Opinions

Subscribe

We should be spending our time debating something that HVAC contractors are really at odds over, John. There is no way that taking “a temporary hit on your margins” is good advice from a business management expert, such as you, and I doubt any of our readers are going to support you on this one.

Yes, it is time for another spirited debate between my mean-spirited boss, Murph the goof, and me. He seems to think that HVACR contractors should continue to sell systems based on life-cycle costs and they should also pick and choose the right customers to sell to. Hogwash.

It occurred to me that there must be hundreds of HVAC people who wear other hats away from work, and are probably quite adept at making everything from soda pop to cherry pie. Here is my proposition to you: The NEWS will host a Best Makers in HVAC contest to determine who makes the best grub and grog.

Supposing erroneously. Be successful like Willis Carrier. Switching from R-22 is all about the price. Who’s to blame for R-22 unit sales?

Firefighters are not in the same a/c league as lowballers. Them’s fightin’ words.

The saga of dueling trade shows in Europe has come to an end. But the near two-year journey is certainly a life lesson for those wondering how many places exhibitors and attendees are willing to go and how often. Promoters will need to aggressively and completely detail the benefits of attending their particular expo. And they will need to deliver.

In case some of you are getting tired of seeing surveys and e-mails from me, your feedback has been giving me some great ideas on business topics - topics that many HVACR contractors can relate to. My latest foray into the survey and feedback world included an informal survey on how business owners watch their expenses and adjust pricing whenever possible.

OK, maybe we're getting somewhere. Since last I wrote, more than a few contractors have written or called to back up my idea in regard to getting a weekly HVACR-related program on television. In my opinion, this is a strong way to connect the young to this industry. And, we do have to connect with the young. Otherwise, this industry is going to be in trouble.

Many contractors have peer groups, advisors, or a board of directors to help steer the ship from time to time. The guidance provided by trusted business friends must be invaluable - everyone needs to occasionally rise up from the trees in order to survey the forest around them. So, who would be in your Fave Five?

You’ve probably seen people wearing wristbands with the initials W.W.J.D. imprinted on them. The letters stand for “What Would Jesus Do.” In the HVACR trade, if wristbands like this were available back in the turn of the century, a lot of people may have been wearing W.W.W.D. bracelets - “What Would Willis [Carrier] Do.”