

The Automated Technician’s Toolbox: Real-World AI Solutions
🚀 In this power-packed episode of To The Point Home Services Podcast, Chris, Chad and Mike sit down with long-time friend and automation pioneer Tersh Blissett to unpack the real-world impact of AI and automation for contractors.
From building a remote HVAC company before it was trendy, to launching multiple businesses focused on solving pain points with automation, Tersh shares practical insights every service business owner should hear. You’ll learn the difference between AI and automation, what tools actually work, and how you can start streamlining your operations today.
🔧 Whether you're a contractor trying to cut down on repetitive tasks, looking to empower your CSRs, or curious about AI agents and how they’re reshaping the trades—this one’s for you.
🔑 Key Topics Covered:
- Why Tersh built his companies without traditional infrastructure (storage units as warehouses?!)
- The origins of his obsession with automation
- The difference between AI vs. Automation and why contractors confuse them
- How to turn monotonous work into automated processes
- Tools Tersh uses daily (ChatGPT, Trello, Slack, Manas.io, and more)
- How AI agents (like swarm agents) can do the work of a full content team
- Training and empowering employees—not replacing them—with AI
- How to evaluate your P&L using AI
- Using Slack GPTs and wearable tech like Limitless.ai & Plod for real-time productivity boosts
- Why em dashes are the telltale sign of AI-generated content 😅
- And of course... dad jokes 🤣
⏱️ Timecodes:
00:00 – Intro + Tersh’s return since 2020
01:35 – Chris gets real about his “proportionate” face 😆
07:00 – Dad jokes segment (you don’t want to miss “a reptile dysfunction”)
09:55 – Tersh’s journey into trades & automation
13:10 – The “Optimize > Automate > Delegate” framework
17:40 – Explaining AI vs. Automation
22:00 – Real-life examples of automations in ServiceTitan & Slack
28:00 – Should AI replace employees? (Spoiler: no, but it’ll make them better)
34:20 – Most common automations Tersh installs in businesses
37:10 – Zapier explained for contractors
39:00 – Using ChatGPT to manage email
42:00 – AI + relationships: how it helps Tersh communicate better with his wife 😂
44:00 – Tersh’s favorite AI tools: Manas.io, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude
47:00 – Custom GPTs for social media, HR policies, & business analysis
50:00 – AI-generated business valuations & financial reviews
51:08 – Final thoughts on using AI to work smarter, not harder
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
- Tersh’s Podcast: Service Business Mastery – https://www.servicebusinessmastery.com
- Tersh’s Company: Trade Automation Pros – https://tradeautomationpros.com
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