The busy season for any business doesn’t leave much time for an organization or dealing with last-minute challenges.
However, according to Tom Peregrino, President of Service Nation, there are ways for contractors trying to grow their businesses to maximize this time of year. Tom joined us on a recent webinar to share these insights and tips to get everything you can out of the busy season.
Tom brings over 25 years of experience in the home service industry, from being the owner-operator of Daffan Cooling and Heating in Granbury, Texas, to joining Service Nation to create Alliance Premier, a large-scale coaching and training platform.
Recently promoted to President, Tom has a wealth of knowledge to share with home service contractors.
What are the challenges when it’s the busy season?
Whether you’re in HVAC, plumbing, or any other trade, the busy season can lead to frantic workloads and the temptation to cut corners.
Tom’s advice is clear: hold yourself and your team accountable to the standards set during the off-season.
But how do you know where to begin, especially when it comes to your business’s specific challenges?
That’s where Tom says the crucial role of mentorship comes into play.
Drawing from his personal experience, Tom emphasized that trying to build a business alone is complicated and unnecessary.
He shared, “For years, I tried building my HVAC business by myself with limited coaching and mentoring. I realized I needed a coach, someone to hold me accountable and provide the necessary guidance.
“Joining a gym and working out alone is hard. A coach or mentor keeps you disciplined, focused, and motivated.”
To use Tom’s analogy, seeking out mentors who have already navigated the challenges you’re facing is a game-changer for someone trying to grow their business.
From Client Expectations and Employee Engagement
Handling client expectations is another major challenge, especially during peak times.
So, how do you manage high-maintenance clients and ensure they don’t disrupt your workflow?
Be willing to fire clients if they abuse your team, even if they pay well.
“I would argue that in the long term when it comes to building a high-performing business, you can get more clients, but it’s harder to get good team members,” he noted.
“Early on in my journey, I’d say, ‘Hey … I know they’re cussing you out, but they pay good money well, you run the risk like I did of losing good people on your team because you’re chasing after the big bucks.’”
Tom also touched on the importance of employee engagement, especially when adding new team members during the busy season.
He likened it to the NFL: massive preparation is done in the off-season to ensure peak performance during the season. “You should be preparing for the busy season six months in advance,” he advised.
But what about managing employee accountability during the season?
Tom suggested having balanced job descriptions that clearly outline the responsibilities and consequences for non-compliance. This clarity helps in managing expectations and maintaining consistent performance across the team.
Setting Goals as a Business-Owning Contractor
Setting goals, especially realistic ones, is vital for business growth.
One of the biggest reasons for this is that you must set a clear vision that your team can support.
“The leader of any home service business needs to set the biggest goals so your team is going to rally around whatever your vision is and how you picture your company in the future,” he said. You want to make sure it’s a big, big, big goal – big enough to fill all of their little goals.”
Whether through mentorship, managing client expectations, engaging employees, or building strong subcontractor relationships, Tom’s experience and strategies offer a roadmap for thriving in the industry.
Did you miss a past webinar? Check out more webinars from CompanyCam.
Don’t forget to check out our new podcast, the Good Contractor Podcast. We’re interviewing contractors, and those who support contractors, to pinpoint what makes a “good” contractor. Our goal is to raise the bar across the service industry by showing current and future contractors what they can become and helping them see their businesses as more than a series of transactions.
