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Business Solutions for Maximizing Profits March 2007
For over a dozen years, NSPG has been providing the tools that allow contractors to increase profits and minimize business hassles. With our simple-to-use-tools, you can make being a business owner what you always wanted to it be - successful, profitable and rewarding.

Not Just Flat Rate Questions
As we support our Numbers Cruncher and Flat Rate users, certain frequently asked questions become apparent.  Some of these questions are directed toward a specific NSPG product, but the concepts can be applied to most businesses.  Here's a sampling of a common question stream that leads to some answers that any service business can use.

How Many Price Columns should I use in my Price Guides?
Keeping it simple is key. Some of the most successful contractors have moved to using just one price column, and most use just two columns.

Why would they do this?
Showing one price is less confusing to your clients and your techs.  Making your sales process and training easier and more effective.

What about overtime rates?
This brings us back to Numbers Crunchers, and how you calculate your breakeven. The key is to accurately allocate the productive hours for each tech.  For example, if you use 20 productive hours weekly, and your tech works overtime and brings in additional hours.  Your profits can increase substantially.  This can be simulated on the Numbers Cruncher Analysis form.

What about Add-on repairs?
Here’s what we have found.  Our clients who have removed Add-ons and moved to one or two column pricing have NOT experienced lower tasks per call performance. However, they have experienced higher average sales and increased profits. Why do you assume your client expects a discount because you are performing more than one task? Do not assume your client requires a discount to make the sale.  Make a change and track your results.

How can we Increase our Tasks per Call number?
Arm your technicians with a checklist of common jobsite repair targets, and have them ask questions. 

  • Mrs. Jones, would you like me to check your other two toilets for water leakage?
  • Has anyone visually inspected your washer hoses?  They have a tendency to balloon out and burst as they age. Would you like me the check them for you now?
  • Mrs. Jones has anyone inspected your water heater?  As your heater ages, it may be showing signs of fatigue.  Would you like me to inspect it for you now?

To encourage your techs to follow your extra repair checklists, you can run a monthly contest for the Tech with the highest task per call average for the month.

Remember that your experience can  help your client avoid an unexpected emergency. Your expertise and professionalism can protect your client's home from the damage that can be caused by the failure of old and worn out equipment.  You can save them time and money if you just communicate the potential problems.

There's no need to sell anything.  When you honestly inform your clients about the potential hazards along with the solutions you have to offer, the decision to make the purchase from your company is easy.  Increasing your task per call average can be a win-win situation.


Measure Monthly, Adjust Quarterly
 & Achieve Annual Profit Goals


 On-Line Resources

The Freight Source

Many of us have to ship or receive items that are too large or expensive to use a general delivery service like UPS. The Freight Source can help with these large shipments by consolidating your shipment with other less than truckload shipments to get a better price.

New Energy Efficiency & Solar incentive programs.



Windows Vista
The newest version of Windows was released two months ago.  We are advising our users to wait a while before moving to Windows Vista.  Waiting for the first few patches and hardware device drivers to be released makes sense.  If you can wait for late 2007 or later, most of the hardware and software incompatibilities will be discovered and dealt with.  This will make your transition to Vista much easier. 

Microsoft will support Windows XP Pro into 2009 and extended support for several years more.  That should allow plenty of time to make the transition.

In This Issue

Phone 800 841-8542
Freebie of
the Month

The freebie of the month is a web site or product that we feel gives you some-thing worth looking at or using that costs you nothing.

At Microsoft Office Live Basics you can get your own business web site for free.  This free offer includes the name registration, 500 MB of storage, and 25 email addresses. 

Microsoft Office Live Basics is a template based system, so you can design your own web site in an hour or two.  It's not very flexible, but you can include photos and logos as well as your own descriptive text and contact information.  If you use Outlook 2007, your calendar and email can automatically sync with your new site.

Here's a sample site made with their template system.

Microsoft will pay for renewing the name each year, so your ongoing cost should be low.

If you want a web presence at a very low price, this may be a good place to start.  You will need to be running Internet Explorer to work with your free web site.

If you have a favorite Free site, let us know.
nspginfo@nspgweb.com

 



House Magnet

Van Magnet

Business Card Magnet

Magnetic Truck Sign

 


Coming Sooner



Free Numbers Cruncher v1.5 Support Has Ended 

The latest version of Numbers Cruncher (v2.5) was released over a year ago.    Since most users have already upgraded to the new expanded version, they will continue to enjoy the free support that is included with the new Numbers Cruncher

 

The special one year extension of free support for users who have not upgraded to version 2.5 of Numbers cruncher expired on December 29, 2006.  If you have not upgraded, you can continue to get the support you need while you crunch Your own numbers.  You have 2 choices for continued support. 

  1. Upgrade to version 2.5 with its many new features and improvements for the upgrade price of just $299.95.  This includes the exciting new Divisional breakout feature that will allow you to accurately price all of your services based on their actual costs.

  2. Numbers Cruncher 1.5 support subscription service.  This service includes the same email and phone support you have come to rely on.  You can order your annual support subscription for just $149.99 now .

You can get more information about Numbers Cruncher
or order your upgrade at
NumbersCruncher.com or call 800-841-8542.
  

The Comfortech Roadshow Series 2007 Continues.

Dates for the seminars are:

  • Nashville, TN - Wednesday, March 28, 2007 Holiday Inn Select Opryland/Airport 2200 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37214
  • Philadelphia, PA Wednesday, April 11, 2007 Hilton Valley Forge 251 West Dekalb Pike, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406
  • Columbus, OH - Wednesday, May 2, 2007 The Midwest Hotel & Conference Center, 4900 Sinclair Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229
  • Milwaukee, WI - Wednesday, May 16, 2007 Radisson Milwaukee Airport 6331 South 13th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53221

Bill Raymond of Frank & Lindy Plumbing & Heating Service Company will be speaking at all of the events.

A limited number of tickets are available through Nexstar.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Lisa Schardt.

 

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Numbers Cruncher and NSPG Flat Rate Price Books training

 

Portable Desk for forms and invoices
Portable Desk

     HVAC Service Invoice   


Ever Wonder

Where Did the Money Go?

    
    

Call 800-841-8542 now so we can answer your questions and show how we can help you build a more profitable business.

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NSPG, Inc. PO Box 1168, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
800-841-8542
201-767-5520
Our E-mail address: nspginfo@nspgweb.com