Find Opportunity

Find Opportunity

Danielle Putnam
Contributing Writer
The New Flat Rate

Nestled into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains along the north shore of Chattanooga, lies my pleasant little home, built in 1921. My husband purchased the craftsman style bungalow after college and welcomed me in when we were married several years later.

The basement is what I would call a cellar, with a power switch and stairs leading down to the hard packed dirt floor, which often floods after excessive rain. Although I’m not entirely sure of the exact cause, I assume the bug problem we’ve struggled with is due to the inviting basement and shear age of the building. Hence, a few months ago we contracted a local pest control company to visit us once each quarter and exterminate.

I love being the customer when service professionals are called, so I can experience first-hand how a “customer” feels when inconvenienced and being presented with options or an invoice. Yet I’m often left frustrated after the call.

Over the past few months, our bug-man has written up several “summary of findings” …and not once offered any suggestions for fixing NOR recommended any companies who could do the work! SO MUCH LOST OPPORTUNITY!!! If they could begin offering to fix one or some of the items on my list, the dollar amount wouldn’t be an objection. I’m desperate for the bug problem to end, and they keep blaming it on a list of things such as “sealing holes in the wall”…why can’t they seal it while they’re here? OR simply refer me to someone who can help. But no, they only show up and spray…leave me a list and leave.

What opportunities are we all leaving on the table each day? If you have any slow times this Fall leading into the holidays, take a moment to think outside of the box and pick up some low hanging fruit.