Game Films
If you know your opponent’s tendencies, you will increase your chance of success when you square off against him on game day.This is why the most successful coaches and players study game films.
Aside from managers who who care only about themselves and their numbers, most managers are not your opponent. When it appears that your manager is opposing you, most likely it’s when they are not reviewing their own game film. But that’s another story. Today it’s about you reviewing game film of your manager.
For you to succeed you must know what your manager expects out of you. These points can be found on your manager’s game film. Who exactly is filming your manager you ask? You are. The film is rolling when you discuss your performance or when you’re getting direction on a project or at service meetings when you share dialog with your manager. You should collect and record this intel.
I’ve suggested elsewhere at The Technician Shop that you keep a notebook. Truth of the matter? I’ve recommended the practice of keeping a notebook to hundreds of techs over the years. All top notch, high level techs have them. I was trying to reach those who didn’t. I bet not more than ten ever took me up on my advice.
Okay, I’ve got another idea! Create your own film…for real. Sit down in front of your computer’s webcam and record yourself telling yourself about the intel that you’ve collected. Follow along here while I pretend to be a tech and shoot a quick film on myself…
Dave looking into camera: “Wassup holmes? You look like a pack of feral managers ate half of you for lunch son!”
Dave being serious: “The light bulb went off today. After two years I finally figured Jim out. When he sees that I am taking a class on my own or I am spending time on the internet trying to learn something – he goes out of his way to make my life easier. I can’t believe it. He even offered to give me a half day off on Friday with pay – no strings attached. I gotta keep doing this. But I gotta make sure I’m telling Jim what I’m doing.”
Dave’s mom in background: “Who are you talkin’ to Davo?”
Davo: “I’m talkin’ to myself Essay!”
Dave signing off as he winks to himself: “Okay now you good looking brother, this was fun! Who needs Reality TV when you got Reality You dog?”
To keep track of your films you could set up various categories like the ones I listed in the above link. You could have a blast with this! You could even invent a make-believe personality, shoot films about how this cat is succeeding with his manager, and post them to You Tube.
Comanche Marketing 2009 December Podcast
Thanks to Matt Michel for inviting me to participate in the Comanche Marketing Podcast. The following are the links to resources that I mentioned.
Free e-book from Duct Tape Marketing on social media for business
Barack 2.0 Barack Obama’s social media lessons for business
Barack 2.0 (the book)
Organizing for America – The main Web site that Barack Obama used (and is still using) for his campaign efforts. Note the links on the first page (lower right hand side) to the various social media outlets that he used.
Social media marketing from Copyblogger
Social media marketing from Chris Brogan
Where social media is going from Read Write Web
Social media sites from Career Overview
The following are links to books that I recommended:
HVAC Spells Wealth by Ron Smith
Inside Contracting by The Service Roundtable
Do You Matter? How great design will make people love your company by Robert Brunner & Stewart Emery
Socialnomics How social media the way we live and do business by Erik Qualman
RSES Readers
Welcome to The Technician Shop!
RSES does want to change. I had written a note to them stating why I had left their organization years ago. I was candid and straightforward. I was merely voicing an opinion. It turns out that RSES published this opinion in their October journal. In the past , from my experience, an industry media publication would NEVER print what I wrote. By doing so they exposed not only past weaknesses but a present situation where one of their people did not follow up on something that I was trying to help them with.
RSES actions took courage. Clearly RSES wants to change. This was a tremendous move on their part. For those of us who care, how could you not want to help them?
It is my perception that RSES is building one mean educational machine. It is clean, customized and cherry. It is begging to be driven. Driven by passionate technicians who care for their craft. The thing is, the more passionate techs on board, the more that they can influence where the machine is driven! An opportunity of this magnitude only comes around every two or three generations.
If you are an HVACR technician, join RSES today. Join and become involved with your local chapter. If the chapter is not moving forward, developing and educating techs, contact headquarters. In twenty-five years in this profession I can never remember an organization more open to suggestions and change.
If you are a member of RSES I encourage you to join Twitter and Facebook and spread the word to others. RSES has made the commitment to stop the insanity and to move forward. Welcome to the 21st Century! Now lets strap in and kick in the afterburners.
Spine & Disc Animation
This video is one minute and forty-three seconds long. It provides clear illustration of the anatomy surrounding the spine and discs. If you’ve been working in the trades for a few years there’s a fair chance you have back and knee pain. It’s always helpful to get a visual of what’s going on inside of your body. Below is a link to a site that is loaded with illustrations of anatomy and many different medical procedures.
Are You a Wholesaler or Distributor?
Did someone refer you here or did you find us by way of Twitter? To learn more about The Technician Shop read the About page and those pages listed below it.
There are a couple of ways that we might be of use to you. They involve your contractor customer and its technician-employees.
Technicians – You catch glimpses into their world when they visit your will-call counter or attend your training. We’re looking for technicians who are professionals, have a passion to learn, develop and grow. We’re looking for technicians who care about family – even if they have no living relatives.
If you know technicians who fit this description, tell them about The Technician Shop. Yes, it’s nice to get more readership here. But it’s not about how many readers we can get. It’s about helping that one technician grow. Think about the act of referring technicians to The Technician Shop as providing a resource – because you are.
Contractors – Management in the trades need a lot of help. They are usually busy and have their hands full (remember the last time you visited their office?). So we are trying to help them by teaching technicians to help themselves.
In addition to professional development, we teach technicians what to look for in a good manager and quality company. These characteristics can often be helpful to other contractors who are looking to professionally develop. Again, consider it as providing a resource.
You know that contractors appreciate donuts. But you also know that the quality contractors are not going to be persuaded to do more business with you because you give them donuts. The key is to help them get better at what they do. Providing resources is a great way to help!
