Ellen Rohr

Wizaard

Ellen is something else! Her ability to capture daily observations and weave them into meaningful messages that can help our businesses is awesome. In her latest article in PM she uses a motorcycle accident that her son was in to tell us how dependent we are on each other for survival.

I believe Ellen has captured one of the primary problems within our profession. She states, "There are approximately 57,000 home service plumbing companies in the US. Less than 2,000 of those companies belong to PSI, C-2000, QSC or another plumbing industry business development group." I simply cannot understand how a company can continue to prosper year after year, operating as an island, isolated from the business development help others can provide.

Ellen says it is all about partnerships. Choose your partners wisely and you will actually strengthen your independence. Man, if this isn't true!! (except of course in hvac consolidated companies)

Not all groups or associations may be right for you. Do a little research, ask around and give one a shot. Of course do not expect manna to drop from the heavens and make you instantly successful. You have to actually get your hands in there and need the dough. If you need good enough the dough will come, turn into manna and rain down upon your company. Don't forget to tell others of your experience too!

MURPH'

I agree ........

To an extent. But keep in mind that many many of these shops are one, two ,three men operations. With this in mind, these groups that claim to want to raise the bar need to re-evaluate start-up cost involved with the programs.


Now lets do some simple math, as simple as possible;

suppose the cost per company is five grand a year, with this there are two guys at a cost of 2500$ per man per year.


same group signs up ten truck company, at cost of say 5,000$ per year, (see where i am going here)


Since I checked out these groups and brought this up, no-one seems to really care about this issue, not complaining mind you, but I really think this should be considered during the recruiting drives (that seems to be what the advertising is for) !!


Now tell me this, If they were more concerned about raising the bar of the industry?/ would they not want to make these organizations more attainable for the masses?? In what I see is for them to need large up front cost then to deliver tons of material to wade through and implement!! might be alright for second, third generation companies who have the time and resources, but what about the small shops where the owners are still swinging wrenches.


I have spoken to Charlie wallace (qsc)about this , and did not come away with any solutions other than sitting on the fence and watching. Perhaps a progressive initiation fees for the smaller companies would be in order. yes would be somewhat a chore to police this, but what else could be the answers than getting smacked twice with cost and time needed to wade through all the material at once. Sort these issues out and perhaps the memberships would grow beyond less than 3% of the companies out there. (really do not want to get into finite numbers here)


Thanks


Murph' (SOS)

Wizaard

Good points Murph. I do believe there are some cost effective alternatives though. NCI's National Comfort Team and the Service Roundtable are two that come quickly to mind. Some cities have good working chamber of commerces and there are business networking groups around. The HVAC Channel has good stuff along with live interaction with industry experts.

hot_rod

Yugo associations!

Oopps sorry about the Y word again As the Wiz mentioned there are all price ranges out there.

We had a small informal group in Utah. Once a month we would gather at someones shop and sit and chat. The host shop would supply beverages and snacks. Fairly inexpensive fun. We stayed away from price discussion, as per an attorneys advise early on.

Did a similar idea when I moved to Missouri at a HVAC shop I worked for. We would invite an inspector to review code amendments, or to prep guys for the license tests, an insurance guy to go over that type of stuff, sometimes a rep or wholesaler. It was an open to any shop in the area. Nice to gather with the competitors now and then.

Most of the shops in this town get along well and help each other from time to time. Pretty small town around here, that way.

Now with the high dollar groups you get to rub shoulders with Terry Bradshaw's. These groups generally come with a higher price tag, as you know. Just depends on what you are looking for, and what you want to spend

Hard to beat the "bang for the bucks" right here on the Ole Wall. Couldn't buy this much info and experience at any price

hot rod

MURPH'

thanks Wizarrd......

I am a former (founding) member of service roundtable group, this was more geared toward the ac side of the biz. I have told david heimer to keep me posted when they get to involving the pipes side of the trade. I have signed up for the NCI as know with your welcome post to me, but yes these two do not turn you upside down if they do not work out. I am all alone on this side of PA> and the phcc has like five members over here, everything else is in the far east, but that may be my next investigation.



I just wanted to bring the point of a progressive start-up to the/our conversation in case any of the powers that be are listening (G)


Have a great day

and thanks for all the snow

Murph'

Wayco Wayne

In the Hvac

side of things we have ACCA. I've been a member for most of my business life. It has been a great resourcw for my business. It even runs a trade school for this area by co-oping with a local Community college for room space and administrative chores. (I get to teach in the 3rd year journeymans class) I met a young Dan Foley some 15 years back at a round table discussion conference in Williamsburg VA.that was put on by ACCA. We were the only 2 with an interest in radiant floor. He's done some amazing things since. ACCA has a dinner meeting this Tuesday with a guest speaker discussing a new HVAC permit needed in our County. It doesn't pay to try and go it alone. Even though I am a small 2 man shop it gives me resources way beyond my own to drive for higher quality.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"