Motivate with incentives
August 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
Of all the useful managerial tools available to retail propane distributors, none may be more underutilized than a well-designed, performance-incentive compensation plan.
Read More Assessing your debt needs
June 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
Higher wholesale propane costs press need for working capital
Read More Add value through accounts receivable management plan
May 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
A quality program incorporates quality customers and clear expectations
Read More Financing growth the right way
April 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
Historically, a number of consistently profitable operators in the retail propane industry have chosen to finance growth through their company’s annual earnings. This is an overly simplistic and, frankly, shortsighted view of how to finance growth.
Read More Connect with Washington
March 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
As owners and operators of mostly small-to-medium-size businesses, we tend to focus first on matters that are specific to our marketing footprint. Because our customer base is local, we have an immediate vested interest in local affairs. For our own self-interest, we become actively engaged in organizations like local fire protection or city, county and township government agencies.
Read More Capital needs often overlooked
February 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
Last month we addressed the financial fundamentals of a retail propane startup. The objective is to grow sales and gross margin to the scale that the business achieves profitability and then begins earning a sufficient return on equity capital deployed. What is typically overlooked in the business planning of a start-from-scratch operation is the significant ongoing growth capital required to build a retail business.
Read More Know the financial basics
January 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
In this second column of a series, we address the financial fundamentals of a startup retail propane operation. This two-dimensional visual is useful in talking about the important financial components of your startup operation.
Read More Why most propane startups fail
December 1, 2007 By Carl Hughes
This is the first of a two-part series on retail propane startups. I chose this topic because the launching of a new retail propane plant is and always has been a fundamental part of the retail propane industry. In a way, it is the classic American capitalistic story – that of entrepreneurs risking capital and energy to create a new business.
Read More Variety boosts your value
November 1, 2007 By Carl Hughes
This column is dedicated to all of you who truly have an interest in improving your worth in the marketplace.
Read More Maintenance capital – the ignored expenditure
October 1, 2007 By Carl Hughes
All facilities and equipment deteriorate with use, weather and age. While we expect to replace certain capital items, many of us do not plan well for this significant expense.
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