Some ideas for success in businesses I have seen and consulted with in the past, not just my business, I have worked with several companies that are large, profitable and dominate their market. One of the first concepts that I learned was that a positive attitude is essential today. Inc magazine just posted the Top Read more
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Some ideas for success in businesses I have seen and consulted with in the past, not just my business, I have worked with several companies that are large, profitable and dominate their market. One of the first concepts that I learned was that a positive attitude is essential today. Inc magazine just posted the Top 7 Reasons People Get Fired (http://www.inc.com/john-white/here-are-the-top-7-reasons-people-get-fired-are-you-guilty-of-any-of-them.html) . Number 2 was getting negative. Business is tough enough without an employee adding to the misery, so don’t get caught up in office politics. Remain positive, more flies are caught with honey than an anvil. The exact quote escapes me, but you see where I am going.
Second concept is that we all need a mentor and a coach. No matter how long you have been in business, how large or small you are, a mentor and a coach can prove to be helpful. There is a difference. Ram Charan, in his business book The Leadership Pipeline: How to Build the Leadership Powered Company, says;
“What is the difference between coaching and mentoring? A. Coaching generally has to do with success in the current position, with some emphasis—say, 10 to 15 percent—on the next position. Mentoring is the reverse. Most of the emphasis is on the future, probably 80 to 85 percent; only 15 to 20 percent is focused on current performance.” So could one person fill both positions? Possible, but most find it is helpful to have two separate groups to work with. We see this today in mixed groups, where the group acts as a coach, helping other group members to improve processes and systems. In many cases the person who helped you get into the business (maybe the one you bought the business from) can be a mentor. They know what is going to happen next, sort of like your grandparents. They might not know how to order from Netflix, but they do know what happens when you ignore your teenagers for extended length of time.
Several quotes from How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, a pioneer in human relations and how we can influence others.
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” So quit talking about yourself, ask them about them.
“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures bristling with prejudice and motivated by pride and vanity.” Human beings all make decisions the same way, emotionally, then we justify it with logic.
“Personally I am very fond of strawberries and cream, but I have found that for some strange reason, fish prefer worms. So when I went fishing, I didn’t think about what I wanted. I thought about what they wanted. I didn’t bait the hook with strawberries and cream. Rather, I dangled a worm or grasshopper in front of the fish and said: “Wouldn’t you like to have that?”
Why not use the same common sense when fishing for people?” Ask the customer questions that reveal what they think is important, not what you think is critical. You may say, I wouldn’t do that; it actually doesn’t matter what you would do, it is not your house, not your decision. Some would say, not my circus, not my monkeys!
One final quote from the same book that is somewhat debatable, since it is over 80 years old.
“about 15 percent of one’s financial success is due to one’s technical knowledge and about 85 percent is due to skill in human engineering—to personality and the ability to lead people.” Some say it is dated, and we are in a new time where this doesn’t apply.
But according to Joy Jefferson, in the book published in 2014;
“About 15 percent of one’s financial success is due to one’s technical knowledge and about 85 percent is due to skill in human engineering—to personality and the ability to lead people. It’s absolutely great to be knowledgeable but without personal and communication skills this will get you nowhere. If you want to be successful you have to learn how to best interact with people from all walks in life. Social skills and good interactions go a long way.”
― Joy Jefferson, Carnegie: Carnegie, 70 Greatest Life Lessons
So it may still be relevant, even in these turbulent times. This is actually good news, since we don’t have to be a master in the trade to be involved. We do need to know where to get technical answers, but the most critical element may be our ability to work with others.
So get your team on the same page, get them skills to help with the interactions they will find in the marketplace. Today the customer is rushed, skeptical, frustrated, and financially troubled. Much going on that they have no control over, it can be overwhelming. Throw in a unit that is down, a hot or cold house, they just may be over the edge. Make sure your team understands how frustrating it could be to come home to a home that is not comfortable, and do not let them say: I understand how you feel, unless they have come home to a hot house. It is OK to say: that would be frustrating, let me go to work, and get to a solution as soon as possible. Smile with honesty and integrity, the customer has a filter that fake smiles will not go thru. And when you ask questions, shut up and listen, you may just hear a clue to what they want from the relationship.
Winsupply, one of the largest distributors in the nation, has selected its annual Vendors of the Year for 2016 in their respective product categories. The Winsupply Preferred Vendors that won in each category were chosen based on volume sold over a period of years, being one of the leaders in growing the business, selling to Read more
Winsupply, one of the largest distributors in the nation, has selected its annual Vendors of the Year for 2016 in their respective product categories.
The Winsupply Preferred Vendors that won in each category were chosen based on volume sold over a period of years, being one of the leaders in growing the business, selling to a breadth of locations that buy the vendor’s type of product, and having no major issues during the past year.
The winners of Vendor of the Year include:
Electrical: Pass & Seymour/Legrand
Fire: Victaulic
HVAC: Johnson Controls
Industrial: NIBCO
Plumbing Finished Goods: American Standard
Plumbing Rough-In: NIBCO
Pumps: Liberty Pumps
Showroom: Delta/Brizo
Tools: Milwaukee Electric Tool
Waterworks: A.Y. McDonald
National Account Manager: Mark Terrel of American Standard, and Bobby Leggett of Johnson Controls.
“Winsupply nominated the best of many excellent suppliers in each respective industry and our local companies provided input to help us make these selections,” said Roland Gordon, Winsupply president and CEO. “The winners are manufacturers who share our desire to be partners in serving our customers. They played an important part in our growth in 2016, our third consecutive record year in sales.”
About Winsupply Inc.
Winsupply Inc. (www.winsupplyinc.com) is a leading supplier of residential and commercial construction and industrial supplies and equipment headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. The privately-held company has nearly 580 wholesaling locations in 45 states and offers entrepreneurs the unique opportunity to own a meaningful part of the local business. Collectively, Winsupply is known as “The Winsupply Family of Companies” and includes Win-branded locations, Noland Company, Carr Supply, Security Plumbing & Heating Supply, and Wyatt Irrigation. In the family are companies conducting business-to-business wholesale distribution of supplies and equipment in plumbing and heating; hydronics; pipe, valves and fittings; HVAC and refrigeration; electrical; fastening hardware; waterworks and utility; pumps; turf irrigation and landscape; and fire system fabrication. Follow Winsupply on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Tool options for a variety of cutting, crimping, and pressing tasks DEWALT announces its further expansion into trade-focused products with five tools dedicated to the Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Trades; categories DEWALT plans to continue to develop as the brand expands its line in the future. Featuring cutting, crimping, and pressing tools, the new line Read more
Tool options for a variety of cutting, crimping, and pressing tasks
DEWALT announces its further expansion into trade-focused products with five tools dedicated to the Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Trades; categories DEWALT plans to continue to develop as the brand expands its line in the future. Featuring cutting, crimping, and pressing tools, the new line includes products with premium ergonomics, the capability to complete wide range of applications, and compatibility with the existing 20V MAX* system from DEWALT.
Electrical Tools
New DEWALT electrical tools include a U-Type Died Crimper (DCE300) and a Dieless Crimper (DCE350). Both feature the Crimp Connect™ System, an intelligent onboard reporting system integrated into the tool that reports and prints the date, time, force, and successful crimp cycles completed by the tool as well as the tool’s calibration and service history. An LED panel on the tool is used as an interface that powers on or off the tool, indicates battery state of charge, cycle completion, and if recalibration or service of the tool is needed. Another bright LED work light helps to illuminate the crimping area when working in dark spaces. Finally, the tools each include a shoulder strap for convenience when transporting around the jobsite.
The Died Crimper (DCE300) delivers a 12-ton crimping force for UL classified crimps using connectors from most manufacturers. It accepts U Type dies from most brands and has a capacity from #8 – 750 MCM Cu /1000 MCM Al. A 270° pivoting head allows the crimper to maneuver in tight spaces while forward and reverse trigger switches provide one-handed control of the crimping operation.
The Dieless Crimper (DCE350) features a universal 4 pusher design and crimps #8 – 750 MCM Cu/ 1000 MCM Al. An innovative head design helps reduce user error when crimping smaller cable, thereby providing durability. A 360° pivoting head allows the crimper to maneuver in tight spaces while forward and reverse triggers, as with the Died Crimper, provide one-handed control of the crimping operation.
Another tool available for the electrical industry is the Cable Cutter (DCE150) which is capable of cutting up to 750 MCM Cu/1000 MCM Al, cutting a full range of copper and aluminum cable. A hardened steel cutting blade provides long life, can be self-serviced, and is replaceable; a convenience for working in the field. A bright LED work light helps to illuminate cutting area while and inline forward/reverse switch offers quick and convenient operation.
Plumbing and Mechanical Tool
The new DEWALT Press Tool (DCE200) is capable of pressing pipe fittings from 1/2″ to 4″ in copper and stainless steel pipe. The Press Tool is capable of completing the full range of presses listed above and is compatible with a wide range of crimping heads and attachments for different materials and applications. The head of the tool pivots 320° to maneuver in tight spaces and the crimping jaws are protected from corrosion with a black galvanized coating. This tool also features the Crimp Connect™ System, a bright LED work light that helps to illuminate the workspace and an LED panel which powers on or off the tool, indicates battery state of charge, cycle completion, and if recalibration or service of the tool is needed. Finally, this tool also includes a shoulder strap for convenience when transporting around the jobsite.
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Tool
The new Threaded Rod Cutter (DCS350) is capable of quickly and cleanly cutting a range of threaded rod sizes including 1/4″, 3/8″ and 1/2″ mild steel rods and ¼”and 3/8” stainless steel rods. The four sided rotatable cutting die allows the user to cut each of the three different sizes of threaded rod with the same tool just by rotating the cutting dies to the size needed. The unit does not create chips or sparks while cutting, providing a burr-free cut that can easily be threaded onto fasteners. The Threaded Rod Cutter is part of the DEWALT Perform & Protect™ line of power tools which is designed to provide a high level of one or more of the following: control, dust containment, or low vibration, without sacrificing performance. The Threaded Rod Cutter eliminates fast moving cutting blades or wheels which can bind up when cutting or trimming threaded rod. The unit includes a bright LED work light, a forward/reverse/lock off switch, and a hang hook. A full line of replacement cutting dies will be available as well.
Available in June 2016 where DEWALT products are sold, users who had previously needed to switch tools from their DEWALT drills to their industry-specific tools will benefit from the convenience and performance of the 20V MAX* system, now available for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, MRO, and HVAC professionals.
*Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18.
Uponor is continuing to bring innovation, confidence, value and performance to PEX piping systems with the launch of its new re-engineered ProPEX® lead-free (LF) brass valves for residential plumbing applications. Re-engineered to offer the same amount of flow with a more compact design for greater installation efficiencies and higher performance, they are the only leading Read more
Uponor is continuing to bring innovation, confidence, value and performance to PEX piping systems with the launch of its new re-engineered ProPEX® lead-free (LF) brass valves for residential plumbing applications. Re-engineered to offer the same amount of flow with a more compact design for greater installation efficiencies and higher performance, they are the only leading valves on the market to meet building codes IPC, UPC and IRC as well as being listed to NSF 14, NSF 61, NSF 359 and NSF 372 for superior confidence in a product that is code-compliant and listed for all plumbing installations. In addition, the valves are now backed by an extended 10-year warranty and are available at a more cost-effective price to bring even greater value to a residential plumbing project.
Geberit’s revised Bathe In Style brochure highlights Cable-Operated Bath Waste and Overflows in three easy-to-operate styles. PushControl operates with a simple push, TurnControl operates with one-eighth turn, and the integrated Cascading Tub Filler and Drain is a fast tub filler with virtually no splash. Each design can enhance the beauty and functionality of a bathtub Read more
Geberit’s revised Bathe In Style brochure highlights Cable-Operated Bath Waste and Overflows in three easy-to-operate styles. PushControl operates with a simple push, TurnControl operates with one-eighth turn, and the integrated Cascading Tub Filler and Drain is a fast tub filler with virtually no splash. Each design can enhance the beauty and functionality of a bathtub, while providing years of trouble-free service.
The thin, elegant, PushControl BWO has set the standard for bathtub draining by receiving the IF Award from the International Design Forum. A simple push on the self-adjusting PushControl, which adapts easily to any bath thickness, operates the drain.
The Traditional TurnControl BWO, an industry standard, continues to offer unparalleled simplicity and sleekness. The drain opens and closes with an easy one-eighth turn of the contoured handle.
The metal Cascading Tub Filler and BWO with contoured handle is an integrated system that combines the functionality of filling and draining into one component. It features a fast tub fill – 18 gallons per minute – with almost no splash. It is as effective and trouble free as it is attractive.
Geberit BWOs come in a variety of contemporary colors and finishes and the exclusive and guaranteed Forever Shine™ finish is available on some models.
To learn more about Geberit products please contact your Geberit sales representative, call Geberit Customer Service at 800-566-2100 or visit www.geberit.us.
Download the Bathe In Style brochureat http://www.geberitnorthamerica.com/media/local_media/_imported/brochures/GNA7005.pdf or call 800-566-2100 to request a copy.