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MRP Design Group, Inc. Newsletter March 2007
 Jennifer pictureGreetings!
 
In my last newsletter I mentioned the idea of considering a new design firm for your upcoming projects.  If all your projects are smooth sailing, then you're set, but if you are having problems with your architectural plans, definitely consider calling us.  If you're having trouble with your builder, sometimes it's not the builder, but the plans he's trying to work from.  Key word: trying.  Without concise construction documents, even the best of builders are left to guess what the plans are trying to say, which will result in problems!  One builder taught me the "poly exclusion of matter", which is just a fancy way of saying you can't put one thing where something else belongs, like an a/c duct going THROUGH a support beam!  Yet he often gets drawings that tell him to do such things!  Errors, when it comes to the construction of your building - well, that's not something to mess around with!  Your contractor is not going to tell you how bad your drawings are, because when the architect makes mistakes, the builder makes more money!  What will tell you your drawings are good/bad is how smooth the job goes throughout the construction phases.  The amount and severity of change orders.  If they're able to get the job done on time and within budget.  If you've been convinced this can't be done, call us.  We've got plenty of references and referrals that will confirm to you that this IS possible!

What we're up to this month:

Buffalos logoOur first Buffalo's Express project just celebrated it's Grand Opening in Norcross, GA!  Two others are beginning construction in Smyrna, GA and Forsyth County, GA. 
 
BP Logo
 
MRP has been awarded a contract by BP Corporate to develop a reduced cost version for development of their new am/pm facilities throughout the US.
 
 
taco bell logo
MRP designed the Corporate Taco Bell location which just opened in Carrolton, GA and a new Taco Bell restaurant in Conyers, GA designed by MRP has started construction.
 
 
McDonalds logoWe are developing construction drawings including a McDonalds restaurant w/ drive thru for Arrowhead Travel Center in Oregon.
 
 
Construction is in progress on what will be the 5th Moe's restaurant designed by MRP!
NACS Show update
Retailers pick Top 10 products

Visitors to the Cool New Products Preview Room checked out what's new for the convenience and petroleum industry at the 2007 NACS Show in Atlanta Georgia. Retailers used hand-held scanning devices to select each product they wanted to learn more about.

The 10 most scaned products were:

  1.  Pillsbury Sweet Minis - General Mills - www.generalmills.com
  2. Shelving and POP Displays - Mobile Merchandisers - www.mobmerch.com 
  3.  ADCO Power Shelf - ADCO Industries - www.adcoindustries.com
  4. Gertrude's Green Ec'o Towel - Gertrude's Ec'o Gallery - www.greenecotowel.com
  5. Cafe Chiller Caramel Iced Latte - Cold Star Inc. - www.coldstarinc.com
  6. ItzaGasCan 6-Pack Caddy - L&W Innovations - www.deltamarketing.com
  7. Boulder Canyon Natural Foods Kettle Chips - The Inventure Group - www.inventuregroup.net
  8. Hurricone - Beach Sales & Engineering LLC dba Hurricone - www.hurricone.com
  9.  E6Mu Cappuccino Machine - Schaerer USA Corporation - www.schaererusa.com
  10. Gourmet Grab & Go 3 oz. Brownies - Love and Quiches Desserts - www.loveandquiches.com

You might be an Engineer if...

  • You can remember 7 computer passwords but not your anniversary.
  • You can't write unless the paper has both horizontal and vertical lines.
  • You comment to your wife that her straight hair is nice and parallel.
  • You look forward to Christmas only to put together the kids' toys.
  • You still own a slide rule and you know how to use it.
  • Your wife hasn't the foggiest idea of what you do at work.
  • You've already calculated how much you make per second.
  • You know the direction the water swirls when you flush.
  • Your IQ number is higher than your body weight.
Energy Saving Tips
11 surprising ways we waste energy
In the attached article, you'll find little-known energy saving tips outside those which are common sense, or which have generally been caught by your inspector, builder, manager, etc.   View the full article.
In this issue...
:: NACS Show update
:: Architectural joke of the month
:: Energy saving tips
:: Frank Austin
:: A Marketing tip
MRP is proud to announce....
Frank Austin, AIA, NCARB, Architect

Frank AustinFrank comes to us with professional Architectural and Business degrees from Ball State University.  He has been a licensed architect with NCARB certification since 1983.  Already registered in most of the US states, NCARB certification makes getting registered in other states a snap.  Frank was the Chief Architect/Designer for 100+ retail anchor stores including long term corporate work for Home Depot, Kroger, Stein Mart, Bassett Furniture, Cineplex Odeon, Harris Teeter and Gold's Gym.  He designed the first Home Depot store ever built!  We are proud to welcome him onboard our team.
A Marketing Tip:
 

Marketing is essential for businesses to grow.  How do you deliver the right message in a way that will really get you a response?  Let me ask you this - Have you ever responded to an ad because that particular business has been open since 1972?  Or have you bought a car because it's the biggest car dealer in town? No, right?

 

Put yourself in the mind of the customer. Why do they need your product? Your potential customer has a problem that needs to be solved. It might be busted pipes, a room to furnish, a non-reliable phone system, a home needing to be refinanced; they may just be hungry and need that problem fixed with quick eats. Whatever it is, people respond because there is a problem needing to be solved.

 

In your message, identify the problem why most people need to call your business in the first place, and create their solution (your product or service). Leave out what we like to call "marketing cliché's" i.e. "We've been open since 1978", "We're number one," "We are the biggest in town". Leave these words out and use that ad space or time for stuff that really matters to your customer. Your business can solve their problem! It's that simple, identify the problem and create their solution with your product or service.

 

Written by Charity Fincher of WSB AM. Feel free to contact Charity at 404-897-7726 or charity.fincher@coxradio.com

Thanks again and remember, MRP Design Group is here for all of your A/E needs.  We're proud to say that over 80% of our work is through repeat business, and over 90% of our projects are completed ON TIME and WITHIN BUDGET!  Try the MRP way.  You'll be glad you did.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.   
 
Sincerely,
 

Jennifer Fowler
MRP Design Group, Inc.
(770) 514-8803 x115