This morning I got an inquiry through my website. The business owner was interested in Financials, Operations, and Staffing. Then there was the question, “What is your consultation rate per hour?” My response was “I really don’t have one,” and I don’t. So, I ask. “Do you have a few minutes today for us to […]
Your Business Sucks Read More »
If you are a plumber, there are several great reasons to do residential service work. First, there is always a need. Every city and town have a wide variety of housing, from brand new to possibly over 100 years old. The plumbing systems cannot last a lifetime, and generally the dwelling out lasts those systems.
Managing Accounts Receivable Read More »
When is the last time you actually pulled up a seat, sat down, and talked with the people who work with you? What are their goals? Why are they working? And, why are they working for you? The answers, if everyone is truthful, may surprise you. Most everyone needs to make a living. There is
Why Do You Work Here? Read More »
Another year is basically in the books. If you own a plumbing company, this should have been your best year ever! There was more work that anyone could handle. If only we could find a few more plumbers so we could capture all the jobs that were available. This was one of those years that
What is Your Cash Flow Ratio? Read More »
Late Tuesday afternoon before Thanksgiving, I arrived home and my garage door would not open. After getting into the house, I investigated and found one of the springs on the door was broken. So, I called the company that has been here a few times who actually replaced that spring about 2 years ago. I
10 Easy Steps to Success Read More »
Do you have a system of running a service call? Have you ever ridden with your technicians to see what they actually do? How well do your techs communicate with your office? Have you ever thought that they communicate with your customers the same way? That is a scary thought! Send them to my class
Communication is Key! Read More »
How are your technicians doing? I ask this question all the time with limited results. The technicians are the face of your company and everything they do or don’t do is a reflection of you. If the customer calls you back, that is very good. What if they call someone else? How will you ever
Inspect What You Expect Read More »
When you go to the grocery store and check out, does the cashier ever look at you and say, “Don’t worry about payment right now, I’ll just send you a bill?” If that happens, I would like to know where and when so I can go there too! When I was a child, there was
Plumbing inventory management is one area of the plumbing business that we do not spend a lot of time on. The parts are the necessary evil of doing a repair. We wish we didn’t need them. Some owners pay no attention to their materials and get into trouble because of it, while others spend too
Plumbing Inventory Management Read More »
I have encountered many different types of owners and managers in my career. Some are worth their weight in gold and with others, I am amazed at how they have survived in business. The “Super Tech” loves being in the truck. He just loves his customers and working with his hands. It gives him a
The Types of Owners Read More »
We have another training session coming in July, Plumbing Business Basics© so we have started contacting owners and putting some announcements on social media. The class is open to anyone who would like to attend to learn more about the basics of managing a plumbing business. Some of the feedback is; we’re away at that
In the service plumbing industry hourly paid technicians is the norm. I will guess that 80% of the businesses pay hourly. Paying hourly a blessing and a curse. Labor is generally the largest expense of the business. When things are busy and you have good employees, the business can get a little ahead on profit.
Paying Plumbing Techs Read More »
