Some contractors think pricing is a game of trying to outguess the competition in order to submit a successful low bid. While focusing on being lowest is an approach, it’s not always the right thing in every situation.For example, if demand is high, both the low-priced and high-priced contractor will operate with a full schedule. You need to be paid …
Five Things We Learned at the Irrigation Show
Each year Central’s leadership team visits the national Irrigation Show to meet with industry experts and to see the trends for the coming season. This year’s show was packed with ideas and opportunities. Here are some key takeaways: 2017 Will Be a Strong Sales Year On the heels of a great 2016 season, the show was brimming with optimism about a …
Training Service Technicians? Don’t Forget This
While it is important to train technicians on “how to get the work done” (troubleshooting, diagnosis, repairs, time keeping), it’s also equally important to spend some time training them on how to deliver a great customer service experience. As one expert notes “customers judge technicians by their human-relations skills as much as their ability to get the repair done.” Now …
Helpful Mobile Apps for Professional Contractors
There are dozens of new apps that have been introduced to help landscape and irrigation professionals increase productivity in the field. Here are 5 new ones to check out: BusyBusy is a jobsite tracking and mobile timeclock that allows managers to track employee time in on specific projects. Wunderlist is an app for simple task management, allowing you to maintain a real-time …
6 Things to Do Ahead for a Streamlined Start to the Season
Here are 6 things to put on your to-do list to prepare for a busy spring: 1) Start recruiting employees. The labor market is tighter than it’s been in 10 years. If you will need help this season, start looking now. Download our FREE Guide for smart tips on finding great candidates. 2) Get inventory ordered. Streamline the process of buying supplies by …
Advanced Planning Makes Big Projects Go Easier
Every job seems to serve up its share of roadblocks that help you from achieving maximum productivity. For example, if you’re crew shows up ready to dig but the utilities haven’t been located, that’s a roadblock. Or maybe you’re ready to install a dozen decoders, but they haven’t arrived yet. That’s another roadblock. We want to help you identify roadblocks …
9 Ways to Make Spring Irrigation Start-Ups Go Easier
The irrigation season has arrived. Phones are ringing. You have a long list of systems to get ready for the season. Central has some tips to make the whole process a little easier: 1. Set Pricing in Advance. Many contractors charge a flat rate for the start-up and then price time and materials for repairs. However you chose to set …
Wet Spring = Bumper Crop of Mosquitoes & Ticks
This spring’s wet and cool temperatures are predicted to result in an abundance of mosquitoes, ticks and other insect pests this summer. Anyone who is planning to enjoy their landscape, deck or patio better be prepared with more than just simple bug repellent. Health officials are worried about the spread of Lyme disease and Zika and expect a significant fight …
Spend More Time on Important Work and Less on Paperwork!
Focus on your customers and not on mountains of paperwork. Central’s exclusive online account access gets you dozens of FREE tools that will make your life much easier. Get started today to access these valuable features: Get instant access to digital copies of your 2017 Central invoices and statements. Reprint as needed to reconcile job costs or get itemized lists …