The 5 Most Common Problems in HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, and Contracting Businesses—And How to Fix Them Running a trades business—whether it’s HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or general contracting—is a tough gig. You’re not just the expert on the tools; you’re the CEO, the scheduler, the marketer, and the bookkeeper. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. But as someone who’s coached hundreds of [...]
Resolving conflicts between business partners requires a balanced approach that preserves the relationship while addressing the underlying issues. Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigate these situations: 1. Diagnose the Problem • Identify the Root Cause: Clarify the source of the conflict. Is it about financial decisions, workload distribution, strategic direction, or communication styles? • Separate the Personal from the Professional: Determine if [...]
The three biggest mistakes you can make as the owner of a HVAC company are: Using markup instead of margin Owners not getting paid twice Focusing on the work instead of on time Markup is the most generic form of pricing in the trades, and it is based on a false assumption. If your cost of materials is $1 and [...]
As a Business Coach, this is one of the questions I hear most: "I started my company years ago with almost nothing. Every year it grew until it reached where we are now. We got to that point three years ago, and no matter how hard I try, the numbers always hold around the same. Why can't I break out [...]
As a Business Coach, I have seen firsthand how the pandemic has impacted small companies. PPP was a band-aid. EDIL loans helped, but the Business owner is responsible (often personally) for principle and interest. The length of the term sounds inviting but don’t confuse temporary cash flow for profits. Consider that you will need more monthly profits to repay this [...]
Inflation, recession, COVID, interest rates rising, and lending drying up are all signs of an economy going bad. Every expense, from insurance to gas, creeps upward daily. So what is your company to do when everything costs more, and your customer base is looking to conserve cash? Your subsequent decisions will decide whether your business thrives or dies in a [...]
Professionals who move up to top management and C-level positions already possess the knowledge needed for the job. Technical knowledge, however, takes a back seat to the fundamental role of leadership: vision and inspiration. Leadership is the transference of certainty. Stepping into a new position is, by definition, uncertain. Leaders try to balance family, work, sales, operations, money, and employees—no [...]
If you're running an HVAC company, you need a business plan to succeed in this seasonal, high-demand industry. A business plan involves several components that allow you to define your mission statement, marketing strategies and funding needs. As your company grows and your needs change, you can update this strategy as needed. Use this guide to create your HVAC business [...]
Business owners can be some of the most cynical people in the world Why? Because they fight every day of their lives to overcome frustrations with competitors, lenders, vendors, and employees. Their initial vision of an easy road fades; replaced with the realities of entrepreneurialism. Regardless of their current level of success, the scars of past battles fought tend to [...]
Over 70% of family-owned business fail before they make it to their second generation. Even more dishearteningly, less than one in five will make it to their third and fourth generations, losing that legacy its founders worked to build. What's behind these abysmal success rates? Are family conflicts simply too complicated to overcome? Do family business conflict resolution strategies not [...]
Coachfirm LLC
3149 Hemlock Farms
Hawley, PA 18428
Toll Free: (888) 777-0303
Bob knows business. His breath of experience in the field of entrepreneurship is invaluable. His perspectives are diverse and well-informed. A combination of Zen master, PT Barnum, and street fighter, Bob’s opinions are always worth your time.
Greg Sobo, CEO & Founder, Sobo & Sobo LLPAs a small business owner of a general construction company, Bob was a major help, if not a lifeline for me. After making a few mistakes in trying to grow my business, I was fortunate enough to find Bob to help teach and guide me along the way and dig out of a hole.
I would recommend Bob to anyone thinking about growing their business to help prevent the errors I made. I am very thankful for Bob’s mentorship as we are in a far better place now than we were eighteen months ago when I first found him.
It is much better to be proactive in your growth by partnering with someone who has the knowledge and the foresight to prevent the mishaps along the way.
Jason Dohl, Dohl General Construction, LLCI’ve always wanted to work with a business coach, but just couldn’t seem to find the right person until I met Bob. He is incredibly knowledgeable, genuine and focused on how I can live my best life while excelling in my career. He’s taught me so much in a short amount of time and continues to keep me on track with professional and personal goals while enjoying the journey. As Executive Vice President of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, I highly recommend Bob to any business out there looking to get organized, increase sales and strategize for the future, all while enjoying life!
Marlyn Kissner, Executive Vice President, Northern RegionWe, fortunately, found Coach Bob online after trying in vain to find an outside source to help us revamp our successful niche refinishing business.
After years of trying to run our company by myself and two partners, it became quite evident that although we knew how to make money, we had slowly lost the ability to expand our lives away from the business.
After initial discussions with the “coach”, we entered into an agreement, with no strings attached, to try Bob out.
It didn’t take long for us to realize that running a successful business is not a complicated process if you have proper systems in place…..and a few important hires that we had been hesitant to do previously.
With Coach Bob’s dedicated assistance, we have begun to feel big changes, not only in our business life, but in our personal lives. Next project… learning to use our new-found leisure time!
Bob Koeck, The Keck Group Inc.I have worked with Bob for a number of years and he has provided me the focus to pursue my goals and achieve them. Bob was not afraid to give me an accurate assessment of my business and challenged me to stick with those areas I enjoyed and delegate the balance. Bob took a genuine interest in both my professional and personal life so he better understood how to motivate me. With the help of Bob I was able to transition my business which is allowing me faster growth and a better quality of life.
Jeffery Roth, Jeffery Roth Insurance AgencyI have had the privilege to work with Bob Scott for many years. He has had a tremendous impact on my success as both an employee and a business owner in the diamond and jewelry industry. Bob has a wealth of business knowledge, practical real world experience, and an unique ability to communicate with all types of people. I feel confidant to have someone as talented as Bob Scott as a business coach, mentor, and friend by my side as I encounter any future business challenges.
Jay Scharf, J. Scharf JewelersI have had the pleasure of knowing Bob for many years. His unique view of business has provided my with tremendous insights into my business. Many of these insights are game changing and Bob has a way of explaining the issue and solution in a concise manner, which helps in the implementation. More importantly I would call Bob a friend and that means more to me then any business we do together.
Robert M. Bowen, Jr. , Commercial InsuranceJust wanted to say thanks Bob, for the planning and guidance you provided to me. The numbers speak for themselves. Our sales have more than doubled, our net retained earnings are up 7%, our overdue receivables have declined by 40% and our workforce has doubled.
Many thanks…everyone deserves to reach the “top of the snowman.” All it takes is education and hard work.
Andy Culuris, HIG ServicesI started working with Bob after I suffered a personal tragedy. With the direction from Bob I was able to return my company to profitability in less than one year, and have a different outlook on life.
Jim Turner, Universal AutomotiveI just want to thank Bob for all he’s done for me and the business. When you change my business, you changed my life. Thank You!
Angelo Ferrante, Hudson Valley DKII’ve been meaning to tell you for a while, it took another goal, as in the Florida home to make it come out and start. We are up 25% and holding GM and expenses. I have a budget for the first time in five years and this month put us on the money. You were a huge part of scratching my record to get changed to happen. It’s a little delayed but never the less, you were a major help to me to nudge me into a leadership role looking at my business as an asset. Thank You!
Ed Engle, Astar Heating & Air ConditioningWorking with Bob gave our company a fresh perspective backed by experience, accountability, and results that had a direct, positive return both financially an spiritually.
Within a few months, Bob rejuvenated our Company spirit, marketing, and direction. We were rewarded with more than just the financial gains.
After sixteen years in business, my partner and I thought we understood our company, our market and ourselves. It took Bob’s strategy to show us how much we didn’t know then and how much we are certain about now.
Bobs methods, structure and design of how my business should look, act, and perform were tracked and proven. When we began using Coachfirm, my partner and I both knew immediately that this was the missing piece to our puzzled business.
Robert Marsh, IDJNowI hired Bob as a coach a couple of years before the recession. At first, it was to work with me to create a plan for the family and growth issues we were facing. Right away he went to work increasing sales and profits by working directly with the sales team three times a month. He organized and attended the meetings, energized the staff and helped us interview and hire a Sales Manager. Most of all he held everyone accountable and was there, on site, to coach one on one.
Did it work? At the height of the recession, we were in good enough shape to move to a new 90,000 square foot manufacturing facility in New Jersey, purchase needed equipment and open up new markets. Now, five years later we have paid down equipment loans and are poised for the best sales and profit year ever.
Michale Sklar, Manhattan Door CompanyBob has helped us grow both professionally and personally by opening our eyes to different approaches to management. We have worked hand in hand to institute strategic changes and have seen a steady increase in our productivity, profitability and peace of mind.
Joe Cupoli, P & A Auto Parts GroupBob Scott is an excellent business coach! I have referred him to many of my clients to help them with expansion and growth of their small business, as well as, overall company improvement & leadership development. I have received wonderful feedback from my clients regarding Bob’s involvement with them and their companies! Bob has also referred me many of his business clients and upon meeting them, they have raved about Bob! The common comment amongst them, is they trust Bob completely and wait to consult with him regarding any business decision they make. I would highly recommend Bob Scott, business coach!
Nikki Regina, MBA, Financial Advisor