With the government announcing a focus on housebuilding while continuing green initiatives, Benjamin Dyer, CEO and co- founder of Powered Now, highlights the ways that electricians can maximise current opportunities.
The replacement of traditional heating appliances with various forms of heat pump alongside the inexorable rise in PV installations and EV charging points means that electricians are becoming even more central to life. This suggests that there’s going to be lots of extra opportunities in the next few years.
Robots and AI won’t replace you
Most studies predict that the trade professions are the least likely to be impacted by AI and robots. Robots just aren’t flexible enough. Being able to get up a ladder and into the loft while intelligently handling a variety of real-life problems is way beyond the capabilities of today’s AI and robots. That isn’t expected to change anytime soon.
The need for quality won’t go away
In the electrical trade, 70% of work comes from repeat business or personal recommendation. That’s why it’s so important to remember that doing quality work is vital for every successful trade business.
When you have a team, a great management approach is to stress pride in work done well. Everyone (you, customers and the team) will find work much more enjoyable and it will also maximise your profits.
The future of admin is Apps
The adoption of new technologies like Powered Now’s mobile App can mean fewer problems with paperwork and administration, as well as a host of other business benefits, which include:
Save time
Everything is quicker with an App than with pen, paper, or a spreadsheet. You can look up addresses from the postcode, create invoices from quotes with a click and generally find everything much faster. Plus, in-built Max Zs calculations eliminate the need for tables.
Save money
No more expensive pads of certificates are required, and you can also save petrol by clicking an appointment to get the best optimised route for the traffic. What’s more, you’re able to maximise team efficiency with real-time location and job status on a map.
Invoice more
Charge for the little extras on-site because it’s so much easier.
Get more business
Turn quotes around quickly, produce better documents and recall earlier work and previous notes. You can be automatically reminded about PAT tests, EICRs and when service and maintenance checks are due. Online booking ensures customers stick with you, which leads to more business wins.
Find things easily
With everything in one place and linked together by date, project, customer and site you can always pull things up as/when they’re required. That means no more problems with lost or mis-filed paperwork.
Reduce risks
With risk assessments and method statements built-in, the biggest risk – losing your black book – is eliminated entirely. All good Apps back everything up automatically so if your device is lost, broken or stolen, it’s no problem.
Communicate more effectively with customers
One click sends updates and reminders of appointments and means there’s less chance the customer is out when you arrive. Vital paperwork can be sent by text or email, providing a full audit trail.
Control your business
Track current and past staff and van movements together with time spent on the job. Your smartphone is the gateway to notes, pictures, signatures, quotes, invoices, certificates, documents and complete communications with customers, all organised by job.
Find out more about the business services and solutions on offer from Powered Now here
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