Business Management

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In the residential plumbing service business, we tend to be closed-minded, only focusing on what the customers called us out to their homes for.

Have you ever learned something the hard way and then found yourself thinking, “Gee, I wish someone had told me that!” As the years pass, we all learn, or should learn, a few new things.

To Kyle Lessard, owner of Las Vegas-based Eternal Plumbing Solutions, the business is more than just a plumbing company; it is a service company focused on the customers’ experience.

CK Mechanical currently has more than 20 employees, between the office staff, master plumbers, journeymen and apprentices.

Kevin Maston was working for another plumbing company and was constantly getting calls from his family, friends and acquaintances requesting plumbing work. Not comfortable working for an employer and doing side work, Maston started CK Mechanical at age 34 with $1,350 in his bank account.

For more than 17 years, I’ve been helping contractors learn and practice good habits. It has improved their lives, their employees’ lives and even the lives of the customers they serve.

Uniform programs have long been a tool in helping improve and maintain business image by effectively promoting a company brand and projecting a professional appearance. And research continues to support an overall consumer preference for being serviced by uniformed employees.

The inaugural event is scheduled for April 30-May 2, in Rosemont, Illinois, and will showcase the latest design and building processes, products and emerging technologies.

Many years ago a really good friend in the industry told me something I will never forget. He said, “Never abandon what got you to where you are.” That statement can mean lots of things to many different people, but when it comes to being successful within the trades industry the meaning is pretty clear.

Everyone’s made a bad hire. I have. You have. Let’s face it, no one gets it right 100% of the time. Having said that, there are actions you can take each day to improve your hiring process and minimize your level of hiring mistakes.