BDR

In this episode of the Prime Partners podcast, Oksana Vlasenko, Vice President at Recruit4Business, discuss the critical aspects of hiring in the home service industry. They explore the challenges of finding skilled labor, the importance of recognizing red flags in candidates, and the traits that indicate a strong fit for a company. Oksana shares insights on the hiring process, including the significance of assessments, interviews, and onboarding. The conversation emphasizes the need for a structured approach to hiring while balancing speed and thoroughness to ensure the right candidates are selected.

An expert in human resources (HR) and employee hiring and retention, Oksana’s extensive trade background fuels her proven success in evaluating, recognizing and placing only the best and brightest job candidates – while using cutting-edge tactics to manage and develop employees. Oksana has over 20 years of experience as a Psychometric Personality Assessment Analyst, having reviewed and analyzed over 25,000 personalities. She is one of the co-founders of Recruit4Business, which provides HR and recruiting resources in the trades industries.

Recruit4Business

• Facebook

BDR’s Prime Partners Podcast host, Tyler Gunhus, is BDR’s Marketing Manager. He has over ten years of communications experience spanning print, broadcast, and product marketing. After graduating from Biola University with a Communication and Media Arts degree, Tyler joined a large media company, coordinating content creation, social media, and promotions. He joined the BDR team in 2020, helping lead the marketing strategy and execution, focusing on brand development.

In 2024, he became the host of the Prime Partners Podcast, which delivers insight into services, resources, and business practices that can help your company succeed faster.

Each episode features a BDR partner company or client who shares ways you can drive your company forward.

Want to learn more about the BDR SAI partner highlighted in this episode? Reach out to BDR’s Client Experience Coordinator, or go to: https://www.bdrco.com/partners/

The post Red Flags & Green Lights: What to Look Out for During the Hiring Process first appeared on BDR and is written by Dakota Price.

BDR

In this episode of the Prime Resources podcast, Todd Neely, head coach at BDR, discusses the importance of using data to make informed business decisions. He emphasizes the need for contractors to understand key metrics such as breakeven points, leading indicators, and financial benchmarks.

Todd shares strategies for tracking data effectively, the significance of timely financial statements, and how to use data to celebrate team successes. He also highlights the importance of transparency in sharing data with team members to foster engagement and drive results.

Listen here:

Todd Neely’s career spans diverse industries, from HVAC to manufacturing, where he honed his skills as a leader and strategist. Todd’s track record of accomplishments underscores his strengths as a professional. From orchestrating successful acquisitions to fostering cohesive teams and driving revenue growth, he has consistently delivered results. Certified as a “Continuous Improvement Master Trainer,” Todd prioritizes building robust and committed teams, ensuring sustainable business success. 

BDR’s Prime Resources Podcast host, Matt MacArthur, is senior vice president of training & marketing. Having worked in the industry for over two decades, he continually works with BDR’s trainers to improve training materials and class delivery. He leads the marketing department in developing marketing tools for BDR’s 50+ business training classes and coaching services, including the Profit Coach program.

Each episode of Prime Resources Podcast is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge you need to help your business achieve Prime results, with ‘Prime’ being the most flourishing stage or state.

The post Using Data to Make Better Business Decisions first appeared on BDR and is written by Tyler Gunhus (BDR).

BDR

In this episode of BDR’s Prime Partners Podcast, we sit down with Nathan Keller, Chief Sales Officer at Free2Grow, to unpack how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaking up the home service industry (especially HVAC, plumbing, and electrical)—without losing the human touch. From debunking myths to showing how AI voice solutions can enhance branding and personalization, Nathan makes a compelling case for why contractors shouldn’t fear the bots.

The conversation explores the evolution of AI-driven call services, how they stack up against traditional models, and what it takes to implement these tools to benefit your team and customers.

Whether you’re just curious or already testing AI tools, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of the next wave of innovation—and how to make it work for you. Tune in to discover how AI is redefining service, not replacing it. You’ll learn what’s possible today, what’s coming next, and how to take your first (or next) step forward.

Nathan Keller is the Chief Sales Officer and co-founder of Free2Grow. Founded in 2019, Nathan has worked as a sales leader for many technology companies that saw successful exits over the past decade.
Free2Grow is a cutting-edge AI-powered voice-answering solution designed to streamline and elevate your business communications.

Free2Grow

• Facebook

BDR’s Prime Partners Podcast host, Tyler Gunhus, is BDR’s Marketing Manager. He has over ten years of communications experience spanning print, broadcast, and product marketing. After graduating from Biola University with a Communication and Media Arts degree, Tyler joined a large media company, coordinating content creation, social media, and promotions. He joined the BDR team in 2020, helping lead the marketing strategy and execution, focusing on brand development.

In 2024, he became the host of the Prime Partners Podcast, which delivers insight into services, resources, and business practices that can help your company succeed faster.

Each episode features a BDR partner company or client who shares ways you can drive your company forward.

Want to learn more about the BDR SAI partner highlighted in this episode? Reach out to BDR’s Client Experience Coordinator, or go to: https://www.bdrco.com/partners/

The post Practical Applications for AI in Home Service Businesses first appeared on BDR and is written by Erin Kunz.

BDR

In this episode of BDR’s Prime Resources Podcast, Lead Accounting Coach Lauren Woodward discusses the Profit & Loss by Job report in QuickBooks®. She explains its significance in job costing, performance indicators, and real-time insights for contractors.
Follow along as the conversation covers accessing the report, the differences between QuickBooks® Desktop and Online, and best practices for reviewing the report.
Listen as Lauren emphasizes the importance of having an accounting coach to help implement and utilize this powerful tool effectively.

Listen here:

With nearly 20 years of experience in bookkeeping, accounting, and operational management, Lauren Woodward specializes in QuickBooks®, full-cycle accounting, payroll, tax compliance, and financial reporting. As a lead accounting coach, she leverages her expertise in small business financial management and leadership to guide her team in delivering accuracy, efficiency, and client growth.

BDR’s Prime Resources Podcast host, Matt MacArthur, is senior vice president of training & marketing. Having worked in the industry for over two decades, he continually works with BDR’s trainers to improve training materials and class delivery. He leads the marketing department in developing marketing tools for BDR’s 50+ business training classes and coaching services, including the Profit Coach program.

Each episode of Prime Resources Podcast is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge you need to help your business achieve Prime results, with ‘Prime’ being the most flourishing stage or state.

The post How to Use the Profit & Loss by Job Report in QuickBooks® first appeared on BDR and is written by Erin Kunz.

BDR

In this episode of the Prime Resources Podcast, BXB’s Media Placement Strategist, Deb Thompson, discusses how to build and execute a multi-channel marketing strategy. She emphasizes integrating various marketing channels, understanding target audiences, and setting clear objectives.

Deb shares insights on the different marketing channels, the significance of consistent messaging, and the need for a well-structured lead capture system.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation if you want to enhance your marketing and drive better results!

Listen here:

Deb Thompson is a media placement strategist for BxB Media, a BDR Company, where she helps home service companies amplify their brands through multi-channel marketing strategies. With over 30 years of experience in digital, print, broadcast, streaming, and out-of-home media, she has guided hundreds of businesses—from national brands to local enterprises—in achieving measurable growth. Her expertise is crafting data-driven campaigns that maximize platform visibility and ROI.

Before joining BxB Media, Deb served as vice president and general manager of a leading NBC affiliate, where she revitalized the station’s community engagement and profitability. She now combines her deep media knowledge and passion for results to empower contractors with scalable, high-impact marketing solutions.

BDR’s Prime Resources Podcast host, Matt MacArthur, is senior vice president of training & marketing. Having worked in the industry for over two decades, he continually works with BDR’s trainers to improve training materials and class delivery. He leads the marketing department in developing marketing tools for BDR’s 50+ business training classes and coaching services, including the Profit Coach program.

Each episode of Prime Resources Podcast is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge you need to help your business achieve Prime results, with ‘Prime’ being the most flourishing stage or state.

The post Unlocking the Power of Multi-Channel Marketing first appeared on BDR and is written by Erin Kunz.

BDR

In this BDR Prime Resources podcast episode, Head Coach Dustin Guyton discusses the importance of organizational design thinking in business. Dustin explores the definition of organizational design, its significance for business leaders, and the various structures that can be implemented.

This short conversation also outlines the elements of organizational design, including clarity of roles, the importance of culture, and the evaluation process. Dustin emphasizes the need for intentionality in designing an organization that aligns with the purpose of both the business and its team members, ultimately leading to greater success and fulfillment.

Listen here:

Dustin Guyton is a head coach for Business Development Resources (BDR), the premier business training and coaching provider to HVAC contractors and distributors. He has owned and operated a contracting business for over a decade, achieving an impressive revenue milestone of over $10 million. Dustin’s impact extended to coaching and corporate training, where he worked with diverse businesses, including a successful Fortune 500 company.

BDR’s Prime Resources Podcast host, Matt MacArthur, is senior vice president of training & marketing. Having worked in the industry for over two decades, he continually works with BDR’s trainers to improve training materials and class delivery. He leads the marketing department in developing marketing tools for BDR’s 50+ business training classes and coaching services, including the Profit Coach program.

Each episode of Prime Resources Podcast is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge you need to help your business achieve Prime results, with ‘Prime’ being the most flourishing stage or state.

The post Applying Organizational Design Thinking first appeared on BDR and is written by Erin Kunz.

BDR

In this episode of the Prime Partners Podcast, Ryan Fenn, CEO and founder of CHIIRP, discusses the importance of follow-up in business, particularly in the trades. Ryan shares his entrepreneurial journey, the significance of speed to lead, and how automation can enhance customer relationships. The conversation emphasizes the need for authenticity in marketing and the role of empathy in follow-up strategies. Ryan also highlights the tools and resources available through CHIIRP to help contractors improve their lead conversion rates and maximize their existing customer databases.

Listen here:

Ryan Fenn achieved seven-figure success by using text messaging and automation in his sales process, leading him to create CHIIRP to help other businesses achieve similar results. Passionate about automation’s impact on his career, he now focuses on helping service companies implement revenue-generating automation at every customer journey stage. As a husband, proud father of four, and entrepreneur, Ryan has helped over 1,000 companies of all sizes, from $100k to nine-figure businesses, implement marketing automation strategies.

CHIIRP

• LinkedIn

[email protected]
1-801-806-4808
Time Zone: MT

BDR’s Prime Partners Podcast host, Tyler Gunhus, is BDR’s Marketing Manager. He has over ten years of communications experience spanning print, broadcast, and product marketing. After graduating from Biola University with a Communication and Media Arts degree, Tyler joined a large media company, coordinating content creation, social media, and promotions. He joined the BDR team in 2020, helping lead the marketing strategy and execution, focusing on brand development.

In 2024, he became the host of the Prime Partners Podcast, which delivers insight into services, resources, and business practices that can help your company succeed faster.

Each episode features a BDR partner company or client who shares ways you can drive your company forward.

Want to learn more about the BDR SAI partner highlighted in this episode? Reach out to BDR’s Client Experience Coordinator, or go to: https://www.bdrco.com/partners/

The post The Art of Following-Up: How Contractors Can Unlock More Revenue Through Better Lead Conversion first appeared on BDR and is written by Erin Kunz.

BDR

In this episode of the Prime Resources Podcast, Jon Hirsch from Auer Steel & Heating Supply Co. discusses the importance of building interest in the trades, particularly HVAC, among young people. He shares insights on the industry’s challenges in recruiting new talent, his innovative outreach strategies, and the need for collaboration between contractors and educational institutions to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers. Jon emphasizes the potential for a rewarding trade career and encourages industry professionals to engage with the next generation.

Listen here:

Key Takeaways

Implementing Online Scheduling Time Stamps

Jon Hirsch has a diverse work experience in the HVAC industry. His career began in 1985 as a district sales manager for Aprilaire, where he excelled in driving sales growth. Jon then joined Indiana Supply Corporation in various roles, including Tempstar product and sales manager, supplies sales and marketing manager, and branch manager, continuing his career at Auer Steel & Heating Supply Co. Inc., holding positions such as senior product manager, director of sales and marketing – Wisconsin, and director of marketing.
Since 2015, Jon has been the director of business development for Auer Steel & Heating Supply Company Inc. Overall, he has demonstrated his sales, marketing, and management expertise throughout his trade career.
From 1979 to 1985, Jon attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing & Management. Jon’s field of study focused on business, management, marketing, and related support services.

BDR’s Prime Resources Podcast host, Matt MacArthur, is senior vice president of training & marketing. Having worked in the industry for over two decades, he continually works with BDR’s trainers to improve training materials and class delivery. He leads the marketing department in developing marketing tools for BDR’s 50+ business training classes and coaching services, including the Profit Coach program.

Each episode of Prime Resources Podcast is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge you need to help your business achieve Prime results, with ‘Prime’ being the most flourishing stage or state.

The post Building Interest in the Trades first appeared on BDR and is written by Erin Kunz.

BDR

In this episode of the Prime Resources Podcast, BxB Media Lead Marketing Coach Justin Ebright discusses the significance of online scheduling in today’s consumer landscape, emphasizing its transition from a luxury to a necessity. He explores the user experience, business opportunities, and the challenges faced during implementation.

Justin shares the importance of analyzing the scheduling process, the role of AI, and the need for effective vendor selection. Discover how to take the first step in online scheduling to maximize opportunities for your home service business!

Listen here:

Key Takeaways

Implementing Online Scheduling Time Stamps

Justin Ebright has been in the marketing arena for over 36 years. His ongoing expertise rests in client relationship building and retention, the teaching and education of marketing concepts to prospects and clients, and training marketing managers and their teams to identify marketing portfolios that work. Justin has helped build multiple micro-digital and traditional marketing agencies across the country. He was the president & CEO for 15 years of his first built agency before joining BxB Media in 2021. Since joining BxB, Justin has played a large part in their growth as a lead coach, mentor, and one of the founding members of the CHIIRP team.

BDR’s Prime Resources Podcast host, Matt MacArthur, is senior vice president of training & marketing. Having worked in the industry for over two decades, he continually works with BDR’s trainers to improve training materials and class delivery. He leads the marketing department in developing marketing tools for BDR’s 50+ business training classes and coaching services, including the Profit Coach program.

Each episode of Prime Resources Podcast is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge you need to help your business achieve Prime results, with ‘Prime’ being the most flourishing stage or state.

The post Implementing Online Scheduling first appeared on BDR and is written by Erin Kunz.

BDR

In this episode of the Prime Resources podcast, BDR Head Coach Darbi Shumway discusses how outbound calling is a powerful lead-generation strategy. Darbi shares the importance of understanding the target audience, the role of effective scripting, and the qualities that make a successful outbound caller. Darbi also emphasizes the need for training, the significance of handling objections, and the potential pitfalls teams may encounter. Learn how to maximize opportunities year-round in your business by implementing an outbound calling strategy that drives leads!

Listen here:

Key Takeaways

Using Outbound Calling to Generate Leads Time Stamps

Darbi Shumway brings over 15 years of contracting industry expertise to her role at BDR, where she excels as a business coach. With a background in founding and growing three successful businesses, Darbi’s entrepreneurial spirit is matched by her commitment to helping companies optimize their potential. Her specialties include business planning, service operations, sales, and leadership development, areas in which she has coached over 47 companies with revenue ranging from $1 million to $50 million.

BDR’s Prime Resources Podcast host, Matt MacArthur, is senior vice president of training & marketing. Having worked in the industry for over two decades, he continually works with BDR’s trainers to improve training materials and class delivery. He leads the marketing department in developing marketing tools for BDR’s 50+ business training classes and coaching services, including the Profit Coach program.

Each episode of Prime Resources Podcast is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge you need to help your business achieve Prime results, with ‘Prime’ being the most flourishing stage or state.

The post Using Outbound Calling to Generate Leads first appeared on BDR and is written by Erin Kunz.