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.
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Dates
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