We are not "NEW & IMPROVED".  There is no secret ingredient.  We don't come in a new wrapper or with 10% more.  We are not "FAT FREE".  The reality is that we are the some old company offering the same old services that our customers have come to expect and enjoy.

OK then, what is the change all about?  Simple.  We have changed our logo to better reflect who we are and what we do.

We have always done more than haul trash or clean up properties.  In fact our customers have often asked us to do jobs such as:

• Remove Hot Tubs
• Remove Fences
• Demolish Mini-Barns
• Move a Wood Lathe
• Deliver Furniture
• Help People Move
• Build a Trampoline
• Cut Up Tree Limbs
• More to Suit Your Needs

This year by high lighting the "AND MORE" our goal is to give you and your friends a greater awareness about the variety of services we provide.

What challenge do you have for us?

Call us today 

317-776-7025

We were recently introduced to an organization called Kiva.  Their mission is  "to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world."

As a small business owner, we recognize the entrepreneurial spirit, whether it is in our backyard or in a small village in a foreign land.  AC Trash Hauling is the result of this entrepreneurial spirit.

We have made three different loans to support people in other countries.  We are asking you to join us in this effort as well.

Please take a look at Kiva's home page http://www.kiva.org  to learn more about them and their mission.  AC Trash Hauling has also started a "lending team".  We are asking you to join our team and help others in need.

Thanks for your consideration.

No, we have not gone into the Real Estate business.  Yes, we can do things to help you sell your home.

Stop and think.  What is one of the first things you should do as you get ready to sell your house?  Any good Realtor will strongly suggest that that you "De-Clutter" your home.  This is where AC Trash Hauling comes in.

Now is the time to purge the unwanted items, the unopened boxes, the out of date clothes, and the STUFF that seems to multiply in your closets and storage spaces.  Don't worry, we all have this eclectic pile of STUFF.

As you liberate yourself from this STUFF, you will be accomplishing several important items.  First of all you will be adding to the appeal of your home.  Suddenly it will become more spacious and less cluttered.  The potential buyer can better envision the charm and beauty of the home. 

Your second benefit is that you will be reducing the amount of things that you will have to move.  There is no need to relocate unwanted STUFF.  That will ultimately reduce your cost of moving.  It will also give you a fresher start in your new home.

This is exactly how AC Trash Hauling can help you. 

• Start by identifying the things you no longer want or need.  Set them aside, either in  the garage, basement or even a bedroom.
• Call AC Trash Hauling and let them do the balance of the work.  They will do all of the heavy carrying and loading.

·      As a reminder, AC Trash Hauling takes pride in the fact that we haul ALMOST everything.  Feel free to ask us to do some of those unique things around the house and property.  We will haul away:

• Old Play Equipment
• Storage sheds/Mini-Barns
• Old lawn mowers..push and riding
• Tree limbs and yard waste
• Hot tubs and Spas
• Old appliances and TVs

·      AC Trash Hauling is here to help you.  What challenge do you have for us?  Call us to day at 317-776-7025 or visit us on the web at www.ACTrashHauling.com.

A short time ago I posted a blog about customer service.  Being in a service industry, Trash Hauling, I have become increasingly aware of customer service related situations.

Recently, I experienced the same issue two times.  One a positive experience and the other unfavorable.

The Hotel Service Desk

Needing some information, I approached the front desk of the hotel.  I patiently waited while the person in  front of me completed their business.  As I approached the counter, a woman from the opposite direction spied an opening and quickly approached the service desk while spouting out her question. 

Professionally and politely the desk clerk informed the woman that she would have to wait a minute as there was a customer ,me, in front of her.  Approaching the clerk I thanked her for her actions prior to asking my question.

While it may have been a minor delay to wait an extra few minutes, it was a pleasure to see that the desk clerk was sensitive and aware of the waiting line.  It saved me from having to make a comment or complaint.

Big Box Retailer

In order to make a prepaid customer pick up at the retailer, I had to pass through a manned security gate.  As I approached, the security guard was finalizing his work with an out bound customer.  I waited patiently.

As the guard finishes up, another out bound customer arrives at the gate.  Without hesitation, the guard proceeds to take care of that customer, leaving me waiting at the gate.  I was not pleased.

As the security guard asked me for my order, I asked him why I had to wait for the newly arrived customer.  His answer included a list of excuses, " I was already there", "It only took a minute", "The gate was already open", "I didn't think it would matter."

In response, I politely told him that it did matter and that my time is valuable.  it is valuable to me at least.

Summary

In both situations I may have been delayed for only a few minutes.  In the first scenario the desk clerk was polite and professional and understood good customer service.  The second scenario featured some one that either lacked training or even common sense.

Epilogue

I shared these stories with a business friend of mine that trains companies on Customer Service.  There was no doubt in his mind that the hotel handled the situation with care and concern, while the retailer mishandled the encounter.

Furthermore, with the speed of communications via social media, my story could have reached thousands within minutes.  One company with praise and the other with a negative review.  I opted not to make a report. Perhaps I should have to help the next customer down the line.

Call to Action

What would you have done?  Please provide your feedback.

How would you like to have more time, money and/or space? Sounds great doesn't it?

AC Trash Hauling has the skill, ability, and time to help you get these three things.  Impossible you say.  Think again.

TIME

Clean  up projects around your home are a huge drain of valuable time.  Time that you would like to spend on a more profitable or better yet a more relaxing item.  Let AC Trash Hauling help you with your projects.  Give us the opportunity to haul away your unwanted items, let us ear down that old fence, storage shed or hot tub.  Your time invested is to tell us what you want hauled away and we do the rest.  Too good to be true?  Nope, we will handle the task, while you do something else.

MONEY

Let's start with the value that you place on your time.  What opportunities have you lost by spending your time on a cleanup task.  Time is money.  Wasted time is wasted money.  Is your time worth allowing AC Trash Hauling to complete the cleanup projects around your property.  AC Trash Hauling has demonstrated that their services are more time and cost efficient than attempting to do the job yourself.

SPACE 

Wouldn't you love to have a little extra space around the house?  Guess what, you already have the space, it's not being used efficiently.  Clean out the garage, empty the storage shed, declutter the closets, clean the basement, purge the attic.  All of these tasks will allow you to reclaim living space.   AC Trash Hauling is here to help you reclaim the space.

Time, Money, and Space..these are only some of the benefits that AC Trash Hauling can provide.  Call us today at 317-776-7025 to learn more.  Don't waste any more time, money, or space.

It's that time of year when we sit down and write out our plans and personal promises for the ne wyear.  By the time I get this written and you have read it, many of these resolutions will have fallen by the wayside.

The list always seems like our list of future failures.  You know exactly what I am talking about...loose weight, quit smoking, exercise more, eat better, work less, be more productive, and get organized.  Sound familiar?

Why do we fail at these items?  I think I know, it's because it takes self control and effort.  They are wishes and not  priorities.

The AC Trash Hauling crew is here to help you accomplish at least one of your goals...getting more organized.  We are here to make it simple for you, almost effortless.  Sound good?

Here's how it's done.  You show us exactly what you  want hauled away and we will do all of the hard work, the lifting and hauling.  Your job is to do nothing more than supervise.  Within a short time your goal of getting more organized will be accomplished.  In addition to getting organized, we created more time for you to work on your other resolutions.

Happy New Year from the AC Trash Hauling crew.

It's official...I've gone off the deep end.  Laws of Motion and Trash Hauling...What do they have in common?

Hang with me.

To paraphrase Newton..

'A body at rest, will stay at rest until it is moved by another force.'

All of that junk, trash, and unwanted treasures that are resting in your garage, attic, basement, and mini-barn have not moved in a long time.  Nor will they move for a long time, unless another force moves them.  Isaac  Newton told us this.

Now the connection..

The AC Trash Hauling crew is the other force that Newton spoke of.  While you personally practice being at rest, the AC Trash Hauling crew will lift, haul, carry, load, and dispose  of your stuff.  That's right, the AC Trash Hauling crew will do all of the work.  

Who said that AC Trash Hauling and Isaac Newton have nothing in common?

Call us today at 317-776-7025

Have you ever thought about the costs associated with the disposal of trash and junk?  Probably not.  Regardless, the AC Trash Hauling team has had  to defend the costs for their services.

Some customers are taken aback when they learn how much it costs for waste disposal.  Some customers even hearken back to the day when they drove to the local "dump" for free.  Others remember paying no more than $25 for a load of trash, and others remember leaving an unlimited amount of trash at the curb for pick up.  Those days are only memories now.

Waste and trash disposal is very expensive.  Costs continue to rise.  Let's look at a few elements that affect the cost of disposal.

Curbside Pick Up

How convenient it is to leave your trash at the curb.  A large truck will drive through the neighborhood and collect all of the trash.  When the truck is full, it will travel to the "nearby " transfer station.  Unfortunately "nearby" could be 20 miles away.  Then the process repeats itself.  In case you wondered, these trucks cost about $225,000 each. 

Transfer Stations

Now that the trash, junk, and debris is at the transfer station there is more handling and work to be done.  Men and equipment consolidate the material.  In the process they attempt to segregate materials that can be recycled.  The ultimate goal at the transfer station is to take the individual truck loads consolidate it and load it into a larger truck, rail car, or even barges  for transfer to the landfill.  

Landfills are not the most popular neighbor, thus they tend to be located in remote areas.  Transportation costs are inherently high.  Some municipalities ship their trash several states away. 

Landfills

Landfills are heavily regulated for environmental reasons.  They are no longer  a hole in the ground where you dump your trash.  They have special liners, water collection and processing stations, networks of pipes to collect methane gas, and various monitoring systems to protect the adjacent soil and water table. 

In the daily operation of a landfill, there is a small army of men and equipment that dump, spread, compact, and cover the trash every day.

In addition to the daily operation costs for a landfill, it can cost in excess of $1 million to properly close a landfill.  

When all factors are taken into account, waste disposal costs are not cheap.  The majority of home owners and consumers have no idea what happens to their trash after it leaves the curb every week.  Although costs differ at the various transfer stations in the Metro Indianapolis area, it is not uncommon for residents to pay a minimum charge nearing $50 for a car load of trash and junk.  With the rise in fuel costs, these prices continue to rise.  The days of free pick up and disposal are gone.  So are the days of taking your trash to the local dump.

When the AC Trash Hauling team helps you, we strive to be as efficient as possible.  We seek opportunities to recycle material thus reducing the amount of waste that enters a landfill.  As we find ways to be efficient, we pass along the cost savings to our customers.

Learn more about AC Trash Hauling by calling 317-776-7025 or email your questions to ACTrash1@gmail.com

• Tree limbs/yard waste
• Carpet
• Automotive Batteries
• Tires
• Electronics
• Cardboard
• Metal
• Appliances
• Shingles
• Concrete/Brick
• Dirt/Sod
• Wire

• Furniture
• Clothing
• House wares
• Shoes
• Books
• Electronics

Disposal

What we don't recycle or donate we throw out.  In doing this we take the items to the nearest/most convenient "Transfer station" for disposal.  The transfer station does some additional sorting and consolidation to minimize the volume of materials that are ultimately placed in a landfill.

   AC Trash Hauling emphasizes the fact that we dispose of your items legally.  Unfortunately there are some individuals or companies that take shortcuts in the disposal process.  Some folks will dump your items in dumpsters on construction sites, in illegal landfills/dumps on vacant properties, in abandoned buildings, and on the side of roads.

 Others will take the some of the debris to a burn pile outside of city limits.  It is not uncommon for these burn piles to include chemically treated wood, old mattress, as well as a variety of other items.

 AC Trash Hauling is pleased to answer your questions about where and how we dispose of your unwanted items.  We do t the right way, the legal way.  For more information contact us at 317-776-7025 or actrash1@gmail.com.

You don't have to wade too deep into a business conversation before you hear the word "networking".  Books abound on how to expand your business via networking.  There are many organizations that offer networking opportunities.  Networking is huge in the business world today.

I am here to tell you that unless you network properly, your efforts will yield little fruit.  A periodic appearance or haphazard efforts are fruitless.  A key principle of successful is to  become "Known, Liked, and Trusted"  by your connections.  This doesn't happen overnight.  Time is a critical component to your networking program.

Networking is also a game of large numbers.  The more "connections" you make, the greater success you will have.  The old adage "it's not what you know, but who you know" is a hallmark of successful networking.  Look at your LinkedIn account.  They tell you how many connections you have and even rank them by degrees of separation.   The fallacy of this approach is that it lacks the elements of "Know, Like, and Trust".  Perhaps greater success lies in the adage, "It's not who you know, but who knows you".

Other people profess the value of creating a niche market for yourself.   The thought process behind this potentially reduces your number of contacts, but increases the potential value of the contacts.  The niche approach is designed to remove "anybody", "everybody", and "somebody" from your vocabulary.  There is value in clearly defining your ideal customer.  Think about a Realtor that emphatically states that they are looking for "a family that is upgrading from a 'starter home' to a $200K home in a specific community that can be pre-approved by the mortgage company."  While this may eliminate contacts, it is also eliminating window shoppers and saving you time.

Wow...you thought that networking was a simple matter of meeting people, exchanging business cards, and wait for the phone to ring.  Guess again, it is work.

No doubt, time is money.  Our challenge then is to save time in our networking while generating more money.  This is where we can supersize our networking efforts and put them on steroids.  Our goal is reap more fruit from our efforts.

The solution to this is to create "strategic partners".  While meeting the masses opens up the potential to meeting the right person, I would prefer to meet a better quality connection.  Like the Realtor, I want to meet someone that has been "prequalified". 

What are "strategic partners"?  They are people of influence in their industry or community.  They are your connections that interact with people that fall into your "niche" market.  They are the people that have established the appropriate level of "Know, Like, and Trust" in their circle of friends and clients.

As you solidify your relationship and create strategic partners, they will be promoting your business as opportunities present themselves.  In return, you do the same for them.  This method is proven.  It will take you to places you may never have gotten to on your own.

Does it work? You betcha.  Allow me to share my experience. 

I am a member of Rainmakers, an Indianapolis based networking organization.  I was recently asked to share my experience.

In a room with about 40 fellow Rainmakers, I quickly identified about 20 that I have worked for, I personally used the services of 8 people in the room, completed another 6 jobs as a result of recommendations by people in attendance, and have given recommendations to 4 people in the room.

This work did not come accidentally, it was the result of hard work and strategic partners. AC Trash Hauling has grown every year as a result of our networking efforts.  You too can supersize your networking.  

AC Trash Hauling is a locally owned and independently operated trash hauling, junk removal, and clean up company located in Metro Indianapolis.  Founded in 2008 in the midst of one of the most troubled economic  in modern history.  In spite of the environment, AC Trash Hauling is an emerging company in the community.

Since inception, the AC Trash Hauling customer base has expanded and so have the services provided.  AC Trash Hauling has the flexibility to immediately respond to the unique needs of customers.  This is due to the fact that AC Trash Hauling is not unnecessarily bound by limitations placed on other franchise companies.   

Locally owned and independently operated.  These words should speak to the core of the local economy.  At AC Trash Hauling, no money is sent to the franchisors corporate offices in another state or even another country.  Our employees live, work, shop, and play in  our community.  We are a home grown business that supports our home town.

When talking about the locally owned and independently operated businesses, you need to consider these facts from the Small Business Administration:

• There are more than 27 million small businesses in the United States.
• 60% to 80% of all new jobs are directly attributed to small businesses

Add to it the following information from the US CensusBureau:

• 75% of US Businesses have no payrolls, as they are predominately comprised of self employed, unincorporated businesses.

These are interesting facts.  They become more interesting when you consider the position that many financial analysts have taken stating that these businesses are the backbone of America, and they will be the vehicle that will take us out of our current economic downturn.

Let's put all of this into focus. Corporate America and Big Business are front and center in media attention, not all of it good.  They are the businesses that are receiving tax abatements, bail outs, and other financial incentives to operate.  They are the ones that support high priced lobbyists  to help further their agenda.  What have the financial analysts said about small businesses?  Oh yeah, they are the backbone of America,  and they will be the vehicle that will take us out of our current economic downturn.

Locally owned and independently operated.  These are the business that are the nerve center of our economy.  These are the business that share the entrepreneurial spirit that is fundamental to capitalism. 

AC Trash Hauling is a locally owned and independently operated company and are proud of that fact.  We ask you and your friends to support companies like AC Trash Hauling. Use their services, promote their services.  Let's keep the backbone of our economy strong.

 Did you know that according to the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw out about 64 million, yes million, gallons of paint every year?    What does 64 million gallons   look like?  The United States Department of the Interior calculated that this equals 128 Olympic size swimming pools.  That folks, is a lot of paint.

So the next question must be, "Where does all of this paint go?" 

The reality of the situation is , it is the consumers responsibility  to safely use leftovers or properly dispose of the products.

OK, then what options do we have?  

1) Donate it

Find an organization that has a need for paint.  This could be a local theatre group that uses it in set design.  A family that could paint an accent wall in their house.  Use your imagination, someone may have a need.

2) Use it yourself

Add a 2nd or 3rd coat of paint to the whatever it is you are painting.  Is there another project in your house that could use a coat of paint?

3) Recycle it

Many communities have collection sites that will take your paint.

4) Dispose of it properly

This should lead you top the question, "How do I do that?"

It is important to understand that not all paints are created equal, thus there is no one answer to this dilemma.  Shy of finding opportunities to use all of the paint, the best solution is to take it to a recycle center.  None available you say.  Then disposal options must be investigated.

 Oil Base Paints

Oil based paints should be taken to a recycle center.  Check with your community to learn more.  You may also want to check with your local paint store or painting contractor to learn about options.  Often times these paints will be incinerated.  We suggest that you read the manufacturer's instructions for greater information.

 Latex Paints

Latex paints have other solutions.  Left in its liquid form there is the possibility that it may leak out during transport and end up on the roadway or even the vehicle that is following the truck.  Landfills will accept "dry paint". 

 You, the consumer have "drying " options.  You can purchase a paint hardener to solidify the paint, or you may mix dirt, or kitty litter, or shredded paper with the paint Allow the paint container to fully dry and add the items to your weekly trash.

 AC Trash Hauling will haul away small quantities of latex paint.  It is our preference that our customer adds the dirt, kitty litter or shredded paper to the cans.  Sadly we cannot and will not accept oil based products.  If you have any questions about paint disposal, please contact the manufacturer or your community recycle center.

How canAC Trash Hauling help you?

We recently posted a blog about our gathering, collecting, and saving habits.

Take a minute and think about the STUFF you have.  How much space can you regain but getting rid of STUFF?  You are one of the throngs of people that have vowed to simplify their lives, reduce the clutter, and get rid of the unwanted and unnecessary STUFF.

Congratulations!!! When are you going to start?

AC Trash Hauling is here to help you.  We do more than simply haul away the pile of STUFF you have.  Our crews will carry items from your basement, attic, crawl space, garage, or storage shed.  Sit back and relax, let us do the heavylifting.

Ok you say not everything is junk.  There must be someone else than can use this stuff.  AC Trash Hauling has a solution for that.  We will take your gently used items to local charities and ministries.  Indeed there are other people who may need some items.  We will give you the donation receipt for your efforts.

Is "Green" an important consideration for you?  AC Trash Hauling covers that as well.  We have partnered with Recycleforce to manage our electronic recycling.  Recycleforce remanufactures the equipment, recycling as much as possible and keeping unwanted elements out of the landfills.

Our "Green" efforts do not end there.  We have identified locations where we can recycle carpet, cardboard, metal, car batteries, wood pallets, tree limbs, and yard waste.  Our goal is to environmentally responsible.

AC Trash Hauling is your one stop location to handle your disposal needs.

So when are you doing this cleanup project?  Call us at 317-776-7025 to help you.

We are gatherers, collectors, and savers.  I didn't say hoarders, merely savers.  Look around your house, apartment, storage unit, garage or attic.  How many unmarked boxes of STUFF do you have?  When was the last time you opened them?  What about that suit or dress you last wore 10 years ago hoping it will fit again or become stylish once more?  Do you have a jar or box full of mismatched nuts and bolts tucked away on a cluttered work bench?  Where do you keep that pile of unread magazines that you intend to read "Some Day"?

Oh yeah, we hold on to STUFF waiting for the right time to fix it., wear it, use it, or even sell it.  Yet it remains untouched for months or years at a time.

The AC Trash Hauling team cleans out houses.  We see the STUFF people save.  We always ask ourselves, "Why did they save that?"

We recently cleaned out a property consisting of a 2 story home with a basement, a garage, and a storage shed.  Our assignment was to remove everything that remained in the house.  What we hauled away was the remnants, the items that the auctioneer would not take.

Ultimately we hauled away about 1 1/2 tons of STUFF.  It consisted of worn out shoes, old magazines and newspapers, scraps of wood, broken dehumidifiers, some plastic/artificial plants, empty boxes, old rolls of wallpaper, and a mass of other  non-descript items.   

On top of that we also salvaged about 1000 lbs of scrap metal in the form of nuts and bolts, rusty and broken tools, a broken lawn mower, and old gas grill, bent and broken lawn chairs, rusted metal shelves, and other assorted misc. items.    

Not done yet, we also were able to donate about $1000 worth of reusable, gently used furniture, house wares, clothes, picture frames, suit cases, books, and lamps to a local ministry and charity.

 Our customer was thrilled when they learned that we recycled as much as possible and donated even more.  They were also surprised when we handed them the donation receipt.   That is what AC Trash Hauling does routinely.

This property is not the exception, it's common place.  Unfortunately this house was not cleaned out by the Owner but by their children.  How much STUFF are you planning on leaving behind for someone else to clean up?

AC Trash Hauling cleans out properties in the Metro-Indianapolis area.  We are professional and offer reasonable rates.  We take the extra effort to recycle and donate as much as possible to people in need.  How can we help you?  

OK, AC Trash Hauling can't boast the numbers that McDonald's can.  Not even close.  Our accomplishments are however significant.  We proudly state that we have served over 1000 customers in our 3 year history.    

We started with a very humble beginning; unemployed, an old pickup truck, $100 worth of signs and business cards, and a dream.  However in three years we have been able to consistently increase our customer base, expand our service area, and expand our services.

We went from 260 customers in year one to 390 in year two and a projected 450 in year number three.

Over services started with the simple task of hauling away junk and trash from houses, garages, and storage sheds.  As we grew, our customers asked us to do more.  Soon we added:

·         Brush/Yard Waste

·         Construction Debris

·         Old Appliances

·         Old Carpet

As our name and reputation expanded, our customers asked for more.  We responded by removing:

·         Hot Tubs/ Spas

·         Mini Barns/Storage Sheds

·         Remove old carpet from homes/apartments

·         Remove Swing Sets/Play Equipment

The more we did the more our customers asked us to do.  We have been asked to:

·         Pick up/Deliver Furniture

·         Final Clean Rental Property

·         Winterize Homes

·         Clean Gutters

·         Power Wash Decks

·         Hang Pictures

·         Assist with moves

·         Move a play/swing set

·         Remove an above ground swimming pool

No we haven't reached the epic numbers of McDonalds, but we are growing every day.  Our list of completed jobs continues to grow.  Our list of satisfied customers grows as well.  We are still known as AC Trash Hauling, yet we can do so much more than that.  That is what makes us such a unique company.

What challenge do you have for us?

Slow, steady, continuous, intentional, strategic, and focused are the best words to describe our networking efforts.  These are not the words that evoke instant gratification, nor do they paint a picture of speed that is ever present in our "I want it now" society.

How then can networking be the backbone of our marketing plan?

 Our quick and simple answer is  'It Works !"

Here is a more in-depth look at our answer.

1) Slow and Steady

Slow and steady wins the race.  We learned this lesson years ago.

Our networking efforts do not have an expiration date.  We continuously look for opportunities to reach new people, new markets, and new businesses.  We find opportunities to share our name and our business in the local coffee shop, sporting events, in stores, at the doctors office, anywhere people will congregate.

No we don't stalk people.  We meet people, we ask questions, we are observant.  We look for opportunities to help other people.  In return other people want to know more about us.

This approach is in alignment with the old adage:

"It's not what you know, but who you know."

Knowing more people opens up greater opportunities for us to succeed.  Our approach goes a bit deeper than just knowing people.

2) Focused, Strategic, and Intentional

We have rewritten the "Who You Know" concept and changed it to "Who Knows You".

Regardless of how many people we can meet and know, there are still many more people to meet.  We cannot break a fundamental natural law that says "You can only be in once place at a time."

Unfortunately, this slows our ability to meet people and inherently reduces our success rate.  To offset this fact, we have changed our approach to embrace strategic partners.

What are strategic partners?  They are other people and businesses that  are marketing their goods and services to customers that would also use our services.  This is where our "Who Knows You" philosophy takes hold.  We educate our strategic partners in our business, share our goals and objectives, and define who our ideal customer is.  We give our partners the best tools to help us market our services.  In return we do the same for them.  Suddenly we have expanded our outreach and now have a group that truly "Knows" us. 

We don't quit there. Knowing about us isn't good enough. Our objective in this process is to get our partners to have us be "Top of Mind".

3) Top of Mind

Exactly what do we mean by Top of Mind? 

We want our partners ears to perk up whenever they hear of an opportunity to share our business with the people they encounter.    We want it to become second nature for our partners to speak about us, to share our story, to introduce us to their clients. 

How have we fared?

This is a an honest question.  Here are a few answers.

 I met a gentleman in a coffee shop two years ago.  Our paths cross periodically.  One morning  a connection was made.  One of his contacts was in the need of our services.  The introduction was made, and in the end we had a new customer.  In a 30 day period we have provided about $6000 worth of services to this business connection.  There is the potential for an additional $6000 to $10,000 worth of services in the next 12 months.  That is a great connection.

On a smaller scale, we have been receiving numerous calls for individual "1 off" jobs.  The initial phone call starts something like, "You don't know me but my friend suggested that I call you.."  Indeed "It's not who you know, but who knows you." 

Thus far this year we can attribute approximately 25% of our first time business to customers that came to us via networking.

There are other added benefits to this story.  As our networking efforts improve and expand, we can realign our marketing budget.  Heck, I'd rather buy lunch for a strategic partner than invest a large sum of money for some type of advertising campaign with no guaranteed results.

Do you want to become one of our strategic partners?  Call AC Trash Hauling today at 317-776-7025.

Has quality customer service gone the way of the rotary phone, the wringer washer machine, and the slide rule?  Perhaps for some, but not at AC Trash Hauling.  

My early lessons about customer service came from my father.  He owned a small neighborhood grocery store.  The store sold the daily staples; milk, bread, eggs, newspapers, and a small array of can foods.  Dad operated his store under two basic rules:

1) The customer is always right..

and

2) When the customer is wrong, refer to rule #1.

 Dad also understood that customers wanted to be treated special.  For that reason, he went above and beyond what his competition did.  Some of the little things he did included: reserving the daily newspaper(s) for regular customers, take telephone orders and have a sack of groceries waiting at the counter for them, delivery groceries to someone's home if they were unable to come themselves, take special orders for groceries.  His ultimate goal was to make the shoppers experience more pleasurable and convenient.

 My father didn't spend hours reading about these things, he just knew that they would make him and his store special.  It did, he was a success in eh neighborhood, loved and respected by his customers.

 These lessons are alive today.  AC Trash Hauling believes in making the customer experience more pleasurable.  Our goal is to solve problems for our growing list of customers, make our services convenient and easy to use.

 Here are a few things that AC Trash Hauling has done for customers:

• Completed jobs on Sunday
• Completed jobs late at night to meet important deadlines/schedules
• Provide a variety of payment options
• Haul items to ministries in lieu of throwing them away
• Offer references for other services a customer may need.
• Find less expensive solutions to challenges

 For AC Trash Hauling , customer service is not an option it is a way of life.  Want proof of this fact, look at our reviews on Angie's List, Google Places, testimonials on our website.  Perhaps the rotary phone, wringer washer, and slide rule have vanished from our society, Customer Service is alive and well. 

What challenge do you have for us?

What is trash? 

Anything that you want it to be!!

Three years ago, AC Trash Hauling was founded to help homeowners get rid of their unwanted items.  The idea was basic and simple, haul away the STUFF people no longer want or need in their garages, basements, attics, and storage sheds.  That seemed simple and easy.  People called, service was provided and the AC Trash Hauling name began to spread.

As the AC Trash Hauling reputation grew, the customer requests began to get a bit more complicated.  Customers would call and say "I don't know if you can do this but.."  These calls resulted in requests to tear down and haul away mini-barns and storage sheds, tear down swing sets and play equipment, and to remove hot tubs.  We were able to meet the challenges .  In doing so AC Trash Hauling discovered that the more they did, the more the customers requested.

The list of challenges expanded.  Some customers asked us if we would move some furniture from their home to another location, others asked us to meet them at the store to pick up a recent purchase that was too big or cumbersome for them to handle.  The reason was simple, AC Trash Hauling had the necessary resources to complete the task.  The answer was simple, "Yes, we can do that".

We continued to grow.  Realtors began to offer more challenges.  While on site could we clean gutters, power wash decks, trim bushes/trees, haul away brush.  Once again we had the resources or even the right connections to the resources.  Our answer again was "Yes we can."

The requests didn't end there.  As our reputation grew, the requests grew again.  We were asked if we can relocate office furniture and equipment, move a wood lathe, relocate the materials and equipment for a computer repair shop, pick up a delivery at the truck depot for a small contractor, and many other items.  Once again we found solutions to these challenges. 

No it didn't stop there.  Some requests were to supply dumpsters.  Once again we found an economical solution to that request.  

The AC Trash Hauling reputation continued to grow.  Customers began to understand that we had a deep network of other contractors and service providers.  We have been asked for recommendations for painters, carpet cleaners, roofers, maid services, tree service, pre-schools, and even lawyers.

So when AC Trash Hauling says that "We Haul ALMOST Everything" we find solutions.  Our goal is not only to provide our trash removal services but to be a great resource to find solutions to any challenge that comes our way.

What challenge do you have for us?

This event happened about 20 years ago, yet the message is valuable. 

American businesses were in the midst of overtly expanding their TQM, Total Quality Management, programs.  There was much emphasis on understanding who you customer is, recognizing that there are internal and external customers in your work, and of course finding was to improve your customer relationships.

This story goes back to the days of the Baby Bells, Fax Machines, and multiple land lines in offices.  At this time in my life I was a Project Manager on a large commercial construction site.  I had several phone lines installed in my construction trailer.  For some unknown reason, one of the lines kept failing and lost its dial tone.  Numerous calls to the phone company yielded little resolution.  The answer always was the same, "It's a problem with your equipment."  Every time I heard this answer, I would prove them wrong by switching the equipment from one line to the other.  Eventually the phone company believed me and sent a technician out my the location, made repairs, and I was finally satisfied.

Shortly thereafter, I received a follow up call from the phone company with eh request to respond to their brief survey about quality and customer service.  You know the type, on a scale from 1 to 10 etc.  My recollection is that all questions were preceded by a  comment about my "Expectations".    In response to all of the callers questions, I answered that the company absolutely exceeded my expectations.  The caller was thrilled, as I believe that no one has ever given this individual a rating as good as this.  As the caller was thanking me for my participation and pleased to hear of my satisfaction, I spoke up.

"Excuse me", I said.  "But I believe that you have failed to ask the most important question."

She obviously was reviewing her script and responded, "No. I've asked all of the questions.  What is on your mind?"

I responded, "You never asked me what my expectations were.  To be frank, I expected terrible service, I expected a difficult time in getting my problem resolved.  Your company exceeded my expectations, the service was worse than I had expected.  Indeed you exceeded my expectations."

As you can only imagine there was silence on the end of the phone.  Finally the caller politely dismissed herself.  Over the course of the next two weeks, I was bombarded with calls from upper management about my survey answers.  Apparently my responses struck a chord with management.

Folks, when it comes to customer service, are you getting what you expect?  Better yet are you getting what you deserve?  Don't be bashful let he companies and businesses you deal with know exactly how you feel about their service.  Be fair, be honest, be polite.  This means to let them know when they were successful as well. 

How passionate is your junk or trash man?  Do you even know what makes him tick?  What would he do for a Klondike Bar?

AC Trash Hauling is driven by unique challenges, those jobs that the customer wants to have completed but doesn't know who to turn to.  We love phone calls that begin

"I don't know if you can do this but..."

This is usually the sign of an immediate and challenging job.  It doesn't always mean a job that we are hauling away trash and junk, but a unique challenge.  Here are a few examples of those challenges.

Wood Lathe

Our customer "NEEDED" to have his lathe moved from his home to his wood working shop.  The equipment was too heavy to pick up and put on our truck.  A forklift was not readily available.  We resorted to simple technology and put it on two furniture dollies and pushed down the streets of Noblesville to its current location.  It took us about 1/2 hour and was completed before you could even find someone else to attempt the project.

Dust Collector Clean ut

Our same customer asked us to clean out his dust collector in his shop.  We climbed ladders and systematically disconnected the system to find the blockage.  Ultimately, we disconnected the filter and the drum that collects the sawdust, both items were plugged solid with sawdust.  This project was completed in mid summer with a heat index of over 100°.  We were covered in sweat and sawdust.  Our customer was very pleased.

Trampoline Removal

Our customer asked us if we could remove a trampoline with the understanding that it be   completed today.  We accepted the challenge.  Upon arrival we learned that the trampoline was upside down on the deck.  The challenge was the fact that the deck was on the 1st floor 12 feet off the ground.  The previous night there was a wind storm and the trampoline was moved about 10  feet across the yard and picked up 15 feet into the air.  That is why it was on the deck.  We safely removed the trampoline.

Garage Clean Out

Rita needed her garage reorganized.  We emptied the "STUFF" as she sorted through it all.  Some items were designated as trash, while others needed to looked at more closely.  When we emptied the garage, we built some portable shelves, and then replaced the items she was keeping.  When we completed, the garage didn't look any better than we started, but Rita was ecstatic.  She explained to a visitor that AC Trash Hauling is great because unlike any other company, we will do this type of work.  Rita is a satisfied and repeat customer.

Hot Tub Removal

This year we have removed 8 hot tubs.  Each is unique in the challenge.  In the removal process we cut them into manageable sections and haul them away.  Our challenge is to cut the tubs apart.  There are numerous plastic tubs embedded into the foam insulation that connects all of the water jets.  We have to locate the tubes in order to cut the sections.  Sometimes we encounter 2x4s embedded into the foam as well.  Needless to say  each job is unique.  In the end our customers are pleased.

Appliances in the Basement

On more than one occasion we have encountered refrigerators and/or freezers that were put in basements prior to completing a renovation.  One time we took the refrigerator out of a walkout basement and had to push/pull the unit up a steep grassy hill.  There was no conceivable way to take the refrigerator up the stairs.  Our customer was relieved to get rid of the behemoth.

The AC Trash Hauling team takes great pride in finding cost effective solutions to unique problems.  We are much more than a company that hauls away your unwanted treasures.  We provide solutions to your problems, we provide relief from what is perceived as an unsolvable puzzle.  We are passionate about unique challenges.

What challenge do you have for us

Small business owners around the world struggle to acquire the necessary loans to help their businesses grow and prosper.  For some the infusion of as little as $100 is all that is necessary to make the transition from struggling to vibrant.

AC Trash Hauling was founded three years ago with an old pickup truck and $100.  The money was used to print business cards and magnetic signs for the truck.  Today, AC Trash Hauling is serving over 400 customers per year, has purchased a second larger truck, and is looking to expand its service area.

Recently AC Trash Hauling was introduced to KIVA (http://www.kiva.org ), an organization that provides micro-loans to small businesses around the world.  In recognition of the initial $100 investment that Andy Corman made to start AC Trash Hauling, a $100 loan was given to KIVA.   The funds are designated to go to Victor Sebastian Avalos in Paraguay to help expand his business.  We wish him all the best and pray for his success.

AC Trash Hauling has created a team on the KIVA website called "Friends of AC Trash Hauling" (http://www.kiva.org/team/friends_of_ac_trash_hauling)  Under this heading you too can give KIVA loans to help others succeed.  We urge all of our friends to sign up.

Thanks for your support.

Our customer had a simple request; move a wood lathe from his garage to his woodworking shop 6 blocks away.  Heck, how difficult could that be? 

The challenge was bigger than expected.  This was no common lathe found at the local hardware store or home improvement center.  This lathe was about 6 1/2 feet in length mounted on a cast iron frame with a large and heavy electric motor on one end.  This unit was HEAVY.

I tried to pick up one end of the unit to gage its weight.  You could not slide a piece of paper under the legs.  I barely got it off the ground.  Our customer really wanted this machine moved, no was not an acceptable answer.

We started to brainstorm.  There was a machine shop a block away, would they help move it with a forklift?  My customer was concerned about it shifting on the lift and twisting the frame.  Furthermore, that solution would get it from" Point A" to" Point B", but not properly located in his wood shop. 

The light bulb went on in my head.  Let's use some simple technology, old  school; kind of stuff.  Heck didn't the caveman invent the wheel a few years ago?  Our solution was simple.  Pick the end of the lathe up high enough to put a 4 wheeled furniture dolly under each set of legs.  The unit is now mobile.  We only needed to travel 6 blocks, let's push the thing down the street.   

Within 1/2 hour of devising the plan, the unit was relocated and ready for use.  We got a few crazy looks form neighbors and passersby as we pushed the equipment down the streets.  The look on the police officers face was quite quizzical.  There was the obligatory brilliant observation, "Hey, whatcha doing?  Moving something?"

We enjoy telling this story.  It is an example of the problem solving skills the AC Trash Hauling team has.  It is also a good example of the unique type of jobs AC Trash Hauling completes.  AC Trash Hauling does a lot more than meets the eye.  

AC Trash Hauling takes great pride in the fact that "We Haul ALMOST Everything" and that we enjoy new and exciting challengesat challenge do you have for us?

Do you have an old hot tub or spa sitting in your backyard?  You know you need to get rid of it, yet you aren't quite sure how to do it?   Chances are when it's all said and done you will want to hire a junk removal company like AC Trash Hauling.

You have three options for the removal of the hot tub;  use lots of man power (4 people) and dollies, or disassemble the hot tub all together. 

Consisting mostly of wood, molded foam, and hard plastic, the average hot tub is extremely heavy, weighing in the range of 500 to 800 pounds.  This isn't something you simply pick up and move. You would need at least four people to pick up the unit, turn it on its side and place furniture dollies underneath it to roll out of the yard. This assumes that you have a path or hard surface to roll it on.  Without the walk or hard surface, your fallback position is to carry it to the most convenient place to put it on a truck. Even if you manage to get it out of your backyard,  you can’t just leave it on the curb for the waste removal service to pick up.

Your second option is to disassemble your hot tub.   

Safety first.  Make sure all electrical and plumbing supplies have been properly disconnected. You are now ready to remove the wood or plastic skirt that surrounds the hot tub.  This can be easily accomplished with the use of a sledge hammer and/or a pry bar.  This will give you access to the underside of the hot tub and the tubes/piping associated with the system.  With the use of a reciprocating saw you can now start to cut out the water pumps and motors, as well as cutting the tubing free from the unit.  Your goal is to lighten the load and create the opportunity to cut the tub into smaller pieces.  Without a doubt, you will encounter some water that  has remained in the lines.  This can cause some potential problems as electricity and water are not compatible.

From this point you can start to cut the hot tub into 4 or more manageable sections. Your biggest challenge is to find all of the pipes and tubes that are used to distribute the water to the various jets.  Be patient.  You will slowly find all of them.    

This entire process can take you up to  three hours to complete.    

The  third option is to avoid the stress and strain of doing the work and hire a professional company such as AC Trash Hauling (317-776-7025) to complete the project for you.  AC Trash Hauling has removed 7 hot tubs thus far in 2011.  We have taken our experience and professionalism to minimize the time to complete the task. You can sit back and watch or take your time to do another task.   

AC Trash Hauling will leave your property neat and clean.  We save you the time and effort associated with the removal.  If you have any questions please call AC Trash Hauling at 317-776-70258.    

It doesn't matter whether you clean carpets, make copies, mow lawns, clean teeth, or operate a retail store, you and your competition deliver similar products.  What do you have to do to be different? What makes you stand out in the crowd?  What will drive customers to your business?  What makes you special?

Sifting through data, metrics, analytics, and a slew of "How to" business books, I have filtered the answer to these questions down to three choices: Price, Quality, and Convenience.  Inherently, all business practice elements of these three items.  The question at hand is which of these three items wants to be the focus, your anchor, your signature in business.

Let's look at each of these items more closely.

Price

To succeed in a price driven arena, sales volume becomes a critical factor.  Selling at a lower price inherently requires you to make up the difference in volume.  Are there enough customers and time in your day or week to successfully compensate for low with volume?  For some this may be a very viable strategy, consider Wal-Mart.  They are heavily focused on low cost and high volume.

Quality

Customers are willing to pay a higher price for what they perceive as better quality.  Quality however comes in a variety of sizes and colors.  It could be a function of exceptional service at a restaurant, the attention given to small details that the exceptional house cleaning company offers, it could be the inclusion of a better grade of materials to make the final project.

Don't automatically equate quality with greater price.  It does not have to be measured in dots per inch or miles per gallon.  Quality can also be an experience, emotion or reaction.  It is the feelings and emotions derived from buying or using the product or service.  Make sure you understand the definition of quality.  It is more the experience your customer has than your perceived definition.

 Convenience

For some customers, ease and convenience are critical factors.  How can be better provide convenience to your customers?  How can you make their experience easier and more pleasurable?  Think of convenience as value added to your customer by saving them time, money, reduce the hassle, options that reduce their concerns and worries. 

Here is your challenge.  Embrace either Price, Quality or Convenience as the centerpiece of your business.  You only get to choose only one of these items.  Incorporate the focal point into your marketing, sales, advertising, networking, performance, communications and any other aspect of your daily routine.  Make certain that your customers, your competition, your employees, your referral partners all understand exactly what you and your business stand for.