Mar 1, 2020 | Columns, Consultants' Corner
by Richard Harshaw In my last column, I wrote about an important ratio I call the material to labor ratio (M:L ratio). I defined it as the ratio of material used on jobs to the amount of direct labor used to install that material on jobs. I wrote that it takes a...
Mar 1, 2020 | Columns, Consultants' Corner
By Lorraine Ball Every client asks, “Will my website be on page one of Google when it launches?” The short answer is no. The longer answer is not right away, but you can get there if you really work at it. What do I mean by work at it? Here’s how to build an SEO...
Feb 25, 2020 | Columns, Consultants' Corner
By Richard Harshaw Hidden in your financial statements—particularly your statement of income and expenses (“P&L”)—is gold that most contractors (and no bankers) don’t even know is there. It is in the form of a simple but critical ratio that I call the M:L Ratio....
Feb 25, 2020 | Columns, Consultants' Corner
by Lorraine Ball For most of us, starting a business meant learning lots of new skills. I wanted to do marketing strategy, but I had to learn do bookkeeping and payroll, fill out forms and pay taxes. I learned to use software programs and how to set up computer...
Feb 25, 2020 | Columns, Consultants' Corner
by Jim Hinshaw A couple of months ago I shared Selling Systems Today, some ideas on how to sell HVAC systems and services. Took a break for the holidays, hope you had a marvelous holiday season, and now back to selling those systems again. #1 reason qualified buyers...
Dec 3, 2019 | Columns, Consultants' Corner
by Jim Hinshaw Got to thinking about this time of year, getting cool out there, we are getting furnaces tuned up, and there may be opportunities for replacement quotes. I am not a fan of quoting systems, I would much rather sell systems. So I will share some ideas on...