If you have a shoeing round like mine in the Adelaide Hills then you know full well just how some days are short sharp and shiny whilst others just involve way too much traveling and energy.
Just how many kilometers a day are you driving? Maybe just 3km? (Fantastic) or 300km? (Wow, lucky I charge a lot)
It's easy to organize your days work. Problems
like clients changing plans at the last minute or time consuming problem horses
can be catered for.Even when you do set up a fantastic day the weather turns
on you or the client just clean forgot you were coming, wasting precious time
whilst they catch their horse/s from the back paddock.
How am I doing? Have you got a round like mine?
The question is, how do you tune your bookings and save time and money.
Many years ago when I was learning my trade in California, I spent a day with one of the fastest and richest farriers I have ever met.He started work at 8.00am and finished before 2.00pm shoeing more than 10 horses over that time. Then he went to gym and pumped iron. I analyzed him and worked out just a few of his rules. It helped me organize myself and my business. Hopefully they will work for you too.
Rule 1.
Be on time, you don't get paid to watch a client catch her horse.
If the client knows you will be on time then expect the horse to be ready. One
Farrier I know charges $15 per 15 minute block of time he waits. Really annoys
clients at first but guess what? Phone clients if your going to be late,
they love it and the horse will still be tied up and waiting for you.
Rule 2.
Book clients ahead.
I give preferential treatment to clients who book ahead and NOT, to those who
phone and want me the next day. You might choose one week plus before their
horse can be done. Have you ever noticed the same clients doing this again and
again? IT IS possible to educate clients, the trick is in educating ourselves.
Rule 3.
Organise your truck layout. (Or, Look Professional)
Organise shoes and tools needed for the jobs at hand that day, knowing where
the hell it is saves time and stress.
Have you noticed how some Farriers trucks look like a bomb hit it? I like neat
and tidy, it gives my brain a rest when I can just look and see what I need
for the horse I am shoeing.
I check my diary and truck every morning, match it and move.
Rule 4.
Don't Zig Zag or Back Track.
Booking ahead helps here but laying down the rule as you book tidies this one
up. I make a practice of leaving gaps for booking in an area to allow for other
local clients to fill. It is rare for that slot to be wasted, but if it does
stay free then that time becomes my banking or client follow-up (I love my mobile
and shady trees). Or if it is near the farrier shop, a coffee and chin wag with
other guys.
Rule 5.
Payment on Completion, or Pay Account paid on Time.
If a client doesn't pay then you have just worked for zilch.. Look at your client
list and cross off the bad ones, I would rather be home than working for free.
Rule 6.
Don't Choose Bad Clients, Work for clients that work WITH YOU, not against.
Not every client has to be fast and efficient fetching horses. I like to enjoy
the people and their horses, listening to their stories fills my day, (not to
mention coffee and cake). There is more to life than miserable clients and their
money. On the other hand this might suit you if you earn bucket loads from that
client, At least know what it is you are after and set your round accordingly.
Don't shoe for clients that forget you are coming ( I call it No Shows),
allow that everyone can have a forgetful day, but two “no shows”
and they can call you, their just wasting my time and fuel.
I accidentally did this to a plumber and he charged me $550.
Rule 7.
Don't work outside of your area or hours.
If the prospective client doesn't fit, then the prospective client doesn't fit.
Draw your work area and times and stick with it.
Rule 8.
Use Locum Farriers.
Find trusted colleges who can fill in for you. Wealth is measured by the quality
of your life, NOT the money you make. Have you ever noticed how rich people
employ others to work whilst they play? If your ego comes only from shoeing
then your going to bore the heck out of non horse people in the old folks home.
Take time out to enjoy your family, watch your kids play sport, go on holidays,
climb mountains.
Rule 9.
Extra time horses.
Allow extra time for bad horses,, trying to make time up just makes us Farriers
grumpy and miserable.
Rule 10
Have fun, be happy.
Even if being a Farrier is the only occupation you can do, at least enjoy doing
it. Clients love On Time Happy Farriers. There is nothing worse than a grumpy
Farrier shoeing their baby. You can't bluff Old Dobbins, he can see right through
you. 8-)