By Mike Moore
HVAC dealers, ask yourself: "Am I hiring to grow the business?" If the answer is "no," you may be negatively affecting your bottom line. After all, your employees service your customers, so when you have more employees, you can earn more money. Keeping your team small could leave cash on the table and even put you in a pinch in the future - a projected labor shortage of skilled HVAC technicians is on the horizon.
It pays to add to your staff, as long as you don't grow your team beyond the needs of your business. Here's why:
- It builds your bottom line - This, of course, is the biggest reason of them all -when you have a bigger team, you can sell more because you have more resources to serve additional customers.
- New hires can diversify your talent base - If your current technicians ably tackle the most common HVAC issues, bringing on someone with a particular focus in wiring, for example, or even a Master Seller, can greatly improve the breadth of services you offer. Offering specialty services sets you apart from the competition, and customers who experience and enjoy them are more likely to share their positive experience with friends. That's a value-add for you and the homeowner!
- Hiring demonstrates your commitment to the company - Employees, especially those with benefits, feel reassured amid a hiring spurt because it shows that you're laying the groundwork for your company's long-term success.
- You can tap into referrals - If your employees are happy, chances are they know others who'd love to work at your company. Open the door to new-hire referrals with incentives such as prizes or bonuses for those who mine quality prospects from their networks.
In the end, when it's done strategically, hiring to expand your staff can be used as a powerful tool to grow your business.
From tips for technicians to advice for dealers, I offer daily insights on Facebook and Twitter - join the conversation today!