How To https://www.phcppros.com/rss en-us 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 It’s About Time… In Disney’s 1951 classic, “Alice in Wonderland,” the White Rabbit famously observed, “I’m late, I’m late for a very important date!” In Disney’s 1951 classic, “Alice in Wonderland,” the White Rabbit famously observed, “I’m late, I’m late for a very important date!”

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23872 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23872-its-about-time TW0826_rabbit is running late.jpg Beyond Prefab: How to Make Industrialized Construction Work The construction industry is experiencing a pivotal moment, where rising costs and labor shortages demand a smarter, more integrated approach to building. The construction industry is experiencing a pivotal moment, where rising costs and labor shortages demand a smarter, more integrated approach to building.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23857 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23857-beyond-prefab-how-to-make-industrialized-construction-work PHCN0826_IC battery plant construction.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 Designing for Demand: How to Right-Size Pressure Boosting Systems One of the biggest challenges for professional engineers, distributors and contractors is low or non-existent water pressure in busy spaces. One of the biggest challenges for professional engineers, distributors and contractors is low or non-existent water pressure in busy spaces.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23824 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23824-designing-for-demand-how-to-right-size-pressure-boosting-systems PE0826_Main Image_Best Practices 1.jpg What Is a BMS and Why Plumbing Systems Can’t Be Left Out As technology evolves in buildings, more systems are generating data about their own performance, and our knowledge of how to operate buildings more safely and sustainably continues to grow with it. As technology evolves in buildings, more systems are generating data about their own performance, and our knowledge of how to operate buildings more safely and sustainably continues to grow with it.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23822 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23822-what-is-a-bms-and-why-plumbing-systems-cant-be-left-out PE0726_BMS main image.jpg Back to Basics: Why Fundamentals Win In the HVAC industry, it’s easy to feel like everything is becoming more advanced and more complicated. Building automation systems (BASs) are more capable. In the HVAC industry, it’s easy to feel like everything is becoming more advanced and more complicated. Building automation systems (BASs) are more capable.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23820 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23820-back-to-basics-why-fundamentals-win PE0826_Hydronics Garfield Main Image.jpg Pressure Regulation Starts with Placement If you’ve spent any time around fire pump submittals or fire pump rooms, chances are you’ve probably run into this scenario. If you’ve spent any time around fire pump submittals or fire pump rooms, chances are you’ve probably run into this scenario. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23817 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23817-pressure-regulation-starts-with-placement PE0826_Indoor water pump for fire protection.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 A Faster Way to Find Crossflow Problems Ask any facility manager or plumber, and they’ll tell you that identifying and fixing crossflow issues is one of the challenges that costs them significant time and effort on the job. Ask any facility manager or plumber, and they’ll tell you that identifying and fixing crossflow issues is one of the challenges that costs them significant time and effort on the job.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23688 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23688-a-faster-way-to-find-crossflow-problems LFUSG-CS - Spec Sheet Rendering 4 - With Sleeve.jpg Retrofitting Backflow Preventers Without Undercutting Sprinkler Performance Some existing systems were never hydraulically calculated. Some were designed around pipe schedules. Some have little or no remaining safety margin. Add a backflow preventer without understanding the available water supply, system demand and device pressure loss, and a system that once appeared adequate may fail to deliver. Some existing systems were never hydraulically calculated. Some were designed around pipe schedules. Some have little or no remaining safety margin. Add a backflow preventer without understanding the available water supply, system demand and device pressure loss, and a system that once appeared adequate may fail to deliver.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23687 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23687-retrofitting-backflow-preventers-without-undercutting-sprinkler-performance iStock-96646591.jpg The Latest FGI Guidelines and Sink-Mounted Eyewash Station Changes In hospitals and outpatient facilities, the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) is the standard basis for patient care and staff safety requirements for engineering and architectural firms to follow In hospitals and outpatient facilities, the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) is the standard basis for patient care and staff safety requirements for engineering and architectural firms to follow

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23684 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23684-the-latest-fgi-guidelines-and-sink-mounted-eyewash-station-changes PE0726_Flowing eye wash station.jpg Know the Forms of Arbitration Awards Before Agreeing to Arbitrate It always cracks me up at the start of a deposition when one of the lawyers says to me, or another lawyer, “Usual stipulations?” What on earth are they talking about? There is no such thing as “usual stipulations.” It always cracks me up at the start of a deposition when one of the lawyers says to me, or another lawyer, “Usual stipulations?” What on earth are they talking about? There is no such thing as “usual stipulations.” 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23683 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23683-know-the-forms-of-arbitration-awards-before-agreeing-to-arbitrate PHCN0529_arbitration award.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 Reengineering Fire Protection in Parking Structures Did you know the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) estimates approximately 650 parking garage fires occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated $8 million in property damage and 15 injuries each year? Did you know the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) estimates approximately 650 parking garage fires occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated $8 million in property damage and 15 injuries each year?

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23680 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23680-reengineering-fire-protection-in-parking-structures iStock-2268574168.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 Avoiding Disaster When Using Closely Spaced Tees Have you looked long enough at a job to realize that despite how much pride was put into appearance, it wasn’t going to work well or at all? Have you looked long enough at a job to realize that despite how much pride was put into appearance, it wasn’t going to work well or at all?

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/23527 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/23527-avoiding-disaster-when-using-closely-spaced-tees iStock-2156942049.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