Small Business Articles
How to test a new driving lessons car - ...thout being distracted. You should get into learner driver territory on the housing estates, etc. Put the car through a simulated driving lesson. ...
Driving lessons and income variations - ...day through to around October, there is usually an enormous number of people wanting driving lessons. To cover the leaner winter months, you should ...
How to get a job at a driving school - ...uld consider what will happen if and when you wish to terminate the contract. If your ambition is at some stage to set out on your own, you should ...
Latest "Small Business" Articles
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Your Crash Course in Postcard Mail Marketing (05/28/2010)
(...) It basically gives factual and detailed information that your market may want to know about. This draws in people who are curious or hungry for knowledge.- The need and want approach – This approach basically appeals to the needs and wants of people. (...)
Ask your clients at what time they want their driving lessons (01/17/2010)
(...) In reality, you will have a cross-section of the population. But, if you charge more than the average for your area, you are likely to have more employed clients who may also be older and who are less likely to cancel lessons due to financial constraints.
Time flexibility
You will need to be flexible with your working hours. (...)
Driving lessons and income variations (01/17/2010)
(...) Otherwise, inquiries may be in short supply until around March. Your clients may want to use bank holidays for driving lessons but, if you live in a busy holiday/tourist area, you might consider watching the sport on television instead. Inform your clients that they may be paying good money just to sit in a traffic jam. (...)
Advertising tips for authorised driving instructors (01/17/2010)
(...) Give these matters some serious thought and give your imagination full rein. Do not be a follower of fashion, be a leader.
Where to advertise
We believe that you need to be seen out and about all the time with a roof sign showing your driving school name and contact details. (...)
What type of insurance is needed for a driving instructor (01/17/2010)
(...) You may have come into this career late and may already have a pension from your last employer. You may also have a redundancy sum to invest, but you may still want to top this up for your future retirement.
Planning your future
Early on, set a target date as to when you want to retire or at least semi-retire. (...)
Keep your job and give driving lessons part time (01/17/2010)
(...) An ADI working under a franchise contract may pay a set amount each week to the company/owner – irrespective of the amount of work received and the total number of hours’ tuition given to the clients. The company office may keep records of work provided, even your diary details, and may therefore make driving lesson bookings for you. You may need to account for all driving lessons taken and cancelled by submitting a weekly return. (...)
How to get a job at a driving school (01/17/2010)
(...) Talk to those who used to work for the one you are considering joining.
Working for a local driving school
If you are thinking of working for a local driving school you should make sure that it has a good reputation. A driving school is only as good as its instructors. (...)
Calculate your income and choose the right name for your driving school (01/17/2010)
(...) Working for yourself and having your own driving school Many ADIs prefer to run their own driving schools. They like the idea of being their own boss and of being able to organise the day-to-day running of the business in a way that suits them. Probably one of the most satisfying aspects is that you do not have anyone (apart from your clients) to answer to. (...)
How to find a niche market for your driving school (01/17/2010)
(...) This is easy if they have a website. Remember that, when you receive inquiries, the usual opening question from potential clients will probably be: ‘How much are your driving lessons?’ This is only natural. If you want to buy a product you need to know the price. (...)
How to avoid the element of risk when booking someone in for a driving lesson (01/17/2010)
(...)
Inform them that, until you receive the signed contract and deposit, you will be unable to hold open the dates mentioned in the contract. This will encourage them to return the contract and cheque promptly. Do you really want to give an intensive course? Intensive courses can be hard work, not only for the client but also for you. (...)
How to prepare yourself for the first contact with the new client (01/17/2010)
(...) If the caller then runs out of telephone credits you can call them back before they have chance to cool off or change their mind. Up-to-date information about the costs of your driving lessons and any current discounts. Your diary and a calendar. (...)
The first contact you have with your client is by telephone (01/17/2010)
(...) They may be paying for the driving lessons and they will want to know that their money is being used wisely and not being squandered as you spend 15 minutes every driving lesson discussing with their offspring United’s chances of winning the FA Cup or who should be kicked out of the Big Brother House. If you give the impression to your caller that you are only interested in signing them on for their money or treat them sharply or talk down to them, then you should not be surprised if they give an excuse to call back later – and you should be even less surprised if you never hear from them again.
The sales pitch
There are few statements truer than ‘first impressions count’. (...)
The first driving lesson of your new client (01/17/2010)
(...)
Establishing the terms and conditions
The information given to the inquirer should include your terms and conditions. The terms and conditions letter should be supplied in duplicate so your client can sign one copy and, ideally, return it to you before their first driving lesson, keeping a copy for themselves. If the client is under the age of 18 then their parent or guardian should counter-sign. (...)
How to be professional when you give driving lessons (01/17/2010)
(...) We all know how uncomfortable we feel when other people disregard the normal social customs and insist on getting too close. As a result of this manoeuvring for space, the occasional whiff of BO or coffee breath is not much of a problem. But when teaching you will be in very close contact with your clients. (...)
People must pay at the beginning of each driving lesson (01/17/2010)
(...) State this in your terms and conditions.
Signing the terms and conditions
s mentioned above, at the beginning of the very first driving lesson, the client should provide you with a signed copy of your terms and conditions, showing that they understand and agree with them. If the client is under 18 years of age, then their parent or guardian must countersign this and the client should keep one copy. (...)
How to use reliable training resources for your driving lessons (01/17/2010)
(...) You not only have your personal reputation at the test centre to protect but you also have a moral obligation only to enter clients for the test when you think they will not only pass but will also be safe, competent and independent drivers. You should point this out to them, as well as to their parents where appropriate. At this point they may seek another instructor in the hope of being put in for the test earlier than you are prepared to accommodate. (...)
When should you start preparing for the ADI test (01/16/2010)
(...) Once you consider that you have a good understanding of the subject, then use the question bank as a mock test. Answer, say, 50 at a time. If this ‘mock test’ highlights problems in specific areas, then concentrate on those questions. (...)
Where is the ADI test taken and who conducts it (01/16/2010)
(...) You will also be asked to sign a health declaration.
Driving licence
If you have an old-style licence you must take other means of identification. The only one allowed now is a current/valid passport. (...)
How to choose the right diriving lessons car (01/16/2010)
(...) Some cars depreciate quicker than others. This is a major factor when the time comes to up-grade your car. Do not forget the additional costs, such as roof signs, magnetic signs and the dual controls. (...)
How to pass the test of instructional ability (01/16/2010)
(...) (To clarify the situation, the role played by the senior examiner will from now on be referred to as the SE client.)
Aims and objectives
You must aim to cover each aspect of the topic and make sure that the SE client understands what is being asked of them. Offer support as necessary and in accordance with the SE client’s stated experience and abilities. (...)
Is your present car suitable for giving driving lessons (01/16/2010)
(...) Also, being smaller usually makes them more manoeuvrable. Furthermore, there is a perception among learners that smaller cars are easier to drive, which may influence them in choosing a driving school with this type of car. Do not rush into making a choice. (...)
How to test a new driving lessons car (01/16/2010)
(...) If you have a salesperson with you, ask them to drive for a short period so you can look at the situation from the instructor’s seat. Use the checklist to make sure the car will fit the bill.
Buying, leasing or hiring a car?
This choice will be influenced by whether you want to own your car outright or whether you are happy to lease it off a company – in effect renting the vehicle. (...)
Become a successful ADI and run your own business (01/16/2010)
(...) Keep your hard disk defragged and use the Windows tools to keep everything running smoothly. Back up important files on a regular basis. Make sure you have a lot of storage and worktop space. (...)
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