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The Five-Step, One-Day Strategic Plan

Originally published: 01.01.14 by Wendell Bedell

The Five-Step, One-Day Strategic Plan. DIY strategic planning to optimize your business

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Refrigeration Changes Require Industry Cooperation

Originally published: 04.01.13 by Stephen Yurek

Many issues demand the attention of our industry, both here and abroad: increasing government regulation, pressures regarding energy efficiency and minimum energy performance standards, climate change, etc. All of these are likely to be on your mind if not your agenda. But one issue stands out for its potential impact on our industry and its all-encompassing nature — refrigerants.

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5 Technologies That Cut Costs, Boost Profits

Originally published: 11.01.12 by HVACR Business Staff

Move to the cloud, get paid faster, go mobile, begin barcoding or get control of your fleet with GPS.

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Online Reputation Management: A Must-Have Marketing Tool

Originally published: 11.01.12 by Nadia Romeo

3 ways to promote the positive and respond to the negative.

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8 Ways to Be Memorable at Networking Events

Originally published: 11.01.12 by Patricia Fripp

Follow these strategies to present yourself concisely and confidently so contacts recall you later.

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How to Plan to Succeed

Originally published: 10.01.12 by Michael Feuer

In developing a strategy, creating a new business, or introducing a new product, intensive preplanning can make the difference between success and failure.

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Some Question the Intelligence of Promoting Smart Meters

Originally published: 10.01.12 by Charlie McCrudden

Smart meters are supposed to be the wave of the future, part of the futuristic “smart grid” of electricity distribution lines that use technology to solve some of the common problems that vex homeowners and utilities alike.

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4 Ways to Maximize Use of Social Media Tools

Originally published: 09.01.12 by Scott Klososky

If you want to be a master of social-media tools, you first need to understand the need to implement elements of social media that will both drive revenues and cut back office costs.

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Are Mobile Customers Missing You?

Originally published: 08.01.12 by Nadia Romeo

Don't miss out on the new opportunities that the mobile web presents. Commit time and resources to designing a mobile version of your site that will benefit your business today and far into the future.

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5 Drivers of Successful Mergers, Acquisitions

Originally published: 07.01.12 by Tom East

Due diligence is important, but so is identifying a growth strategy in advance.

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If it Ain’t Broke, Break it Now

Originally published: 07.01.12 by Michael Feuer

Customers expect constant improvement, which takes vigilance.

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Who's Eating Your Lunch?

Originally published: 01.01.12 by Bill Spohn and Jim Bergmann

Energy optimization is on the minds of commercial and residential customers. If heating-cooling-and-ventilation contractors don’t respond, other businesses will.

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New DOE Rule is Milestone for Industry

Originally published: 10.01.11 by Stephen Yurek

Oct. 25, 2011 the Direct Final Rule issued by the Dept. of Energy (DOE) setting regional standards for residential furnaces, heat pumps, and central air conditioners will be final, starting the clock ticking toward the first implementation deadline of May 1, 2013, for non-weatherized furnaces.

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For a Successful Exit, Build Value From the Start

Originally published: 09.01.11 by Kevin R. Yeanoplos

In part 1 of a 3-part series, Kevin R. Yeanoplos explains the various factors that drive a company’s value and how making a few simple changes, owners can make the most of the current opportunity for growth to squeeze every last dollar of value out of their businesses.

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ACCA Programs Opening Door To High Standards

Originally published: 09.01.11 by Stan Johnson Jr.

Can you help to improve the quality of housing in our country by being at the front of contractors adopting and implementing QA? It is time to give serious consideration to getting on board.

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Boost Companywide Performance With a ‘Complete’ Software Solution

Originally published: 06.01.11 by Karl Rajotte

Providing end-to-end control and streamlined processes, a bid-to-cash solution can be the single most valuable software investment an HVACR contractor of any size can make.

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Document Management: When to Shred, When to Keep

Originally published: 06.01.11 by Abraham J. Niedzwiecki

Several options exist from destroying the document to retaining the paper. The rules surround what kind of document you have and depend on industry regulations. Abraham Niedzwiecki offers insight for determining when to shred and when to file.

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Brag About Being Green

Originally published: 04.01.11 by Mark Tibbetts

Make sure your business benefits from being environmentally aware.

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Danger Ahead?

Originally published: 03.01.11 by Tony Petrucciani

A company’s KPIs strategy must evolve if it is to match the changing needs of a growing company. What worked in the company’s early growth stage is far from sufficient for a multi-branch organization. The modern service marketplace requires a new generation of KPI reporting and tracking tools.

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How To Get Paid for R22 Recovery

Originally published: 03.01.11 by Brad Kivlan

Take a look at how you are managing your refrigerant business and evaluate the recovery programs that are available. Refrigerant reclaimers and suppliers are depending on your recovery activities to ensure future availability of R22 and other HCFCs and HFCs. Make sure you get paid for your efforts.

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Light Commercial/Commercial Outlook: Partly Sunny, Lingering Clouds

Originally published: 01.01.11 by Tonya Vinas

Contractors, equipment suppliers, and industry groups expect 2011 to be an improvement over 2010, but not an immense improvement. Consumer trends, regulatory requirements, and incentive programs are making anything related to energy efficiency a promising opportunity; and expanding and/or rebounding sectors such as healthcare and stimulus-fueled public works projects are also brightening the outlook somewhat.

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Plan for Succession While Building Value

Originally published: 01.01.11 by Bob O’Hara

Executing a successful succession plan requires a team of experts, including an attorney, CPA, and a financial planner.

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Carefully Plan Before Asking a Business Partner for a ‘Divorce’

Originally published: 01.01.11 by Mike Coyne

Identify alternatives to terminating the company and keep emotions in check.

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7 Ways To Ruin Your Business

Originally published: 11.01.10 by George Hedley

Stick to business fundamentals. George Hedley discusses 7 shortcuts that can break your business

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How to Grow Your Business with Dehumidification

Originally published: 11.01.10 by Joe Hlavacek

Factors such as evolving homebuilding methods, changing consumer preferences, and increased awareness of health and safety issues often open new product or service opportunities for hvacr contractors.

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Warning: Turn Down the Heat

Originally published: 10.01.10 by Theo Etzel

If you aren’t addressing the very real threat of burnout, your business is at risk of underperforming. Paying attention to your own feelings is very important. But watching out for signs that an employee is beginning to suffer from burnout is critical for the success of the organization.

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Leading the Search (SEO)

Originally published: 10.01.10 by Susan Kimball

Potential customers have to be able to find your company when looking for a service provider on search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing

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How Diagnostic Technology Provides a Competitive Edge

Originally published: 09.01.10 by Mark Barraclough

How Alpine Mechanical Services is incorporating technology to stay competitive.

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Contractors Adding Home Performance Services Have Choices

Originally published: 09.01.10 by Bob O’Hara

Many hvacr contractors believe Home Performance (HP) — addressing residential customers' needs from a whole-house, energy-optimization point of view — is the future of the industry. Here are two reports from residential providers who are taking different routes to adding HP services

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Crisis Management: Are You Prepared?

Originally published: 08.01.10 by Ursula C. Mannix

Crises have the potential to threaten public safety, increase financial expenditure, damage reputation, and impact sustainability. It is critical for management in the early hours and days of a crisis to strategically and expertly take proper decisive action.

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7 Strategies that Build Your Negotiating Power

Originally published: 07.01.10 by Geoffrey James

Creating a win-win outcome is only possible if you continually accumulate a counter-balancing “negotiating power” throughout the sales cycle.

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How Mobility Solutions Can Get You There

Originally published: 06.01.10 by Frank Steinocher

Investing in an enterprise-wide mobility system returns value in many ways that will reduce costs and increase revenues.

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Partners in Efficiency

Originally published: 03.01.10 by Tonya Vinas

Large electrical utilities are promoting hvacr contractors through pre-qualified referral lists.

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Creating a Problem-Prevention Culture

Originally published: 12.01.09 by Mike Callahan

Training for "process awareness" can stop mistakes before they reach customers, saving money and ensuring repeat business.

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Making The Transition From Planning to Doing

Originally published: 12.01.09 by Paul Grunau

Defining success, documenting plans, and asking questions are keys.

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Tackling Technology

Originally published: 07.01.09 by Traci Purdum

Equipped with the right tools, contractors can increase productivity and reduce errors.

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How to Build Strong Leadership Teams

Originally published: 06.01.09 by Paul Grunau

Deep leadership positions companies to survive and even prosper during challenging times. Such companies possess not only leaders, but also strong leadership teams.

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The Importance of Succession Planning

Originally published: 05.01.09 by Mike Coyne

Whether you are a sole owner or in a partnership, considering estate planning issues now will ensure that your business survives and prospers later.

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Strategic Success

Originally published: 12.01.08 by Theo Etzel

Outlining a plan and a vision of where you want to go is critical to the success of your organization. However, it is key to make it a living, breathing document to be used frequently.

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Standards — Preparing Contractors For Changes Ahead

Originally published: 09.01.08 by Charlie McCrudden

Two key issues to the HVACR industry are teed up for action by the new Congress and the new Presidential administration in 2009.

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New Construction and Retail Are NOT The Same

Originally published: 08.01.08 by Ron Smith

Contractors who are successful in new construction may not enjoy the same fruits in retail.

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Retirement: What Plan Is Best?

Originally published: 07.01.08 by Mike Coyne

Indeed, properly planning for retirement will ensure you retire with the income you desire. But for many hvacr contractors, retirement is a foreign concept and providing retirement benefits to employees is a challenge.

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Win-Win Negotiation

Originally published: 06.01.08 by James Manktelow

Finding a fair compromise will enable you to get what you deserve.

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Creating A Culture That Drives Strategy

Originally published: 03.01.08 by Paul Grunau

Becoming a "chief culture officer" is a paramount in company success.

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Tap The Light Commercial Service Market

Originally published: 02.01.08 by Traci Purdum

Responsiveness and quality of work will help you make the sale and retain customers.

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How To Break Into The DDC Market

Originally published: 09.01.07 by Kevin R. Yeanoplos

There are a number of reasons to get into the direct digital control game. DDC technology is good for business and good for the bottom line. DDC technology can help clients improve operational and staff efficiency, while netting building owners some pretty significant energy savings

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A Growing HVACR Company Means Changing Challenges

Originally published: 07.01.07 by Ron Smith

From small to medium to large to huge: Which are you, and which do you wish to be?

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Reaching Out to Hispanic Customers

Originally published: 06.01.07 by Steve Saunders

A multi-faced marketing approach is effective for selling to this diverse population.

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'Safety Bucks' Program Pays Off

Originally published: 05.01.07 by Theo Etzel

Conditioned Air uses public rewards and peer pressure to improve safety and reduce costs.

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The Importance Of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Originally published: 03.01.07 by Jackie Rainwater

Using key performance indicators and financial information is vitally important in operating a successful hvac business. Never overlook the extreme importance of also maintaining the right company culture.

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Establish a Primary Service Area (PSPSA)

Originally published: 02.01.07 by Jackie Rainwater

Experienced and successful entrepreneur, Jackie Rainwater, discusses why it's important to designate a primary service area and how to do it the right way.

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Planning for Growth and Improved Profitability

Originally published: 01.01.07 by Jackie Rainwater

In order to grow, you must take the steps necessary to properly analyze your current business mix, establish realistic future business mix, growth, and profit goals, and then develop and implement a realistic business plan to help you achieve your goals.

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The Future of the Industry, Part 3

Originally published: 08.01.06 by Marc Blaushild

Sometimes, before we can look forward, it pays to reflect back. Often that perspective,

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The Future of the Industry: Where are We Headed? Part 2

Originally published: 07.01.06 by HVACR Business Staff

What trends do contractors need to be aware of when mapping out growth strategies for the upcoming years?

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The Future of the Industry: Where are We Headed?

Originally published: 06.01.06 by HVACR Business Staff

HVACR Business recently asked several leading contractors, industry association executives, and manufacturers to look into their crystal balls regarding future trends and developments in the HVACR industry.

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10 steps for how to value a business, sell a business, or buy a business.

Originally published: 1/1/10 by Kevin R. Yeanoplos

In part 2 of a 3-part series, Kevin R. Yeanoplos discusses how an owner must put himself in the shoes of a prospective buyer and be willing to make any changes necessary to maximize the business’ “curb appeal.” He discusses key areas that a business owner should examine closely, including potential sales growth, financial strength, discretionary expenses, management depth, market and market strategy, quality of financial information, additional unnecessary expenses, hidden liability issues, plans for the future, and workforce.

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Give Your Company the "Green" Light

Originally published: 1/1/10 by

Contractors that provide high-quality products and services are already being environmentally responsible. Isn’t it time you told your customers?

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