e-Servicer

January 2015
2015 A New Year 

How are those New Year's resolutions coming along?

I've got to admit that it's been a slow start for me! Which of these top 10 New Year's resolutions did you make? 

 

  1. Lose Weight

  2. Getting Organized

  3. Spend Less, Save More

  4. Enjoy Life to the Fullest

  5. Staying Fit and Healthy

  6. Learn Something Exciting

  7. Quit Smoking

  8. Help Others in Their Dreams

  9. Fall in Love

10. Spend More Time with Family  
Parts Inventory: Elusive and Evolving  
By Paul Mac Donald, USA Executive Director

As I wrote last month, the best way to facilitate first call completes is to pre-diagnose every service call before rolling a truck. But the second biggest contributing factor is also worth investigating. It's all about having the right parts to complete repairs in a single trip.   Read More......
ASTI 2015 :The Annual Service Training Institute
In two weeks the ASTI will be in full swing, there's still time to register

 

The largest service training convention for business owners, managers and technicians.

 

February 9-12, 2015  

New Orleans, LA

 

 

  • Pre-ASTI events on Feb 8
  • One week before Mardi Gras!
  • Great Networking Opportunities
  • 50 Vendor Industry Trade Show

With business workshops from:

        

            
  •  Increasing First Call Completes
  •  Cost of Doing Business
  •  Inter-generational Management  
  •  Parts Inventory Management
  •  Warranty Tips & Tricks 

 

 Technician hands-on training with 13 sessions from :  

 

            asko 4      Electrolux Logo

                Fisher Paykel Logo Dacor    GE LogoSamsung

Bosch Logo

 

   

Plus so much more. 

 

Agenda Details & Registration at asti.us 
Jennifer's Warranty Tip #56
By Jennifer Webert - Mid-America Service

 "WHIRLPOOL REPLACEMENT PART WARRANTY CHANGE"

On January 20th, Whirlpool is changing their warranty replacement part policy. The original warranty of 90 days will change to 365 days from the date of part installation. In addition, Whirlpool will no longer be issuing credits on a warranty claim for these types of part replacements and instead servicers are being asked to accept the replacement part from their authorized Whirlpool part distributor.  Read More   

Using Electrically Equivalent Points and the Schematic to Work Smarter, Not Harder      

By Samurai Appliance Repair Man,  www.Appliantology.org

  

Do you know what "electrically equivalent points" are? Do you know how to recognize them on the schematic? Most importantly, do you know how to use them to avoid needlessly tearing down an appliance just so you can check a component?  Read More 

Classified Advertising Utilizing Focused Key Word

By Mark Maupin, Right Now Marketing   

 

When a person makes the decision to get into business for themselves, they usually do so with a new and innovative product or service (or they might just have a new spin on an existing product or service). In either case, any wise business owner knows that you don't have to necessarily recreate the wheel to succeed.     Read More 

Social Media Training at ASTI   

 By Brett Relander, www.brettrelander.com 

 

Learn the skills you need to turn social media into a valuable asset in 2015! Don't miss Brett's social media training on Monday, February 9

and his social media workshop on Tuesday, February 10. 

  

What you will learn:

*What social networks are best for you
*How and when you should be engaging
*The power of blogging 
*Easy ways to get reviews
*Connecting with your mobile customer
*Social marketing best practices
 

We've also been working with Brett on an amazing offer you're not going to believe! This is a game changer for your business in 2015 and you don't want to miss it. Join him on Monday, February 9 at 10:15 AM for full details. Agenda details & Registration at

Stuck on Social Media?

by ASTI Speaker Brett Relander Today!
   

Successful B2C Lead Generation with Social Media

You'll Learn:

  • Why You Should be Using Social Media for Lead Generation
  • What are the Right Social Networks for You
  • Why Blogging is a Must
  • How to Identify Your Target Audience
  • The Importance of a Mobile Friendly Experience
  • To Advertise or Not to Advertise? 

As a special BONUS for those who download Brett's FREE eBook, you'll also receive same day access to the incredible offer Brett is presenting at ASTI 2015. Get your eBook NOW! 

Marketing Q+A with Nick Salvatoriello @HubSpotAcademy


"People often associate inbound marketing with a magnet: It catches your attention, but then links you into a deeper and deeper engagement as you journey towards making a decision."

Marketing Q+A with Nick Salvatoriello @HubSpotAcademy

 

We are thrilled to have Nick Salvatoriello as a guest speaker at the Annual Service Training Institute this February 9-12 in New Orleans. Nick is the Principal Inbound Professor at HubSpot Academy, and an expert in inbound marketing.

Paul Mac Donald, Executive Director of the United Servicers Association, had the opportunity to ask Nick a few questions about how service organizations and small and medium-sized businesses can make the most of their marketing. 

+ + +

PAUL: We know that mobile searches exceeded desktop searches in 2014. Do you think that holds true when consumers are searching for products and services for the home, such as appliance repair?

NICK: To answer this question, business owners who offer products and services for the home such as appliance repair must study the behavior of their ideal buyer persona. Where are these buyers when they are thinking about or talking about appliance repair? Are they at the mall? Are they in an appliance retailer? Are they in a coffee shop talking with a friend about their homes? Certainly those are settings would lend themselves well to that person reaching into their pocket and pulling out a smart phone and doing a quick search.

Read Full Interview
A New Standardized Test For Appliance Service Fundamentals
Get Certified at ASTI 2015

A new standardized test for appliance service fundamentals has been created by AST.  AST stands for the Institute of Appliance Service Technicians, an independent organization that is working to improve the quality of appliance service by testing and certifying appliance technicians that are beginning or resuming an entry level position in appliance repair.  

AST strives to promote a high standard in appliance repair and service across all brands and designs and to protect the consumer, the service company, and the service technician.  An appliance service technician needs to be an electrician, a plumber, an HVAC technician, and an installer, on top of having a deep understanding of appliance repair.  Appliances are becoming more complicated every year and certification demands we evolve and adapt along with the industry.  

The Appliance Service Fundamentals certification is a collaboration of the instruction staff at Fred's Appliance Academy, the leading appliance repair school in the United States.  The exam is segmented by sub-specialty:  Electrical Theory, Laundry, Gas & Electric Cooking, Microwaves, Dishwashers, Part Identification, and customer soft skills.  

The AST Appliance Service Fundamentals exam will be available for testing at ASTI 2015  at a special discounted rate.  For more information or to register today, visit the AST website @ www.ioAST.org .  Do you meet the standard?
Blogging Made Easy at ASTI
With Scott Yates of BlogMutt

The good old days of thinking about marketing once a year when you set up your yellow pages ad are long gone. Now you need to think about marketing at least once per week. In this session at the ASTI in New Orleans next month, Scott will show you how you can do well against the competition in just 28 minutes per week.
2015 ASTI
Made Possible by


Contact:
Paul Mac Donald, Executive Director
United Servicers Association
3501 N. Southport Ave., Ste. 199  Chicago, IL 60657  |  800.683.2558