Masters of Home Service

Why Your Top-Performing Employees Leave

In this episode, dive deep into the reasons why top performers might leave your team and learn effective strategies to retain them. Hear about an innovative "shine wall" recognition system, and tactics for creating a culture that promotes growth, recognition, and rewards. Uncover the crucial role of company culture, the importance of addressing low performers, and practical advice for creating an environment that encourages excellence and continuous improvement. Listen in for insights on building a team where top performers thrive and contribute to the success of your business. Join host Adam Sylvester, David Moerman, owner of Revive Services and the Home Service Business Coach and Raquel Lindsay, owner of Sparkle and Shine Cleaning Services.
 
Introduction to the episode and guests [0:30]
Becoming a leader who attracts top talent [1:40]
Creating a culture of recognition and reward [2:19]
Sparkle and Shine's "shine wall" [3:06]
Incentivizing excellent client service (with real examples) [4:14]
Categorizing employees and the impact of each type on business growth [6:00]
The negative impact of keeping low performers on the team [7:42]
Measuring retention rates and turnover [10:55]
Gamifying incentives with employees [12:32]
Listening to employee’s needs to improve retention [13:41]
Creating tracks for employee advancement [14:40]
What guest love about Jobber [16:33]
Insights from Patrick Lencioni's book "Three Signs of a Miserable Job" [18:19]
Being a confident leader to create an environment of trust and growth [20:37]
Importance of developing soft skills and personal growth within the team [22:40]
The role of one-on-one meetings and personal connections in retaining top performers [24:30]
Attracting great employees by bumping up industry average pay on job postings [25:17]
Adam’s takeaway tips [26:38]

New Leads, More Customers, High Rankings: Optimizing Your Website

Looking to level up your home service business online? This episode covers it all: optimizing Google My Business and Facebook, choosing between DIY or professional website development, and effective lead capture tactics. Learn how to increase website traffic through engaging blog content and the benefits of online scheduling. It’s the perfect blend of practical advice and expert strategies for enhancing your digital presence and driving growth. Join host Adam Sylvester, and Phil Risher, owner of Phlash Consulting.
 
Introduction to the episode and guest [0:15]
Using platforms like Google My Business and Facebook versus your own website [1:59]
Building a website using basic platforms or hire a professional [3:42]
Professional website development for scaling businesses [6:07]
Optimizing Google My Business and Facebook pages [7:40]
3 website strategies for effective lead capturing [10:01]
The two-pronged approach to pricing pages and conversions [12:10]
Increase website traffic with blog content [14:04]
Gathering useful data with Jobber's reporting features [15:46]
Balancing website plugins with site speed [17:48]
Basic breakdown of onsite and offsite SEO [19:04]
Creating service area web pages for targeted SEO and local reach [20:37]
Hiring the right companies for your local business [22:18]
The positive impact of online scheduling and booking [24:27]
Adam’s takeaway tips: Include a chat widget, online booking and the ability to get a quote on your website, optimize your Google Business Profile, it’s where the majority of your leads will come from and build a page for each service area [25:50]

3 Profit Boosting Strategies for Your Business

Tune in to this episode for a practical take on mastering profits, revenue and expenses. This episode also sheds light on common myths around revenue and expenses and emphasizes the need for a business model for sustainable growth. This episode covers a mix of essential financial insights and real-world advice for business owners looking to get ahead. Join host Adam Sylvester, Christine Hodge, CEO of Clearview Washing and David Moerman, owner of Revive Services and the Home Service Business Coach.
 
Definition of gross profit [0:54]
Factors influencing profit and loss [1:31]
Managing direct labor costs [3:05]
Gross profit calculations and managing fixed costs [3:56]
Raising prices and its impact on business [5:22]
Real-life example of effective pricing strategy [6:42]
Operational efficiencies in the field [7:56]
Critical role of business education and planning [9:34]
Myths about revenue and expense management [11:07]
Sharing business financials with employees [14:10]
Owner involvement in field operations [17:03]
Employee coaching for operational efficiency [18:39]
Net profitability for business growth [19:11]
High profitability for small-scale operations [21:03]
Balancing marketing expenses and net profits [22:29]
Marketing investments and their impact on growth [23:39]
Solid business model for scaling [24:24]
Adam’s takeaway tips [26:01]

Gain a Competitive Edge with Efficient Operations

This episode is perfect for business owners looking to improve operational efficiency and make informed decisions for sustainable growth. From common mistakes in business models and pricing to the transition between sales and production. Understand the impact of technology in refining processes and boosting efficiency, and the importance of process-driven approaches and strategic planning in scaling your business. Join host Adam Sylvester, Christine Hodge, CEO of Clearview Washing and David Moerman, owner of Revive Services and the Home Service Business Coach.
 
Most common operational issues entrepreneurs make [1:15]
Flawed business models and pricing issues [2:18]
Handoff between sales and production [3:41]
Using technology for streamlining processes [5:33]
Process-driven approaches in scaling a business and ensuring quality [7:29]
Value of checklists, job forms, and visual aids [08:35]
Effective problem solving and decision-making [10:57]
Adapting business strategies and services based on employee feedback [12:09]
Documentation in sales and operations, like inbound call scripts [12:54]
Cashflow management strategies [14:04]
What the guests love about Jobber [16:19]
Managing complex jobs [17:42]
Handling large commercial projects [20:06]
Effective communication in complex operations [22:27]
Operational efficiency for business growth [24:50]
Weekly operations team meetings [26:47]
Need for detailed documentation in business operations [27:36]
Adam’s takeaway tips [28:10]

Skyrocket Business Success with Physical and Mental Training

Dive into the importance of balancing physical, mental and emotional health in this episode. Guests share insights on the impact of fitness on mental clarity and leadership skills. You'll get practical tips on balancing work and personal life, setting up a schedule for hobbies, and the importance of morning routines and good nutrition. It's about finding that sweet spot between professional drive and personal well-being. Tune in for a mix of professional wisdom and personal health tips. Join host Adam Sylvester, Andy Weins, owner of Camo Crew Junk Removal and host of the Trash Talk Business Podcast, and Paul Jamison, host of the Green Industry Podcast.
 
Consequences of not being physically fit [1:06]
Connection of physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing [2:06]
Delegate tasks to others, giving yourself more time for wellness [2:56]
How a healthy work-life balance influences leadership [3:33]
Setting boundaries and implementing effective time management [6:10]
How to set up your schedule for hobbies and personal time [9:13]
Prioritizing physical fitness and staying accountable [11:41]
What the guests love about Jobber [13:50]
Impact of morning routines [14:57]
Getting back into a routine after a long period of time [17:52]
Thoughts on physical fitness, healthy habits and good nutrition [19:26]
Thoughts on priority management, not time management [21:28]
Adam’s takeaway tips [22:10]

Make $1K+ per Job With Christmas Lighting in the Off-Season

Learn how you increase your profits in the off-season with Christmas light installation! This episode covers topics like expanding your existing service offerings to include holiday lighting, strategies for maximizing profits, and how beginners can get started. Learn about the do's and don'ts, including why quality matters, and explore the potential of recurring revenue models. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with valuable tips for lighting up your business success. Join host Adam Sylvester and David Moerman, owner of Revive Services and the Home Service Business Coach.
 
Expanding services to include Christmas lights [1:00]
Profitability of Christmas light installation [1:47]
Misconceptions about cross-selling [3:01]
Mistakes to avoid, like using low quality materials [4:50]
Operational model of leasing and storing lights for customers [6:49]
Revenue potential per day [8:21]
Generating leads and marketing for Christmas light services [11:03]
Using Jobber for running the business [12:34]
Pricing strategies and choosing the right colors of lights [14:54]
Getting started with technical training and initial investment [18:30]
Avoiding complex jobs [20:20]
Adam’s takeaway tips [22:07]

Turn Employees into Growth-Driving Leaders

This episode unpacks strategies for molding effective leaders in your business—leading by example, setting personal and professional growth tracks, and understanding employees’ aspirations from day one. Learn about the importance of regular one-on-ones for career nurturing, balancing learning with guidance, and other surprising benefits that come from developing leaders within your team. Join host Adam Sylvester, Chase Stetson (“That Lawn Dude”), owner of Mike’s Lawn Care, Raquel Lindsay, owner of Sparkle and Shine Cleaning Services, and Jason Savageau, owner of Current Electric Systems.
 
Definition and traits of a leader [1:25]
Learning from past leadership mistakes [3:36]
Difference between employee and owner mindsets [6:05]
Identifying and nurturing potential leaders [8:30]
Fostering a culture of learning and growth [10:54]
Balance between giving employees freedom to learn and guiding them in alignment with company goals [14:09]
What the guests love about Jobber [16:00]
Specific ways to invest in and develop employees [17:50]
Team meetings and technical training sessions for continuous improvement [22:13]
Business benefits of growing employees into leaders [25:36]
Investing in employee development and the risk of them leaving [27:57]
Necessity of investing in people for business growth [31:15]
Adam’s takeaway tips [31:41]

How to Provide an Amazon-Like Experience

Elevate your customer experience by adopting strategies from Amazon, Instacart, and Uber. This episode takes a deep dive into how Amazon's communication model can boost client engagement and highlights how crucial customer reviews are in shaping decisions and growing your business. It also covers effective team setups, upselling, and personalizing services based on customer profiles. Learn to balance technological advancements with a personal touch. Join host Adam Sylvester and Christine Hodge, CEO of Clearview Washing.
 
Creating an easy customer experience, like Amazon, Instacart, and Uber [0:57]
Amazon's communication model and keeping clients informed [2:11]
Customer reviews and how it affects customer choices [4:48]
Incorporating customer reviews into the sales process for growth [5:38]
Setting up a team to be fast and efficient [8:00]
Upselling and offering package deals to clients [9:38]
Why package deals aligns with a customer-centric service [11:43]
Tailoring service offerings based on customer profiles [13:06]
Importance of personal attention, especially for high-end clients [14:32]
What Christine and Adam love about Jobber [15:18]
Storing credit card information for seamless transactions [16:10]
Using technology to improve the customer experience [17:25]
The value of before and after photos [19:40]
Downsides of over-automation and maintaining personal touch [21:24]
Adam’s takeaway tips: communicate with your clients every step of the way, reviews matter, upselling and packages are important for turning $500 quotes into $2000 quotes [23:49]

Best AI Tools & Apps for Your Service Business

Are you looking to embrace AI in your service business? Learn how to use AI in customer service, marketing, and daily business operations. Discover how to integrate AI for automating responses, creating standard operating procedures, and enhancing overall business efficiency while still keeping a personal touch in customer interactions. This episode also addresses the challenges and potential limitations of relying on AI and balancing advanced technology with practical business needs. Join host Adam Sylvester, Judith Virag, owner of Clean Club Calgary, Paul Jamison, host of the Green Industry Podcast, and Phil Risher, owner of Phlash Consulting.
 
Using AI for HR, marketing, and handling difficult conversations [1:30]
Practical Uses of ChatGPT in customer service [2:40]
How to use AI for marketing and planning campaigns [5:17]
How to prompt ChatGPT for content creation [6:40]
Using AI to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) [8:05]
How cutting edge apps keep you on track and focused in your business [10:00]
Drawbacks and limitations of AI [11:33]
Get more jobs by using webforms and automation to respond to customer inquiries [13:28]
How to keep the “human touch” that gets lost with AI [14:00]
Using Delphi.ai to create a chatbot to sound more personable [15:05]
What the guests love about Jobber [16:15]
Other apps for business management and training (Tainual), Trello and Asana) [18:18]
Turning website chats into text messages for better lead management [22:09]
More business apps to streamline management and operations, like Zapier [23:02]
How to adopt AI and potential caution needed [26:04]
Gamifying tasks with employees with “Automate Motivate” app [28:25]
Adam's takeaway tips: Add your location to ChatGPT for more precise responses, use ChatGPT to help create SOPs and other supporting documentation, don’t be afraid to embrace AI [29:09]

Navigate the Off-Season with Confidence

The off-season can be a challenging time for home service businesses. Learn how to make the most of your busy times for peak earnings, and use the slower periods to improve your business and marketing game. Get practical advice on managing your team, planning finances, and stepping up your efficiency. Join host Adam Sylvester, "That Lawn Dude" Chase Stetson, and Dave Moerman, owner of Revive Services and the Home Service Business Coach.