You got all the tools for the job.

You have done all the qualifications to be qualified, that's all you need for the recipe for success right?

Hmmmm I'm not sure that's completely true.

There are a few skills you could run a successful business with, without and tools or qualifications - Cowboy builders do it every day

Tool Box talk For Electricians, Helping electricians reduce stress - gain back time and earn more money.

. Hello and welcome back once again, the last few podcasts have been interviews with other electricians, all about how they have grown their business.

Along with Ash from Trade grow who helps all tradesmen grow their business.

Some great information in those podcasts.

Today though it's just Ben poulter once again telling you the skills you want to work on to be able to get better at business - Not just at your job!

Money Management

If you quote a job you want to make sure you stay within budget. The worst thing in the world is when there is no money in the job to make it worthwhile.

You can even go over the top on a quote for the worst case scenario, Then surprise the customer with your honesty if all goes well.

I know it's not normal to charge less than the original quote, but if you use less materials and take them back - that can come off the quote.

Trust me the few times this has happened - the customers really do appreciate it and have you back the next time.

Knowing your numbers and how much you need to earn to make the business work.

I have a download for this that I will put in the comments.

How many times have you been to a job and it's taken 5 mins - you still took the phone call, booked it in and turned up in the van that's insured.

It's all the costs to run a business you forget about. That job may have taken 5 mins - but the standard charge for you turning up should be no less than £50.

With all the money that goes through your books you need to be able to plan for the future.

Plan for the bills that come with running your own business.

So have a little pot to the side for that. Maybe 5% of every invoice.

Just something for the yearly outgoings.

This way it's not a big hit when it all does come round in the same month of every year.

Time Management

Give yourself time to do your paperwork. Just because everyone else works 5 days a week, it doesn't mean you have to.

When you're so busy this slips your mind very easily. Every week takes a day to get the paperwork done.

There is always something

Invoices

Quotes

Certificates

Self assessments

Vat Return

You need a day to be able to keep up with it all.

Be punctual with people too, this goes a hell of a long way - if you say you're going to turn up TURN UP.

That's the biggest problem I hear from customers about tradesmen. They just turn up when they like.

However if you have a reputation of turning up on time, customers remember that and won't hesitate to call you time and time again.

All WORK and NO Play stresses people out!

It's great running your own business, but make sure to give yourself some time off.

We all need to take a step back sometimes, there is always something to do and there's always another day.

Unless it's a callout where you can make a fortune, book it in for a day at your conveyance.

Builders are the worst, they tell you they want you to do the job and call you as soon as there ready “right you can come and do your bit, we plaster the following day”

Like I was sitting there waiting for them to ring.

Don't be afraid to tell people like that where to do, most of the time they will understand your busy and will wait, or they will get someone else

GOOD! You don't want to work for people who think they can call you up and you can come the next day.

You are the business owner, so its down to you to delegate the jobs to others. Do that to free up some time too.

If there is someone who will get along with customers great, send them out to quote.

Another person loves to sit in front of the computer, get them to do the invoices.

You may have to show them a couple of times first, but what it later on it was a job that you didn't have to do - Brilliant.

Be the BOSS!

Everyone has their mates. Mates you let off and do favours for….

When you're a boss, you can't do this all the time.

A customer may say “Whiles your hear mate, just throw a supply in tot the hottub”

NO - It's a separate job, it needs to be done properly and I will give you a quote for it.

Everyone is your best friend until it all goes wrong, or it costs money.

Let's be honest - Sometimes things go wrong, you drill through a wall, a customer changes their mind about the position of the kitchen - all types of things.

Keep your cool and manage the changes in a professional manner.

I was in a property once when the customer wanted to move the kitchen units from one wall to another. After I wired it all, the main builder went mental at the customer, shouting at them like kids.

If I was the customer I would have kicked him out the house.

I bet that builder never got any more work from that customer, let alone recommend it to his friends.

Communication

Keep everyone in the know:

If your going to be late

There is going to be an extra cost

When people don't know, it leaves a bad impression.

A text, email or phone call will do.

But with extra costs - get that agreed in writing via an email before you buy the materials.

So many customers think because you're there on the day the extra outside socket, or few lights changing is going to be an extra £5.

Be Confident in what you do.

When you uncover a problem on an install, you then go to the customer and recommend what needs to be done.

A join in a SWA cable will cost around £75 for an electrician to install, let alone the fault finding and testing after, so that could easily double.

The customer will say “just stick a connector block on for now”

For Now means forever for someone who isn't an electrician.

Electricians understand how dangerous it could be to bodge it up, so you need to do it properly, and that costs money.

Stick to your guns and say NO.

If a customer wants you to do the work - it's going to be done properly.

Networking

This doesn't just mean with other trades too.

Getting along with the other trades will make them remember you and call you for the next job.

You also need to sell yourself to customers too, Maybe a follow up email to make sure they are happy with the work (ask for a google review too)

Then if there are any problems, work hard to get them resolved.

I had one customer who was upset because I didn't put all the little white tabs on the switches and sockets.

Stupid small thing, but I got a handful and went round to put them on, I ended up handing most of them over for the customer to do himself.

But it's those small things the customer will remember and tell everyone of his friends and family about.

Know your worth

Don't let a builder or a customer tell you what they will give you.

They don't know your outgoings and how much you need to earn.

Every electrician earns different amounts, and as long as you're happy with what you earn that's all that matters.

I have had it before when customers say, I know an electrician who will do that for half the price you're asking - Why the hell are you not on the phone to him!!!

Check out the show notes for some helpful downloads that will make your business run better.

Until next time

Ben