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CATCH UP! (helping irrigators with technology)
The largest change in the irrigation contractor's technology has been, and remains to be in communication, and this by no means should be exclusive to the business of communication, but can and is being used as a means of expediting several tasks that normally require more time, more equipment, or more bodies to execute.
The use of smart phones, I-pads, and other technology for the irrigator will not only clear up any misunderstandings in the field, but will actually be the next best thing to being there when "being there" is not possible.
Okay, so what does this mean for the irrigator, how can more communication tech help me and my business?
- Not only will communications be improved, but you will have the ability to video call one another to ensure that you and your team have complete understanding of the job.
- Every picture tells a story. With the help of pics and video, you will be able to share footage of a job for future bidding, and have footage instantly downloaded to your office computer, as well as individuals on your team that need the info.
- With GPS capabilities, you can find and locate job sites off the beaten path, or find out where your employees are at any time.
- Having an I-pad handy in the field will not only show your clients that you mean business, but that you are in business to stay. You can instantly go over plans, and or changes according to your customer's specs to confirm understanding of the job, and eliminate any knee-jerking in the end when they get their bill.
- If you need to find the nearest supply store in an emergency, their business hours, and location, you can use your phone or tablet to Google them, and be in and out before your problem becomes a bigger one.
- Check emails between clients and business, and answer them while you are in the field – you will always be in touch with your business.
So, what can communication technology do for the irrigator and irrigation contractor? You will be able to take your business where ever you go, and put some of the pressure back on your competition… where it belongs.
Speaking of competition, beat them in the referral game by understanding how to us the Internet to nurture word-of-mouth advertising.
Posted By Doug Saylor 2 Comments »
Smartphones may very well be phones that are smarter than we are. Slim and portable, smartphones are capable of carrying everything important to us wherever we go. Do you NEED one? You can decide, but it could sure make the irrigation contractor's life a whole lot easier. Here's some features that are compatible with most smartphones:
On-the-go Scheduling
Most smartphones, whether Apple or Android based, have calendars and event schedulers already built in. This allows you, while in the middle of an irrigation job, to quickly schedule a meeting or appointment on your phone and get right back to work. You can set the appointment up with a reminder to let you know the appointment is coming up. Most calendar programs allow you to set your own preference on reminders: a day before the event, a week, an hour, whatever you want to help you remember those important dates and times. Most calendar applications also allow you to share the appointment with others, making it super easy to let co-workers know there is something coming up.
Pictures
All smartphones these days come with an on-board camera. Cameras can be extremely helpful when on a job. You can take before and after pictures of the actual irrigation work for your customer files, as proof of what you did on the job, or simply some nice before and after shots for your portfolio. Pictures can be stored and attached to customer files later, or can be attached to your mobile customer files if you have a customer tracking application.
There's an App for that
There truly is an 'app' for just about everything. A search of the Android Market shows applications that are convenient and cost effective for an irrigator to use. Some of the apps listed are: measuring distances, job estimating, time tracking, customer records, job site trackers, etc.
Some applications are pretty robust. They include maintaining irrigation customer files, measuring distances for irrigation on site, preparing quotes that you can e-mail from your phone, and more. Some apps even allow you to connect with vendors so you can check available stock! Talk about convenience!
With today's technology, there is no reason an irrigation contractor has to struggle to do it all by himself. Mobile apps and smartphones make it easy to be a one (or three) man show!
Posted By Doug Saylor 4 Comments »
According to Open by American Express, an information service for small businesses, one of the three smartest investments for greater productivity is getting help with personal productivity
Darby, our hypothetical über-irrigator is bad with paper. The one piece of paper he’s dealing with multiplies to thousands–all clogging up his pipeline of productivity. If he could just handle paper…
Because he’s so bad with paper, he’s learned to be “good” with paper. He knows it’s a weakness, so he’s developed some hard and fast rules and methods that have helped him a lot.
- Hold the paper only once. Deal with it now or file it or trash it. Don’t wait ‘till later.
- Don’t create paper. Use your laptop or iPad to do what paper used to do.
- Stop, drop and de-clutter. Once a week stop and catch up on getting paper dealt with.
- Arrange for easy filing. Your office may be your truck. Fine, treat your truck like it is the command center of the great organization it is!
- Automate everything. Get the electric company to draft for their payment (unless you’re not quite sure you’re going to pay it this month). Darby did that to all his bills. They’re paid on time and he doesn’t have to do it. Darby uses Mint or PageOnce to keep track of his spending spending. (Google Mint and or PageOnce) Note: The bank can’t read who your check is payable to. It only posts check number 1233 for $345.45 posted on August 30th. That’s gets in the way of online services like Mint. Consider using your bank’s BillPay service or use a credit or debit card. Mint can read all these payees–giving you better information.
You can probably think of other areas. The point is to take control.
Want more ideas on promoting your irrigation business? Click the button to get a Free Report on Nurturing Word-of-Mouth.
Posted By Doug Saylor 2 Comments »