April 2005 Monthly Archive

Community Tennis Action!

Unsure how a CTA can help your business? The head of the CTA Development Committee says you have a lot to gain by getting involved. (Click here to read more...)

V-Rex is a new monofilament polyester string from Völkl. According to Völkl, V-Rex is a unique co-polyester developed specifically for today's serious aggressive player who demands precise control and reliable durability. Due to a patented manufacturing process, Völkl says... (Click here to read more...)

Signs of the Times

Use captivating graphics to capture more sales. (Click here to read more...)

Ideas That Can Help You Sell More Racquets

When I managed pro shops and players wanted me to recommend a racquet, I usually walked them over to the display area and asked them what color they liked. This overly simplistic advice underscores something far more important. People... (Click here to read more...)

Promotions that work

These two racquet sports facilities may be taking different paths, but both are leading to increased profits. (Click here to read more...)

Customer Tennis

For 30 years, Peter Burwash and Peter Burwash International have been providing unrivaled service to players, vacationers, facilities, and their own employees. (Click here to read more...)

What's on Your Business Learning Calendar?

What did you learn last week that will accelerate the continuous reinvention of yourself and your business in order to survive, compete, and prosper in today's and tomorrow's business environment? Approximately 800 PTR pros spent the last week in... (Click here to read more...)

Industry News

Information to help you run your business. (Click here to read more...)

In Chicago, a Courtless Tennis Program for Countless Kids

See that man in Chicagoland? The one with no tennis court but with a legion of children who owe their love of the game to him? That's Mark Miller. He's changed how tennis caters to youngsters in the Chicago... (Click here to read more...)

Ten Easy Steps to a Customer-Friendly Tennis Facility

Top retailers spend a considerable amount of time researching and analyzing what motivates the consumer to make a buying decision. Much of this research reveals that buying decisions are oftentimes emotionally based. We first want something, and then we... (Click here to read more...)

Corporate Dividends

Starting company tennis leagues in your area can be lucrative for your business, fun for employees, and beneficial for the corporations. (Click here to read more...)

Choosing the Best Organization for Your Business

What is the best entity for operating your tennis facility or shop? For tax purposes, the predominant forms of business enterprise are the regular, so-called "C" corporation; its pass-through small-business cousin, the "S" corporation; a partnership; a limited-liability company... (Click here to read more...)

Pro Equipment: 2005 Australian Open

Russia's Marat Safin the U.S.'s Serena Williams kicked off the 2005 Grand Slam season in style in January with title wins at the Australian Open. To illustrate the march toward polyester strings, only a handful of male pros in... (Click here to read more...)

Racquet Acrobatics

Amaze your friends with racquet tricks and the explanations behind them. (Click here to read more...)

Racquet Mounting

Q: I have a Gamma Progression ST II stringer, and I have upgraded from the standard Gamma quick-mount system to their top-of-the-line suspension-mount system, where one knob moves two shoulder-support arms at the same time. When I mount a racquet,... (Click here to read more...)

Safe Tension Range

Q: I noticed in your pro equipment logs (http://www.racquettech.com /members/prologs/prologstoc.html) that the string tension indicated for several players is higher than the racquet manufacturer's tension range on their racquets. Are the pros playing with special made versions of these racquets... (Click here to read more...)

Racquet Specs

Q: Is there a general grip size used for stating specs on new racquets? I'm starting to receive some new frames from Wilson and it appears as though the specs quoted for unstrung racquets were done for a 4-3/8" grip.... (Click here to read more...)

Computerized Stringing Records

I have created a Microsoft Excel workbook containing different spreadsheets to keep track of various aspects of my stringing business. It features: An invoice template to generate and print a final invoice. An order form. This is set to... (Click here to read more...)

Selling ATW Stringing

I include a sheet with each around-the-world (ATW) string job I do. This calls attention to something the customer may never have noticed, and helps establish me as a stringing expert. 5 sets Silent Partner Original Syn Gut to: Justin... (Click here to read more...)

Alpha Mounting Adjustments

I have an Alpha Blu-DC Plus stringing machine that has individual tightening knobs for each side of the mounting arms. I find it clumsy to tighten each knob independently, and have found a way to tighten both at once. I... (Click here to read more...)

Sealing Natural Gut Knot Ends

The free end of knots tied in natural gut will unravel over time. This is unsightly and can be prevented by putting a small amount of clear fingernail polish on the end of the trimmed string end to seal the... (Click here to read more...)

Tighter Tie-Offs

In order to get as much slack out of the tie-off knot as possible, I insert the end my awl through the loop of the knot, and while pulling on the end of the string with a pair of pliers,... (Click here to read more...)