Why (and How) “Complacency” Can Doom Your Service Business!

overwhelmed service manager

KickStart: “Success breeds complacency. Complacency breeds failure…” Andrew Grove, CEO of Intel

During his eleven years(1987-1998) as CEO at Intel, Andy Grove used his absolute hatred of “business complacency” to rocket Intel’s value by 4,500%! (From $4 billion to $197 billion!)  But now let’s talk about you and your residential services business…

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FOCUS on Service Prospects Incoming Phone Calls!

nervous home service pro

KickStart: Stop treating your business phone as a distraction. Instead, obsess over each and every service inquiry! 

nervous home service proWhen your business phone rings do you: A) ecstatically scream with delight?👍💪💖 B) fall into an anxiety attack?😬 or C) collapse in panicked dread?😨 For all you “B” and “C” folks, let’s move you into the delighted “A” category with a ringing phone!

First, reflect on the HUGE stakes with this caller. I know, you’re thinking, “Ummmm, Steve, I thought you were going to cheer me up. I’m even more freaked out now!” My reply?

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Outsmart Your Competition with Differentiation

satisfied service customer
satisfied service customer

Never “Price Match” What Your Service Competitor Charges!

KickStart: Maintain your prices high enough that homeowners routinely wince… and then book the job anyway!

True Confession Time: Steve Toburen is not remotely an accountant and/or a financial planner. In fact, Steve HATES and despises “number crunching” of any type!😡

In fact, I tell each client and every online class I teach: “I’ve always been good at MAKING money. But I’m terrible at counting, tracking or even investing this money!”

And yet, even with this major financial disability I’ve enjoyed a very successful career as the owner of multiple Home Service businesses! I’ve built my (very profitable) success on one informal pricing concept I call…

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The Unexpected Happens! Will You Be Ready in Your Service Business?

two home pros establishing a strategic partnership

KickStart: “… the inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences.” (Proverbs 22: 3)  If you choose to “stay small” protect yourself going forward.

content home service contractorI’m so very proud of you! You’ve analyzed your personality, skills, circumstances and what you (and your family) want out of life.

This honest self-appraisal may have convinced you that the inevitable stress, drama and (at times) agonizing sacrifices required to build a larger Critical Mass Business simply aren’t for you. Instead…

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Two Huge Final Inspection Techniques Before Leaving the Job Site

residential client examines service work with magnifying glass
residential client examines service work with magnifying glass

KickStart: Before leaving give your residential customer a quick walk-through while explaining any possible “areas of concern”.

Discover Customer Complaints Before They Explode

Your company has finished another great job… CONGRATULATIONS!👍 The client loves your crew and it’s time to head to the next job. Right? NO… wrong!

Instead, invest a few proactive minutes to show your customer “The good, the bad and the ugly” of how the job turned out. “The ugly, Steve?” Yep, you’ll clearly explain the “WHY” of a not-quite-perfect job. (You’ve already pre-oriented the homeowner on the “1) WHO, 2) WHAT and 3) WHEN”.) Here’s why…

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OBSESS Over Emotional Intelligence In Residential Contractor Services

Introduction – Successful Companies Focus on Emotions In the residential services world, profits matter—but emotional intelligence might be your real secret weapon. It’s not just about fixing pipes or wiring homes; it’s about understanding the nervous, skeptical, even fearful emotions your clients feel when strangers walk through their doors. And here’s the kicker: your employees …

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