Management https://www.phcppros.com/rss en-us ‘Figure it Out Yourself’ Training May Cost More Than You Think Years ago, in my plumbing company’s infancy, I got a call from an unhappy customer. One of my technicians had handled a routine service call differently than I would have. Years ago, in my plumbing company’s infancy, I got a call from an unhappy customer. One of my technicians had handled a routine service call differently than I would have. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/24018 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/24018-figure-it-out-yourself-training-may-cost-more-than-you-think PHCN0926_plumber examines kitchen sink piping.jpg Q&A with Incoming PHCC President Ken Smith Ken Smith, RPG Plumbing Services, Virginia Beach, Virginia, will become president of PHCC-National Association at CONNECT 2026, Oct. 19-22, in Milwaukee. Ken Smith, RPG Plumbing Services, Virginia Beach, Virginia, will become president of PHCC-National Association at CONNECT 2026, Oct. 19-22, in Milwaukee. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/24017 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/24017-q-and-a-with-incoming-phcc-president-ken-smith KenSmithHeadshot 1.jpg Let Consumers Know You Exist There is an age-old question that every business owner has to contemplate: Should I grow my business? There is an age-old question that every business owner has to contemplate: Should I grow my business? 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/24015 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/24015-let-consumers-know-you-exist iStock-2247448308.jpg The Questions Your Customers Ask Before They Call In 2011, I moved to North Carolina, unaware of the ticking time bomb hidden behind my walls. Like many transplants, I knew very little about the unique quirks of local homes and infrastructure. In 2011, I moved to North Carolina, unaware of the ticking time bomb hidden behind my walls. Like many transplants, I knew very little about the unique quirks of local homes and infrastructure.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/24014 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/24014-the-questions-your-customers-ask-before-they-call iStock-2226250906.jpg When Temporary Pricing Stops Being Temporary In October, a contractor walked into a supply branch holding a competitor’s quote. In October, a contractor walked into a supply branch holding a competitor’s quote.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/24001 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/24001-when-temporary-pricing-stops-being-temporary iStock-1072055834.jpg The Lessons That Still Guide Me Today Terms that I see everywhere today are influencer and thought leader. I do not purport to be one, but in reflecting on my long industry career, I certainly benefited from many of them. Terms that I see everywhere today are influencer and thought leader. I do not purport to be one, but in reflecting on my long industry career, I certainly benefited from many of them.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23998 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23998-the-lessons-that-still-guide-me-today TW0926_business lessons learned.jpg More Than a Paycheck: What the Next Generation Actually Wants from the Trades In the trades, most owners learn a simple lesson early: Good work gets rewarded with more work. You start out in the field. You solve problems. Customers trust you. In the trades, most owners learn a simple lesson early: Good work gets rewarded with more work. You start out in the field. You solve problems. Customers trust you.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23976 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23976-more-than-a-paycheck-what-the-next-generation-actually-wants-from-the-trades The Four Agreements: A Blueprint for Safety on the Jobsite Upon entering my office at work, you’ll see a placard with the following succinct statements: Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best. Upon entering my office at work, you’ll see a placard with the following succinct statements: Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23975 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23975-the-four-agreements-a-blueprint-for-safety-on-the-jobsite iStock-2199351006_1.jpg What the Numbers Know That You Don’t: The Case for Benchmarking Most rep principals can tell you their commission income to the dollar. Far fewer can tell you whether their revenue per employee, collection cycle or operating margin is ahead of the pack or quietly falling behind. Most rep principals can tell you their commission income to the dollar. Far fewer can tell you whether their revenue per employee, collection cycle or operating margin is ahead of the pack or quietly falling behind.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23874 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23874-what-the-numbers-know-that-you-dont-the-case-for-benchmarking TW0826_Business Analytics Data Dashboard.jpg AI in Your Business The use of Artificial Intelligence is no longer an option. It isn’t an experimental technology. The use of Artificial Intelligence is no longer an option. It isn’t an experimental technology.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23873 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23873-ai-in-your-business iStock-2233131222.jpg The Platsky Way Ninety years in, the Platsky Company story isn’t defined by a milestone. It’s defined by the people who built its reputation—one delivery, one handshake and one commitment at a time. Ninety years in, the Platsky Company story isn’t defined by a milestone. It’s defined by the people who built its reputation—one delivery, one handshake and one commitment at a time.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23870 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23870-the-platsky-way Fathers and Sons.jpg Why Some Contractors Show Up in AI Answers And Others Don’t My house has a living room with a vaulted ceiling and a loft area above it. That means in summer, the temperatures can get a little uneve So out of curiosity, I asked ChatGPT a simple question My house has a living room with a vaulted ceiling and a loft area above it. That means in summer, the temperatures can get a little uneve So out of curiosity, I asked ChatGPT a simple question

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23854 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23854-why-some-contractors-show-up-in-ai-answers-and-others-dont iStock-2220668576.jpg How Standard Operating Procedures Save Time and Avoid Costly Mistakes Most of the plumbing contractors I know got into the business because they love the trade itself. They enjoy working with their hands. They are passionate about problem-solving. They like making a difference in the lives of their customers. Most of the plumbing contractors I know got into the business because they love the trade itself. They enjoy working with their hands. They are passionate about problem-solving. They like making a difference in the lives of their customers.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23852 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23852-how-standard-operating-procedures-save-time-and-avoid-costly-mistakes iStock-2243016790.jpg Proper Profitable Selling Prices Require Common Sense And Mathematical Prowess One of the issues I often write about is the necessity for you, the contractor, to properly identify and calculate the true operational business costs you incur to run your business — in total and as those costs pertain proportionately to any given task. One of the issues I often write about is the necessity for you, the contractor, to properly identify and calculate the true operational business costs you incur to run your business — in total and as those costs pertain proportionately to any given task.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23850 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23850-proper-profitable-selling-prices-require-common-sense-and-mathematical-prowess PHCN0826_real assumptions about business.jpg Holding the Line Nobody said 2026 would be easy. The refrigerant transition that reshaped purchasing patterns last year did not simply resolve itself when the calendar turned. Nobody said 2026 would be easy.  The refrigerant transition that reshaped purchasing patterns last year did not simply resolve itself when the calendar turned.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23821 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23821-holding-the-line PE0826_mSupply Main Pic.jpg The Small Contractor Advantage At the time of this writing, we are about one month removed from the 2026 Fab Forum hosted by The Hill Group in Franklin Park, Illinois. Hill is a full-service mechanical contractor that includes fire protection, testing/adjusting/balancing and an architectural group. At the time of this writing, we are about one month removed from the 2026 Fab Forum hosted by The Hill Group in Franklin Park, Illinois. Hill is a full-service mechanical contractor that includes fire protection, testing/adjusting/balancing and an architectural group.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23704 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23704-the-small-contractor-advantage iStock-991837218.jpg Why Your Best Technicians Don’t Want to Become Managers Every plumbing contractor knows what it’s like to have a technician who stands out from the crowd on day one, immediately demonstrating immense talent and limitless potential. Every plumbing contractor knows what it’s like to have a technician who stands out from the crowd on day one, immediately demonstrating immense talent and limitless potential. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23700 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23700-why-your-best-technicians-dont-want-to-become-managers PHCN0726_leadership career path.jpg The Spirit of Business If you search the Internet for the definition of the word “business,” you’ll find a version of this idea: “Business is an organization that provides goods and services to the community in exchange for money, with the goal of becoming profitable.” If you search the Internet for the definition of the word “business,” you’ll find a version of this idea: “Business is an organization that provides goods and services to the community in exchange for money, with the goal of becoming profitable.”

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23699 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23699-the-spirit-of-business iStock-2273427890.jpg I Am the Perfect Leader http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23682 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23682-i-am-the-perfect-leader PE0726_adaptability in business.jpg Disruption, Resilience, and the Enduring Value of Discernment in Wholesale Distribution Disruption has become a permanent feature of leadership conversations in wholesale distribution. It shows up in discussions about technology, workforce dynamics, regulation, and shifting customer expectations. Disruption has become a permanent feature of leadership conversations in wholesale distribution. It shows up in discussions about technology, workforce dynamics, regulation, and shifting customer expectations. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23662 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23662-disruption-resilience-and-the-enduring-value-of-discernment-in-wholesale-distribution iStock-811503234.jpg Distributors Have Always Built Great Cultures Remotely When the pandemic cast many people out of their workplaces and into their home offices, dining rooms and kitchen nooks, an argument began to spread that it was impossible to develop a strong culture remotely. When the pandemic cast many people out of their workplaces and into their home offices, dining rooms and kitchen nooks, an argument began to spread that it was impossible to develop a strong culture remotely. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23661 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23661-distributors-have-always-built-great-cultures-remotely iStock-1213470229.jpg Talent as a Differentiator The HVACR industry has never lacked for complexity. Changes to regulations, evolving technology, and the constant pressure of a competitive market have always kept distributors on their toes. The HVACR industry has never lacked for complexity. Changes to regulations, evolving technology, and the constant pressure of a competitive market have always kept distributors on their toes.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23657 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23657-talent-as-a-differentiator Talent as a Differentiator.jpg Stacking Value, Stacking Margins: The Distributor’s Guide to Service-Led Growth Distributors have been offering value-added services ranging from kitting, construction equipment rental and lighting design services to full-service supply chain solutions. Distributors have been offering value-added services ranging from kitting, construction equipment rental and lighting design services to full-service supply chain solutions.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23654 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23654-stacking-value-stacking-margins-the-distributors-guide-to-service-led-growth TW0726_boxes stacked-edit.jpg Knowledge Gap In my conversations with distributor sales teams across the country, one theme comes up more consistently than any other: finding information takes too long. In my conversations with distributor sales teams across the country, one theme comes up more consistently than any other: finding information takes too long. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23650 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23650-knowledge-gap iStock-1807598841.jpg Plumbers Can Now Advertise on TV. Here’s How to Do It Right. Most plumbing businesses invest in fairly predictable marketing: Google Search ads, a Facebook or Instagram presence, maybe a yard sign at a job site and a wrapped truck. Most plumbing businesses invest in fairly predictable marketing: Google Search ads, a Facebook or Instagram presence, maybe a yard sign at a job site and a wrapped truck.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23536 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23536-plumbers-can-now-advertise-on-tv-heres-how-to-do-it-right iStock-835487318.jpg The Trades Don’t Have a Price Problem. They Have a Buying Problem. Discover why choosing the lowest bid often hurts margins and relationships, and how shifting to lifetime cost comparisons protects long-term project results. Discover why choosing the lowest bid often hurts margins and relationships, and how shifting to lifetime cost comparisons protects long-term project results.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23535 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23535-the-trades-dont-have-a-price-problem-they-have-a-buying-problem iStock-2175496931.jpg Why Most Plumbing Companies Struggle With Consistency (And How To Fix It) Discover how building standard sales processes, tracking key metrics, and optimizing dispatch workflows eliminates internal inconsistencies to unlock predictable, sustainable growth for plumbing companies. Discover how building standard sales processes, tracking key metrics, and optimizing dispatch workflows eliminates internal inconsistencies to unlock predictable, sustainable growth for plumbing companies.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23533 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23533-why-most-plumbing-companies-struggle-with-consistency-and-how-to-fix-it iStock-1818007849.jpg Scroll, Post, Engage, Promote, Hire Discover how mechanical contractor Cox Engineering uses creative social media marketing to bridge communication gaps, build trust, and successfully recruit the next generation of tradespeople. Discover how mechanical contractor Cox Engineering uses creative social media marketing to bridge communication gaps, build trust, and successfully recruit the next generation of tradespeople.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23532 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23532-scroll-post-engage-promote-hire Best Photos-7.jpg New Construction Vs. Service Business Operational Costs Plumbing and HVAC contractors must analyze precise operational costs to separate new construction from service segments and maximize distinct profit centers.

Plumbing and HVAC contractors must analyze precise operational costs to separate new construction from service segments and maximize distinct profit centers.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23525 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23525-new-construction-vs-service-business-operational-costs PHCN0626_increased profit.jpg 14 Reasons Why Customers Stop and Shop at Your Location A practical look at the everyday habits and emotional needs driving supplier loyalty—and how counter teams can keep earning that choice every morning. A practical look at the everyday habits and emotional needs driving supplier loyalty—and how counter teams can keep earning that choice every morning.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23505 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23505-14-reasons-why-customers-stop-and-shop-at-your-location TW0626_PHCP contractor tools and equipment.jpg