A blueprint for any business
When the October issue of North Idaho Business Journal is inserted in The Press next Tuesday, readers will receive a blueprint on how small businesses can survive among the sharks. You just need to be an alligator.
The cover story is about Alligator Diesel Performance in Coeur d'Alene. Doesn't matter if you don't know the difference between a piston and a plug; what Jayme and Chad Hall have done with their passion for all things diesel is remarkable. And maybe duplicable, too.
The Halls, both 35, started Alligator in 2005 in Las Vegas, built a solid diesel-products business on the Internet, and moved to North Idaho in 2009 to have a better place to raise their two young sons. Even in the throes of our nation's horrific recession, between 2007 and 2010, Alligator business boomed. Inc. magazine recently named it one of the 500 fastest growing companies in the nation.
We spent some time with them last week and share with you several ingredients of their formula for success. Please note that reliance on Uncle Sam, unions or alignment of the stars is not among them.
FAMILY: The Halls have support here in the form of relatives, but they've transformed the family cliche into day-to-day practice. The 22 employees do seem to be a family. They eat together on Burger Thursdays and even have a Play Station in the conference room that can be enjoyed while workers are on the clock.
HIRE RIGHT: The Halls hire people who care deeply about the products they sell. It's no coincidence that everyone in the sales department owns a diesel truck. They're focused on diesel products at work, and they play with them after work. You can't get more expert than that.
GOOD BALANCE: The Halls maintain equilibrium between sales and service. They're vigilant in ensuring that as the company grows its sales, it adds equally on the customer service side of the payroll.
HAVE FUN: Another cliche, but check Alligator out for yourself. These folks are working hard - and having fun. While so many businesses are gasping for air, at Alligator, they're gasping for air because they're laughing so hard.
SHARE THE WEALTH: The company's doing well, so the Halls make sure the employees are rewarded, too. We don't think it's coincidence that in the past three years, only one employee has quit.
LEAD WELL: After 10 years, Chad Hall got out of the construction business to do something he loves. He's the kind of leader who sets an example with his knowledge and his work ethic. Chad admits he hated getting up before dawn to do construction, and he now allows himself to "sleep in" and get to work by 8, 8:30 in the morning. But he still logs long days, often 11 hours or more, doing everything from diesel product installs to assisting on sales calls. "I go wherever I need to be," he says.
Tips like these might be helpful to your business. On a grander scale, they might even save our nation's economy.