What software buyers can learn from agile development and lean manufacturing
Software companies long ago abandoned complex release processes where comprehensive new versions would show up every few years. So why do software application buyers continue to plan for and tolerate implementation schedules that span several months or in some cases even years? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, and software buyers […]
How to grow your service contracting revenue 23.4% year over year
On average, commercial service contractors who use ServiceTrade grow their invoice revenue by 23.4% year over year. All you have to do is buy ServiceTrade and you’ll grow! Our work here is done. The end. If only it were that simple. There is a big difference between the best and worst performers. For example, contractors […]
The economic downturn is coming. Are you ready for greedy growth?
Trade wars have sent steel prices up twenty five percent and farmers are getting killed by the collapse of the agricultural commodities market. Job growth slowed to a paltry 75,000 in May, and the two prior months of April and March were revised downward by 75,000. The European Central Bank is already easing monetary policy […]
The must-attend conference for leaders in commercial service companies
Today’s market is fraught with challenges for leaders of commercial service companies. From operations to recruitment to customer service – fighting to the top of your market (and fighting to stay there) can overwhelm even the hardest working business leaders. While technology can seem like another obstacle, commercial service companies that want to lead their […]
Selecting service management software (that keeps accounting happy)
You know it’s time. You need to purchase software to help streamline your services department. Up until this point, your accounting software has been your biggest investment in technology to run your business. As tempting as it is to throw away your current system in search for the perfect all-in-one (a mythical unicorn if you […]
Cyber attacks in fire and life safety
In 2019, there’s a fresh wave of ransomware hackers targeting US-based fire and life safety contractors that have legacy server systems. Several have been either forced to pay a bounty or face devastating disruptions when the cyber attack is unleashed. If you believe you are safe because no one is going to notice or care […]
Avoid this pitfall when going paperless
When we talk to commercial service contracting companies about going paperless, the conversation usually starts with how they envision paperless processes will benefit their back offices by saving time and money. They want to send invoices faster, save money on postage, and reduce tech phone time. Going paperless definitely results in these and other improvements […]
End of quarter questions for commercial service companies
Think back to the start of the year – did you set goals for your business? Of course you did. But how do you know your goals are focused on the right things? That you are monitoring the right numbers? To help make sure you are on the right track, we’ve put together three questions […]
Mapping your customer’s journey
Do you have ambition to become the leading service contractor in your market? Does it feel like operational and administrative inefficiencies are holding you back? We get it. It’s not easy to lead the market when it feels like you can’t even get your own house in order. We’ve helped hundreds of our customers streamline […]
5 questions to help service contractors build more valuable businesses
Much of the popular culture in management consulting today is focused on the customer experience. Matt Dixon, the author of one of my favorite management books, The Challenger Sale, is spending many of his cycles promoting another of his books, The Effortless Experience. Shep Hyken is a customer service guru with a new book called The Convenience […]