ShuBee Tips

The Case for Flat Rate Pricing Revisited – Part 2

I first got into flat rate pricing as a defense reaction. My company made a transition from new construction to service, replacement and major remodeling in 1972. Since I was one of the few people in my market who knew what it cost to operate my business and what kind of selling prices I needed [...]

Business Lessons from the Ozarks

I’m Losing Money – So What? I’m Taking on Partners!!

             What you see in the attachment at the bottom of this article, my friends, is the bottom line of a 10-month P & L statement for Frank J. Blau, Jr. Associates, the corporation under which I conduct my seminar and consulting business.  I lost money. For those of you [...]

Lifetime Warranties – Dare You Offer Them?

               There is a significant difference in price between a water heater with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty and one warranted for 10 years. A couple of years ago I pondered why this is so. What is the difference between the two products? So we did a little “reverse engineering” [...]

Training: You Can’t Afford Not To!

Let’s open with this question: If you were offered the opportunity to invest $10,000 and get $100,000+ back in five years, would you make the investment?  Business owners who understand the value of training are making this kind of investment regularly and reaping the rewards.  Read on to learn the benefits of training and how [...]

Why Do You Do It?

Easy Acquisitions by the Numbers

much for those vehicles—from someone else.” You see what’s happened here? My offer was $28,500. He was expecting $158,500 for lock, stock and barrel. Don’t argue with the man about the value of his assets. That’s not the first order of business. The first priority is to buy the name and phone numbers. Let’s continue [...]

Phone Hold Time is Selling Time

Image Boosters: Not only individual firms, but also our national, state and local associations, as well as union locals, waste a golden opportunity. Many consumers call these offices for one reason or another. They ought to be hearing messages such as: The plumber protects the health and safety of our nation…A licensed professional is your [...]

What is the Best and Highest Use of Your Time?

The Case for Flat Rate Pricing – Part One

Since the idea of the flat rate system came about, hundreds of my colleagues around the country have adopted flat rate pricing mechanisms, many of them inspired to do so after attending my “Business of Contracting” seminars. This is a meaningful step toward professionalism in our industry, but only a small step considering that there [...]