Waste No Day: A Home Services Motivational Podcast

In today’s show, we interview special guest James Mellinger. James is a service electrician and safety advisor for Mister Sparky Electric in Lancaster, PA. Coming out of high school, James got introduced to the trades through a family connection eventually taking apprenticeship classes and learning the skills. Originally joining One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning as an HVAC tech, he eventually transferred to the sister company Mister Sparky Electric wear he found his niche in the service industry. As a self-proclaimed amateur in selling communication, James graduated the school of hard knocks to eventually become one of the highest producing panel sales electricians in the nation. James shares his story in how he went from “didn’t know what I was doing” to great success by learning how to transfer the enthusiasm of his service.

In today’s show, we discuss the topic of transferring your enthusiasm. Selling is a baggage word that brings up all kinds of feelings in people; most of them negative. Really at the end of the day to sell something is to transfer the excitement you have for a product or service to someone who doesn’t have that product or service. This definition comes from Brian Tracy, a successful and renown sales trainer and coach. Brian and Nate breakdown the concept and review how important it is to not only believe in what you are offering but help others understand the same value that you place upon that particular product or service.

In today’s show, we interview special guest Brad Hauck. Brad serves as the service coordinator and dispatcher for One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, and Mister Sparky Electric; all located in Lancaster, PA. Prior to taking his role as master of the schedule, Brad was a HVAC technician himself for many years. This unique combination of both field experience and strong organization has empowered Brad to maximize efficiency in his day while not losing site of what it was to be a technician. In the service industry, time is a key motivator not only to the customer you are serving (by arriving on time) but also to the service professional. If you waste time through the day, your lack of efficiency can end up costing you opportunity. If you arrive late at your first call, you may not have the opportunity to have that last call in you day and in turn cost you possible income. We break down some advice from the scheduler Yoda on making the most of your home services day.

In today's show, we discuss the topic of an efficient service day. Efficiency is something that everyone is concerned about and interested in gaining. We spend extra money for longer lasting product, for better MPG, for better energy, and the list goes on. Efficiency is certainly of consumer interest; but what about efficiency in your day. Would you pay to get one more minute? If only that was possible, but we all get the same number of minutes each day. The efficiency comes through how you choose to use the minutes you are given. Here is where the theory turns to application. Are you disciplined in your time management? How can your time efficiency affect your day in the home services industry? Are you budgeting your time so that are making the most of each day? This episode breaks down the idea of efficiency in your day and specifically how it relates to the home services industry.

In today’s show, we interview special guest Caleb Harnish. Caleb brings a unique background to the service industry by both understanding the customer side and the technician side of the equation. Entering the trades in customer service after some time at college, Caleb started his journey in the office. Here he learned the importance of serving a customer and the types of needs that homeowners have on a day-to-day basis. He eventually moved into a role as human resources director which taught him about the concerns and challenges of technicians, plumbers, and electricians. Combining these two areas of expertise, Caleb branched out into the sales field delicately balancing and bridging the gap between homeowners and technicians when HVAC replacement is in discussion. Caleb has and continues to learn the value of understanding pain in his meetings with customers. Caleb shares his practical advise on how understanding everything the customer is dealing with aids in providing a solution the customer needs.

In today's show, we discuss the topic of pain and how it is your ally. Most people will take great effort to avoid pain. However, as every homeowner knows, pain comes built into every house. The home services industry was born out of a desire to avoid pain. We invented tools and machines to make the home more comfortable. We want lights in our house to avoid having to use candles. We want working toilets to avoid the cold outhouse. We want on demand heat to avoid chopping wood or shoveling coal. Along with these inventions always comes a need for repair and replacement. This is where home service professionals encounter customer pain. When something is broken or not working properly, the customer is in pain and wants it corrected. Understanding the pain of a customer is in not only makes you empathetic but also helps you fix the problem with the best solution. Like a good doctor, a technician must first conduct an exam before prescribing the remedy. Understanding the pain is what makes it your ally.

In today’s show, we interview special guest Ryan Veilleux. Ryan, like so many entered the trades in his teens as a plumber’s helper. This turned into becoming a plumber which led to crossing into HVAC. Ryan perfected his craft as a heating and air conditioning technician serving the customer through maintenance and repairs. He further honed his skill in customer service and communication by “listening.” Ryan speaks about what he was listening for at each call and how he developed his training on spotting opportunities.

In today's show, we discuss the topic of looking for opportunities. Many people wait for success to come to them. They get stuck in a rhythm that looks good, but is really preventing growth. This type of satisfactory mentality accepts good over great and if not tempered leads to rationalization and even justification of why someone else gets better results. Looking for opportunities starts inside first. Ask the question, "Am I even open to opportunity?" For all of us, it is easy to fall into a stagnant state of mind. Once you are able to overcome your own head trash, you can than move into application. Now that your eyes are open to seeing opportunities, you can begin learning what to do with them when they present themselves. Hosts Brian and Nate dig into this topic and how we can all make a determination to keep an open mind.

In today’s show, we interview special guest Brennan Machemer. Brennan entered into plumbing trade school after graduating. After years of working during the day and school at night, he eventually got his journeymen card and recently secured his master plumber license. However, even the best master plumber can be the worst motivator. We take time to hear how Brennan not only stays motivated himself, but uses that gift to encourage others around him. Currently serving as a field supervisor with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Lancaster, PA, Brennan is responsible for the morale and leadership of his team. Brennan shares his perspective on what gets him up in the morning and what keeps him going through the day.

In today’s show, we discuss the topic of motivation. Motivation is one of those buzzwords that can really draw up a number of feelings on the topic. Hosts Nate and Brian discuss practical advice to personal motivation starting with identifying whether you tend to be a positive or negative person. Once you know your starting point, the steps forward become more defined to either help staying motivated or starting that journey. If you are already a motivated person, Brian and Nate discuss ways of passing that excitement on to those around you. Listen for some great and practical ideas for turning the grind into growth.