Vicki LaPlant
Attack the Monster of Neglect Every Day
The monster of neglect is very different from the fire breathing dragon of chaos that may have swept through your office this summer. And he is very different than the yippy, guilt-causing monster terrier of procrastination that hounds many offices in this "just get it done" environment of instantaneous messaging and "only the immediate matters." ...
Cut the Cord on the One-Call Close
The one-call close is on life support. I say we need to cut the cord! Regardless of which economist you believe about the future, one fact can't be argued: Today's consumer buys differently than they did before the "great recession." Today's consumer is saving more and buying less. Today's consumer is more concerned with value and "getting a deal."...
What's Wrong with the Younger Generation?
The above is a constant refrain heard today. You also often hear, The young kids of today just don't want to work. They have no work ethic! Or The younger...
New Year, New Trends, and One Old Idea
American comedian and singer Joe E. Lewis said, For my New Year's resolution, I went on a diet, swore off drinking and heavy eating, and in 14 days I...
The E-Myth is Still Alive Darn It!
As I write this, I realize that thoughts of HVAC Comfortech 2009 still linger. There's no opportunity like that show to talk with so many successful owners...
Rules of Communications
One of best communication rules I ever heard goes like this: Connotative adjectives should not be used to describe a person's behavior. Great advice,...
An Industry With Heart
In April 2009, I was a part of an event that epitomizes the of this industry. It started two months ago, when Service Roundtable CEO Matt Michel dedicated...
Perseverance and Creativity Always Win
In January, I had the audacity to write about difficult working situations. Then in the March issue, Matt Michel's The Rant column reminded us of what...
Mars, Venus and the HVACR Industry
As of this year, I have been in the industry for 30 years and I am going to pretend that those 30 years of experience (not 1 year repeated 30 times) give me the right to tell you what I think. This column will not be a rant like Matt’s column because even with 30 years of experience no one can rant quite like Matt. ...
