It doesn’t matter what your trade is on the sign in front of your office. We are in the customer service business. Satisfied customers are our key to success. When your company is small, you may know your customers on a first name basis. You become “their guy” for all types of repairs. As you […]
Fix the Customer First! Read More »
Is there a diner, or local family restaurant in your town or neighborhood that you frequent? When you walk in the door, they typically have a chalk board with the daily specials listed. Sometimes it is a new dish the cook (or chef in fancier places) is trying out. If it is received well, they
No one likes to go see the doctor. Generally it is unpleasant because you are not feeling well, or something hurts. You put it off as long as possible and attempt to treat yourself. Maybe you use some home remedy, or something over the counter, or try a method a friend told you about. Some
The New Year has started with a big freeze in most of the country. It is great for the plumbing business, but it is also a distraction. A sharp freeze makes you focus on the now, and you can lose sight and rhythm for changing your future. Have you actually written down the new goals
You know there is a big difference between, “I need more people because my business is growing” and “I need people because I can’t keep the ones I have.” I was speaking with someone recently who said, “Yes I have the marketing and the phone rings constantly with new business, but I can’t find enough
Who Works for Who? Read More »
I just copied this from a friend’s page. It’s the best description I’ve seen yet. What is a plumber? A plumber is someone, who, like no other trades person, must know his trade along with everyone else’s. His day starts with leaving a perfectly warm bed on a bitterly cold morning, to the realization that
What is a plumber? Read More »
This is the time of year when some business owners start planning for next year. Some will actually create a budget, although for the most part, it is only one-half a budget. They seem to focus on what sales are going to be next year and not much else. My question is, what are profits
Job Count is the Key Read More »
It has been said that the manager’s job is to plan, organize and coordinate. The leader’s job is to inspire and motivate. In today’s business environment leadership and management seem to have merged. What are some of the qualities of a good leader? Integrity, or doing the right thing is at the top of my
Leader or Manager? Read More »
There is a great deal of confusion among the populace concerning the terms markup and margin. I encounter it all the time. I guess the way we use the terms are also part of what makes them confusing. The impact on the service plumber is big, but when these terms are not used correctly with
I am not sure how you started your business, or why, but for the most part, plumbers do not set out with their life’s goal to own a service plumbing business. In my experience, plumbers open a company because they think they can do it better than their current boss; no one will pay them
Plumbers! 5 Reasons You Need a Business Coach Read More »
Most small businesses have terrible financials. Their accountant understands accounting and creates sales and expense categories well enough to do the company taxes. That is enough to keep them out of trouble with the government. Now I will admit, if the accountant saw them more than once a year at tax time, it might be
Why Should You Departmentalize Your P&L? Read More »
