APE April 2025 | Page 13

guns are clean and ready. Test the calibration, adjust as needed. Also, stock up on spare parts, seeing something always breaks at the worst possible time.
Team Readiness: No Zombies Allowed A well-prepared crew is a productive crew. The striping season can be challenging, and if your team rolls in looking like extras from a zombie movie, you’ ve got a problem. Long hours, travel and physical labor take a toll, so mental and physical readiness is key. Start with a team meeting, get everyone on the same page about expectations, project timelines and the importance of showing up on time. Encourage hydration, proper rest and maybe even a little stretching before shifts. You want sharp, focused team players.
Sales & Marketing: Great Work Won’ t Sell Itself If you want a full schedule( and who doesn’ t?), your sales team needs to be firing on all cylinders. Start by reconnecting with past clients, because nothing beats an easy sale from someone who already trusts your work. Offer pre-season deals or package services to lock in jobs before the rush hits. And don’ t forget marketing! Social media is your friend— show off crisp, fresh striping jobs with before-and-after photos. A time-lapse video of a big project? Gold. Customers love to see transformation, and nothing says“ we know what we’ re doing” like a well-documented, professional-looking job.
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New Equipment & Strategies: Work Smarter, Not Harder Thinking of upgrading your equipment? Now’ s the time. New technology such as laser-guided stripers, automated layouts, dual-color stripers or eco-friendly paint options can boost efficiency and impress your clients. But don’ t just throw new gear at your team and expect magic. Train them before the season gets crazy. Speaking of strategies, look at ways to optimize your workflow. Can you schedule jobs more efficiently? Cut down on travel time? Reduce paint waste? Small adjustments can lead to big profits when you’ re in the thick of peak season.
Training New Team Members: The Art of the Precision Striping Bringing in fresh recruits? Great! But unless they’ ve got striping experience( and let’ s be honest, most won’ t), they need to be properly trained before hitting real job sites. Pair them with experienced team members for hands-on practice, teach them about machine operation and drill safety procedures into their heads. And don’ t forget“ the golden rule”: Measure Twice, Stripe Once.
Setting Targets for Success & Safety A great season isn’ t just about knocking out jobs quickly, it’ s about quality, efficiency and safety. Set clear targets for your team. And safety? Non-negotiable. High-vis gear, proper traffic control and clear communication are essential. One careless
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[ 13 ] April 2025