why I have stayed so long here. The easy answer is that I needed to support myself and family, my children, grandchildren, and sundry number of cats. However, I take personal pride in the growth of this organization and especially in the franchisee network and their individual business development. This business opportunity, the Servpro Franchise system, has changed so many lives for the better. To see my first new franchise set-up, Charlie and Donna Vingoe SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen in New Jersey, grow from being basically broke and working out of a cramped overgarage office, to a debt-free $4 million dollar franchise is personally satisfying! – That is only one of your shining examples of living the SERVPRO dream that I have been fortunate to witness.
Fred commemorated Larry’s twenty years of employment with Robkat, Inc. with 20 balloons. Gold watch or Timex? Nah
I have greatly enjoyed the business relationships, with not only franchisees and their employees, but also my colleagues here at Robkat, Inc., including my wife who has also reached the 20-year mark; our clients, vendors, and even corporate staff members. My time here has been devoted to you, the franchise community, service, and to facilitate your profitable revenue growth and business infrastructure development. (Of course, a bonus does not hurt). I look forward to also serving you in the coming year to make this our most successful year ever in SERVPRO!
I, also, believe in the power of determination, singleness of purpose, and an unwavering commitment to important goals
and priorities.