Business owners and managers take whatever disciplinary action necessary to ensure that their businesses don't suffer from the avoidable mistakes of their workers. That's a given. The same logic should be applied to the owners and managers, too.
You don't have to be an "S.O.B." to want to enter the oil heating business, said Bob Hedden, who addressed instructors at the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers (NAOHSM) Convention & Trade Show. In his example, S.O.B. referred to "son of the boss."
The move to make IAQ a No. 1 priority of the building and HVAC trades has opened up a new world of business opportunities as Americans "green up" their buildings and improve the indoor environment for both healthy occupants and those suffering from allergies and asthma.
With fuel prices hitting the $3 per gallon mark, some action has been warranted to offset the increased cost of doing business for companies that put service vehicles on the road every day. One contractor is considering eliminating free in-home estimates.
One of the reasons Roger Grochmal is the current NEWS' "Best Contractor to Work For" from Canada is that he keeps his workers involved in the business. That's why he brought 13 members of his staff to the International Service Leadership (ISL) meeting.
John Turnage knows that a lot has been written and said about the impact of 13 SEER on the HVAC trade. Speaking at the Excellence Alliance (EAI) Spring 2006 meeting, he summarized the key industry concerns about 13 SEER.
Identity fraud crimes across the United States cost $52.6 billion annually, with a per-individual total of $5,686 per victim, according to a national study. The HVAC trade is not immune to identity theft either. Without proper security measures, rip-off artists and scammers can cut deeply into the profits of contractors and suppliers.
HVAC business owners are seeing the benefits of franchise opportunities. That is one of the reasons for the success of Clockwork Home Services (formerly Ven Vest Inc.) and its plan to expand its business base and physical location in 2006.
Major League Baseball appeared to open without a hitch; however, behind the scenes in ballparks all around the country, HVAC service contractors were frantically working to ensure that mechanical systems were ready for opening day. In some instances, major renovation was required. One such place was Comerica Park.