Welcome to United Servicers Association's e-Servicer Newsletter
Greetings!
We hope you enjoyed the Independence Day holiday that launches the the summer vacation season. For most of us,
summer signals a time of high demand for our products and services especially refrigeration. We wish you and your family a safe and prosperous summer vacation season.
Sincerely,
The USA Team
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"Appliance Service Training Institute"
PSA & USA are working hard to provide you with the
specific training you want and need for the upcoming Appliance Service Training
Institute. The ASTI will be held Feb 17-20, at the Disney Coronado Springs
Resort so mark your calendars now. Please STOP and take a few minutes out of
your busy schedule & help us provide the best content possible by
completing our short survey . The OEM's are eager to provide you with the
training you want, however they need your input. Please be VERY specific as to
what you would like to see in training content at this event. brand, type and
even model # would be great but are not required. Tell us what training you want by completing this short survey
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Appliance Service Training Institute
Platinum Sponsor 
 To learn more about sponsoring the event call 1-800-683-2558 or visit the sponsors page at www.asti.us |
How to
Grow Your Business Using Free Internet Tools
According to
Forrester's Five-Year Interactive
Marketing Forecast Report,social media
marketing and mobile marketing will experience the highest growth rates among digital tactics. Social media, which represents only
$716M today, is expected to balloon to $3.1B by 2014, and grow at a high
compound annual rate of 34%.
Is your small business getting its share?
Marketing your
business online doesn't have to be complicated.
The
Internet can help your business to attract customers, build communities, boost
productivity and save money. The Internet has had a huge influence in changing
the nature of the relationship between the consumer and business. In the first
phase on the Web, consumers could research and buy goods and services online.
The current second wave allows customers and potential customers to share
their opinions and reviews of products, services, and businesses through a
range of "social media" tools and websites such as YouTube, Facebook,
blogs, and now Twitter. That's
why it's important for businesses to understand and take advantage of these
tools. They offer many ways to showcase your expertise, provide value-added
information to customers, and market your business and they won't set you back
a lot of money.Develop an online strategy for your business and use the tools to make it work.Here's a partial list to get you started.
Craigslist.com & Kijiji.com - Offer
free listing service for sales of products and services as well as job postings,
personals and a wide range of goods and services..
Skype.com - Offer free voice over
IP allowing you to speak with regular long distant customers for free. You can
purchase blocks of time for long distance calls at very low rates.
GoogleApps.com - Several free
applications including Gtalk, Gcalandar, Gdocs, Galerts, Ganalytics, Gmail and Gmaps. All of these applications
help you communicate with stores, branches and staff on line and many are free.
Ganalytics will provide you with free statistics on your website traffic when
installed.
Meetup.com - Find and create groups
in your area and meet people of common interests.
AVG.com - Free antivirus
software to help protect your computer and systems.
CafePress.com - On on-line shopping
site that lets you upload products and services for free for a % of the sale.
Great for selling end of line and clearance merchandise.
Micro Soft Templates - Free
download of commonly used templates for flyers, gift certificates, invitations
and newsletters. There are also accounting templates for Income statements,
balance sheets and cash flow statements.
Score.org - Another great site for
small business offering many commonly used financial spreadsheet templates for
free.
Freecycle.org - A great place to recycle items you no longer
need for free. Old office furniture that you no longer need but it's too good
to throw out to the garbage dump.
Istockphoto.com - A good source of high
resolution photos for all occasions to use in presentations, websites and
newsletters to your customers. Some weekly photos are free other for very low
costs.
GetDropBox.com- A virtual on-line hard
drive that you can use to store your files. Dropbox is the easiest way to store, sync, and,
share files online. There's no complicated interface to learn.
Twitter - The latest social
media phenomenon. "Tweets," as they are known, are short messages
that are posted instantly to a community of individuals - or
"followers" - who opt to receive them. Like blogging, Twitter can be a cost-effective way
to network and build your brand. It can also be an effective way to notify your
customers of special deals or the arrival of new products, especially if you
offer niche products or services.
Blogging - According to Warrillow & Co.,
40% of small business owners are now using blogs for business purposes. And for
good reason. Blogging is an inexpensive way to brand yourself and your
business. The good news is that many free templates are available that make it
easy for you to set up a blog and allow readers, customers, and potential
customers to post comments. Two of the most common are www.wordpress.com and www.blogger.com.
LinkedIn.com - A professional social
networking service allowing you to find professionals, recruit employees, keep
in touch with friends and colleagues. You can also join groups and share
experiences and build your own network of contacts.
FaceBook.com & MySpace.com
- Social networking services allowing you to connect with family,
friends and younger generation customers. You can create groups and develope fans of your product and or cervice. YouTube.com - You can post videos of
you doing a sales pitch on your product or services. Once posted you can post a
link from your company website to view the video. Survey Monkey.com & Zommerang.com - Create and post free surveys about your products and services then link these to your website.
Flicker - Free site to post and share photos of family and friends on.
Social
media tip. For many
small businesses, the owner and the "brand" are one and the same.
So whether you are blogging, tweeting, posting
videos on YouTube, or establishing a Facebook page for your business, put your
personality and your ideas forward. Your local walk-in customers know you and
your brand. Social media tools like blogs, Twitter, and Facebook give you a
chance to have others know you as well.
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Appliance
Technical Help Line Specialist
 Electrolux
Major Appliances is currently taking resumes for skilled appliance technical
specialist. These individuals should have an extensive appliance service
background. This includes knowledge and
expertise in diagnosing and repairing refrigeration equipment. The candidate
must possess basic knowledge in electrical diagnostics including interpreting
wire diagrams and schematics, and must be able to instruct others on proper use
of special tools (volt-ohmmeter, amprobe, and other measuring devices). This
individual must represent Electrolux in a positive manner by practicing proper
phone etiquette, possessing excellent customer service skills, and
demonstrating flexibility in all aspects of the assignment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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10+ years technical experience in
the major appliance industry
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Excellent communication skills
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Ability to comprehend and assist
others on the design and operation of Electrolux products
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Ability to teach others in the
repair field industry via telephone.
All
qualified applicants should send their resume to:
Donna
Edwards 250 Bobby
Jones Expressway
Augusta, GA
30907
E-mail address: donna.edwards@electrolux.com
Fax: 706 651-7113
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Calculating your Cost of Doing Business & Improving First Call Completes
At USA our mission is to help you help yourself. Knowing how to calculate your cost of doing business is a crucial first step in setting your rates and making fact-based decisions about your business.
Our first seminar last month had some bugs, but those are gone and we're ready to continue.
USA offers more in a series of online webinars on how to calculate your cost of doing business and tips and techniques to improve first call completes. These 60 minute seminars is available online right from your office.
CODB
July 16 at 2:00 pm EST
Space is limited so register now. No Charge to USA members.
Click here to register for CODB
Improving First Call Completes
July 23 at 2:00 pm EST
Click here to register for FCC
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Remote Appliance Monitoring
Written by Tom Philp
NEW YORK - Miele this week launched its new Remote Vision
technology system that monitors major appliances on a 24/7 basis,
reporting any faults or potential service problems directly to the
company's service center.
A
fault code will either trigger an automated email, text message or
phone call (offering a corrective strategy), or analysis by a Miele
technician who will schedule a service appointment if it is deemed
necessary.
"The service call has remained the same for over 100 years," said Nick Ord, Miele's president and CEO. "With RemoteVision
we've evolved the entire service paradigm. We don't wait for the
consumer to call us with a possible fault. We are proactively alerted
of an issue and we contact them with critical information about the
fault - which they may or not know they are experiencing. We
effectively offer our customers true worry-free service after the sale,
not to mention the peace of mind, convenience and time savings of
potentially avoiding a bigger problem down the road."
Using wireless local area network (WLAN) technology and application software, RemoteVision
enabled products are monitored 24/7. This dedicated "link" allows for
the secured transmission of performance data. If a fault, of any sort,
occurs, Miele's client service center will be notified and subsequently
will contact the referring client or another individual identified on
his or her call roster (determined at time of registration).
The RemoteVision
client will receive message alerts via email. The content of the
messages will vary as well. A client may be provided with use/care
recommendations, trouble shooting suggestions or service notifications
alerting them that an in-person service appointment is recommended.
To date, all Independence series refrigerators, freezers and wine storage units and super large capacity laundry models W488 and W4840 are RemoteVision capable.
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e-Servicer Archives
Missed an issue or just want to go back and look at past e-Servicer articles? We've archived each issue for your easy retrieval at any time. e-Servicer Archives |
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Need help running your business?
Why
Should You Be a Member of USA? * Business and Technical Training
* Annual Appliance Service Training Institute
* Networking with Fellow Servicers
* Industry Relations
* The Opportunity to Meet
Representatives of All Major Manufacturers
* Increase Business, Productivity
and Profits
Join USA today www.unitedservicers.com
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USA
service management webinar training
1.Calculating your cost of doing business.
July16 2:00pm EST
CODB Click here to register
2. Improving first call completes.
July 23 2:00pm EST
FCC click here to register
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Flat Rate Guides
The Appliance Service Flat Rate Solution
for more information
click here
MASPG
Blue Book order
click here to order
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Upcoming
Regional Service Meetings (RSM)
Charlotte NC
Oct. 22 & 23, 2009
Marlboro MD
Oct. 21 & 22, 2009
Phoenix AZ
Oct. 27 & 28, 2009
Oklahoma City OK
TBA Oct, 2009
Berkley CA
TBA Oct, 2009
To set up an RSM call
1-800-683-2558
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The All Dolly
The All-Dolly is the first material handling dolly
designed specifically for use in installing, repairing and removal of ovens,
and can be used in servicing many other appliances as well.
Where to get them:
Warren F. Brown Enterprises
1075 Florence Way
Campbell, California
E-Mail:
info@AllDolly.com
P. 408/378-2344
Tell them USA sent you.
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Peer Groups
A
peer group is a gathering of like-minded businessmen and women in non-competing markets that gather to help one another run
their respective businesses from time to time. In these meetings it is
common to share and compare financial statements and for members to turn to peers for advice or opinion on a
certain issue they might be experiencing in their businesses. Peer groups
will often collaborate on a group project such as a marketing campaign
and then share in the cost of such development. Peer groups generally
meet on neutral ground on a regularly scheduled basis.
Want to join a peer group?
Call 1-800-683-2558
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What USA members are saying about membership:
"Association membership is a
must! Besides the wonderful information
you receive during the year, at the annual convention you meet awesome people
in our industry, obtain the latest training from the manufacturers, share the
latest "state of the art" business practices amongst your peers, receive wisdom
from those who have been there before, hear more idea's than you can possibly
implement, and receive renewed inspiration.
Consider membership and involvement in a trade associate for these
benefits and more. I would highly recommend it"
Steve Merriam
Appliance & Refrigeration Hospital Inc.
"I would not be as successful as I am, were it not for my
participation in United Servicers Institute of Service Management. I consider my investment in time and money
in attending the ISM the best investment I have ever made. Trade associations are the vital blood of our
industry. They provide a forum for
servicers to get together, trade information, and help dissipate the isolation
that most service companies feel" David Borsani, Complete Appliance Service,
Inc..
"USA has been the best forum to develop and nurture
relationships with other servicers on a national level. I always come away with
at least one idea that I would not have otherwise"
Dave Thompson, CW Services, Inc.
"Since joining the United
Servicers Association I have learned ways in which to perform warranty service
without it being a loss leader. On top of that I have expanded my COD business
without increasing my advertising budget. I learned how to redirect my money to
better vehicles and have actually spent less with a better return. Meeting peers with whom you can bounce ideas
off of has been a huge help. Many times I felt isolated in this corner of the
world but have since found many others across North America who have
experienced the same ups and downs as I have. Usually somebody somewhere has
already gone through what you are experiencing and can give you guidance with
any problems that arise. Experiencing my
first Institute of Service Management was a giant step ahead from the level
that I was at. Each year has paid back my investment in USA many times over. I
urge you to take that first step also. You will not regret it"
Rod
Williscroft, Totem Appliance & Refrigeration Ltd
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