search
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
    • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
    • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • WATER TREATMENT
    • PMC COLUMNS
      • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
      • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
      • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
    • CONTINUING EDUCATION
    • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
    • FIRE PROTECTION
    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
    • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
    • PME COLUMNS
      • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
      • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
      • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
      • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
    • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
    • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
    • CODES
    • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
    • PROJECT PROFILES
    • COLUMNS
      • Codes Corner
      • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
      • Guest Editorial
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
    • DIRECTORIES
    • EBOOKS
    • PM BOOKSTORE
    • CE CENTER
    • MARKET RESEARCH
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
  • SIGN UP!

Self-Study or Personal Coach?

By Al Levi
Al Levi
November 18, 2013

During the Free 30-Minute Consulting Call I’ve been offering to contractors since 2002, we always get into a discussion about how they, the contractor, likes to learn. Near the end of the call, I share what usually works with clients. I explain that there are generally two ways to learn:

  1. Self-study where you’re required to have the discipline to apply yourself, or
  2. You need to hire a consultant to work one-to-one with you.

I also share what their other options besides me might be to get the specific type of help they’re seeking. I share with them that working on their business to get it fit can be a lot like how someone would go about their personal fitness routine.

One option is to plug in an exercise video and if disciplined enough do the push-ups and sit-ups to get into shape. The other option is they can get in shape by hiring a personal trainer to customize a fitness program for them. They can work with the trainer to monitor results, make adjustments, provide guidance along the way and give them the push they may need to reach their goals.

 

What will work best for you?

Many times which path they choose to get their business fit is based on what we’ve been discussing during the call, such as their past experiences when it comes to learning on their own or with professional help. The other factor is what their circumstances currently are when it comes to what they have in the way of time, energy and money to invest.

Some contractors actually prefer to learn on their own and at their own pace. They have no fear of going it alone when it comes to getting the information and the knowledge they desire. All they really seek is to better understand their choices, what they’ll be getting when they buy a self-study program and what the WIIFMs (What’s In It For Me) to each program. For them, a book, an eBook, a binder or series of binders, a seminar, a webinar and other types of self-study programs fit them best. It certainly is a more affordable option.

Other contractors have been at this process of trying to get their business fit for quite a while and they have the bumps and bruises to show for it. If they’re small or stuck in an owner-operator level they know they need one-to-one help to get to the next level. It’s been a ceiling they can’t break through on their own because they lack the systems, procedures and know-how to get their company bigger and better. They have discovered there are no more hours left in the day to do it all.

 

Get things under control

And there are still another group of contractors who have grown their companies wildly and now their company has grown out of control. It’s proving to be exhausting and expensive in terms of both stress and money lost. They have arrived at a point where they need to get things under control to survive and to set the stage for what they hope will be the next level they seek, which will have them thriving not just surviving.

Anyone you choose to make your company better will pay you enormous dividends, but you must come to the process with the intent to make a change for the better and with the will and determination to make working on the business a priority vs. just working in it.

 

Not Born A Businessman…Were You?...

It’s okay. Here’s what just one client had to say about how to get better:

“We grew up in the trade like most contractors do with a toolbox in hand. But, it doesn’t help you when the craziness of running a business hits. That’s why you need a plan like the one Al helped us with. Now we work on the right project, at the right time and in the right way."

Here are just 3 of the many great things that have happened at our company with our work with Al:

  • We don’t feel like we’re hostages to own staff anymore. Agreed upon known standards coupled with the power of the steps of discipline helps people either get on board or exit the company.
  • Our sales of big ticket install jobs are climbing and our install jobs now run smoothly. They’re designed right so the jobs come in on-time and on-budget with a profit. We know how well it’s all working because we keep getting flooded with great customer testimonials!
  • We learned how to Exit the Warehouse Business and create the right type of Model Trucks that ended the constant running around for parts and wasteful spending on an out of control warehouse.

Jeff and Dale Gerber, Co-Owners

Homestead Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Energy

Ellington, CT

 

Go to www.appleseedbusiness.com and get started by getting your free 30-minute call today!

 

ANNOUNCEMENT:

What’s the number one question I get asked? …

“How do I get my phone ringing NOW?”

I hear you and that’s why I took the highly successful program calledGet More Calls Now and made it even more affordable by making it a self-study program.

Learn more here:   www.GetMoreCallsNow.com    

 


HELPFUL LINKS:

Step by Step Program

Give Me 60 Minutes And I'll Show You The Secrets To Running A Profitable Service Business … Even During A Recession!  

Share This Story

200x200 7power blog

Al Levi teaches contractors how to run their businesses with less stress and more success with operating manuals. To get control of your business and grow the right way, check out the "7-Power Contractor Signature Operating Manuals System," at 7powercontractor.com/manuals. Also check out Zoom Franchise Co. at zoomdrainfranchise.com. It’s a living example of the power of manuals and more in action.

Recent Comments

Very informative post

Experience matters even if it's not yours

Importance Of Making Employees Aware About Company Policies And Procedures

This is key for any business in my...

[No title]

Subscribe For Free!
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Plumbing & Mechanical audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Plumbing & Mechanical or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • J.J. Keller CMV vehicles on road
    Sponsored byJ. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

    The dash cam game-changer for small business safety

Popular Stories

The interior of a government building.

President Trump signs executive order promoting skilled trades and apprenticeships

Figure 1 is a sketch of the flow problems of the current plumbing system.

Hydronic heating glitch solved: Why adding a circulator won't fix primary loop flow issue

Underfloor heating installation with drain sewer hole in bathroom close up on water floor heating.

Using hydronics to leverage time-of-use electrical rates

PMCE Home-X April 29 Free Webinar: From Legacy to Leadership: Preparing Your Home Services Business for the Next Generation

Events

November 13, 2024

Future Proofing MEP: Navigating the 2026 High Efficiency Water Heating Standards

Join our deep dive into DOE’s new standards so you can future-proof your MEP practice.

EARN: 0.1 ASPE CEU; 1 AIA LU/HSW; 0.1 IACET CEU*; 1 PDH

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Will business be up or down in 2025?

Do you anticipate business in 2025 to be up or down in comparison to 2024?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Water Came To A Stop

The Water Came To A Stop

See More Products

Download the FREE Water Conservation, Quality & Safety eBook: Plumbing Trends Increasing Safe Water Availability

×

Keep your content unclogged with our newsletters!

Stay in the know on the latest plumbing & piping industry trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Supply House Times
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing