The
company has very likely spent a lot of money displaying the company image
and message on the sides of your vehicle. This makes it a mobile billboard
that is worth a lot of money in advertising. And what mixed messages will
the public and customers get if the inside of your vehicle is a mess? You
are responsible for your image and your vehicle is an extension of
yourself. Let's look at some ways to project a powerful image.
-
Wash your vehicle regularly. What kind of message are you sending if it is
dirty, banged up or otherwise ill kept? The advantages of making the
company look good will be discussed in another newsletter. One HVACR
employer got so tired of asking one of his technicians to wash his truck
that he took drastic action. Company policy stated that each technician
was to wash his truck at least once a week. During one very hot summer
several weeks and several reminders went by without this technician
washing his truck. The boss went out to the truck one morning and asked
for the technician's lineman's pliers, popped the hood, cut the belt that
ran the air conditioner and walked off without saying a word. That
technician got the message but he was very fortunate that it only cost him
the price of a belt when it could have cost him his job.
-
Clean the inside of your vehicle regularly. People notice if there is
stuff laying all over the dash, the windows are smeared, or there are
faded tom stickers in the back window. And dirt on the inside tends to
come off on you. No need to carry crud from one jobsite to another or one
day to another just because you have not kept the interior clean.
-
Keep parts and supplies stored in compartments rather than lying all over
the passenger compartment of your vehicle. Good inventory practices are
always rewarding, saving time and money. And of course time is money in
the service business. The value of good inventory records is discussed in
Strategy #9. And taking care of parts that have been removed from
equipment promptly is a real money saver if they are in warranty parts and
need to be returned to the manufacturer for credit.
-
Keep paperwork, work orders etc. neatly organized rather than lying
loosely about your vehicle. This not only looks good but makes things
easier to locate. Staying organized is discussed in Strategy #12. Keep
loose papers on a clipboard or in a folder that fastens shut. Lost work
orders or other papers can mean lost income. Good records are essential to
a good service business and will be discussed in Strategy #9.
- Keep the underside of your vehicle clean so
that you will not leave dirt or stains on customer driveways. If your
vehicle drips oil or other fluids park on the street or carry a piece of
cardboard to slide under your vehicle after you park. Many people,
especially with newer homes are particularly sensitive to having drives or
yards soiled. After they have worked hard to acquire that nice home they
do not want it spoiled by a workman's carelessness.
So
stand back and take a good luck at what you are driving around.
Try
to look at it as a customer or a potential customer might view it.
Now take what actions you need to take to project that powerful image.
It might make all the difference in whether you or the guy on the
next truck is let go in slow times.
Watch
for more tips in my next Technique
for Keeping Your Job.
LearningHVACR.com has helped these companies and many more grow their Techs
ClimateMaster Inc. Air Assurance
B & L Heating and Air Conditioning Inc.
Hobby Lobby Circuit City
Superior Service of Broken Arrow
Learning HVACR was never easier. Contact Mark@LearningHVACR.com
