Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast

#63- Recruiting Top Talent Plumbers with Aizik Zimerman

Nov 7, 2023

Exploring the success of a plumbing business in Chicago, discussing recruitment strategies, the impact of private equity, and the power of local ownership. Highlights include attracting top talent with competitive pay and a positive work culture, adapting recruitment processes, and the importance of digital marketing for business success.

35:25

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Episode guests

Aizik Zimerman

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Being a local, owner-operated home service business provides a recruitment advantage over PE-owned companies.

Recruiting top talent requires adapting to their expectations by offering competitive pay and a supportive work culture.

Deep dives

Focus on Growth Mindset and Experimentation

The guest, Isaac Zimmerman, shares how adopting a growth mindset and prioritizing growth over short-term gains significantly boosted his plumbing business. By shifting the focus towards long-term growth and being open to experimentation, he successfully doubled the business in a year. He also highlights the importance of making trade-offs that enhance long-term success rather than solely focusing on immediate financial gains.

Introduction

3min

Innovative Growth Strategies in Plumbing Business

4min

Strategies for Recruiting Top Talent in the Plumbing Industry

21min

Navigating Trust and Commitments in Business Ownership

4min

Discussion on Challenges Faced by Acquired Businesses and Secret to Lead Generation Success

2min

Shifting to a Marketing Company Mindset for Plumbing Success through Digital Strategies

2min

In today's episode, we welcome Aizik Zimerman, a home service entrepreneur who owns a fast-growing plumbing company called J Blanton in Chicago. The conversation covers topics such as the success of their businesses, the use of marketing and recruitment strategies, the influence of private equity on the market, and how tailoring their businesses around marketing has led to success.

John and Aizik exchange insights about their recruitment processes and the role that competitive pay and a healthy work culture play in attracting and retaining top talent. Finally, they get into the importance of digital marketing and owning digital real estate.

Key Discussion Highlights:

The Power of Local Ownership: Being a local, owner-operated home service business can be a significant advantage in recruitment.
Private Equity (PE) Ownership: The influence of private equity ownership on recruitment is discussed. Many technicians and employees may be wary of PE-owned companies, making it easier for owner-operated businesses to attract talent.
Recruitment Tailwinds: The recruitment landscape for home service businesses is improving due to various factors, including increased demand for services, the retirement of older companies, and technicians seeking more permanent positions.
High-Quality Recruitment: Hiring top talent requires adapting to their unique expectations. Skilled professionals want to understand lead flow, opportunities, and the inner workings of the business, leading to a different interview experience.
Lead Flow Importance: For commission-based employees, the quantity and quality of lead flow can be more critical than the commission percentage. It's crucial to provide a consistent flow of potential customers to keep salespeople motivated.
Generosity with Employees: Being generous with employees can have a positive impact on recruitment and retention. Employees who feel well-treated and fairly compensated are more likely to stay with a company.
Cultural Fit and Expectations: Managing employee expectations and ensuring cultural fit becomes crucial as the business grows. Holding employees to basic standards and expectations, even if it means parting with some legacy employees, is essential.
Decline in Lead Flow: Some PE-owned home service companies are experiencing a decline in lead flow, potentially due to mismanagement, bad integration, or unrealistic expectations.

Episode Host

John Wilson: @wilsoncompanies

Episode Guest

Aizik Zimerman: @aizikzimerman

Special thanks to our sponsor: Service Scalers: Looking to scale your home service business? Service Scalers is a digital marketing agency that drives success in PPC

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John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC