The key differentiator for Soapy Rides Car Wash is Mark Deshpande and his business and personal connections within the East Meadow neighborhood. For this reason, the sales and marketing focus will be on a one-to-one basis, with the emphasis on gaining loyal and repeat customers as "friends" of the business. Soapy Rides, therefore, will depend on word-of-mouth advertising for the immediate community.
5.1 Sales Strategy
Sales strategy is on a one-to-one basis. All customers will feel they are a valued friend of Soapy Rides, and that all employees care about the care and upkeep of each vehicle. We must be aware that there are low switching costs in the car washing industry, so we have to work hard to develop and keep repeat customers.
5.1.1 Sales Forecast
The following chart forecasts sales based upon the Market Segmentation Strategy. Sales are seasonal in this industry, tending to be higher in the warmer summer months, and to drop off in the winter. However, we will aim to flatten sales across the sales cycle by targeting segments that will want to keep their cars clean and looking good year round.

| Sales Forecast |
| Full Wash |
1,760 |
2,288 |
2,974 |
| Exterior Wash |
2,050 |
2,665 |
3,465 |
| Interior Clean |
770 |
1,001 |
1,301 |
| End User Detail |
129 |
193 |
290 |
| Business Fleet Washes |
615 |
923 |
1,384 |
| Car Dealership Details |
494 |
642 |
963 |
| Total Unit Sales |
5,818 |
7,712 |
10,376 |
|
|
|
|
| Full Wash |
£15.00 |
£15.00 |
£15.00 |
| Exterior Wash |
£9.00 |
£10.00 |
£12.00 |
| Interior Clean |
£8.00 |
£9.00 |
£9.00 |
| End User Detail |
£140.00 |
£145.00 |
£150.00 |
| Business Fleet Washes |
£10.00 |
£10.00 |
£10.00 |
| Car Dealership Details |
£70.00 |
£75.00 |
£80.00 |
|
|
|
|
| Full Wash |
£26,400 |
£34,320 |
£44,616 |
| Exterior Wash |
£18,450 |
£26,650 |
£41,574 |
| Interior Clean |
£6,160 |
£9,009 |
£11,712 |
| End User Detail |
£18,060 |
£27,985 |
£43,425 |
| Business Fleet Washes |
£6,150 |
£9,225 |
£13,838 |
| Car Dealership Details |
£34,580 |
£48,150 |
£77,040 |
| Total Sales |
£109,800 |
£155,339 |
£232,204 |
|
|
|
|
| Full Wash |
£0.70 |
£0.80 |
£0.90 |
| Exterior Wash |
£0.40 |
£0.45 |
£0.50 |
| Interior Clean |
£0.30 |
£0.35 |
£0.40 |
| End User Detail |
£3.00 |
£3.50 |
£4.00 |
| Business Fleet Washes |
£0.70 |
£0.75 |
£0.80 |
| Car Dealership Details |
£3.00 |
£3.50 |
£4.00 |
|
|
|
|
| Full Wash |
£1,232 |
£1,830 |
£2,677 |
| Exterior Wash |
£820 |
£1,199 |
£1,732 |
| Interior Clean |
£231 |
£350 |
£521 |
| End User Detail |
£387 |
£676 |
£1,158 |
| Business Fleet Washes |
£431 |
£692 |
£1,107 |
| Car Dealership Details |
£1,482 |
£2,247 |
£3,852 |
| Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales |
£4,583 |
£6,994 |
£11,047 |
5.2 Competitive Edge
Soapy Rides' competitive edge will be Mark Deshpande and the quality of the family name in the East Meadow area. As mentioned, the family has been in the car business for over 30 years, and has an excellent reputation and a myriad of both business and personal contacts. In addition, Mark has put a great deal of emphasis on creating a system that is both fast and efficient, which will keep costs, in terms of time spent per car, to a minimum.
5.3 Milestones
The following table outlines the important milestones in the planning and implementation of Soapy Rides.
| Milestones |
| Complete Business Plan |
2/1/2001 |
5/1/2001 |
£0 |
ABC |
Department |
| Sign Rental Contract |
3/20/2001 |
3/20/2001 |
£475 |
Mark |
Owner |
| Convert Premises |
4/1/2001 |
4/30/2001 |
£0 |
Contractors |
Contractors |
| Hire Car Wash Staff |
4/20/2001 |
4/20/2001 |
£200 |
Mark |
Owner |
| Hire Admin Staff |
4/20/2001 |
4/20/2001 |
£200 |
Mark |
Owner |
| Open for Business |
5/1/2001 |
5/1/2001 |
£0 |
Staff |
Staff |
| Distribute Flyers |
4/28/2001 |
5/5/2001 |
£75 |
Friends |
Friends |
| Press Release |
4/29/2001 |
4/29/2001 |
£25 |
Mark |
Owner |
| Follow-up on Press Release |
4/30/2001 |
4/30/2001 |
£0 |
Mark |
Owner |
| Totals |
|
|
£975 |
|
|