January 30, 2024
Published by 
Nicole Vullo on January 30, 2024
Nicole Vullo on January 30, 2024In our next installment of Ask the Owners, Stephen and Diann Anderson, formerly of Anderson Funeral & Cremation Services discuss the importance of funeral home owners and cemetery operators having a strong understanding of what their consumers wants and needs are: Ask the Owners: Rethinking Consumer Needs in the Funeral Profession As we continue to look at Strategic Evolution it’s my hope that there will be something you read that will ignite or reignite within you a desire to challenge or go beyond the established norms, traditions, or practices within the funeral profession. As I mentioned in last month’s article “Developing a Mission of Legacy” we are going to start thinking about the importance of understanding your customer’s needs and challenges. Let’s begin with a critical issue-the gap in what the funeral profession offers. Challenging Consumer Desires Henry Ford’s famous […]
December 28, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on December 28, 2023
Nicole Vullo on December 28, 2023We begin 2024 in just a few days. For many people, it is a stressful time wrapping up the year and beginning the next. However, it is our goal to help relieve some of that stress. We asked Senior M&A Analyst, Jared Tanke to share a few key questions to ask yourself now, in order to keep 2024 in focus and make it your best year yet: What went well in 2023? By asking yourself this question, you must recall the past 12 months and identify the things that you, your staff, did well. Was there anything you changed or did differently this year than years past, and if so, how did that look and feel? Sometimes this is done by performing a SWOT analysis, which goes out identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and your opportunities and threats. While we […]
December 28, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on December 28, 2023
Nicole Vullo on December 28, 2023In our next installment of Ask the Owners, Stephen and Diann Anderson, formerly of Anderson Funeral & Cremation Services discuss strategies funeral home owners and cemetery operators must take in order to create a lasting impact and legacy: Forging a Lasting Impact: Crafting Your Enduring Legacy Through Your Mission “I don’t know if we each have a destiny, or if we’re all just floatin’ around accidental-like on a breeze, but I, I think maybe it’s both. Maybe both is happenin’ at the same time.” Forest Gump It started very subtly, the first sign happened when I visited my hairdresser, and she asked me if I wanted to put a few highlights in my hair to help cover the gray hair that was starting to grow instead of my natural color. And it continued; one day I noticed when I tried to […]
November 28, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on November 28, 2023
Nicole Vullo on November 28, 2023Growing your business can be challenging for some owners and operators within the funeral and cemetery profession. Between competition in your market to adapting to new consumer behaviors, we understand the process of growth can become complex. We asked Senior M&A Analyst, Jarod Bernat to further elaborate significant ways to expand your business. Question: I feel like our funeral home’s market share has hit a plateau and can’t seem to grow any further. How can I continue to grow my business? Jarod Bernat: Since the funeral industry is one where serviceable market areas and direct competitors can be easily identified and tracked, it’s easy to keep up with how you compare to “the other guys”. Sometimes it might feel like you’ve exhausted all resources trying to grow within your market, but you’ve hit a wall and case count won’t budge. […]
November 28, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on November 28, 2023
Nicole Vullo on November 28, 2023The Strategic Evolution Blueprint for Funeral Home Owners In our next installment of Ask the Owners, Stephen and Diann Anderson, formerly of Anderson Funeral & Cremation Services discuss strategies funeral home owners and cemetery operators must take in order to elevate their businesses: Embarking on Strategic Evolution We are continuing in our series of articles; we hope that last month’s insights prompted you to have meaningful reflection. We laid the groundwork, urging you, as a business owner, to embrace the transformative journey of strategic evolution. We explored the historical backdrop of our profession, the pitfalls of resisting change, and current funeral industry trends. Introducing the concept of Purpose Beyond Profit, we encouraged you to ponder the profound impact of your work. In this installment, we delve deeper into Strategic Evolution, emphasizing its pivotal role for your company. We’ll also underscore the […]