Master Sales. Simplify Pricing. Premium Service
May 10, 2024

Replay - How Electricians Can Increase Value Without Tools

Replay - How Electricians Can Increase Value Without Tools
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Million Dollar Electrician - Sale to Scale For Home Service Pros

Ever wondered how an electrician's toolbelt can make or break a client's first impression? This week on Electricpreneur Secrets, Joseph  and I tackle the delicate balance of showing up prepared without flooding clients with all our gadgets up-front. Get ready to unravel the psychology of tool visibility, the subtle art of demonstrating readiness without desperation, and why your tool presentation could be silently dictating your sales figures.

But it's not all about the tools you carry; it's also about how you carry yourself. Dive into the heart of professionalism with us, as we share tales from the front lines of customer interactions and sales triumphs. We're peeling back the layers on why respecting your craft isn't just about the services you offer, but also about when to walk away from a deal that undermines your value. Our anecdotes and hard-earned wisdom will show you how selecting the right tools—and knowing how to use them—can enhance your customers' perception and ensure your work is as memorable as it is impeccable.

We wrap things up on a personal note, underscoring the immeasurable worth of authentic customer relationships. You'll learn why rushing a diagnosis can be the Achilles' heel of quality service and how differentiating yourself through personalized attention can make you the go-to electrician in a sea of competitors. These are insights from the trenches by master electricians passionate about their craft and savvy in business, geared to help you elevate your service game. Join us for a candid conversation filled with actionable advice that's sure to spark your next client encounter.

Chapters

00:02 - Electrical Efficiency and Customer Perception

13:38 - Electrician Work Efficiency and Tools

19:55 - The Value of Building Relationships

29:31 - Sales and Service Tips Without Fluff

Transcript
WEBVTT

00:00:02.987 --> 00:00:07.695
hello and welcome to Electropreneur Secrets, the electricians podcast.

00:00:07.695 --> 00:00:14.265
We're here with you five days a week to help you master sales, simplify pricing and deliver premium level service.

00:00:14.265 --> 00:00:15.987
I'm your host, clay Neumeier.

00:00:15.987 --> 00:00:20.265
With me, as always, my partner and esteemed co-host, joseph Lucani.

00:00:20.265 --> 00:00:25.974
We are on different ends of North America east to west coverage right now.

00:00:25.974 --> 00:00:27.039
Right here, joe how are?

00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:28.844
You east coast.

00:00:28.844 --> 00:00:31.010
Yeah, shout out, how's it going, man?

00:00:31.932 --> 00:00:33.076
I'm having a great day.

00:00:33.076 --> 00:00:42.948
It's one of those things where, even even though it's been a good day, these times are some of my favorite, because I absolutely love hanging out with you and talking about this stuff I appreciate that.

00:00:43.389 --> 00:00:43.770
You know what.

00:00:43.770 --> 00:00:47.889
I can't help but be a little self-conscious right now as I'm looking in the camera.

00:00:47.889 --> 00:00:51.146
If you're watching this, oh, wrong side mirror, there it is.

00:00:51.146 --> 00:00:53.871
This hair on the side of my head just grows straight out.

00:00:53.871 --> 00:00:57.084
It looks like I just woke up, but I assure you it's just time for a haircut.

00:00:57.084 --> 00:00:58.726
I have been awake for hours.

00:00:59.728 --> 00:01:00.448
Yeah, you know what?

00:01:00.448 --> 00:01:02.152
It's one of the things I think I got to get a haircut too.

00:01:02.152 --> 00:01:02.932
It's really just.

00:01:02.932 --> 00:01:07.201
It's just getting out of control Do you nair it?

00:01:07.221 --> 00:01:08.463
No, you know, I used to nair it.

00:01:08.825 --> 00:01:09.305
I used to nair.

00:01:09.305 --> 00:01:12.831
It turns out it creates terrible chemical reactions if you keep it on long enough.

00:01:12.831 --> 00:01:15.454
So now I just I got the skull shaver.

00:01:15.454 --> 00:01:22.528
I'm going to, I'm going to stitch that into this one If you're bald or want to be bald, that thing, it is an absolute machine.

00:01:23.269 --> 00:01:31.433
But if you nared your head and it went all red from the rash you'd get, then you'd be a redheaded stepchild electrician like the rest of us, right.

00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:32.561
That would be true.

00:01:32.561 --> 00:01:37.492
In all honesty, I would be the redheaded stepchild in that unfortunate example.

00:01:37.492 --> 00:01:38.643
Yes, you're right.

00:01:39.647 --> 00:01:45.548
That was a little joke at all of us as electricians in the home service industry, of course, course frowned upon.

00:01:45.548 --> 00:01:46.882
No one seems to want to help us.

00:01:46.882 --> 00:01:57.903
Another great reason that we're here trying to help ourselves here a couple of master electricians with business addictions, and today of all days, joe, decided to stir the pot with a facebook post.

00:01:57.903 --> 00:01:59.748
What did you say?

00:02:01.150 --> 00:02:01.992
it's like you do.

00:02:01.992 --> 00:02:17.830
I might as well have just said like I like kicking puppies, or something like that it was just some random thing so kicking puppies so the the argument came up where I asked and said hey, I love going to the door with certain tactical tools.

00:02:18.311 --> 00:02:21.743
These are the tools that I always carry to every service call.

00:02:21.743 --> 00:02:28.003
What tools did you guys like to bring and how did you find a way to keep them concealed on your person?

00:02:28.003 --> 00:02:35.163
And it was like pitchforks and torches, because people were saying, like what do you mean?

00:02:35.163 --> 00:02:36.426
You're hiding your tools.

00:02:36.426 --> 00:02:38.252
No, I show up with a full install.

00:02:38.252 --> 00:02:48.766
One guy said he shows up with a full rollout bag like the whole rolling cantilever parks it in front of the customer's porch, whether they install a quote or anything.

00:02:49.168 --> 00:02:49.990
I can't blame them, though.

00:02:49.990 --> 00:02:51.741
That's efficient, that's efficiency.

00:02:52.323 --> 00:02:54.026
You have all your tools right there.

00:02:54.587 --> 00:02:56.979
Doesn't that display efficiency to the homeowner?

00:02:56.979 --> 00:03:04.605
Doesn't that say like speak volumes to I'm going to get this done quickly at the lowest possible price?

00:03:06.388 --> 00:03:10.591
Yes, it does, and that's the problem, and let me explain why.

00:03:10.591 --> 00:03:15.235
So the last thing you said is the whole reason why it doesn't work.

00:03:15.235 --> 00:03:18.977
We need to maintain something known as the law of scarcity.

00:03:18.977 --> 00:03:26.675
When something is scarce by definition, it becomes more valuable.

00:03:26.675 --> 00:03:34.554
When something is readily acceptable or accessible, or it's there or it's front and center, it's seen, even on a subconscious level.

00:03:34.554 --> 00:03:37.985
Even if it's not top of mind, it appears less valuable.

00:03:37.985 --> 00:03:44.485
The ultimate goal is not going to the door with nothing but your thumbs.

00:03:44.485 --> 00:03:54.141
You're going to have tools on you, but you're not going to look like you need this job and that you fully intend on doing this job right now.

00:03:54.141 --> 00:03:57.211
And I can explain why, if you're open to it.

00:03:58.373 --> 00:04:02.245
Yeah, for sure I've got some questions coming up.

00:04:02.245 --> 00:04:05.473
Well, I know you've also done some HVAC and plumbing training.

00:04:05.473 --> 00:04:08.949
Does a comfort specialist bring all their tools to the door?

00:04:09.781 --> 00:04:11.747
No, absolutely not.

00:04:11.747 --> 00:04:19.067
Like it's literally it's almost like blasphemy to consider doing that If you're coming with anything more than like an iPad and a flashlight.

00:04:19.730 --> 00:04:23.560
no, you don't do that for the same reasons, believe it or not, yeah.

00:04:23.581 --> 00:04:24.927
So you don't do that for the same reasons, believe it or not?

00:04:24.927 --> 00:04:25.028
Yeah.

00:04:25.028 --> 00:04:30.331
So a lot of times, what we need to do is we're trying to create a level minded of scarcity.

00:04:30.331 --> 00:04:39.947
We're trying to make it seem that we don't need this job immediately because, whether the customer is aware of it or not, there's two thoughts that are going to come into their mind.

00:04:39.947 --> 00:04:48.620
If I show up with all of my tools and I put them right at the door, what am I communicating to that client?

00:04:48.641 --> 00:04:49.540
Well, that you're ready to work.

00:04:50.442 --> 00:04:51.161
So I'm ready to work.

00:04:51.161 --> 00:05:06.771
You're a worker, but it also shows that I'm not planning on telling them no, I'm putting my advantage in and saying I'm going to put everything right here and I'm committing before you've even told me what you need, or what your needs are or who you are or anything about you.

00:05:06.771 --> 00:05:08.632
I'm committing to doing this job.

00:05:09.331 --> 00:05:11.093
Well, can I interject with one thing?

00:05:11.093 --> 00:05:12.713
What about assuming the sale?

00:05:12.713 --> 00:05:13.875
Isn't that a sales tactic?

00:05:14.774 --> 00:05:20.197
Assuming the sale is, but the thing is is that we can't want it more than the customer wants it.

00:05:20.197 --> 00:05:25.302
So what we need to do is we're setting ourselves up in intervals Now.

00:05:25.302 --> 00:05:29.112
Granted, throughout the process, we're going to be building more and more and more value.

00:05:29.112 --> 00:05:44.730
What I've learned through years and years of trial and error is what tools communicate the most value, where you can put them on your person so that they're less visible, and what would the customer say in certain situations.

00:05:44.730 --> 00:06:06.992
I have gone to the door with tool bags, I've gone to the door with belts, I've gone to the door with rollouts and eventually, we finally settled on the tactical tool alignment, because what it did was it allowed me to have every single thing I needed for a service call or an opportunity call, without looking like I had to do the job.

00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:16.367
Right, and guys, if you're part of the VIP with us here in the Facebook community on the Electricpreneur Secrets Facebook page, please let us know what's your preference.

00:06:16.367 --> 00:06:18.766
There's already a running conversation.

00:06:18.766 --> 00:06:24.466
You could actually go to Joe's profile and join that conversation too, but we're happy to hear it here as well.

00:06:24.466 --> 00:06:25.841
What is your preference?

00:06:25.841 --> 00:06:28.827
How are you rolling currently at this point?

00:06:28.827 --> 00:06:32.723
Are you cursing us in the background or is this something you might be open to?

00:06:33.264 --> 00:06:34.408
well, you know it's gonna be weird.

00:06:34.408 --> 00:06:50.598
I have a feeling that, like if I have like a pinch in my arm, some electrician has a voodoo doll, they're just sticking with a razor blade, going like no, we always bring our tools you what One of the most important skills in life is presenting with an open mind and just coming to learn every day.

00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:52.663
I believe I've got something to learn from everyone.

00:06:52.663 --> 00:06:54.449
I know I learn from you every day, joe.

00:06:54.449 --> 00:07:09.324
I learn from a lot of guys in this room as well, and a lot of guys that are listening to us currently, so that's a powerful tool to use, and I can see your points here Now, really, though, really isn't it?

00:07:09.324 --> 00:07:20.088
I mean, still maybe I'm beating a dead horse here, let me know, but wouldn't it be a benefit for them to actually see me as an installer over a salesperson?

00:07:20.968 --> 00:07:21.928
A hundred percent.

00:07:21.928 --> 00:07:26.732
Now I feel like we're almost playing two sides of the coin here, and let me explain why I say that.

00:07:26.732 --> 00:07:34.394
I remember I've had two positions in my career, one where I worked with another company and they recognized that I could sell.

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They put me in the salesperson's uniform.

00:07:37.456 --> 00:07:47.160
That means I had my plaid pants, my button down nice polo.

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I had the company car, the white, brand new Hyundai.

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They had the clipboard, the nice shoes, everything.

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And it went terribly because people could see the pitch.

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The moment I rolled into their driveway they saw it, it was very door to door.

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It was like this is a salesperson, this is not a person who is going to work.

00:08:06.461 --> 00:08:11.841
And if this is not a person who's going to work, it shows that their intention is to sell me something.

00:08:11.841 --> 00:08:19.809
What I instead did from there was I went to the boss and I was like dude, this isn't working, I don't like this and I feel uncomfortable.

00:08:19.809 --> 00:08:21.353
Give me the install van.

00:08:21.353 --> 00:08:25.048
So I got back into my technician's uniform.

00:08:25.048 --> 00:08:27.339
I said screw it, I'm not wearing this uniform anymore.

00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:30.547
I want to look like a tech, even if it means I don't get the company car.

00:08:30.547 --> 00:08:31.249
Fine.

00:08:31.249 --> 00:08:34.908
I got into my technician's uniform and I showed up.

00:08:34.908 --> 00:08:40.392
Looking like an installer Didn't mean I brought all my tools with me, but I had a technician's uniform.

00:08:40.392 --> 00:08:48.224
I had my boots, I came in a van that looked like it could be worked out of and suddenly the walls went down.

00:08:48.224 --> 00:08:53.341
The walls went down in the customer's minds because now I wasn't a threat.

00:08:53.341 --> 00:09:02.104
That's why in our process, we talk about threat aversion and what we need to do and the steps we got to take to not appear as a threat.

00:09:02.104 --> 00:09:10.850
But devil's advocate, here you made a point and that point would normally be like well, shouldn't we now bring our tools?

00:09:10.850 --> 00:09:20.955
No, and here's why you only need a certain amount of tools to perform any kind of opportunity.

00:09:20.955 --> 00:09:22.442
Call Meaning.

00:09:22.442 --> 00:09:25.090
I need to open a panel, for sure, no matter what.

00:09:25.090 --> 00:09:26.081
I got to open my panel.

00:09:26.081 --> 00:09:30.633
I've got to take covers off of plates, I've got to maybe take a device off a wall.

00:09:30.633 --> 00:09:34.250
So having an 11-1 screwdriver was super helpful.

00:09:34.250 --> 00:09:38.884
What I did was I collapsed it so it could have a smaller profile and fit in my pocket.

00:09:38.884 --> 00:09:47.732
You know you're going to need your flashlight no matter where you're going whether crawlspace, attic, basement, unlit basement you need a flashlight right.

00:09:47.732 --> 00:09:50.649
That would go in my left leg pocket.

00:09:50.649 --> 00:09:53.707
Then we all know we need a meter.

00:09:53.707 --> 00:09:57.049
There's no electrician in the world who's saying I don't need a meter.

00:09:57.049 --> 00:09:58.344
And you could be your fluke.

00:09:58.344 --> 00:10:10.561
You could be Klein, you could be Greenlee, I don't care, I'm not trying to start a whole nother war here, but you'd have a meter and it would be in the case in your back right pocket with the prongs tied up so they wouldn't stab you in the butt.

00:10:10.561 --> 00:10:18.294
You'd have your outlet tester, which was a combination hot stick made by Greenlee.

00:10:18.294 --> 00:10:22.745
I loved that tool and I had that in my right pocket.

00:10:22.745 --> 00:10:36.743
So now, really, I've got screwdriver, flashlight, hot stick outlet tester meter, and then I wear floor protectors and then my phone, all of those things.

00:10:37.163 --> 00:10:41.373
I could show up to the door without you seeing any tools on my person.

00:10:41.373 --> 00:11:08.717
I had every tool I needed to complete a service call, at least on the preliminary inspection level, and then from there, once they showed me that this was something they were committed to and they wanted to work with me and that they were eager, then I could go further, to level two, where you would then be able to go back to the van, get the tools you need for the specific application, and then you'd solve the customer's concern.

00:11:08.717 --> 00:11:18.913
And even then you weren't just fixing it, you were presenting a range of choices, from the finest money could buy to the most bare bones a customer could have.

00:11:18.913 --> 00:11:23.291
Who am I to decide what I'm going to install for them?

00:11:23.291 --> 00:11:24.926
I'm going to bring my install bag.

00:11:24.926 --> 00:11:27.183
I know just before I even meet you.

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I know what you're going to need to the extent that I had everything in the world.

00:11:31.192 --> 00:11:33.868
It's unreasonable to think that.

00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:35.522
A tad presumptuous.

00:11:35.522 --> 00:11:40.860
I need to go on the other side of this, Joe, and ask you another question, though.

00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.283
What about the tablet?

00:11:42.283 --> 00:11:45.172
I noticed in your list of things a tablet wasn't mentioned.

00:11:45.172 --> 00:11:48.284
Correct, why just a cell phone?

00:11:49.307 --> 00:11:54.806
Correct, so the tablet wouldn't come in until I knew that I was going to be making a presentation.

00:11:54.806 --> 00:11:59.130
The reason being is let me play devil's advocate with you.

00:11:59.130 --> 00:12:01.907
Imagine a technician shows up to your door.

00:12:01.907 --> 00:12:03.346
Now, obviously you're an electrician.

00:12:03.346 --> 00:12:04.524
You're not calling an electrician.

00:12:04.524 --> 00:12:06.245
I'm your HVAC tech.

00:12:06.245 --> 00:12:11.470
I'm here to tune up your condenser, but the first thing you see in my hand is a clipboard and I look nice and clean.

00:12:11.470 --> 00:12:12.984
What do you think I?

00:12:13.083 --> 00:12:13.144
am.

00:12:19.217 --> 00:12:19.539
Salesperson.

00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:22.565
Now, just by that I could be holding this for a work order.

00:12:22.565 --> 00:12:23.690
Right, I could be holding this for a work order.

00:12:23.690 --> 00:12:24.774
I could be holding this because it's company policy.

00:12:24.774 --> 00:12:28.826
But your first thought was this is a salesperson by definition.

00:12:28.826 --> 00:12:37.162
The moment any customer looks at you as a salesperson, you were immediately devalued, whether we want to admit it or not.

00:12:37.162 --> 00:12:38.966
Look at the trade we're in.

00:12:38.966 --> 00:12:52.081
So many of us are so opposed to charging more than just $120 to $200 an hour because we view salespeople as the lowest form of electrical service.

00:12:52.081 --> 00:13:00.366
So if you show up looking like a sales guy, the customer sees it, they recognize it and they're taking a mental step back.

00:13:02.421 --> 00:13:04.349
Yeah, for sure that makes some sense.

00:13:04.349 --> 00:13:14.687
So let me ask you this you mentioned in your prior business that your partner kind of preferred to do it the more prepared way, having all tools, and you preferred to do it this way, obviously.

00:13:14.687 --> 00:13:26.009
What sort of differences did you notice over time, and is there anything you could specifically say that was sort of a measurable result from doing it different?

00:13:26.950 --> 00:13:30.721
So this is what I can say, and I speak highly of my former partner.

00:13:30.721 --> 00:13:34.125
If you're ever listening in the background, hats off to you, bud.

00:13:34.125 --> 00:13:36.990
But this is a situation that I noticed.

00:13:36.990 --> 00:13:47.133
When you come to the mindset of I'm trying to get in and get out, unfortunately, what ends up happening is efficiency becomes the highest concern.

00:13:47.133 --> 00:13:51.846
It becomes the thought of saying well, I have five calls today.

00:13:51.846 --> 00:14:00.708
I know when my efficiency is down, I'm being paid more, I have to charge more, I've got to do all these things, I'm running around and burning energy.

00:14:00.708 --> 00:14:01.880
It's not worth it.

00:14:01.880 --> 00:14:08.874
So as far as efficiency doing, great electrician got his stuff done, no issues there.

00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:13.291
Yeah, like many, like many, a majority, I would say.

00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:22.490
Unfortunately, when you looked at the averages and the sales and the conversions, it was much, much less than mine.

00:14:22.490 --> 00:14:32.851
Now, obviously you could say lack of practice, lack of commitment, whatever it was right, but it was, in my opinion, the first impression that's always given.

00:14:32.851 --> 00:14:38.429
If you don't show up in your clean uniform, you don't show up like you show up in yesterday's t-shirt.

00:14:38.429 --> 00:14:46.822
Or you show up and your boots aren't looking nice, or you show up and you're ready like you're like dropping a whole thunk of tools on the front door.

00:14:46.822 --> 00:14:50.721
You got your bag slinged over your shoulder and you're like dropping it here and doing here.

00:14:50.721 --> 00:14:52.065
All right, what are we doing today?

00:14:52.065 --> 00:14:58.140
That first impression that you're going to give the customer is that you have nothing else going on.

00:14:58.140 --> 00:15:05.844
Right, and if you have nothing else going on, what are the odds that you feel capable telling the other person no?

00:15:05.844 --> 00:15:12.605
If you have nothing else going on, can I realistically tell the customer, no, I'm not working with you today?

00:15:13.005 --> 00:15:14.691
Yeah, you've already got skin in the game.

00:15:14.691 --> 00:15:21.572
Unfortunately, it becomes much which reality is you do, but in showing them that that scarcity law becomes challenged again.

00:15:21.572 --> 00:15:22.702
It does.

00:15:22.702 --> 00:15:43.033
I mean Now, let me play a numbers game with you quick, before we get too far away, because I don't want to put pressure on you to throw anyone under the bus, but we know from prior podcasts and prior explorations that you were doing about 1.3 million, consistently, yeah, average ticket of so I had two average tickets.

00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:46.365
So an average service call ticket was 2,800.

00:15:46.365 --> 00:15:49.854
Yeah, my average opportunity to call a ticket was 5,400.

00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:50.660
Okay.

00:15:50.660 --> 00:15:59.565
So now let me just say the person you're talking about prior, obviously all respect given, were they breaking through a million in sales?

00:15:59.565 --> 00:16:02.068
900?

00:16:02.068 --> 00:16:03.610
Nope, 800?

00:16:03.610 --> 00:16:04.873
Nope, 700?

00:16:04.873 --> 00:16:05.614
Nope.

00:16:05.614 --> 00:16:07.500
Okay, average ticket.

00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:16.832
You said 5,000 on opportunity calls 5,400, but yes,400, sorry, were they reaching 4,000, 3,000?

00:16:16.832 --> 00:16:20.864
Okay, so there's some comparable metrics here.

00:16:20.864 --> 00:16:28.326
If you guys can't see, that was Joe shaking his head no, so there were differences, and this is one of the big ones, you would say then.

00:16:29.109 --> 00:16:29.389
Correct.

00:16:29.389 --> 00:16:38.690
You know there's a lot of different things that we can do and I want everyone to understand that I'm not speaking out against electricians and you want it to be efficient.

00:16:38.690 --> 00:16:41.022
I understand like I get it.

00:16:41.022 --> 00:16:44.432
It can feel like you don't have the time.

00:16:44.432 --> 00:16:47.500
We have to convince the customer they're ready to do the job.

00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:49.924
We've got to sell them on us.

00:16:50.525 --> 00:16:55.995
I get the understanding of where you guys are coming from, but we don't have to be salesy.

00:16:55.995 --> 00:17:06.986
We can be in a situation where, as real service professionals they called us to their homes they're the one with the problem.

00:17:06.986 --> 00:17:13.605
If we show up already saying no matter what you've got going on, no matter how you treat me, I'm ready to do this job right now.

00:17:13.605 --> 00:17:16.872
I have devalued my own profession.

00:17:16.872 --> 00:17:20.479
I'm ready to dig in and work with the right person.

00:17:20.479 --> 00:17:26.383
If you're the right person who shows respect to me and my craft, you will never find a more dedicated electrician to work with you.

00:17:26.383 --> 00:17:34.634
But if you disrespect me or you treat me in a way that makes me feel like you demean me, I am going to walk away from the call.

00:17:34.634 --> 00:17:40.191
But I cannot walk away from the call if I've already planted and parked myself.

00:17:41.901 --> 00:17:42.744
Yeah, that's powerful.

00:17:42.744 --> 00:17:48.643
That's powerful, and I'm feeling the need to tie this into a couple other topics that we've addressed.

00:17:48.643 --> 00:17:54.711
And where am I going with this, joe?

00:17:54.711 --> 00:17:57.661
I may have lost it, actually Every once in a while I draw a blank.

00:17:58.241 --> 00:17:59.304
And that happens to me too.

00:17:59.304 --> 00:17:59.904
How many times.

00:18:02.108 --> 00:18:03.451
Where the heck was that going?

00:18:03.451 --> 00:18:05.242
Yeah, I've lost it.

00:18:05.242 --> 00:18:06.548
Help me out, Joe.

00:18:06.548 --> 00:18:07.673
We're getting back on track here.

00:18:07.934 --> 00:18:16.132
We're picking it back on track, so, continuing on, I want to describe why certain tools matter and why others don't.

00:18:16.132 --> 00:18:16.913
Is that fair?

00:18:17.313 --> 00:18:18.355
Yeah, let's hit it Okay.

00:18:18.355 --> 00:18:27.230
So I was listening to the Facebook posts that people were putting in and some of the tools that were being listed really were like why.

00:18:27.230 --> 00:18:30.910
Some people were like I bring my impact with me on every call.

00:18:30.910 --> 00:18:34.289
I bring my circuit tracer with me on every call.

00:18:34.289 --> 00:18:37.403
I bring my bender with me on every call.

00:18:37.403 --> 00:18:39.067
It's like wait what?

00:18:39.067 --> 00:18:40.450
In what circumstance?

00:18:40.450 --> 00:18:45.267
One person said they had a collapsible bender in four pieces.

00:18:45.267 --> 00:18:49.082
It was a stick that collapses and you had the head and you put it in the bag and everything was done.

00:18:50.325 --> 00:18:52.990
My logic is we're not Nostradamus.

00:18:52.990 --> 00:18:58.742
We cannot realistically know everything this customer is going to be experiencing.

00:18:58.742 --> 00:19:08.452
And if you spend enough time as a service electrician, you realize that the calls that you end up doing aren't the call that the customer asks you to do.

00:19:08.452 --> 00:19:14.650
I mean, I've told you I've sold generators on outlet calls or sold generators on light bulb changes.

00:19:14.650 --> 00:19:17.936
It's not because I'm a wizard, it's because we have a process.

00:19:17.936 --> 00:19:22.987
That process needs to be followed to ensure that you're creating the best impression.

00:19:22.987 --> 00:19:41.311
And I found through intense like you know me, intense process guy, through extreme trial and error, I found that these tools in these locations on your body were the most practical and communicated the highest amount of value.

00:19:41.311 --> 00:19:45.651
If you want to say you know better, I'm never going to stop you.

00:19:45.651 --> 00:19:54.507
I can only guide you to what I know best and what I've seen, so that's why I'm so stuck on this.

00:19:55.108 --> 00:20:07.980
Yeah, I appreciate that and I'm recalling now what I lost earlier, and it was about that assuming the sale, and that's something we've talked about in prior podcast episodes how, on the way there, it's not time to start troubleshooting the problems.

00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:09.723
That's not a good idea.

00:20:09.723 --> 00:20:19.910
What is a good idea is to replay tapes, recordings of yourself and be committed to proper diagnosis not pre-diagnosis.

00:20:19.910 --> 00:20:24.342
Is that also important in tying into this theory that we're talking about today?

00:20:25.144 --> 00:20:26.347
I think that would be pretty relevant.

00:20:26.347 --> 00:20:30.223
So like the thought process of well, what are you doing before you even get to the call?

00:20:30.223 --> 00:20:32.949
And like, let's say, the typical example.

00:20:32.949 --> 00:20:38.922
Even get to the call and let's say the typical example, customer calls and says my countertop has no power, my breaker's not tripped.

00:20:38.922 --> 00:20:43.633
Every single electrician right now is going oh, it's a GFI, I'm going to go in there, I'm going to reset the GFI and that's that.

00:20:43.633 --> 00:20:48.990
But the thing is is then you completely bypass this customer.

00:20:48.990 --> 00:20:50.633
How did they use it?

00:20:50.633 --> 00:20:52.423
Why does this matter to them?

00:20:52.423 --> 00:20:53.907
What is it controlling?

00:20:53.907 --> 00:20:55.372
When did they notice it?

00:20:55.372 --> 00:20:57.166
Who else in the home does it affect?

00:20:57.166 --> 00:21:03.333
Those are things you won't know until you talk to them, until you bond with them.

00:21:03.333 --> 00:21:07.130
Your number one goal isn't turning the tools.

00:21:07.130 --> 00:21:14.817
Your number one goal is solving an emotional concern that has only been present because of an emotional concern that has only been present because of an electrical concern.

00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:19.896
And speaking of numbers, I mean technically you could get that call already.

00:21:19.896 --> 00:21:30.086
Have that line item prepared in your head in your price book, be ready to hit exactly where that is, send the invoice, be paid and be in and out in 27 minutes flat.

00:21:31.170 --> 00:21:33.201
Maybe less I actually.

00:21:33.201 --> 00:21:47.089
I remember I actually hired a guy way, way back in the day and I found out along the lines he was a get in and get out kind of guy, because what he would tell me he would do was for efficiency and because code allowed it to an extent.

00:21:47.089 --> 00:21:59.490
He was like, well, I don't need to actually cut a whole line in the sheetrock, I can just cut a small little quarter-sized hole underneath where each beam is put a little notch into it.

00:21:59.490 --> 00:22:10.645
Fish it over that, and then now I don't have to cut sheetrock, spackle and paint, even though you know for a fact he's only got maybe what a quarter inch of sheetrock protecting his wire.

00:22:11.186 --> 00:22:11.406
Yeah.

00:22:12.269 --> 00:22:25.846
So yeah, there's a lot of people who are going to be super clever, super smart, technical savvy minds who have found a way to nuance their way through the code to get the most efficient, quickest installation done.

00:22:25.846 --> 00:22:28.673
I'm never going to be that guy.

00:22:28.673 --> 00:22:45.652
My goal is to say you have a concern, but I don't know you, your family or your home, and I'm willing to learn about you and then work second, Only if you truly need or want my services, while I give you a price.

00:22:45.652 --> 00:22:53.227
And until that moment, until I'm thoroughly convinced that you want me and my service, that's when the sleeves roll up.

00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:59.692
Yeah, I can appreciate that as a consumer, as well as as your partner and as an electrician.

00:22:59.692 --> 00:23:02.046
Here's why, here's the big reasoning for me.

00:23:02.046 --> 00:23:08.232
If this, I mean, it sounds like this is the first time you've ever met this individual, a first time working with them.

00:23:08.232 --> 00:23:16.128
That also implies that they don't have an electrician that they trust currently Correct which, of course, in our process, we learn more about it.

00:23:16.128 --> 00:23:22.170
Another step, and that's a whole other topic, but that in itself is a problem, isn't it?

00:23:22.170 --> 00:23:26.888
And problems are opportunities.

00:23:27.892 --> 00:23:33.192
Agreed, and there's actually one other thing that you kind of inspired me to think about, so thank you for that.

00:23:33.192 --> 00:23:37.451
So there's also something known as the law of differentiation.

00:23:37.451 --> 00:23:42.392
We need to be different than every other contractor that's coming to the door.

00:23:42.392 --> 00:23:46.087
So let's say, sake of argument, every other contractor was right.

00:23:46.087 --> 00:23:47.731
We're wrong.

00:23:47.731 --> 00:23:49.460
Every other contractor is right.

00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:52.652
You need to show up with a freaking roll up when you're ready to go to a call.

00:23:52.652 --> 00:23:55.261
What would it say?

00:23:55.261 --> 00:24:00.483
Would it at least cause the customer to pause if they said where are your tools?

00:24:00.483 --> 00:24:12.059
And your first thought was well, my number one goal was to learn about you and your family, because I want to make sure that I'm only offering things that you really either need or want, and I'm never going to push something you don't want.

00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:15.617
So would you blame me if I wanted to get to know you and your family a little bit first?

00:24:15.617 --> 00:24:16.359
Then we could take it from there.

00:24:17.122 --> 00:24:17.261
No.

00:24:21.575 --> 00:24:24.661
Now, at that point, that customer, what are they going to be thinking?

00:24:24.661 --> 00:24:25.201
We don't know.

00:24:25.222 --> 00:24:30.343
Building a relationship it's getting personal now, yeah, and you know what, for some maybe that's a moment of guard.

00:24:30.343 --> 00:24:37.949
But again we did a whole episode on taking it to the ridiculous and in recognizing that not everyone's your customer too.

00:24:37.949 --> 00:24:44.663
That's very true customers who want great service and long-term relationships.

00:24:44.663 --> 00:24:51.508
If it's a one and done, I mean talk about it like an actual relationship with a spouse.

00:24:51.508 --> 00:24:53.775
You're looking for one night stands.

00:24:53.775 --> 00:24:54.777
Are you looking for marriage?

00:24:56.681 --> 00:24:58.645
nicely said on that one, that one.

00:24:58.645 --> 00:24:59.186
And you know what.

00:24:59.186 --> 00:25:01.641
You're right, not everyone's going to be your customer.

00:25:01.641 --> 00:25:16.737
And the thing is following this it actually helps you determine that faster, because I remember there was one specific example where it came up and I was doing a job in Newburgh for anyone who knows the area, because it'll make sense, I do know.

00:25:16.757 --> 00:25:27.483
But I was doing a job in Newburgh and the customer had on his list that he had a broken outdoor light fixture, right, and I didn't show up with my tools at the door.

00:25:27.483 --> 00:25:29.803
I showed up with my tactical tools and I was ready to go.

00:25:29.803 --> 00:25:32.903
And his first thing was where are all your tools?

00:25:32.903 --> 00:25:37.097
I'm like well, I want to get to know you and your family and figure out what we're going to do.

00:25:37.097 --> 00:25:42.631
And I'm like well, I want to get to know you and your family and figure out what we're going to do and then from there only offer things that make sense.

00:25:42.651 --> 00:25:46.760
And the guy was like I don't give a shit about that.

00:25:46.760 --> 00:25:49.669
If you can't fix this life for $75, I'm not your guy.

00:25:49.669 --> 00:25:51.674
And then the whole thing was done right there, awesome.

00:25:51.674 --> 00:25:53.195
And I'm like okay.

00:25:53.195 --> 00:26:06.580
So just to confirm, I want to make sure I'm not misunderstanding you, if I wasn't able to do the work immediately and my price were to exceed $75, even if I did a higher quality installation, better customer service, better warranty, that would completely disqualify us, right?

00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:09.323
He's like, yeah, I got a business meeting in 35 minutes.

00:26:09.323 --> 00:26:17.807
You got to go and I'm like, okay, but the fact was, is that the only reason he told me that was because he didn't see tools at the door?

00:26:17.807 --> 00:26:24.255
Perfect.

00:26:24.255 --> 00:26:26.319
Fact was is that the only reason he told me that was because he didn't see tools at the door?

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:26.500
Perfect.

00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:28.845
So, either way, even in the situations where some people are like, where are your tools that actually can help you?

00:26:28.865 --> 00:26:35.545
yeah, because I never want to sell you something you don't need or want I'm feeling like a tom hanks moment coming on.

00:26:35.585 --> 00:26:39.214
A bit of forest gump here like life's, like a box of chocolates.

00:26:39.214 --> 00:26:44.213
Mixed with the last analogy I used, one night stands are like a box of chocolates.

00:26:44.253 --> 00:26:49.146
You never know what you're gonna get is that I almost want to make a herpes reference.

00:26:49.855 --> 00:26:52.819
Yeah okay, we went there.

00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:55.742
That just happened live on the podcast.

00:26:55.742 --> 00:26:57.144
Joe, we got to wrap this up.

00:26:57.144 --> 00:27:05.696
That's a good half hour absolute deep dive on why and how value can be increased without tools.

00:27:05.696 --> 00:27:11.182
As an electrician in home service industry, what would you say are the action items then?

00:27:11.182 --> 00:27:13.355
Give this a try, maybe to start.

00:27:14.858 --> 00:27:17.666
So if you would allow me to take both, yeah, all right.

00:27:17.666 --> 00:27:24.147
So the bare minimum, like your very, very bare minimum, is just run the play right.

00:27:24.147 --> 00:27:32.048
The reason why is you'll never learn something new trying the same shit you've always tried right.

00:27:32.048 --> 00:27:33.602
It's just not going to work.

00:27:33.602 --> 00:27:34.980
Isn't that the definition of insanity?

00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:52.278
Like all of you who are saying I don't know why I'm not closing more deals, I don't know why I'm getting all these shit leads, I don't try something different, I'm telling you from experience that this is the only way that I would do it and that it was a proven process that worked.

00:27:52.278 --> 00:27:55.243
So, at the very least, just try it.

00:27:55.243 --> 00:27:57.587
Is that fair for a bare minimum?

00:27:58.249 --> 00:27:58.690
I think so.

00:27:59.530 --> 00:27:59.791
Okay.

00:27:59.791 --> 00:28:12.520
The all-star action is the understanding of why you have to operate the mentality that I am not going to offer my service if I want it more than they do.

00:28:12.520 --> 00:28:16.969
I will only offer it if they want it more than me.

00:28:16.969 --> 00:28:27.164
And in order to do that, I need to get consistent commitments that they want to move forward, and commitment one is our pre-arrival process.

00:28:27.164 --> 00:28:38.226
So if you run this initial play, know that you are getting a subconscious commitment and continue to push for that throughout the remainder of your call.

00:28:38.226 --> 00:28:42.625
If you want to track the advice on how to get there, contact us.

00:28:42.625 --> 00:28:49.964
We'll give you our process, but we need you to know that the only way it's going to work is if you commit to it and you run the play.

00:28:51.748 --> 00:28:52.209
I love that.

00:28:52.209 --> 00:28:54.039
Can I add a little nugget to it?

00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:56.979
Give a little sprinkle yeah, just a little sprinkle there.

00:28:56.979 --> 00:28:57.681
Nugget to it.

00:28:57.681 --> 00:29:01.692
Give a little sprinkle yeah, just a little sprinkle there.

00:29:01.692 --> 00:29:09.284
Consistent activity doing something once and then calling that the result and then making adjustments on it is also something that will make you insane.

00:29:09.284 --> 00:29:14.098
So please don't just do it once, as Joe said, but do it a few times, See what you like better.

00:29:14.098 --> 00:29:22.505
Hope that helps you, guys, and I hope this single little nugget breaks you through $1.3 million in revenue this year.

00:29:22.505 --> 00:29:29.083
As we know, it's a little piece of it and all the wisdom that Joseph, the sales bot Lucani, has to share with us.

00:29:29.083 --> 00:29:31.087
Thank you, Joe, Thank you Guys.

00:29:31.087 --> 00:29:39.325
We're here with you five days a week to help you with things like this mastering sales, simplifying pricing and delivering premium level service.

00:29:39.325 --> 00:29:43.685
Next time I'm going to get through an entire episode without a brain gap.

00:29:43.685 --> 00:29:45.519
I won't miss a thing.

00:29:46.355 --> 00:29:49.384
You are human and humans are allowed to be human.

00:29:49.914 --> 00:30:00.768
If you guys didn't tell already we got rid of all the fancy shit to just show up and talk with you and give you real, actionable advice from actual experience and knowledge and the very things that we teach in our program, guys.

00:30:00.768 --> 00:30:02.971
So please join us again tomorrow for more.

00:30:02.971 --> 00:30:04.339
Look forward to seeing you there.

00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.665
Take care.