Batteries for Handheld Computer Devices
Stop what you’re doing and look around. How many handheld computer devices do you see? You probably notice things like laptop computers, smartphones, PDAs and tablets. And they all have something in common. They all use batteries. The battery field is one of constant research, with a continuing push to develop new and better technology. Along with the ever-rising demand for batteries, this makes the battery industry one of dependable growth and stability. In fact, the battery market will grow to $86 billion globally by 2012, according to the Freedonia Group. As you see, now may be the perfect time to consider a franchise opportunity with Interstate All Battery Center® .
Battery technology needs to keep pace with the rapidly-advancing mobile technology. For devices that use rechargeable batteries, two technologies dominate the market. The most popular and fastest-growing type is lithium-ion, which dominates the laptop computer market. Li-ion offers high energy density and low weight.
The Li-ion battery’s main competitor is the lithium-ion-polymer battery, or Li-Po. These batteries have a higher cost per watt-hour, but their technology allows for a slimmer shape and simpler packaging. You’ll find them primarily in mobile phones and portable media players, where the benefit of their ultra-thin shapes outweighs their lower energy density and higher cost.
Lithium is an ideal base for batteries. It has the greatest electrochemical potential of any metal, is the lightest metal, and provides the highest energy density by weight. Li-ion is low-maintenance. Because it has no “memory,” it is not necessary to fully discharge the battery before charging, and there is no need to prolong the battery’s life through periodic deep discharge.
Li-ion batteries should be recycled, not just for safety reasons, but also because they contain valuable materials that might otherwise become scarce. Li-ion batteries do have some disadvantages, particularly because they require additional protection circuitry to operate safely. Still, Li-ion is a proven technology for consumer products.
As handheld computer device technology continues to evolve, so will batteries, and the industry will continue to thrive. A leader in the field, Interstate Batteries has been in business since 1952 and Interstate All Battery Center® ranks consistently among the top franchises in the country. With a strong brand and superior support for their franchisees, Interstate Batteries is sure to be at the top of the growing battery market for years to come.
Small Business Community Involvement: Get out there and Get Noticed!
The connection between a small business owner and the community is very important. People like to do business with companies they feel support their belief systems and work toward common goals. Getting involved in the community locally in a more meaningful way can be a mutually beneficial experience, enhancing your community while helping to grow your business. It will help you get to know your neighbors, and it will help them get to know you and appreciate your values. If you are looking to start a battery franchise or any franchise, get started thinking about community involvement today.
Employee Training Ideas: Have Fun with It!
Your employees represent your business to customers, which is why proper training is vitally important. Unfortunately, employees typically don’t embrace training sessions with enthusiasm. To combat this problem, many companies are injecting some fun into their training sessions. Here are a few fun employee training ideas:
Laughter is good for business. Nothing lifts the mood like laughter. A sense of humor is a highly prized personal quality, and people want to work in a good-natured workplace. Employee training should be fun because it sets the tone for your workplace environment .- Games promote retention. People remember information better if they have fun learning it. Design relevant games to help your employees retain important information.
- Enthusiasm begets enthusiasm. If the trainer is not excited about the class, the trainee cannot be expected to muster enthusiasm, either. Some business owners find it useful to hire a professional trainer; others conduct the sessions themselves. It does not matter who conducts the training, as long as that person is enthusiastic, knowledgeable and capable of passing those qualities along.
- Embrace multimedia. Powerpoint is an excellent tool for presenting information — as long as you make it interesting. Using photo and video clips can keep the trainees’ attention and make the process memorable.
- Keep it interactive. No one wants to sit still and listen for hours on end. People learn by doing, so provide activities to keep your employees engaged in the process.
A good business owner knows a company cannot run well without happy employees. Interstate Batteries® understands the importance of proper employee training, and backs up its franchisees with the resources they need to run a successful business.
Winter Battery Car Care Tips
Although winter is difficult on many car engine parts, it is especially tough on the vehicle battery, making winter battery preventive maintenance extremely important. Cold weather affects batteries more than any other engine component for several reasons. Filled with fluid comprised mostly of water, batteries are susceptible to freezing. Additionally, cold weather thickens engine oil, which forces the battery to work harder when starting the car. Here are some simple winter battery tips that can extend the life of your battery and keep the vehicle running smoothly. If you are looking for a battery franchise, it is important for you to know the following information and position yourself as an expert.
Choose the Right Battery
Choose the appropriate battery for the vehicle. The battery should be the correct size and voltage for the vehicle. Choose a quality battery, especially for a vehicle that experiences extremely harsh winter conditions. The average life of a battery is between three and five years, depending on climate. If the vehicle battery is approaching this age, consider replacing it before it begins to exhibit problems. One way to stay ahead of the game: Have the battery tested at every oil change, or take it to Interstate All Battery Center® for a free test.
Connections
Check the cables, posts and fasteners on the battery. Be sure the connections are not loose and there is no evidence of corrosion. The battery should be clean and dry; moisture can reduce the energy in the battery. If possible, have the connections checked by a professional, as some signs of corrosion and moisture are difficult to see. Avoid damage to the battery and keep connections from loosening with a snug-fitting battery in the battery tray. If the battery is not a sealed model, check the fluid levels, using distilled water to fill any cells that appear low..
Protection from the Elements
Whenever possible, keep the vehicle in a garage overnight, especially in areas with extremely harsh winter conditions. If garage storage is not possible, invest in a battery heater. Battery heaters cost between $20 and $250, depending on the type purchased, and plug into a regular electric outlet. The heater keeps the battery from freezing and can extend the life of the battery.Winter weather is difficult on vehicle engines, and batteries are among a car’s parts that are most susceptible to winter weather damage. Proper maintenance can extend the life of your battery. For winter battery tips, visit http://corporate.interstatebatteries.com/winterizing_batteries/.
Franchise Business Review Interviews Interstate All Battery Center® SVP Scott Miller
Eric Stites of Franchise Business Review recently interviewed Scott Miller, Senior Vice President of the Independent Distributor Group and Interstate All Battery Center® at Interstate Batteries. Miller talked about Interstate and the new All Battery Center franchises available.
Battery Market
The battery market is a $15 billion per year business in the United States, and experts project the market will grow to $18 billion by 2015, increasing by 5% annually. The Interstate® brand has been around for almost 60 years, selling batteries for transportation needs in the wholesale market. Ten years ago, the company expanded into the retail and wholesale markets through their All Battery Center franchises to address an industry that was very fragmented. Today, these franchises provide two revenue streams: 40% in the retail market and 60% in the commercial market.
Company Mission and Values
The mission of Interstate Batteries is to “power the things that make life better for customers,” as the company firmly believes that power is a means to an end. To achieve this mission, the company formed what they term the “Golden Rule” value system, which reads, “Treat others as you would want to be treated.” In this interview, Scott states that the standing joke in the office is that they “want to ‘Golden Rule’ team members and customers to death.” To be a successful franchisee with All Battery Center, candidates must share the company values.
Franchises
According to Miller, the ideal franchisee must understand that a constant sales presence is necessary to succeed with All Battery Centers. Because a larger share of the revenue for each franchise comes from commercial customers, franchisees must either have a strong desire to sell or understand that they need to develop a team with a strong desire to sell. Unlike other retail outlets, All Battery Centers are a “go out and get it” business. For this reason, partners spend a significant amount of time each day systemizing and planning sales activities. Interstate encourages partners to have commercial representatives on the ground running every day, using the processes that have been mapped out for them by the company.
Recruitment
Interstate prides itself on straight talk when interacting with potential All Battery Center franchisees. They firmly believe that being up-front and honest helps reach solutions sooner. The company does not try to sell the franchise and does not consider franchisees to be customers. Instead, Interstate views the franchisee as a partner and this attitude has led to outstanding franchisee satisfaction across the board. In an industry that is less than glamorous, Miller said that long-term franchisees are reporting record growth in an economy that is still struggling. One reason for this is that people keep things longer in a bad economy, so battery replacement is an important part to keeping older electronics running.
Miller also said he believes that All Battery Center is successful due to the alignment of partners with the company values and their way of doing business, and that this partnership is evident to customers, whether retail or commercial. These company values have led to record growth and a business that is relatively recession-proof.
Best Franchise for your Lifestyle
Best Franchise – If you’re thinking about buying a franchise, but not sure where to begin, try asking yourself “what makes sense for my lifestyle?”
Cincinnati Interstate Battery Franchisee, Showing Business Leadership Characteristics, Awarded $15,000
Rodney Swope was close to signing a major business customer with 30 stores around Cincinnati. The problem? To effectively serve the customer, the Interstate All Battery Center® franchisee would have to hire several new employees and lease an additional delivery vehicle – and incur a significant amount of debt.
Thanks to an award from a local business organization, from showing business leadership characteristics, the path to growing market share just became easier.
The African-American Chamber of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky and The Business Backer, a business loan underwriter, recently honored Swope with two awards, one of which came with a $15,000 interest-free loan.
“We wanted to see how we could help local businesses hire more employees and increase revenue,” said Christopher Young, Business Development Manager at The Business Backer. “Rodney’s proposal got our attention.”
For its Local Business Stimulus Challenge, The Business Backer asked applicants for a one-page plan of how they would use the money to make the biggest impact on the local economy in the shortest amount of time. Swope’s entry detailed his plans for a new vehicle and four new part-time employees. The judges appreciated his attention to detail.
“What stood out the most is that he seemed to be very strategic and calculated about how he could use these funds,” Young said. “A lot of companies would jump and want to take it right now. He’s not going to take receipt of the funds until he has things in place. We felt strongly about Rodney’s business leadership skills and his outlook on his organization.”
Swope became an All Battery® strategic partner in 2009 and has steadily grown his business. In addition to the Business Backer award, Swope’s store was named Emerging Business of the Year by the African-American Chamber.
“We’re really thrilled to have been recognized and to have the opportunity to create jobs in Cincinnati,” Swope said. “Now, our next step is to sell more batteries. We’re working on a couple of large accounts, and having extra staff and an extra vehicle will help us serve their businesses better.”
Edmonton All Battery Center® Powers Fire Safety
The Interstate All Battery Center® in Edmonton, Alberta, teamed up with the city’s fire rescue services, Edmonton Fire Fighter’s Union and the Canadian Home Builders Association in October by sponsoring a key piece of the Edmonton Smoke Detector Program.
The program provides protection to residents from home fires by inspecting existing smoke detectors in older homes and neighborhoods as well as providing new battery-powered smoke detectors. The city targets neighborhoods built before 1974, when building codes did not require electrically installed smoke detectors.
Fire rescue workers and the Canadian Home Builder's Association staff pose for a picture with Edmonton resident Joyce Basok, who received a free smoke detector powered by an Interstate battery. (compliments of the city of Edmonton)
According to Trish Young, Fire Prevention Officer for the Edmonton Fire Fighter’s Union, firefighters inspected 1,948 homes and installed hundreds of Interstate 9-volt batteries donated by the Edmonton All Battery Center. They also provided coupons for free 9 volts.
“”It’s an opportunity to put our name out there,” said Interstate All Battery Center Franchisee Brian Benning. “We’re trying to be Every Battery for Every Need® for the community and expand the knowledge of the public. They knew we did car batteries, but not the others.”
This isn’t the first time that the Edmonton All Battery Center put its name out in the community through fire safety measures. Their involvement in the smoke detector program was about a year-and-a-half in the making, said Business to Business Sales Representative Randy Macdonald.
They have also partnered with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services by sponsoring a full-page ad in an educational coloring book school children use every year to learn about fire safety.
Edmonton All Battery Center Staff
“Part of it is awareness to the general public, as well as a little extra safety in the community, and to generate some more traffic in the store,” Macdonald said. But mainly, the purpose of their involvement in the program and other fire safety measures in the community is to gain credibility with fire rescue workers and the community at large.
They plan to continue their involvement in the community through the programas well as other fire safety measures. For more information on the program, visit http://edmonton.ca/smokedetectorprogram.
Interstate Batteries Commercial
Interstate Batteries’ three most recent 30-second TV commercials support local stores in growing shares in their market.
These new ads deliver on several things we wanted to accomplish.
1) First of all, we wanted to be true to our brand and deliver on our brand purpose of “Powering the things that make life better.”
The tone of the commercials also supports our brand personality of being “caring, likeable, trustworthy experts with a whatever-it-takes attitude.” Not to mention a healthy dose of the wit and humor that we want to be known for as well.
2) We wanted to convey the idea to consumers that this is a retail concept. That IABC’s are brick and mortar stores where they can find every battery for every need.
We wanted the commercials to reinforce the breadth of power solutions we have. Not only do you see that in the main portion of each commercial, but also in the middle of the commercial where we show a wider variety of product applications.
3) The spots also deliver on the concept of the IABC team member as a hero. We not only know this to be true, but recognize this as an important differentiator in our offering, and essential to our success going forward. Our people set us apart!
4) And finally, these spots are also customizable. The last 4 seconds of each commercial allows our stores to list their store locations and phone numbers.
We are really pleased with the results of the work, and we’ve received strong positive feedback among the folks who have seen it. Some markets have already begun running the ads.
Interstate All Battery Center
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packet today. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Common Household Batteries you should always have on Hand
Waking up to your cell phone’s alarm, brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush, checking your watch, and opening the garage door – A typical morning routine, right? What if all of these items required plug-in electricity instead of batteries? Then what if the power went out? Your day would start out pretty different without the everyday things we use that run on batteries.
Glance around right now and see what runs on batteries: cordless mice, wall clocks, game controllers, smoke alarms, phones, flashlights – the list goes on. So it’s important to be prepared with backup batteries for your household items. But which ones? Here are three kinds of batteries to start with:
- Alkaline and Zinc-Carbon: Toys, remote controls and many other devices run on these common batteries. You’ll find them in AAA, AA , 9-volt C and D sizes. Alkaline batteries are useful for most purposes, especially for power-hungry devices like handheld games. Alkaline batteries have a seven-year shelf-life, too, making them perfect for long-term storage. Zinc-Carbon batteries come in the same sizes as alkalines, but their chemistry is different. Often called “heavy duty” batteries, these are well suited for low-drain devices like remote controls and smoke alarms. Alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries do not contain harmful metals, and most states allow you to throw old batteries of these chemistries in the garbage.
- Rechargeable: These household batteries come in the same sizes as alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries, but they are more environmentally friendly and more cost-effective over the long run. Because of their chemical make-up, rechargeable batteries should be recycled.
- Button Cell: These small, flat batteries are used in hearing aids, watches and car key fobs. Although you may not think to keep backups of these on hand, you’ll wish you had an extra when your key-fob stops unlocking your car door or you find yourself in unexpected silence.
Moral of the story: appreciate electricity, have a stash of backup batteries just in case, and enjoy our increasingly portable lifestyles.
Interstate Batteries®, an industry leader since 1952, built their reputation on a trusted battery brand name, unsurpassed dependability and expertise beyond compare. Trust Interstate Batteries® for all your battery needs, and stop by a store today to stock up on batteries for the coming fall and winter.
Interstate All Battery Center
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packet today. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
