Going The Extra, Extra Mile

I recently came across something online about a new avenue being taken by a large self storage company to find clients, cater to their needs all the while expanding their own customer base.Extra Space Storage recently sent out a press release touting their new sales force of area sales managers, dedicated solely to finding and serving business customers in the 6 largest markets in which they operate. Corporate accounts like these are bringing the business to business aspect of self storage to the forefront of an industry that traditionally caters primarily to the individual consumer. This new avenue also creates a myriad of possible up sells and services that could be offered in this new dimension. There are always a variety of ways to expand your business if you look for them. How much time and effort you devote to doing so in any given area with any given clientele is directly related to how much of a profit you will retain from it. This seems like an excellent example of that ages-old marketing philosophy –find a need and fill it. Sometimes you have to take a step out of your business’s comfort zone and take a chance but it can pay of in the long run.

There is a new look for self storage facilities taking shape across the country, defying the current stereotypes people think of when they think of their local storage facility. The industry doesn’t always get the credit it deserves, but that’s changing. The industry’s image is getting snazzier to keep up with the demands of its clientele. Security is going high tech. With innovations to everything from locks to cameras to James Bond-type finger printing and even voice recognition the high brow consumer looking to store his cases of rare, 200 year old vintage wine or his limited edition art or automobiles can rest assured. Robyn A. Feedman recently wrote an article about this new development and one particular self storage owner’s experience. Customer service is getting a makeover too. With call centers like PhoneSmart offering sales solutions for self storage customers through their call center representatives and services for those in the industry (including secret shopping programs and training seminars) the training programs and profit margins of self storage businesses is going up. Not what the average person thinks of when they think about the local storage business down the block. These are some very elemental reasons why this industry is growing by leaps and bounds.