KickStart: “You never get a second chance to make a first IMPRESSion.” Will Rogers
Good old Will was correct! One of the best ways to immediately IMPRESS a homeowner is to…
Essentials
It’s Not ONLY About the Homeowner Client!
KickStart: The homeowner is always watching… everything and everywhere! Behave accordingly!
I’ve taught (pontificated?) extensively on the absolutely essential homeowner/service tech relationship. Basically, everything, including your family’s future financial welfare, comes down to how the client feels about your people involved in their service transaction!
However, emotions (and feelings) can be… complicated.🫢 (“Ya think, Steve?”) I’m reminded of a TV host, Art Linkletter, back in the day. Art was famous for his “Kids Say the Darndest Things!” observation. I would morph this into, “Clients Think (and Feel) the Darndest Things!” This means…
Ban These Items on Residential Jobs!
KickStart: Don’t allow 1) sunglasses, 2) ringing cell phones and/or 3) bad attitudes inside your client’s homes! Read on…
Back in the day, I loved pulling up to a new residential customer. New people, a new job-site, and new challenges. (Say what you will, our home services industry is seldom boring!)👍
Sure, I always had a few butterflies too.🫢 Did the office give me an accurate work order? The right tools and materials? Will I be able to get to my next job on time? And most urgently- will this homeowner be a total idiot?😲
In Home Services … You Must-
KickStart: “Seek first to understand.” Stephen R. Covey
Many, many, many🙄 years ago I finally learned that all successful Residential Services companies are “Emotionally Based”.
I know, you’re shaking your head here while muttering, “No, Steve you don’t get it. I own a plumbing/ carpet cleaning/ lawn care, and/or HVAC company”. My reply? “No, these things are the physical service(s) you deliver. BUT…
Homeowner Cheerleaders: The Emotional Benefits
KickStart: Homeowner Customer Cheerleaders provide a huge emotional ROI to all involved in a Home Services business.
Your business should be about much more than pure, naked gree… I mean profits! Instead…
Your residential services company should build a close emotional bond (dare I say even “love”?)😲 between you, your employees AND your clients.
Reflections: For me, I LOVED💖 creating “something of value”, a residential services company that (most of the time!)🙄 ran like a well-oiled machine. But my true focus was on “values”.
Homeowner Cheerleaders: The Indirect Benefits
KickStart: Residential Home Services Cheerleaders not only provide immediate benefits but will also help your company indirectly!
We recently focused on how delighted “Customer Cheerleaders” can help your residential services company immediately.
After all, Cheerleaders will help you immediately with 1) booking skittish callers*, 2) improved cash flow, AND 3) let you charge (much) more than the “going rate”!
Homeowner Cheerleaders: The Immediate Benefits
KickStart: The true ROI on making a Residential Customer Cheerleader is much more than the direct financial profits they produce. (Which is a LOT!)
“Ummm, what’s a ‘Cheerleader’, Steve?”🤔 A Cheerleader is a homeowner that is so delighted and yes, surprised with the level of service they’ve received they will “sing your praises from the rooftops”! (And more importantly, post multiple 5-star reviews online!)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So, it’s a no-brainer! An ecstatic Cheerleader Customer is an incredibly valuable asset! Which is why I’m always amazed that so few residential service contractors focus on systems to create Cheerleaders!😥
Don’t Hate on “Home Service Price Shoppers”!
KickStart: Recognize the long term consequences of not focusing on every service caller!
“Aargh, another ‘how much do you charge’ caller!” (Screamed as I slammed down the phone!) “I hate price shoppers!” 😡
Steve’s True Confessions Time: This “I hate price shoppers!” outburst was an ongoing complaint from my office staff for many years.
However, I finally realized my company needed to…
Why (and How to) Focus on Your Last Scene with the Homeowner
KickStart: Before leaving, give clients a “tour” of the job and thank them for their business.💖
I know, you (and your front-line workers) are under a lot of pressure.😲
The phone (hopefully) keeps ringing and every crew needs to “shoehorn in” an extra job or two… every day! So, it’s tempting to bang out this project and ZOOM off to the next Job! Don’t fall into this trap!👎
The Essential PTL (Permission To Leave) for Home Service Pros
KickStart: Help your residential clients feel “in control” by reviewing each phase of the job with them personally.
Successful Home Services entrepreneurs know they must consistently make Customer Cheerleaders. (And in the process earn 5-star reviews!)
How to create these delighted Homeowners?🤔 Give your residential clients the “Illusion of Control”. In fact…