KickStart: Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. C. S. Lewis
I’ll admit it. When I started my first Home Services business I was a cocky, proud and yet insecure jerk!😲 (My dear wife is saying right now, “So Steve, you think you’ve changed over the last 50 years?”)🤔 Hmmmmm…
KickStart: Flip a home service customer’s “thank you” by reminding them it is YOU who should be grateful to THEM!
I always loved hearing a homeowner’s sincere (sometimes almost worshipful)😲 “Thank you, Steve” as I packed up my tools!
I’m sure your clients are incredibly grateful for you and your service company too! After all, you do great work.👍 But, more importantly you also focus on the homeowner’s emotions! (Remember, a thankful client will be much more likely to leave your business a glowing online review!)
But still, WHO should be grateful to WHOM? After all, your client is paying you… not the other way around! So create yet another Positive Moment of Truth with your residential customer by replying…
KickStart: Give homeowners the ‘gift of control’ by explaining the “1) WHO, 2) WHAT and 3) WHEN” of what will be happening in their residence.
“There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” Acts 20:35
Almost 2000 years ago the Apostle Paul reminded us that giving bring “happiness”. And yes, you will be very happy when you GIVE the Illusion of Control to your residential clients! (Even better, your 5-star Google reviews will sky-rocket!)
REMEMBER: Homeowners don’t want to actually DO the work. (That’s why they called you!)😉 But they do want to FEEL in control of the job! (And NOT be surprised!) Hopefully you’ll start giving this all-important Illusion of Control during a customer’s first phone call. Then keep on giving control when you…
KickStart: Asking permission creates a trusting relationship with your residential clients.
“There is no substitute for hard work.” Thomas A. Edison
Do you love to work? If so, CONGRATULATIONS! And yet, over many years of working with homeowners, I’ve learned this “git ‘er done” attitude can be a trap! Here’s why…
You (or your employees) show up at a home, eager to kick butt and “git ‘er done”! But wait! Never forget you must first recognize and work with the pesky emotions of a nervous residential customer!🙄
KickStart: “Any time a customer comes into contact with any aspect of a business, however remote, is an opportunity to form an impression with a Moment of Truth.” Jan Carlzon, Moments of Truth (1985)
Way back in the 1980’s this “Moment of Truth”(MOT) concept transformed my life! (Thanks, Jan!) Click HERE to review why MOT’s are so very important in our Home Services industry.
Of course, it’s easy to say: “Great idea, Steve!”👍 And then go back to putting out fires and/or planning your next trip to Disney World!😲 Instead, I urge you to…
KickStart: When your home service caller says, “Let me think about it…” tactfully respond with a sneaky question to ‘smoke out’ their real concern!
It’s just so darned frustrating! You answered the phone cheerfully, the ‘chemistry’ with your caller was great and they seemed ready to schedule. So, you tried to close the sale and…
Your prospect replied, “Well, let me think about it and I’ll call you back…”
AARGH! Your caller is lying!😡 She’s NOT going to “call you back”!😥 In fact, she’s already checking your competitor’s website while ‘bailing out’ on you! What’s going on?
KickStart: “Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory” Miguel Cervantes
Normally you’ll find me commiserating with the poor owners (and managers) of residential service companies. (This can be a tough business!)
But let’s save some pity for your front-line workers! After all, every day they’re walking into the “minefield” of a customer’s home!😲
“A minefield, Steve? Seriously?” Too dramatic for you? Then think on this: The dictionary says a minefield is: “Any area filled with hidden explosive devices.”
Hmmmm…🤔 So, are your client’s homes “filled with hidden explosive devices”? Absolutely! Think how often your employees (or you) get bushwhacked by a homeowner “blowing up” with zero warning and for no apparent reason! (The stories I could share!)🙄