FALLS CHURCH, Va. — On the heels of three unique events this winter, specialized member segments of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) are tackling their business challenges, equipped with new tools and strategies, to help them run their companies more effectively.
At their respective winter conferences, the PHCC Enhanced Service Groups — Quality Service Contractors (QSC), Union-Affiliated Contractors (UAC), and Construction Contractors’ Alliance (CCA) — offered these key PHCC member segments opportunities to share best practices with fellow contractors and learn the latest approaches and technologies from expert speakers.
In February, QSC took its Power Meeting to Anaheim, California, where contractors in the service and repair industries got a mix of education and networking opportunities, as well as exclusive coaching sessions, to help them confront their toughest business challenges, improve operations, and grow their profits.
For example, Phil Gwoke of BridgeWorks, which specializes in presentations on different generations, presented powerful insights on how to communicate across generations, from traditionalists to millennials, noting that each group brings a unique set of attitudes, values, and work styles. Attendees learned how to approach the talent gap, how to retain the generations they need most, and how to convert this form of diversity from an obstacle into an opportunity. During the annual election, Lawrence Snow, president of Valley Plumbing & Drain Cleaning, Sandy, Utah, was elected chair of the QSC board of trustees, replacing Jeff Kuhn, president of S&K Pump and Plumbing, Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Addressing the hottest topics among signatory contractors, UAC’s Unity Meeting, held Feb. 27 to March 1 in Las Vegas, proved the benefit of cultivating strong working relationships among the industry’s labor and business leaders. Attendees tuned into powerful sessions on innovative and integrated technology for planning, design, and construction of buildings; the “how’s and why’s” of market share studies; legal tips for UAC contractors; service contracting management and growth; and UAC National Agreements.
Members in new construction convened in Park City, Utah, in early March for a packed program on business solutions, a contractor spotlight, commercial and residential breakout sessions, and valuable roundtable discussions where attendees shared challenges and best practices in the new construction arena. Of note, economist Alan Beaulieu of ITR Economics delivered an insightful short- and long-term economic forecast, applying the forecast to how it would directly affect CCA members’ businesses.
“The real-life best practices and lessons learned at these events certainly reinforce the benefit of getting involved in these Enhanced Service Groups,” said Patrick Wallner, national association president, PHCC. “Face-to-face contact with peers and experts in these specialized segments, as well as market insights and solutions to the specific challenges these groups face, goes a long way in extending the value of PHCC for our members.”
Publication date: 4/19/2017
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