Freedom Blueprint for Home Services | HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Leadership, Business Growth

Show Information

Episode Number: 61

Date: November 18, 2024

Duration: 23:54

Host Contact Information

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com 

Contact: [email protected]

Summary

In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint podcast, host Justin Deese explores the age-old question of whether leaders are born or made. He discusses the importance of leadership in today's world, particularly in the context of the gig economy and the increasing options available to individuals. Deese outlines various traits that contribute to effective leadership, such as charisma, confidence, emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and team building. He concludes that while some traits may be innate, most can be developed through experience and effort, emphasizing that great leaders are ultimately made through hard work and determination.

Takeaways

Leadership is more important now than ever.

The gig economy has changed the landscape of work.

Charisma can be both innate and learned.

Confidence is often a learned trait.

Emotional intelligence is crucial for managing teams.

Resilience is developed through experience.

Empathy can be cultivated over time.

Problem-solving skills are essential for leaders.

Adaptability is a learned skill necessary for growth.

Leaders are made through hard work and determination.

Chapters

00:00 The Leadership Debate: Born or Made?

07:02 Traits of Effective Leaders

19:29 The Journey of Leadership Development

Keywords

leadership, born or made, traits of leaders, leadership development, emotional intelligence, resilience, adaptability, team building

Transcript

Justin Deese (00:06.465)

Are they born or are they made? And I want to go over kind of some different approaches to thinking about it and have a good conversation with you about it.

Justin Deese (01:02.552)

Are leaders born or are they made? So today we're going to talk a little bit about leadership, specifically the question of, they, are leaders born or are they made? you know, this, this topic comes up pretty, pretty frequently. And, I really think it would just be a really good conversation and topic for us to talk about. And first off, I want to say this leadership as a, as a topic is just a, it's a huge topic, right?

and it covers a lot of different areas and a lot of different angles. And so again, specifically, we're going to go into just a couple of things to kind of dive into more of the born or the made side of it. But here's my statement for you. My statement is this leadership right now is more important than it's ever been.

I repeat that again to make sure you got that in your ear. It's leadership now is more important than ever. Now. I bet you're asking yourself the question, why, why would I say that? And to be honest with you, I'm glad you asked and I'm glad we're having this conversation because it's a it's a really good it's a really good question to ask. So I think one of the big topics on this is because.

of what we have now in our world is people have more options than they have ever had before. I think a lot of times people talk about this gig economy, right? And they're like gig economy and if you don't know what that means, I'll give you the quick cliff note version, which is basically short-term work, right? So a gig economy is either short-term or freelance work as opposed to that

permanent traditional job employment. And you know, now some examples of people that are, that are utilizing that gig economy for their employment or their income. mean, think about Uber and Lyft and DoorDash. Fiverr's another one Upwork. There's one that's called TaskRabbit for, you know, things around the house that you could use. So there's a lot of different apps out there that you can

Justin Deese (03:26.257)

participate in this gig economy. And, it's, easier now than ever, right? If, if you, if you go to work and you're like, I don't like my boss or I don't like whatever, and you decide to leave, there's a good chance you can get on an app. before you drive away in the parking lot, you can probably have picked up a gig to do something, to make some money. you know, I feel like it used to be, I'm going to say 20, 30 years ago, you know, people worked at the same job for however many years to get that gold watch.

And it's just not the world we live in anymore. That's not, it's not the world we live in. And not only that, I think that next generation coming up, you know, we, we talk a lot about this, but I think flexibility is one of those things that they cherish like off, you know, being off flexibility, you know, a lot of those things are things that are very important to them that in the past and traditionally that hasn't been as important. So

think a lot of times when people talk about the gig economy, think business leaders and the home service industries, they don't really take that into consideration, right? They think more about, mean, yeah, there's a gig you can go to for Uber and Lyft and DoorDash, but you know, who wants to do that? And my challenge to you is I would probably reshape your thinking just a little bit. So the reason I say that,

is one, you have team members that have a lot of different skills and work in different roles in your business. And I know a lot of times when we talk about home service space, we traditionally think about the technician, right? Like the revenue generating technician. But let's be honest, there's a lot of different roles that happen in your business. whether you're a really large business or a small business, there's these roles that are happening, whether it be

you know, the CSR role or the dispatching role or the accounting side of it or marketing or even sales. I mean, there's a lot of different types of variety of backgrounds that people have that work for your business, not just the one thing they do. A lot of times people like to do other things as well. And two, technicians are not really able to participate as much as technicians in this gig economy right now.

Justin Deese (05:48.785)

Now, trust me, when I say this, the big banks aren't the only people taking notice of our industry. They're not the only ones paying attention to what's going on in the home service space. mean, Google is paying attention. Amazon is paying attention. Walmart is even paying attention. And believe me, they're working diligently right now to figure out how they can have a piece of the pie. Now Google obviously has a giant, giant, giant.

Piece of the pie is anybody who deals with marketing or does any type of digital marketing knows that Google's got a huge part of it. But I can promise you they're trying to figure out along with the Amazons and the the Walmarts of the world. How can they be a part of this industry? How can they be a part of this? This industry and and I think that's probably going to shift towards kind of a gig economy, so to speak. so with those things, that's really why.

That's really why I make the statement of leadership now is as important as ever. And again, it comes down to people just having more options than they've ever had before.

Justin Deese (07:02.802)

So let's get back to the question hand. So I wanted to make that statement, but I want to get back to the question, which is, are leaders born or are they made? And so I want to go over a couple of traits. So I want to go over eight different traits of leaders and leadership, and then we can kind of talk through each one and figure out together if we feel like these are traits that people are born with, or are they traits that people learn?

And I don't know, my goal for today is for us to get through this together and then go, yeah, we can make a definitive decision on are leaders born or are they made? So one of the number one traits I feel like that is really important when it comes to leadership is charisma, right? I think charisma is really important. People want, people are attracted to people that are

you know, influential people and a lot of that has to do with charisma. So, you know, to answer the question, are they born? Is it made? you know what? I think the answer is a little bit of both. mean, certainly people, naturally are more charismatic than other people. but I mean, let's be honest, there is a, there's a book for just about anything or a YouTube channel, or dare I say a podcast, there could be even a podcast for, you know, being more.

charming or influential or inspiring or motivating to a team. So, so number one being charismatic, I'm going to say both. I'm going to say that yes, you can be born with it, but you can also learn how to be a little bit more charismatic. So that's my, that's my first thing. I'm curious to know what your answer on that is. Tube, let's go to the next one. So the next one is going to be confidence.

Confidence is very, very important when it comes to leadership. Now, confidence is not the same as arrogance, as I'm guessing anybody who listens to this would agree with me. There's a difference between being confident and being an arrogant person. right, so confidence. you know, confidence sometimes can come from a variety of different places. You know, sometimes it can come from

Justin Deese (09:23.445)

experience and doing something you can become more confident. you know, experience and being good at something obviously gives you more confidence versus not. so I, you know, for me again, same thing. I think that you could be born naturally with a little more confidence, but I, gotta say, I think most of most people that are confident is that as a learned trait. I'm going to, I'm to put that in the list of learned, learned traits versus.

born. that's, that's my answer on that. The next one is going to be, let's go in emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence. So if you don't know what that means, it's really the, ability to understand and manage emotions, right? So can you, can you manage the emotions of other people? Can you, you know, conflict resolution, can you, can you manage that part of it? Can you,

Make sure to, know, when you have a major issue, are you able from a leadership standpoint to go in and resolve this issue? And my answer on that one is, is going to be learned. I think it's, I think that's a learned behavior. think, I think naturally people are not really interested in solving other people's problems. They're not interested in conflict resolution. I think most of the time, I think

Yeah, for me, I'm going to say this for me, I think I'm pretty good at conflict resolution. And, but I, but I feel like I've, I'm good at it, but I've also worked at it. Like that's not something that has, that has been natural for me. because usually when there's conflict, I just, I don't want to be around it. Like I'd rather just go the other way or go find something else to do. And I think that's kind of a natural, I think that's natural for most people.

But yeah, so I'm going to put that in the column of learned. So next we've got resilience. Are you resilient? Do you have that rubber band effect? Like if somebody pulls you back, you going to pull back or are you going to pull out and stretch too far and be no good as a rubber band anymore? So resilience is, know, how do you handle setbacks? How do you handle failure? How do you handle those kinds of things? Because

Justin Deese (11:50.807)

you know, it's, not easy. And from a leadership perspective, I'm going to say this about, about leadership and resilience to your team. If you're, which you, if you're listening to this, there's a good chance you're in a leadership, you're a leader, right? Now, whether you're in the role or not of a leader is a different story. leadership has nothing to do with title period. It just does not. so you can be in a leadership role without having the title of fill in the blank manager.

or whatever, but your team and the people around you, actually, I'm going to take that back. I'm going to take back the team. I'm going say that people around you, they are watching what you do and what you say and what you don't do and what you don't say. Right. So I think resilience is one of those things where people watch you if you mess something up, but man, they almost pay closer attention to see how you react to it.

Is that the type of person who's going to get up and solve the problem and keep moving? I think that from a resilience standpoint, think the my answer and I'm curious to know what your answer is, but my answer is going to be this is a made, this is a you learn resiliency, right? You learn to do it. So that's my answer on that one. Next on the list is going to be empathy.

You know, empathy is one of those things where in order to be an effective leader, do have to have empathy. You do have to be empathetic to those around you. You can't be the kind of person that when someone has a problem, whether you care about it or not. you know, you know, sometimes people have baby mama drama that you're not really all that interested in having a conversation or listening to or whatever, but you still have to be empathetic to what

is going on in that person's life. I think empathy is one of those things where people naturally, I think, are born more empathetic than other people. But again, like anything else, I also think that you can learn. It's a learned skill. think that you can learn to listen to people. I think you can learn to pay attention to what's going on and

Justin Deese (14:13.288)

You know, be empathetic. It doesn't mean solve the problem. It doesn't mean, you know, just means be empathetic. Like listen and support the team and the environment around you. So I'm going to put that one on. It could go either way, but again, I think made. I think it's a learned habit. I think you can learn to be empathetic or more empathetic, I should say. Next on our list is problem solving abilities. So.

Are you able to solve problems? And when I think about problem solving, problem solving is pretty critical when it comes to leadership skills, I think, because in order to problem solve, especially like think about, think about in times of crisis, right? Like think back to when COVID first became a thing, you had a problem solve, right? And we didn't even know what the problem was, but the biggest thing you had to do was you had to stay calm.

You had to analyze what all was going on. And then you had to come up with a plan on how to, you know, well, inspire, motivate, sometimes retrain, learn new. We were all learning things during this, this period of time. So, problem solving, think is is a big one. And I think that one's going to be made as well. I don't think, I don't know, problem solving abilities to me is like walking. Like when we were born, we didn't know how to walk. We had to learn, we had to train, we had to

walk basically and you the whole walk before you run. think problem solving abilities that's that's what that's going to fall under as well. So next on our list we have adaptability and man the skill to adjust I think adaptability flexibility I know for me as a core value this is this is a big one for me. I know when

Gist and I were creating Paradise Home Service at the beginning and we were kind of doing our core values. know, adaptability and flexibility was really at the core of what we talked about the most with the team because we knew we were wanting to grow and scale very quickly. And we knew in order to do that, we would need team that were able to adapt and be flexible. And at the same time as a leadership, we had to be able to do that. So, you know, we had to be able to adjust to new things that were happening.

Justin Deese (16:37.433)

We had to be able to embrace the change going on around us. And I'm gonna even say and stay positive with it, right? I mean, again, not to, this is not all about COVID, but here we go. We're gonna talk about COVID again. We had to embrace the change. We had to go, okay, cool. So yeah, I don't know what this is gonna look like, but what we are gonna do is we're gonna forge ahead and we're gonna make the most out of what we've got. And we're gonna stay positive. We're gonna stay focused.

sure we're going to shift some things we got going on, but we're going to go out and we're going to grind for a little bit. We're going to come back and we're going to reevaluate and figure out where do we need to adapt. So I think adaptability, I think that's a made skill. I think that's one of those things. It's a learned habit and a learned trait that is not born. So yeah, so that one's going to go under that category. And last, we have team building. And this one I really like.

Because I think team building is one of those things where you almost need all these, well, not almost, you need all these other skills in order to even begin to do this team building part of it, right? So you've got to be able to read and understand people and you've got to have a little bit of charisma and confidence in order for people to want to be on your team in order to build it. And you know, if...

your team members and as you're building a team problems always arise and if you're not, if you have zero empathy whatsoever, it's going to be very difficult to get people to, to follow you and want to be on your team. So, I think this is, I think a lot of times this is learned through like leadership training and, and hands on practice and sometimes even hands on messing it up. Like sometimes you, you learn how to do things. I know for me,

You know, the lessons I learn are the ones that are the most expensive and they hurt the most. Those are the ones that typically are the lessons that stick. and that I go through. So for the majority of those eight and listen, I know there is a lot of different other attributes that fall under leadership. Like as I think about it now, you know, I think about vision and I think about integrity to very critical parts to,

Justin Deese (19:01.646)

to leadership, to kind of leadership characteristics. And listen, and so really that kind of rounds it out with 10. I was gonna talk about eight, but there you go, there's 10, vision and integrity. But I think these things, all of them, you can be born with some of them, and most of them are learned, right? I mean, most of these habits can be learned, and some of them are even affected by environmental, and I don't mean the small outside, but.

the people that you surround yourself with. Right. So, you know, think the people that you surround yourself with can, can really play an effective part of, do you have these other, know, do you have these critical skills or these skills in order to...

60 | High Fives and High Growth: How Levi Torres Transformed a Small Plumbing Business into an Industry Leader

Show Information

Episode Number: 60

Date: November 11, 2024

Duration: 31:37

Host Contact Information

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com 

Contact: [email protected]

Guest Contact Information

Guest: Levi Torres

Company: High 5 Plumbing

Guest Contact: [email protected]

Guest Website: www.High5Plumbing.com

Summary

In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint podcast, Justin Deese interviews Levi Torres, co-founder of High Five Plumbing. They discuss Levi's journey from a plumbing apprenticeship to starting his own company, the unique branding strategies that set High Five Plumbing apart, and the explosive growth the company has experienced by expanding into HVAC and electrical services. Levi emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and mission, creating a culture of raving fans, and the necessity of implementing changes quickly to adapt to the market.

Takeaways 

Levi started plumbing at 16 with an apprenticeship from his dad.

High Five Plumbing was founded in 2012 with a unique brand identity.

The transition to service plumbing was driven by cash flow issues.

Building a brand around the concept of a 'high five' created a unique customer experience.

The company experienced explosive growth after implementing a clear vision and mission.

High Five Plumbing expanded into HVAC and electrical services in response to customer demand.

Creating raving fans is essential for business growth in the service industry.

The importance of having a culture that embraces change and innovation.

Levi encourages business owners to seek help and implement new ideas quickly.

A strong brand identity can help differentiate a business in a competitive market.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to High Five Plumbing

03:02 The Journey of Levi Torres

05:56 Transitioning to Service Plumbing

09:02 Building a Unique Brand Identity

12:11 Explosive Growth and New Divisions

15:01 Creating Raving Fans

18:08 The Importance of Vision and Mission

20:50 Expanding into Electrical Services

24:04 Implementing Change and Seeking Help

Keywords

plumbing, business growth, brand identity, HVAC, electrical services, customer service, entrepreneurship, High Five Plumbing, Levi Torres, vision and mission

Episode Number: 59

Date: November 4, 2024

Duration: 45:00

Host Contact Information

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com 

Contact: [email protected]

Co-Host Contact Information

Co-Host: Kristen Deese

Company: Virtual CFO for the trades

Guest Contact: [email protected]

Guest Website: www.KristenDeese.com

Service Nation:

Michael Rudowitz

[email protected]

www.ServiceNation.com

Summary

In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint podcast, Justin and Kristen Deese recap their experiences at the recent Service World event. They discuss the highlights of the event, including the keynote speakers, workshops, and the importance of networking. The couple shares insights on finding your tribe within the industry and the value of engaging with others. They also reflect on their live podcast experience and the positive feedback received from the audience. In this conversation, Kristen and Justin reflect on their experiences at a recent industry event, discussing the emotional impact of influential figures in the trades community, the importance of avoiding overwhelm by focusing on key takeaways, and the power of vision boards in setting and achieving goals. They also explore the role of AI in modern business practices and share their excitement for future events and opportunities in the industry.

Takeaways

Service World continues to improve with each event.

Keynote speakers can significantly enhance the event experience.

Longer workshops allow for deeper learning and implementation.

Networking is crucial for business growth in the home service industry.

Finding your tribe can lead to meaningful connections.

Live podcasts provide unique interaction opportunities.

The importance of stepping outside your comfort zone.

Audience engagement can transform a panel discussion.

Disney properties offer a unique event atmosphere.

Preparation and practice are key to successful presentations. The emotional journey of industry leaders can inspire others.

Focusing on a few key takeaways can lead to better implementation.

Vision boards are a powerful tool for goal setting and visualization.

Celebrating small wins is essential for personal growth.

AI is a valuable tool but should be used wisely.

Technology is rapidly evolving and should be embraced.

The importance of community and support in the trades industry.

Future events provide opportunities for learning and networking.

Personal growth and experiences are often more valuable than material items.

Engaging the younger generation is crucial for the future of trades.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Service World

03:00 Keynote Speakers and Event Highlights

05:58 Workshops and Training Summit Insights

09:03 Networking and Finding Your Tribe

11:59 Panel Discussion and Audience Engagement

14:49 Live Podcast Experience and Reflections

21:32 Emotional Reflections on Industry Impact

24:01 Avoiding Overwhelm: Focus on Key Takeaways

26:46 The Power of Vision Boards

30:14 Celebrating Wins and Setting Goals

34:40 Embracing Technology: The Role of AI

45:51 Looking Ahead: Future Events and Opportunities

Keywords

Service World, keynote speakers, workshops, networking, business growth, home service industry, event highlights, audience engagement, live podcast, finding your tribe, industry impact, vision boards, AI technology, event takeaways, personal growth, emotional reflections, goal setting, trades community, technology adoption, future events

Show Information 

Episode Number: 58

Date: October 28, 2024 

Duration: 41:16

Host Contact Information

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com 

Contact: [email protected]

Guest Contact Information

Guest: Joe Crisara

Guest Contact: [email protected]

Guest Website: www.ServiceMVP.com

Gift to listeners: Free Book Offer-Email [email protected] and in the SubjectLine put FREE BOOK- FREEDOM BLUEPRINT 

Summary

In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint Podcast, host Justin Deese interviews Joe Crisara, known as America's Service Sales Coach. Joe shares his journey from being $450,000 in debt to becoming a successful sales coach and author. He discusses the importance of value-based selling, customer communication, and the lessons learned from his struggles. Joe emphasizes the significance of securing payment before starting work and the personal nature of sales. He also explores the role of AI in enhancing service delivery and training in the industry.

Takeaways

It's not what you know, it's who you know.

Making people laugh while learning increases engagement.

Value-based selling connects with technicians.

Customer communication is key to success.

Don't start working until you secure payment.

Sales is personal; build relationships with clients.

Understanding your client's background is crucial.

Offer premium, mid-range, and economy choices.

AI can enhance human capabilities in service.

Investing in training leads to increased sales.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Joe Crisara

03:15 The Journey Behind the Book

06:17 Value-Based Selling and Customer Communication

12:42 Lessons from Struggles: From Debt to Success

18:40 Sales Strategies for Contractors

30:12 The Role of AI in the Service Industry

Keywords

Joe Crisara, Service MVP, sales coaching, customer service, value-based selling, AI in service industry, contractor success, service training, communication skills, business growth

Show Information 

Episode Number: 57

Date: 10/21/2024

Duration: 47:10

Host Contact Information

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com 

Contact: [email protected]

Guest Contact Information

Guest: John & Vicki LaPlant

Guest Contact: [email protected]

Website: www.josephgrohfoundation.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JosephGrohFoundation

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/josephgrohfoundation/

Summary

In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint Podcast, I get to interview industry LEGENDS John & Vicki LaPlant live from Service World Expo 2024. They discuss their journey in the home service industry, the importance of embracing technology, understanding financials, and planning exit strategies. The conversation also highlights the impact of the Joseph Groh Foundation, which supports individuals in the industry facing life-altering challenges. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of the industry and the importance of small businesses in the economy.

Takeaways

Running a home service business is challenging but rewarding.

Embracing technology is crucial for efficiency and productivity.

Understanding financials is key to business success.

Planning for an exit strategy should start today.

The Joseph Groh Foundation provides vital support to industry members in need.

Networking and sharing experiences can lead to significant growth.

The industry has seen transformative changes in leadership and culture.

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy.

Continuous learning and adaptation are essential for success.

The future of the industry is bright with opportunities for young professionals.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Freedom Blueprint Podcast

01:00 Live from Service World Expo 2024

07:02 The Journey of John and Vicki LaPlante

12:02 Embracing Technology in Home Services

17:46 Understanding Financials for Business Success

23:47 The Importance of Exit Strategies

29:53 The Joseph Groh Foundation: Giving Back

36:04 Looking Ahead: The Future of the Industry

Keywords

Home service business, Service World Expo, John LaPlant and Vicki LaPlant, financial management, exit strategies, Joseph Groh Foundation, industry insights

Show Information

Episode Number: 56

Date: October 14, 2024

Duration: 26:36

Host Information

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com 

Contact: [email protected]

Episode Guest Info

Guest: Kristen Deese

Guest Company:Virtual CFO for the Trades

Guest Contact: [email protected]

Guest Website: www.KristenDeese.com

Summary

In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint podcast, Justin Deese and his co-host Kristen discuss the

role of a Virtual CFO in small businesses. They explore the importance of financial management, the common challenges faced by business owners, and how a

Virtual CFO can help identify operational and sales issues through financial analysis. The conversation also delves into pricing strategies, budgeting for profit, and the significance of awareness in managing finances effectively.

Kristen shares insights on how to improve gross profit margins and manage overhead expenses, emphasizing the need for business owners to understand their

numbers to drive profitability.

Takeaways

●    A Virtual CFO provides high-level financial strategic

management without the cost of a full-time CFO.

●    Many business owners lack accounting training, which

can hinder their financial management.

●    Understanding key financial concepts early can

significantly impact business growth and profitability.

●    Business owners often rely on bank balances, which

provides a limited view of their financial health.

●    Identifying gross profit margins can reveal areas for

improvement in operations and sales.

●    Pricing strategies are crucial; many businesses

underprice their services, affecting profitability.

●    Budgeting for expected profit can shift the mindset of

business owners towards better financial management.

●    Controlling overhead expenses is essential for

maintaining profitability.

●    Awareness of financial metrics helps business owners

make informed decisions.

●    It's important to prepare financials for tax time well

in advance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Virtual CFO Services

04:10 The Importance of Financial Management for Small

Businesses

07:44 Identifying Operational and Sales Issues through

Financial Analysis

12:57 Pricing Strategies and Gross Profit Margins

16:22 Budgeting for Profit and Managing Overhead

Expenses

20:23 The Role of Awareness in Financial Management

Keywords 

Virtual CFO, financial management, small business, accounting, budgeting, profit margins, operational

issues, sales strategies, pricing strategies, overhead expenses, Kristen Deese, Justin Deese, When Your Business Partner Is Your Spouse, Virtual CFO for the Trades

Show Title: 

Building a Bench: Strategies for Proactive Recruiting in Home Services with Ryan Englin from Core Matters

Episode Number: 55

Date: October 7, 2024

Duration: 29:05

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com 

Contact: [email protected]

Guest: Ryan Englin

Guest Company: Core Matters

Company Website: corematters.com

Podcast Host: Podcast Host- Titans of the Trades

Author of: Hire Better People Faster

Guest Special Offer: Copy of the book https://corematters.com/freebook/

Summary

In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint podcast, host Justin Deese speaks with Ryan Englin, author of 'Hire Better People Faster' and founder of Core Matters. They discuss the critical issues of hiring, recruiting, and retention in the home service industry. Ryan shares his journey from marketing to recruiting, emphasizing the importance of proactive recruiting, building an employer brand, and creating a supportive work environment. The conversation also highlights the significance of authenticity in recruitment and the need for businesses to engage their existing employees in the hiring process.

Takeaways

Hiring and recruiting are critical challenges in the trades.

Recruiting should be viewed as a marketing activity.

Proactive recruiting is essential; top talent is often not actively looking for jobs.

Building a strong employer brand can attract passive job seekers.

Authenticity in social media is crucial for establishing trust with potential hires.

Creating friendships at work can significantly improve employee engagement and retention.

Onboarding should focus on building relationships, not just training.

Core Matters helps businesses by stopping the bleeding in their hiring processes.

Teaching businesses to fish means implementing sustainable hiring practices.

Leverage your existing team for referrals and insights into the hiring process.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and the Importance of Hiring and Recruiting in the Home Service Industry

03:04 Proactive Recruiting and Building a Bench of Passive Job Seekers

07:43 Creating an Authentic Employer Brand

14:17 The Importance of Onboarding and Relationship Building

21:23 Stop the Bleeding: Filling Immediate Staffing Needs

23:46 Teaching Businesses to Fish: Implementing Systems and Processes

26:33 Leveraging Existing Employees for Referrals and Insights

Keywords

hiring, recruiting, retention, employer brand, onboarding, employee engagement, trades, business growth, Core Matters, Ryan Englin, Plumbing, HVAC, Air Conditioning, Electrical, Contractor, Freedom Blueprint Podcast, Justin Deese, Kristen Deese, When Your Business Partner is Your Spouse

Episode Number: 54

Date: September 30, 2024

Duration: 32:21

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com 

Contact: [email protected]

Guest: Chris Gist

Guest Company: Paradise Home Services

Guest Contact: [email protected]

Guest Website: www.ParadiseHomeServices.com

Summary

In this episode, we dive deep into the essential elements of creating and maintaining a positive company culture. We discuss the importance of flexibility, celebrating team milestones, and setting core values that align with your company's mission. From breaking bread with team members to supporting a healthy work-life balance, you’ll hear firsthand experiences and actionable tips on keeping the camaraderie and positive environment alive while achieving rapid growth.

Takeaways

Flexibility and Core Values: How creating a flexible work environment supported by strong core values can lead to a thriving company culture.

Celebration and Camaraderie: The impact of team gatherings and breaking bread on building bonds and enhancing team spirit.

Visual Reminders of Core Values: Using visual aids to consistently reinforce the company’s mission and values.

Empowering Team Members: Inspiring stories of team members who have grown within the company by embracing its culture.

Maintaining Work-Life Balance: The importance of supporting a healthy work-life balance for overall team satisfaction and retention.

Chapters

[00:01] - Introduction and Welcome

[00:35] - Discussing Company Culture

[02:06] - Core Values and Team Dynamics

[04:01] - The Importance of Flexibility

[10:07] - Outside-of-Work Activities and Celebrations

[13:53] - The Role of Brand in Culture

[18:29] - Work-Life Balance in a Growing Company

[21:36] - Empowering and Rewarding Team Members

[24:51] - Inspiring Team Member Story

[26:19] - Recreational Activities and Team Building

[27:13] - Closing Remarks and Key Learnings

Keywords

Plumbing, HVAC, Air Conditioning, Electrical, Contractor, Freedom Blueprint Podcast, Justin Deese, Kristen Deese, When Your Business Partner is Your Spouse, Company Culture, Core Values, Flexibility, Team Building, Work-Life Balance, Leadership in HVAC, Scaling a Business, Positive Work Environment, Employee Engagement, Chris Gist, Paradise Home Services.

Show Information

Episode Number: 53

Date: 9/23/2024

Duration: 37:43

Host: Justin Deese

Host Contact: JustinDeese.com

Guest: Brigham Dickinson

Company: Power Selling Pro's

Website: www.PowerSellingPros.com

Demo: https://powersellingpros.com/schedule-coaching/

Booked By Power Selling Pros

Website: www.Bookedbypsp.com

Demo: https://www.bookedbypsp.com/home-page1670948825393

Summary

In this episode, I'm joined by Brigham Dickinson from Power Selling Pros. We delve into the strategies for transforming Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) into revenue generators. By leveraging training and accountability, Brigham shares how CSRs can significantly impact booking rates and contribute to your business’s bottom line. From real-life success stories to actionable insights, this episode is packed with game-changing advice for anyone in the home service industry.

Takeaways

1. The Importance of Accountability: Regularly monitor and provide feedback to your CSRs to enhance their performance and booking rates.
2. Invest in CSR Training: Comprehensive training programs for CSRs can lead to a significant increase in booking rates and overall revenue.
3. Performance-Based Pay for CSRs: Incentivizing CSRs with performance-based pay can motivate them and increase their efficiency in upselling services.
4. Leveraging Low Hanging Fruit: Focus on converting the calls that are already coming in to maximize revenue without increasing marketing spend.
5. The Impact of Personal Stories: Understanding personal motivations and stories can inspire better performance and commitment in team members.
6. 
   

 Chapters

1. Introduction and Guest Welcome - 00:02
2. The Origin of Power Selling Pros - 01:22
3. Brigham's Motivation for Writing Books - 02:08
4. Stumbling Blocks and Initial Struggles - 05:38
5. Training and Accountability in CSR Performance - 09:01
6. Real-Life Success Stories with Increased Bookings - 10:25
7. Software Utilization in Training - 15:24
8. Size of Businesses That Benefit from Training - 16:03
9. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up - 20:01
10. 
    

Keywords

Customer Service Representatives, CSR Training, Revenue Generators, Booking Rates, Home Service Industry, Power Selling Pros, Pattern of Excellence, Brigham Dickinson, Booked by Power Selling Pros, Business Growth, Call Handling, Performance-Based Pay, Upselling Services, Plumbing, HVAC, Air Conditioning, Electrical, Contractor, Freedom Blueprint Podcast, Justin Deese, Kristen Deese, When Your Business Partner is Your Spouse,

Show Information

Justin Deese

www.JustinDeese.com

[email protected]

Service World Promo Discount Code: FREEDOM24

Summary

In this special 52nd episode of the Freedom Blueprint Podcast, Justin Deese celebrates the podcast's one-year anniversary. Reflecting on the journey, he shares the significant moments and achievements over the past year, from partnering with Leap Partners to personal milestones such as his alcohol-free journey and numerous speaking engagements. Justin also talks about exciting upcoming events, including a keynote at Service World Expo and a live podcast stage appearance. This episode is filled with gratitude, personal growth, and future aspirations.

Takeaways

1. Reflecting on a Year of Growth: Celebrating the podcast’s one-year milestone, filled with meaningful interactions and feedback.
2. Partnering with Leap Partners: The positive impact of selling and partnering with Leap Partners on professional and personal fronts.
3. Alcohol-Free Journey: Insights into Justin’s decision to stop drinking, its challenges, benefits, and its impact on health and family.
4. Speaking Engagements: Enthusiasm for public speaking, memorable experiences at various events, and anticipation for upcoming keynotes.
5. Future Prospects: Excitement about upcoming engagements, particularly Service World Expo and live podcast events.
6. 
   

1. 00:02 - Introduction and Celebrating One-Year: Reflecting on reaching the one-year mark and initial thoughts.
2. 00:52 - Year in Review and Upcoming Events: Overview of the past year and exciting upcoming events like Service World Expo.
3. 03:17 - The Journey of Starting a Podcast: How the podcast began nine years ago and the influence of John Lee Dumas.
4. 05:40 - Partnering with Leap Partners: Details on selling the business and partnering with Leap Partners.
5. 06:46 - Alcohol-Free Journey: The decision to stop drinking and its personal and professional impacts.
6. 09:08 - Supportive Family and Personal Benefits: How the alcohol-free journey impacted Justin's family life and overall health.
7. 11:30 - Speaking Engagements: Experiences and excitement about public speaking events.
8. 13:45 - Live Podcast Stage and Future Plans: Anticipation for live podcasting at Service World Expo and other future plans.
9. 13:45 - Webinar and Book Updates: Updates on the book "When Your Business Partner is Your Spouse" and potential future releases.
10. 
    

Plumbing, HVAC, Air Conditioning, Electrical, Contractor, Freedom Blueprint Podcast, Justin Deese, Kristen Deese, When Your Business Partner is Your Spouse, Leadership, Growth, Positive Mindset, Business Strategy, Home Services Industry, Speaking Engagements, Leap Partners, Alcohol-Free Journey, Service World Expo, Live Podcast, Personal Growth, Professional Development.