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Branding your HVAC business is an excellent way to set yourself apart from your competition. You do not have to be a mega-corporation to have an effective branding strategy to help grow sales. In this Episode, we will discuss how you can develop and bu...

As 2014 ends and 2015 begins, it's important to get your business plan together for a great, upcoming year. In this Episode, we will outline a very simple approach to planning. We make it simple so it's easy to implement, so you can be one of the few that will beat the bad odds, follow-through with your plan and execute it with excellence. This and much more is included.   We hope you enjoy the Episode…   Here are some of the things you’ll learn about in Episode #7: How to create a simple business plan that can be executed with excellence Create your goals (which are where you want to go). Underneath each goal, list the multiple objectives you will need to accomplish to reach the goal. Track your progress on a consistent schedule How to avoid the normal pitfalls of plan execution by keeping it simple The S.M.A.R.T. method of creating goals and objectives What kind of business goals might be included in your business plan?   Special quote: “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” - Alan Lakein, Author    Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode: www.stridesapp.com www.lifetick.com   It seems that every New Year is full of optimism. It’s a chance to reset - to change what’s wrong - to ‘do better’. And a lot of people and businesses use this time to plan for the next 12 months. Because this is such a popular time to plan, we wanted to discuss the topic of planning - but maybe not how you think. Our discussion today won’t be about how to develop an elaborate and sophisticated plan that, when finished, is a small book. We’ll actually do quite the opposite - because in my experience, those types of plans don't work - especially for a small HVAC contractor like yourself with few, if any, employees to help execute the plan. Today, we’re going to take a very simple approach to planning for the upcoming year. Planning on a personal level often comes in the form of New Year’s resolutions. For individuals, it’s pretty common to make New Year’s resolutions. Estimates are that about 40% of Americans make resolutions each year. That’s 120 million people resolving to do everything from losing weight to spending more time with family and friends and less time working - and everything in-between. We have all made them. I’ve made them, and when I did, the excitement was similar to when I was a kid on Christmas morning. The thought of doing better - being

As a small business owner, time is precious and there are not enough hours in the day to get it all done. In this Episode, we discuss a system to help you maximize the work day, manage your business workload, make the most positive impact to your business and get things done. And in the Toolbag segment, we will share a tool that will help you keep track of everything, allowing you to be both more productive and more organized.  We hope you enjoy the Episode…   Here are some of the things you’ll learn about in Episode #6: How to Reduce Stress Learn 5 Stages for Decluttering Your Work and Personal Life Special quote: You don't actually do a project; you can only do action steps related to it. When enough of the right action steps have been taken, some situation will have been created that matches your initial picture of the outcome closely enough that you can call it "done.” - David Allen, the author of the book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (1945 -     )   Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Here is the link to the book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity Processing Flow Chart for GTD Here is the link to the videos, further explaining the Getting Things Done system   Let’s talk about a system to tackle the tough task of time management and productivity - and all the stress that seems to come with being a busy business owner these days. Time is the only thing that we all have the same amount of daily. We all have 24 hours, but not everyone seems to make the most of each day - because of all of the ‘stuff’ that has to be done. One of the problems in our daily lives is that we’re distracted by all the things we have to do — not just the stuff we’re actually doing, but even the stuff we’re not doing. Today, we are going to make your situation better by revealing a system or a process for getting things done. The system was developed by a man named David Allen. David Allen wrote a book back in 2002. The book is called Getting Things Done. The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. Since it was first published, it has sold more than 1.6 million copies. It’s about 260 pages, and it has a very simple approach to time-management and processing all of the ‘stuff’ that comes up and along as we live our lives. I have personally used the Getting Things Done process (which is also referred to sometimes at just GTD). I have used it for several years - probably around

In this Episode, we discuss the life blood of a healthy, well-run business – and that’s repeat customers. Every business says they want repeat customers, but not every business is doing what it takes to keep them coming back again, and again and again.  So today we’ll talk about WHY repeat customers are so important and share 3 ways HOW to keep your customers coming back. We hope you enjoy the Episode…   Here are some of the things you’ll learn about in Episode #5: 5 reasons why repeat customers are so important for your HVAC business. Reason 1: Repeat customers influence other people they know. Reason 2: Repeat customers can provide testimonials or references for people they don’t know. Reason 3: Repeat customers offer valuable feedback. Reason 4: Repeat customers cost less than new ones. Reason 5: Repeat customers spend more than new ones. 3 ways to keep your customers coming back 1. Create a positive experience for your customer. 2. Build an email list so you can stay in touch with your customers after the service or installation is done. 3. Keep an eye on the competition.   Special quote: “Profit in business comes from repeat customers, customers that boast about your project or service, and that bring friends with them." - W. Edwards Deming, an American engineer, statistician, professor and management consultant (1900 - 1993)   Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Customer Survey Form (Free)   How are Repeat Customers Good For My HVAC Business?  So how important are repeat customers to your HVAC business? To be very blunt, they are EXTREMELY and can mean the difference between your business surviving or not. I have developed a list of 5 reasons why repeat customers are important and worth your effort to keep them coming back: Reason 1: Repeat customers influence other people they know. Researchers have found that a single person has the ability to influence somewhere between 50 and 300 people. I realize that’s a big swing between 50 and 300, but let’s be conservative and use the low-end. Let’s say each of your customers has influence over 50 people, and they have a good experience with your HVAC company. That means, if they were so pleased that they shared their experience with others in their life, they could refer 50 other people to your business. Wouldn’t that be nice? To have 50 new customers just because one person was impressed with the experience they had with your company. How

The internet has changed our lives in many ways. Twenty years ago, very few businesses had a website. Today, websites are a key part of the growth strategy for many successful businesses. This Episode outlines 5 reasons why your HVAC business needs an effective website to help it grow. We also share a business tool that will help keep you cool when it’s hot outside or when you are up in those attics. We hope you enjoy the Episode…   Here are some of the things you’ll learn about in Episode #4: 5 reasons to get an effective website for your HVAC business. Next to customer referrals, an effective website is THE most effective marketing tool available today. Having a website doesn’t mean it’s an effective website. How to get the most out of your website. Most small business still don’t have a business website. Only 45% of all small businesses in the U.S. have a business website, according to a 2013 Google survey. 97% of internet users look for local goods and services online - so customers expect businesses to have an online presence so they can be found. For those that find your business online, the website will be the very first impression they have of  your business - so it’s important that it look professional, be well-written and functional. Special quote: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” - Mark Twain, famous American writer   Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode: froggtoggs.com  

This Episode is really a continuation of the last Episode. Last time, we talked about why "everybody" should not be your customer. This Episode expands that conversation and shares a three-step process for defining your ideal customer, and once identified, how to identify with them. We also share a business tool that will help you stay more organized, even with the digital information, websites and links that we accumulate.  We hope you enjoy the Episode...   Here are some of the things you'll learn about in Episode #3: The 3 step process for defining your 'ideal customer'. How to identify with your 'ideal customer'. The need to properly craft your business message, services and the way you operate to meet the needs, wants and preferences of your 'ideal customer'. How to have the customer sell him or herself on your services instead of  you having to do it.   Special quote: “The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself.”   - Peter Drucker, Management Consultant, Educator, Author & overall 'Business Thinker'   Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Evernote.com

In this Episode, we will discuss why "everybody" should not be your customer and share 5 reasons why your HVAC business should narrow down and define exactly who its ideal customer is. We will also show you a business tool that will help you stay more 'connected' when out on a call or in your service vehicle. We hope you enjoy the Episode...   Here are some of the things you'll learn about in Episode #2: What is an "ideal customer". How to define your "ideal customer".  5 reasons why it is important to your HVAC business to define your "ideal customer".  A business tool to help you stay more 'connected' and efficient on the 'go' and make your HVAC business appear more professional and seem larger than it is to your customers.    Special quote: "So, I think, instead of focusing on the competition, focus on the customer.”  - Scott Cook, Founder of Intuit   Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Smartphone case option #1: OtterBox Smartphone case option #2: LifeProof

Everything starts somewhere, and for DuctWork Marketing, this Episode catapults us into the exciting world of podcasting. We hope you enjoy this Episode and will join us for more Episodes in the future!