Toolbox for the Trades

How many hours do you spend monthly, or even weekly, on mundane tasks like creating SOPs or typing emails? ChatGPT and other AI tools are revolutionizing industries by taking the busy work off professionals’ plates, and the trades are no exception. The technology has made believers of Brianna Skiffington, Chief Product Officer of Ad Leverage, and Amanda Triolo, CEO of Grasshopper Heating & Cooling. They’re using ChatGPT to take their time back so they can focus on productivity and profitability. Brianna and Amanda talk about their marketing match made in heaven and how AI is impacting their respective fields for the better. Join us as we discuss: - (4:05) Leveraging marketing agencies to help grow your business - (9:04) How ChatGPT is impacting the trades industry - (16:52) Using AI and automation tools to streamline mundane work - (27:04) Empowering female leadership in the trades Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Brianna Skiffington - Ad Leverage - Amanda Triolo - Grasshopper Heating & Cooling - Open.ai - CXC.ai - Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead - https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Angie Snow, our Principle Industry Advisor here at ServiceTitan, is one of our industry’s top experts on CSRs and call center culture. Leaning on 15 years of experience at Western Heating & Air Conditioning in Orem, Utah, Angie has trained many companies on customer call etiquette and sales tactics. So, of course, she was the top choice to answer your burning questions on the subject in this episode of our Toolbox on Call series. Tune in to hear answers to your burning questions about upselling memberships, customer reviews, booking rates, and more! Join us as we discuss: - (3:47) Justifying your value proposition in customer memberships - (9:01) Why customer reviews are essential to continued growth - (17:34) Qualifying customers by asking the right questions - (28:18) Basing CSR incentives on your desired outcomes Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Call 818-600-7185 to have your questions answered on a future Toolbox on Call episode!  - Western Heating & Air Conditioning You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The water treatment industry is booming in the home services market. Just like with HVAC or plumbing, the competition can be fierce. So how do Jonathan Brewster, VP of Business Development at Aqua Clear Water Systems, and his family stay ahead of the pack? They look outside their industry to find new perspectives so they can set themselves apart from the crowd. Jonathan spills the secret sauce on his water treatment company’s dynamic marketing tactics and how they build client relationships for life. Join us as we discuss: - (4:08) Being part of a father-son tag team in the trades - (8:45) Standing out with the Nightingale Principle - (14:19) Breaking down a dynamic sales presentation - (18:56) A golden opportunity for plumbing businesses Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Jonathan Brewster - Aqua Clear Water Systems You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When a client approached Stephanie Postell with a job offer in HVAC marketing during her time as a personal trainer, she had no idea where this journey would take her. Today, about ten years later, she and her husband own and operate Anchor Heating and Air in Charleston, South Carolina.The road to get there wasn’t easy, but the former kindergarten teacher stuck to a principle that she’s paying forward to other prospective business owners — be stubborn.Stephanie shares how she planned for Anchor’s success from day one by creating foundational procedures, pricing appropriately, and keeping a teaching mentality.Join us as we discuss:- (6:26) Pivoting a teaching background into technician training - (15:20) Pricing, appearance, and leaving a lasting impression- (22:48) Why you need to plan for success from day one- (28:29) Owning mistakes and empowering a teambuilding cultureCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:- Stephanie Postell- Anchor Heating and Air- Nexstar Network- Torch NetworkYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When are lessons learned and reputations made? When we get hit with the tough stuff. We celebrate our Season 8 kickoff with the return of Ellen Rohr, President of Zoom Drain in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Since we last spoke with Ellen, Zoom Drain has expanded from 15 to 40 locations coast to coast. And they’ve done it by leaning into the problem and doing right by everyone. Ellen spills the secret sauce on how the folks at Zoom Drain plan, execute, and measure results as they power their brand forward through 2023 and beyond. Join us as we discuss: - (13:21) Building strategic relationships through referral marketing - (21:48) ServiceTitan’s upcoming Pantheon 2023 trades conference - (32:02) Connecting back to your “why” during big changes Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - ServiceTitan Pantheon 2023 - Zoom Drain - Ellen Rohr You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When Mack Shwert first got his invitation to the inaugural ServiceTitan HVAC Championship, he was shocked. He thought there was no way he could handle a live competition under the bright lights. But after getting some encouragement from his family, the HomeServe, USA technician packed his bags and made the trip to Tampa. A few days later, he was crowned the ServiceTitan HVAC Championship winner. Mack shares his experience in the competition and gives his boots-on-the-ground perspective on apprenticeships and employee retainment. Join us as we discuss: - (3:02) The ServiceTitan HVAC Championship 2022 experience - (15:14) Hiring customer-focused technicians and training - (19:19) Best and worst boss experiences - (25:18) Technician salaries and good retention practices Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship 2022 - HomeServe, USA - HVAC Technician Salaries in 2022 You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if every home service contractor had immediate access to real-time HVAC maintenance data at the push of a button? By integrating user-friendly sensors with forward-thinking software, the folks at SmartAC.com are changing the game in the home service business. Josh Teekell, SmartAC.com’s founder and CEO, tells us how contractors can use measurable data to build trust with consumers and open up new possibilities in service agreements. Join us as we discuss: - (2:58) How performance data feedback reinforces customer relationships - (10:11) Why proactive maintenance equals more conversions - (22:39) Reinforcing traditional strategies with data tools Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Josh Teekell - SmartAC.com You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When husband-wife team Kylon Gienger and Teliah Gienger began their entrepreneurial journey, they had a pretty good idea of what they were getting themselves into. But they’ve learned some valuable lessons about strategic small business acquisitions along the way. Having purchased Hurliman Heating and Air and Plumb- tech Heating and Cooling  in the Pacific Northwest last year, they share valuable insight on how they’ve successfully purchased and operated multiple small businesses in the trades.    Join us as we discuss: - (4:05) Lessons learned from multiple small business acquisitions  - (15:11) Finding the right people for your entrepreneurial vision  - (25:58) Advice for people considering a trades acquisition Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Kylon Gienger - Teliah Gienger You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!  Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

A diverse leadership team in the trades is about more than checking off a culture reform box. By bringing in people with unique experiences from outside the trades, you can empower your employees to see opportunities from every angle. Jason Brady, Owner and CEO of Above and Beyond LLC, shares how his approach to bringing men and women from different walks of life into his business has paved the way for exponential growth. Join us as we discuss: -(5:17) Why failure is vital to sustainable growth - (11:27) Personality types and their role in leadership - (22:15) Hiring leaders from outside the trades - (28:44) How diverse leadership empowers employees Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Jason Brady - Above and Beyond LLC You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When Laura Thornton and her husband, Ronnie, founded their plumbing business, TNT Home Services, they could not have imagined what lay in store for their family. During an incredible six-year stretch of growth, they knew only dynamic decision-making would give their employees and clients the best experiences possible. Laura shares how commitment to community and real-time adjustments are a winning formula for dynamic, sustainable growth.   Join us as we discuss: - (8:50) Taking a dynamic approach to incredibly fast growth  - (15:15) Making real-time adjustments with different technology tools  - (21:22) Opportunities for women in the trade - (31:37) High school and community recruiting partnerships Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Laura Thornton - TNT Home Services You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.