Unemployment rates in the trade industry remain low. While that’s good for workers and the economy, it makes finding quality new talent a challenge and means employee retention is more important than ever. An old saying teaches that “Employees don’t leave jobs; they leave employers.” A healthy work environment doesn’t just produce happy employees. It Read more
Nebrasky Plumbing
Unemployment rates in the trade industry remain low. While that’s good for workers and the economy, it makes finding quality new talent a challenge and means employee retention is more important than ever. An old saying teaches that “Employees don’t leave jobs; they leave employers.” A healthy work environment doesn’t just produce happy employees. It makes happy customers, too! At Nebrasky Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we’re proud to have built a work culture that extends to our work ethic. It’s a model from which employees, management, and customers all benefit.
Our approach began, ironically enough, when unemployment was at an all-time high – early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, finding new team members was a challenge for a variety of reasons, so owner Paul Nebrasky did what so many business owners found they needed to do to keep the lights on during lockdown. He adapted.
Nebrasky began an initiative to retain good workers by hiring an internal brand ambassador who, in addition to representing the company, could consistently engage with employees. The position needed to be filled by a leader and natural communicator who could seamlessly integrate into our organization to facilitate new ideas, implement trainings, and make employees recognize that they are vital to our mission and our clientele.
It worked. Now, what began as adaptation to a crisis remains as an example of how employee moral goes hand in hand with customer satisfaction.
Employees who know they are valued by their employer are more motivated, attentive, and detail oriented than those who simply clock in to collect paychecks. Out team’s newfound sense of camaraderie amounts to a renewed sense of purpose, a responsibility to perform quality work not only for our customers but for the benefit of our collective – and for personal satisfaction, as well.
Company culture is part of an organization’s brand and says more than an advertisement can – and with fewer words. While our brand ambassador initiative began with an internal focus on our employees, it has had the effect of creating a multitude of ambassadors. When a motivated Nebrasky technician introduces themself at your door, they are introducing you to our team and our values. The face of a contented employee is the face of our company, and a job well done is our calling card!
Paul has grown Nebrasky Plumbing, Heating & Cooling from a single plumbing truck to a multi-disciplinary plumbing and HVAC company with nearly 50 employees. When he took over his father’s business, he was a 23-year-old operating out of his house. That was 1988. Today, the company offers plumbing installation, service, and repair; new construction plumbing; heating; air conditioning; and home energy assessments to a nine-county market area – all from its office and warehouse facility in Monroe, NY.
Nebrasky collected supplies from employees and customers during July and August Nebrasky Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has donated 50 backpacks and countless school supplies to the Backpacks for Hope program in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club. The school supplies were donated from Nebrasky employees and customers. The Boys & Girls Club will distribute Read more
Nebrasky collected supplies from employees and customers during July and August
Nebrasky Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has donated 50 backpacks and countless school supplies to the Backpacks for Hope program in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club. The school supplies were donated from Nebrasky employees and customers. The Boys & Girls Club will distribute all items to children in need throughout Northern Orange & Sullivan counties.
The backpacks were stuffed with a variety of school supplies, including:
- Pens/pencils
- Erasers
- Markers
- Crayons
- Composition notebooks
- Glue/Glue Sticks
- Children’s scissors
- Lined notebook paper
- Spiral notebooks
- Notepads
- 3 Ring binders
- Folders
“Giving back to the community is an important part of our mission, and all of our employees participate,” said Paul Nebrasky. “We are proud to know that we can help 50 students return to school with dignity, and that we can provide them with some of the tools they need to be successful throughout the school year.”
Monroe, N.Y. — Nebrasky Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, an award-winning Hudson Valley business, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Since its founding, Nebrasky has delivered trusted service to residents of Orange, Dutchess and Rockland counties. To commemorate the milestone, President Paul Nebrasky along with his staff, clients and friends gathered at the Harness Racing Museum in Read more
Monroe, N.Y. — Nebrasky Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, an award-winning Hudson Valley business, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Since its founding, Nebrasky has delivered trusted service to residents of Orange, Dutchess and Rockland counties. To commemorate the milestone, President Paul Nebrasky along with his staff, clients and friends gathered at the Harness Racing Museum in Goshen, N.Y., on Thursday, September 27, 2018, to acknowledge the many people who have contributed to the business’s success.
“Everyone here is here for a reason; you are part of the company’s success,” said Nebrasky. “Nebrasky Plumbing wouldn’t be here without all of our amazing employees, many of whom have been with me for 10, 15 or 20 years. There’s a reason why for five years running, the company has been named Best Plumber/HVAC in the Hudson Valley by the Times Herald-Record. The only way we can be the best is with great employees and I just want to thank every single one of you.”
Paul Nebrasky and family celebrate 30 years of business at anniversary dinner. (From left to right): Son, David Nebrasky; Daughter, Julia Nebrasky; Paul Nebrasky; Wife, Ilene Nebrasky; Daughter, Emily Nebrasky.
Nebrasky Plumbing, Heating & Cooling launched in 1988 when Paul Nebrasky took over his father’s plumbing business. While the company began with a home office and one employee, Nebrasky has grown to employ more than 30 people, including highly trained technicians and office administrators. It has also added HVAC, whole house generators and home energy assessments to its service lines and been recognized amongst the community for its innovation and outstanding customer service.
“The key to success is all about communication and customer service,” said Nebrasky. “Treating our customers the way we want to be treated is a practice I’ve instilled in our staff since the beginning. It’s important to understand that when a customer asks about our services, they are in need; they see water damage and dollar signs. From the compassion exhibited by our employees answering the phone to the service provided by our technicians, we do our best to ensure our customers’ needs are met and their experience is unparalleled.”
Nebrasky has committed himself to identifying opportunities for improving the customer experience. He regularly attends business, marketing and technology conferences to learn about new technology and practices that could be applied to his business.
Fifteen years ago, the company began using a reverse GPS system that allowed office administrators to be able to track Nebrasky vehicles and provide more accurate arrival times to customers. Now, Nebrasky uses an automated system that sends text and email alerts to customers at every step of their appointment process.
“Customers can make an appointment with one of our technicians using our online request form and they will immediately receive a text or email confirming their appointment time,” said Nebrasky. “The day before a scheduled appointment, the customer will receive another message confirming the time of our technician’s arrival. Then, the day of the appointment, our customers receive an alert with the name of the technician, his or her photo and a bio so that the homeowner knows exactly who will be arriving at their house. The alert also includes a tracking feature so customers are able to see how close the technicians are as their appointment time approaches.”
For Nebrasky, improving the customer experience goes beyond customer service skills – it involves ensuring his customers’ safety. In 1998, Nebrasky Plumbing, Heating & Cooling became the first New York State certified plumbing and HVAC company to conduct carbon monoxide tests. Nebrasky worked with the National Comfort Institute to train and certify all of his technicians as carbon monoxide analysts.
In 2004, Nebrasky was named Contractor of the Year by Contractor Magazine. The company was also honored by Delta Faucet Co. and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC) as a runner-up for its Plumbing Contractor of the Year. The prestigious award recognizes excellence in the plumbing industry.
“I am grateful to be celebrating 30 years in business, despite tough economic climates and many industry-wide changes and standards,” said Nebrasky. “Our success is in no small part a result of hardworking and compassionate employees, loyal customers and constantly adapting to deliver quality service.”
To learn more about Nebrasky Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, visit www.nebraskyplumbing.com.