Our New/Old Business
Over the course of the summer, we had quite the learning curve being in the new building. You see, while we had spent years (yes, years) researching and learning, and then what seemed like years securing the financing, working with the architect and then finally building the building, until we actually moved in, we never realized how much our business model would change just from moving into a new building. And while I would love to say that we had the foresight to plan for such change, we didn’t. Retrospect is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?
So, over the course of moving and settling in, we adjusted our business. Boy, did we hit the ground running! Some of the changes we were more than happy to make. The new building gave us an opportunity to correct and alter in a way that the old building couldn’t. There were those necessary changes that weren’t in our original plan, but were a must. Part of doing business though, and we know that we were able to improve upon an already solid product or service. And we were just thrilled to have an opportunity to take our business to a new level. All should be good, right?
Well, some of our two-legged customers are still adjusting to these changes. Since the early 1970’s we have basically run the day-to-day affairs as it related to the animals the same as always. Sure, we tweaked some things here and there, but for the most part, it was reliable. Now we’ve gone and changed what so many knew and expected.
I understand their frustration. Whenever I go to a favorite restaurant and find changes to a menu, I cringe, hoping I can find something similar to replace an old favorite. If I venture into a store and can’t find something they’ve always carried, it frustrates me. At the health club, my kids’ school, the doctor’s office, everywhere I go there is change. Honestly, I don’t always deal with such changes well, and often wonder what they’re thinking. I’ve even been heard to say, “I can’t be the only one who thinks this change is stupid!” Trust me, if you are frustrated, I get it.
More often than not, I end up eating those words and seeing the change as positive and usually necessary. Change in all aspects of our lives can be hard, but for businesses, it is inevitable and necessary to maintain a vital, thriving business. Yes, it is difficult to balance change with consistency. The consistency is found in the end product though. Is the customer (both two and four legged) leaving happy? Are we providing the absolute best service? Would we be happy as a customer here, even with the changes?
The answer to those questions is a resounding yes. We feel confident that our changes have helped us to up our already high level of care and provide more amenities and services. While we know that we will always look for ways to improve, and yes, change, we hope that all of you know that your pets are still the most important part of our day. And that will never change.
Tags: boarding kennel, business change, doggie day care, small business
October 19th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Wow. Very well said.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:48 am
as always, thank you. Hard to put those thoughts into coherent words…