How bought an intro?
business management education
If anyone had the patience to listen, I would answer any question asked until I ran out of breath or knowledge/info on any topic I know anything about and since I paint and make pottery, sculpture, jewelry, violins, and furniture and run a plumbing company and have a PhD in psychology and read 100 nonfiction books a year including cutting edge philosophy for relaxation I could go on for quite a while, all for free - charging money for info is beyond my comprehension. But when the info relates to money my perception is every one shuts up and says pay me and I'll answer your question. So my question to you guys, my start of a thread is, isn't there some body out there who knows where to find the info (or books) about how to run a successful plumbing company with out paying $24,000.00 initiation and $900.00/month (for what?) fees. Been thru Frank Blau and Ellen Rohr, but though their info is good they exhaust themselves on pricing and accounting. I have no problem keeping customers but I have a real problem getting new ones. All suggestions welcome.
Walt
Walt
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
1 - 20 of 40 Posts
After the first couple sentences, I still managed to drag myself all the way through that post. And the answer I have for you is, no. Even withuot proper introduction.
Sorry, first day, first time, don't quite know what a request for a proper intro is asking for. Ran plumbing bus in Philadelphia, PA for 20 years then moved to Canton, OH for next 12 years. Started with the "Philly" code, now work with the OHIO code which is a variation of the 2006 International code which a lots 1 paragraph to explain the Philly code (and I paid $250 for classes to learn that paragraph in the late 70's, really). Company size is 2 full time plumbers and 2 full time drain cleaners but recently full time isn't 40 hours.
Welcome to the PZ. Just giving you a little ribbing is all:yes: Don't pay us no mind.:thumbup:
After the first couple sentences, I still managed to drag myself all the way through that post. And the answer I have for you is, no. Even withuot proper introduction.
Ya got me,
I spit a little ice cream at the screen. Actually, I just got a new keyboard, because of all the crumbs and beverages jammed into the keys on the old one. Thanks in part to you.
Welcome to Plumbing Zone! Hope we never have the opportunity to meet. I'm like the energizer bunny, I'll go on and on and on and on . . .If anyone had the patience to listen, I would answer any question asked until I ran out of breath or knowledge/info on any topic I know anything about and since I paint and make pottery, sculpture, jewelry, violins, and furniture and run a plumbing company and have a PhD in psychology and read 100 nonfiction books a year including cutting edge philosophy for relaxation I could go on for quite a while, all for free - charging money for info is beyond my comprehension. But when the info relates to money my perception is every one shuts up and says pay me and I'll answer your question. So my question to you guys, my start of a thread is, isn't there some body out there who knows where to find the info (or books) about how to run a successful plumbing company with out paying $24,000.00 initiation and $900.00/month (for what?) fees. Been thru Frank Blau and Ellen Rohr, but though their info is good they exhaust themselves on pricing and accounting. I have no problem keeping customers but I have a real problem getting new ones. All suggestions welcome.
Walt
You get the point.
To answer your question directly, any book on getting customers should do. It doesn't necessarily have to refer to plumbing. Attracting customers is marketing. The last marketing book I read was The Purple Cow by Seth Godwin (sp?). Old marketing doesn't work, so your creativity should help you. It's an easy read and gets the mind going.
Look forward to your posts and elaborating. I like reading as much as I like talking. :yes:
Welcome PHILLY WALT. I can highly recommend the best pair of books dealing with money, business, plumbing and anything else you may have questions about.
1. THOU SHALL PROSPER by RABBI DANIEL LAPIN
2. THE BIBLE (I prefer the nkj version)
:thumbsup:
1. THOU SHALL PROSPER by RABBI DANIEL LAPIN
2. THE BIBLE (I prefer the nkj version)
:thumbsup:
don't have a clue as to whether you made a point or not.Ya got me,
I spit a little ice cream at the screen. Actually, I just got a new keyboard, because of all the crumbs and beverages jammed into the keys on the old one. Thanks in part to you.
"air gap" was kind enough to say "welcome, just kidding with you"
i did not try to make a "spitting comment", I asked a question about how to get info. the point of my initial comment wasn't penis waving, it was i can't believe people want to charge for info - i would give up anything i knew for nothing. i almost interjected "except the treasure map", but i guess that's part of the answer, lots of people think the money supply is fixed and if they help you get any there will be less left for them, which of course is nonsense. about money (and i'm still trying to figure out how to get more) i'll say read "webb of debt " by ellen brown and you will become greatly enriched and angry.
Hi, Phillywalt.
I don't know if I read 100 nonfiction books a year or not. Probably. I have a problem - I collect things. Doesn't matter if they're worth anything or not. Books are one of the things I collect. I quit counting after 3,000.
You say that charging money for info is beyond your comprehension. When I consider my thousands of books, and that even though many of them were bought at used bookstores or library sales I still paid for them, I well comprehend that knowledge can cost money. Considering the rising cost of a college education, I'd say I'm not alone.
Now I realize that it seems that Ellen and Frank et al. charge a lot. But people are paying it. This sort of thing comes up in conversation on the plumbing boards every once in a while and there are some who say that they were in one of these programs for a while and although they learned a lot it wasn't worth quite what they were paying, and they left. Others are still currently paying what seems to me an exorbitant amount but they say that it has changed their business around and that it's worth it.
Some of these businesses are a lower cost than others. If you aren't predisposed to buying into one, do what I do - comb the internet for all the information you can get. It's a little more difficult pulling little nuggets of information a piece at a time, but it's virtually free. (pun intended)
If I could only remember all those nuggets of information when girded up for battle with the cruel world, I'd probably do a lot better. But alas, the memory is the . . . first to go? I can't remember.
I don't know if I read 100 nonfiction books a year or not. Probably. I have a problem - I collect things. Doesn't matter if they're worth anything or not. Books are one of the things I collect. I quit counting after 3,000.
You say that charging money for info is beyond your comprehension. When I consider my thousands of books, and that even though many of them were bought at used bookstores or library sales I still paid for them, I well comprehend that knowledge can cost money. Considering the rising cost of a college education, I'd say I'm not alone.
Now I realize that it seems that Ellen and Frank et al. charge a lot. But people are paying it. This sort of thing comes up in conversation on the plumbing boards every once in a while and there are some who say that they were in one of these programs for a while and although they learned a lot it wasn't worth quite what they were paying, and they left. Others are still currently paying what seems to me an exorbitant amount but they say that it has changed their business around and that it's worth it.
Some of these businesses are a lower cost than others. If you aren't predisposed to buying into one, do what I do - comb the internet for all the information you can get. It's a little more difficult pulling little nuggets of information a piece at a time, but it's virtually free. (pun intended)
If I could only remember all those nuggets of information when girded up for battle with the cruel world, I'd probably do a lot better. But alas, the memory is the . . . first to go? I can't remember.
..........I asked a question about how to get info. the point of my initial comment wasn't penis waving, it was i can't believe people want to charge for info - i would give up anything i knew for nothing. ......quote]
Really? Would you give all of your plumbing knowledge to customers so they don't have to pay you? Of course not. You would share this knowledge with your peers and a few tidbits of knowledge with your customers but not all of it with your customers.
Same goes for the organizations your talking about. Information is their business. That's what they do. They'll give you a few tidbits to show there is value waiting ahead but they can't give away all their goods. It seems unreasonable to expect that for free.
Read all of the business, marketing, and managment books you can get your hands on and stick around the forum here. You will find quite a few gems of information around here. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge floating around this forum. :thumbsup:
I don't wanna know about your junk, dude. By me quoting Airgap, it should have been obvious I was referring to his post, that got me.don't have a clue as to whether you made a point or not.
"air gap" was kind enough to say "welcome, just kidding with you"
i did not try to make a "spitting comment", I asked a question about how to get info. the point of my initial comment wasn't penis waving, it was i can't believe people want to charge for info - i would give up anything i knew for nothing. i almost interjected "except the treasure map", but i guess that's part of the answer, lots of people think the money supply is fixed and if they help you get any there will be less left for them, which of course is nonsense. about money (and i'm still trying to figure out how to get more) i'll say read "webb of debt " by ellen brown and you will become greatly enriched and angry.
school of life teaches you all you need
Phillywatt, I get the feeling you did too many drugs back in the 60s, or 70s.. perhaps 80s...
or maybe I am wrong,
running a business is different for everyone becasue we all come into it with different back grounds and different talents.. different upbringings, and literally different DNA..
then you mix in the idiot employees and you got yourself some very wierd dynamics...
to me it is sort of like babysitting a bunch of morons with shovels ....:laughing::laughing:
my suggestion, is to find someone that is successful in something and ask and watch how they do it,........
but if you every want to discuss quantum mechanics, string theory, ect
that is more fun than figureing out how much you made putting in that ballcock this morning..:laughing:
.
.
Phillywatt, I get the feeling you did too many drugs back in the 60s, or 70s.. perhaps 80s...
or maybe I am wrong,
running a business is different for everyone becasue we all come into it with different back grounds and different talents.. different upbringings, and literally different DNA..
then you mix in the idiot employees and you got yourself some very wierd dynamics...
to me it is sort of like babysitting a bunch of morons with shovels ....:laughing::laughing:
my suggestion, is to find someone that is successful in something and ask and watch how they do it,........
but if you every want to discuss quantum mechanics, string theory, ect
that is more fun than figureing out how much you made putting in that ballcock this morning..:laughing:
.
.
Welcome Phillywalt from OK. I completely got the premise of your post. I am pretty sure everyone on here has at one time or another posted comments about what they are proud of or have, don't sweat it. As for knowledge, I have never really come across a viable textbook that explains the current plumbing business models. I, as one post put it, view these forums and comb through all the trade magazines I can. I go to as many associations as I am able as well. I am sure you also soak up as much knowledge from what you read as well. BTW, THICK SKIN IS A MUST AROUND HERE. Welcome once again, I look forward to any insight!
There's no such thing as a free lunch. Info. included.
Do you charge for your plumbing knowledge, or give it away for free? Why do consultants make money, or lawyers, engineers, or doctors? Why doesn't everyone just give out everything for free?
Seriously though, why should info. be free?:confused1: Did you ever meet one of those cheapskate leeches that call 10 contractors wanting free estimates, only to get free information and try to do it themselves? Don't be a leech.
Really? Why aren't colleges free then?charging money for info is beyond my comprehension.
Walt
Do you charge for your plumbing knowledge, or give it away for free? Why do consultants make money, or lawyers, engineers, or doctors? Why doesn't everyone just give out everything for free?
Seriously though, why should info. be free?:confused1: Did you ever meet one of those cheapskate leeches that call 10 contractors wanting free estimates, only to get free information and try to do it themselves? Don't be a leech.
Really now?If anyone had the patience to listen, I would answer any question asked until I ran out of breath or knowledge/info on any topic I know anything about which means you'll never get a word in edgewise since I know so much about everything, well, everthing that is except how to run a plumbing business and since I paint and make pottery, sculpture, jewelry, violins, and furniture and run a plumbing company and have a PhD in psychology and read 100 nonfiction books a year including cutting edge philosophy for relaxation I could go on for quite a while, all for free - charging money for info is beyond my comprehension oh how noble of you. But when the info relates to money my perception is every one shuts up and says pay me and I'll answer your question. So my question to you guys, my start of a thread is, isn't there some body out there who knows where to find the info (or books) about how to run a successful plumbing company with out paying $24,000.00 initiation and $900.00/month (for what?) fees. Been thru Frank Blau and Ellen Rohr, but though their info is good they exhaust themselves on pricing and accounting. I have no problem keeping customers but I have a real problem getting new ones. All suggestions welcome.
Walt
No penis waving?
Please refer to all the red waving penises above.
I am a person who spent the money to join the club. I did this because I was just smart enough to realise that although I would match my plumbing skills against anyone's, I didn't know squat about business. Now you think that I and anyone else who has learned anything along the way, should become your "open book"!? How presumptuous, how arrogant, how predictably socialistic you are. I share a fair amount of information on this forum and in private. I do this because I choose to not because I'm guilted into it or have any obligation to do so. What I give, I give freely. Now get in my face and tell me I ought to, or attempt to force me into it as many other contemporary socialists are attempting to do and see what happens. You have no claim on my or any other persons knowledge. If you come seeking knowledge (especially for free) you better show up with a little humility rather than trumpets announcing your greatness telling me I'm less than you if I don't hand it over. If you can't find it for free then you better be prepared to pay for it. NOBODY OWES YOU ANYTHING. YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED!
There are various ways to start.If anyone had the patience to listen, I would answer any question asked until I ran out of breath or knowledge/info on any topic I know anything about and since I paint and make pottery, sculpture, jewelry, violins, and furniture and run a plumbing company and have a PhD in psychology and read 100 nonfiction books a year including cutting edge philosophy for relaxation I could go on for quite a while, all for free - charging money for info is beyond my comprehension. But when the info relates to money my perception is every one shuts up and says pay me and I'll answer your question. So my question to you guys, my start of a thread is, isn't there some body out there who knows where to find the info (or books) about how to run a successful plumbing company with out paying $24,000.00 initiation and $900.00/month (for what?) fees. Been thru Frank Blau and Ellen Rohr, but though their info is good they exhaust themselves on pricing and accounting. I have no problem keeping customers but I have a real problem getting new ones. All suggestions welcome.
Walt
1. Sales motivation ( Tom Hopkins etc)
2. Marketing ...Conrad Levinson, Beckwith, Trout
3. Get out and knock on doors ( property management,new contractors, take someone out for lunch,leave a business card and talk to people in an unimposing way, eg. plant a happy seed)
..the effective grass roots approach4. Answer the phone, be polite, always do what you say
5. Stay sized according to income
6. Try to forge a strategy and be ready for something new...luck equals preparation plus opportunity
7. Always improve the image, cleaner truck,uniform
8. Always improve the operation
9. Try and get more organized...A little bit goes a long way
Efforts tend to be rewarded
8. Always improve the operation
9. Try and get more organized...A little bit goes a long way
Efforts tend to be rewarded
1 - 20 of 40 Posts
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
Plumbing Zone - Professional Plumbers Forum
A forum community dedicated to professional plumbers. Come join the discussion about the industry, safety, finishing, tools, machinery, projects, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
TerryTotoSucks
168 Replies
skoronesa
126 Replies
Logtec
86 Replies
Recommended Communities
