Want to build an undeniable brand that speaks to the consumer? Well, have a seat on the couch because the brand therapist is in.   Hear our conversation with Dan Antonelli, President and Chief Creative Officer at KickCharge Creative: Why disruption matters in branding How a weak brand slows your business down How to build the foundation for a premium brand    More information about Dan and today’s topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danantonelli/  Company Website: https://www.kickcharge.com/  Branded, Not Blanded: https://www.kickcharge.com/tips-tools/our-books-2/  Purple Cow: https://geni.us/radixpurple   To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), our website (https://www.servicetitan.com/), or anywhere you get podcasts. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals)  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

David Noseworthy, Vice President of Corporate Development at Friendly Home Services Group, has worked on both Bay Street and Wall Street but now his focus has turned back to the trades with a very specific goal in mind: unlocking latent potential in employees. Why, you ask? Because David and the Friendly Group believe by unlocking the latent potential of each employee, you unlock the potential of the entire company. Or as David puts it, you’re “doing well by doing good.” Join us as we discuss: The importance of unlocking latent potential in employees How mentorship can be mutually beneficial Qualities service shops should have if they aspire to be acquired by a private equity group Advice for companies looking to scale and grow their companies on their own The future of private equity   More information about David and today’s topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnoseworthy/  Company Website: https://friendlygroup.com/   To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=d2dd40e0229f4f1b), our website (https://www.servicetitan.com/), or anywhere you get podcasts. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals)  Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, I interview Sean McGuire, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-mcguire-leed-ap-262a7813/) Director of Innovative Technologies at Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) (https://www.mcaa.org/) about what it’s like to work beside contractors working with advancements in technology.  A true tech detective for the trades, Sean encourages listeners to plan for the future, consider augmented reality, and much more. Join us as we discuss: - Top technology tips for contractors - Predictions for future trends  - The importance of continuous education  - Overcoming reluctance to change  - Data-driven predictive learning Check out these resources we mentioned: MCAA Annual Convention (https://www.mcaa.org/events/calendar/mcaa-2022-annual-convention/)  MEP Conference (https://www.mcaa.org/events/calendar/mep-innovation-conference/)  Trimble XR10 (https://fieldtech.trimble.com/en/products/mixed-reality-visualization?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mixed_reality&utm_content=mixed_reality&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=FTG-2012-OA-Mixed-Reality-Search-RDI&utm_content=homepage&utm_term=&utm_tstvar=&utm_spec=&gclid=CjwKCAjwlcaRBhBYEiwAK341jWFdr2JKTAv7pa87yzASK4eyPBuNXYPbE5bnfaHN3hMRAqH4rmIgZxoCHI4QAvD_BwE)   To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938),Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), our website (https://www.servicetitan.com/), or anywhere you get podcasts. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals)  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Today’s guest joined ServiceTitan after running marketing for one of the biggest brands in the trades. If you want to learn how to take your marketing to the next level (and why it’s so important to do your math), you won’t want to miss this episode.  In this episode, I interview ServiceTitan’s (https://www.servicetitan.com/) own Sarah Ghirardo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ghirardo-83049131/), Sr. Marketing Operations Manager, about her best wisdom for marketing in the trades.  Join us as we discuss: Changing consumers’ thoughts and behavior with branding Seasonal campaign tips and insights Marketing communities, mentorship, and agency relationships Making math a part of your marketing arsenal    Check out these resources we mentioned: Purple Cow (https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Cow-New-Transform-Remarkable/dp/1591843170) by Seth Godin Lady Titans Community (https://www.facebook.com/groups/3695678777148925)  Service Champions My Story (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy8Ulsc_ExM7Zoodgy_S_F9BbBHKvHFUD) Playlist on YouTube Ep. 82 w/ Cassie Pound (http://servicetitan.com/podcast/cassie-pound-interview)   To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), our website (https://www.servicetitan.com/), or anywhere you get podcasts. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals)  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Business leaders make all kinds of mistakes, but here’s a huge one: You look at your top line and think that makes you successful. In this episode, I speak with Mike Disney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-d-6557704a/), CEO at CEO Warrior (https://ceowarrior.com/), and Mary Anglen (https://ceowarrior.com/ceo-warrior-team/), Senior Advisor at CEO Warrior (https://ceowarrior.com/), about the nine pillars needed to build a true foundation for success — and other common errors of leaders in the trades. Join us as we discuss: Why you need to hear the hurtful truth Building a foundation of predictable success Major mistakes regarding employees and promotion Mike’s and Mary’s favorite pillar: clarity Check out these resources we mentioned: The 9 Pillars That Will Scale Any Business (https://ceowarrior.com/books/9-pillars-2-0/)  Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. (https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Lead-Brave-Conversations-Hearts/dp/0399592520)  To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), our website (https://www.servicetitan.com/), or anywhere you get podcasts. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When you’re focused on creating five-star experiences for customers, you have to create five-star experiences for employees, too. Serving people as a core value extends to customers and employees both. Cassie Pound (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassiepound/), Co Owner and Vice President at Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing (https://www.facebook.com/QualityHeatingCoolingPlumbing/), grew her HVAC company from 10 to nearly 50 employees by focusing equally on customer experience and employee experience. Join us as we discuss: - What it means to be family owned vs. locally owned - Creating a competitive employee experience - Working with your partner — and your children - Changing the narrative about trades to recruit women and young people To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938),Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), our website (https://www.servicetitan.com/), or anywhere you get podcasts. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals)  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The mindset and outlook has changed in the water treatment industry in the past couple of years. It’s more future-minded and community-oriented than it has ever been before.  In this episode, I speak with Water Quality Association (https://wqa.org/)’s Kathleen Burbidge (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-burbidge/), External Affairs Associate Director, and Eric Yeggy, Technical Affairs Director, about harnessing the opportunity to have a voice together and bolstering the industry with community relationships.  Join us as we discuss: A renewed mindset for water treatment professionals The successes of WQA’s LEAD mentoring program Science-based education and communication about water quality Recent community growth in the water treatment industry  Check out these resources we mentioned: LEAD Mentoring Program (https://wqa.org/lead)  WQA’s Upcoming Convention (https://www.wqa.org/convention)   To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), our website, (https://www.servicetitan.com/) or anywhere you get podcasts. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When you create an ad for your services, do you lead by asking potential clients where they went to college, whether they can juggle or how much they owe the IRS? That would be insane, right? Well, in today’s hiring market, leading with a litany of requirements is just as crazy. That’s one of the many insights Jody Underhill (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodyunderhill), Senior Partner at Rapid Hire, brings in today’s episode that will help you beat the labor shortage and the strong employee market in the current recruiting landscape. Join us as we discuss: - Why you should ask not what your employees do, but what you can do for them - How to get the most out of social media recruiting - How to entice too talent with a career and not just a job Get your free strategy session for a special plan to improve your recruiting here (https://rapidhirepro.com/titan). You will leave the call with strategies you can implement right away and learn more about the Rapid Hire system. If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938),Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/). Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals)  Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When you learn that your child will have many medical needs before he is born, you have to grow your business fast. Marriages with a special needs child are 70% likely to fail, and marriages with a co-owned business are 50% likely to fail. But today’s guests, Richard and Felicia Flourny, Owners at A-Total Plumbing (https://www.a-totalplumbing.com/), have not only survived but thrived, growing their solo business to 32 employees and recently undertaking a complete business model shift. Join us as we discuss: - The origin story of A-Total Plumbing - Role distribution between Richard and Felicia - Switching from home warranty to a retail business model - Why the Flournys are hiring a Dream Manager - Customer service insights to 4.8 stars across over 1K Google reviews Check out these resources: - Mentor Chris Hunter (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhvac/) - The Dream Manager (https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Manager-Matthew-Kelly/dp/1401388442) by Matthew Kelly Ep. 76 w/ Jessie Cannizzaro (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qJ9TNoJLQrq3AyA0Zb3Yf?si=6216c99f838a4935)   Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals)  To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938),Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), our website (https://www.servicetitan.com/), or anywhere you get podcasts. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

If you’re focused on what’s important, you don’t get tied up in messy distractions day in and day out. Getting the data, the training, and the decisions to your people — and then trusting them to do their work — is key. In this episode, I speak with Tom Howard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-howard-80567417/), VP Customer Experience at ServiceTitan (https://www.servicetitan.com/), about focusing on what matters in customer experience. Join us as we discuss: - Why Tom left finance to go back to the trades - Growing Lee’s Air from $2 to $9.4 million, then to $33 million - How to scale customer service - The role of data and data tracking in empowering employee decisions Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - The Four-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss (https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307465357) - The Toyota Way by Jeffrey K. Liker (https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Way-Management-Principles-Manufacturer/dp/0071392319) - Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin (https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250067057) Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals)  To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938),Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), our website (https://www.servicetitan.com/), or anywhere you get podcasts. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.