Hello there, SGI members! My name is David Boyle, and I’m a client success manager for ESI and AirTime. You know, when a younger version of me entered the trade, I was given a list of required tools. I purchased the “minimum requirements” and reported to work. Then I was amazed to find that the journeyman had a truck full …
Coach’s Corner: ORGANIZATION
Hello there, SGI members! My name is David Boyle, and I’m a client success manager for both ESI and AirTime. Last week I talked with you about planning—and how it is one of the five most basic and important functions of management. In this week’s Coach’s Corner, I want to talk to you about another critical component to being an …
Coach’s Corner: The Five Basic Functions of Management – PLANNING
Hello there, SGI members! My name is David Boyle, and I’m a client success manager for both ESI and AirTime. Over the next five weeks, I’ll be using these Coach’s Corner sessions to talk about what I feel are the five most basic (and most important) functions of management. Mastering each of these functions is paramount to your success… Let …
Coach’s Corner: Pictures are worth a 1000 words
In the good ole days, marketers would create presentations of smoke and mirrors to make their sales. “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” But you sure can’t do that now. Customers now know how to research and get a three dimensional image of that curtain in one click of a button. That’s right. There’s no hiding anything. …
Coach’s Corner: Basic Steps to Communication
Communication is the process by which we exchange information between individuals or groups of people. It’s a process where we try—as clearly and accurately as we can—to convey our thoughts, intentions, and objectives. In our business, we’re communicating with people all day, every day – talking with fellow employees, customers, vendors, and so on. So, it’s necessary to continually work …
Coach’s Corner: FIX THE CUSTOMER FIRST!
It doesn’t matter what trade is on the sign out front, we are in the customer service business. Satisfied customers are our key to success. When your company is small, you may know your customers on a first name basis. You become “their guy” for all types of repairs. As you get larger, not so much… So you have to …
Coach’s Corner: The Next Generation of Online Marketing
It seems like everything is migrating toward the web and the Internet seems to reinvent itself at a crazy pace. It’s also evolved into the Next Big Thing of marketing platforms. Let’s talk about the steps you need to take to be prepared for the next generation of Marketing. Designate one person in your business to manage you online Marketing. …
Six Action Steps to Manage Your Online Reputation
First: You will need to plan. Who will be responsible for all the critical components involved in your brands online reputation? Who will be in charge of Research, Listening, Engaging, Internal Communications, feedback, and Training? What are your clients saying about you right now? Are they right. Do my operations or policies need improvement? Second: Listen to your clients Where …
Coach’s Corner: It’s Time to Think
When two candidates apply for the same position and are equally capable, trained and experienced, who gets the job? What about two businesses that have similar products, with similar prices, and similar reviews, which do you pick? If you think about it, it could be the one that acts like they want your business or the salesperson that went out …
4 Strategies to Staying Busy Through the Traditionally Slow Holidays
It’s hard to believe, but Thanksgiving has already come and gone. 2014 has passed in a flash. Now, retailers across the country are enjoying their busiest time of the year, as shoppers eagerly swipe their credit cards for the next several weeks leading up to our next holiday season! For us as contractors, this time of the year means something …