When is the best time to plant an apple tree?

20 years ago...

By now, you would have a beautiful tree, full of fruit and shade for the hot summer.

When is the second best time to plant an apple tree?

Right now!

At the start of the summer, I had several business ideas that I felt were best for my business, but I was scared of implementing them. Raising fees, moving from manual payment to a monthly auto draft, implementing a new cancellation policy that would make it harder to just "stop coming", etc.

All of these, individually or as a group, have the potential to drive customers away. However, once implemented, both current and new customers are very sticky and loyal to the business ... just the type every business desires.

So, I made the decision to implement all changes starting 09/01/2009. Since July, I have been working hard on getting everything ready - new forms - conversation points - registration dates - etc. Implementation and registration started 08/15/2009.

I'll not lie, we've had some grumbling from customers. We've lost a couple of customers. But on the other hand, we've signed up the majority of students - all pre-existing students - with our fall registration and "new" students under the "new" policies all yet to come.

I wish I had all these processes in place from day 1 - it would make my life today soooo much easier. But, since I didn't plant that apple tree on day 1 - I decided that I want to taste that fruit soon - so I've prepared the garden and will plant the seeds for my improved business starting 09/01/2009.

Apple pie, you will soon be mine!