Matt Michel
Anthropogenic Business Climate Change
On this page two years ago I wrote, What if it doesn't get warmer? What if it gets colder? After a summer that wasn't and one of the coldest and snowiest...
The Social Media Leap of Faith
Social media is sweeping the business community. Ford Motors, for example, is spending 25% of its marketing budget on digital/social media. Yet most contractors are slow to adopt it. ...
It's Time to Say No
As recently as 1978, only 24% of U.S. households had central air conditioning according to the Air-conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute...
Bidding Adieu to R-22
In a few months, the last R-22 air conditioner will roll down the assembly line, as the industry completes the Herculean effort to redesign every product,...
Bullish on HVAC!
I'm bullish about the future. I'm bullish about America. I'm even more bullish about HVAC. Sounds crazy, right? How can anyone be optimistic in the face...
Staying Positive in a Negative World, part 2
This is the second in a series of articles by Matt Michel about how to stay positive when we’re surrounded by bad news and negativity. If you missed the first article, click here to read it. ...
Focusing on the Miraculous
It seems the politicians and chattering class speak of little but malaise these days. I'll have none of it. Neither will Joe! Who is Joe? He's just the...
To Brand or Not To Brand
The question that more and more contractors are asking is, To brand or not to brand. ...
87 Ways to Get More Out of Home Shows, Part 2
This is the second of nine articles written by Matt Michel. This article can be read in its entirety on the Service Roundtable website (www.serviceroundtable.com/freebies). The article gives advice of what to do and what not to do at home shows. ...
87 Ways to Get More Out of Home Shows, Part 4
This is the fourth of nine articles written by Matt Michel. This article can be read in its entirety on the Service Roundtable website (www.serviceroundtable.com/freebies). The article gives advice of what to do and what not to do at home shows. ...
87 Ways to Get More Out of Home Shows, Part 3
This is the third of nine articles written by Matt Michel. This article can be read in its entirety on the Service Roundtable website (www.serviceroundtable.com/freebies). The article gives advice of what to do and what not to do at home shows....
The Rant: Dust Bowl Contracting
Many contractors are worried. The collapse of residential new construction, mandated efficiency levels that make replacements less affordable, refrigerant laws that are further impacting pricing and costs, the credit crisis, see-sawing energy prices, and general economic uncertainty gives cause for worry, but not for despair. We’re not entering a depression, though the depression provides lessons for survival. ...
87 Ways to Get More Out of Home Shows, Part 1
This is the first of nine articles written by Matt Michel. This article can be read in its entirety on the Service Roundtable website (www.serviceroundtable.com/freebies)....
THE PHABULOUS PHOCUS OF PHELPS, PART 3
This is the third in a series of four articles written by Matt Michel that discuss what we can learn from the accomplishments of one of the greatest Olympic...
THE PHABULOUS PHOCUS OF PHELPS, PART 4
This is the final article in a series of four articles written by Matt Michel that discuss what we can learn from the accomplishments of one of the greatest...
Is Air Conditioning the Next Tobacco?
“Kill your air conditioner,” wrote Joe Klein in Time Magazine. “The unnecessary refrigeration of America has become a chronic disease.” What? I’m tempted to laugh at the lunacy. It’s as silly as banning the light bulb in an attempt to save the planet. Who could be that stupid?...
THE PHABULOUS PHOCUS OF PHELPS, PART 1
Unless you live on another planet (and that planet lacks a satellite dish), you probably heard that Michael Phelps broke Mark Spitz unbreakable Olympic by winning eight gold medals. Call it The Great Haul of China....
THE PHABULOUS PHOCUS OF PHELPS, PART 2
This is the second in a series of four articles written by Matt Michel that discuss what we can learn from the accomplishments of one of the greatest Olympic athletes of our time, Michael Phelps. With a Team, You Accomplish More. As an individual, Phelps is a great swimmer. Yet, he could not have surpassed Spitz record without team efforts. ...
Max Out at HVAC Cmfortech 2008
This year, HVAC Comfortech is being held in Atlanta. It’s not often that Comfortech makes it to the Deep South. If you are one of the 2.35 gazillion or so air conditioning contractors located within 500 miles of the Southern Mount Rushmore, jump on this chance for the greatest learning opportunity in the industry by jumping in your truck and heading to Comfortech....
Cracking the Public Relations Code, Part 4: 9 Ways to Improve Public Relations Effectiveness
Getting the word out about your company and services is key to having success in this industry. Creating and deploying a press release is one way to get the word out but may seem like a daunting task. It’s not as difficult as you may think....
What Disgusts Me About HVAC Comfortech
In September, a couple of thousand contractors will descend upon Atlanta for HVAC Comfortech 2008. It’s disgusting!...
CRACKING THE PUBLIC RELATIONS CODE
A public relations effort should be part of every marketing program. Yet, for many small business owners, public relations seems mysterious. It seems there’s a hidden code, secrets to finding your way into print and radio. ...
CRACKING THE PUBLIC RELATIONS CODE, PART 2: 10 WAYS TO GET INK
Getting the word out about your company can pose a challenge for some contractors. That’s why we turn to the public relations firms for guidance. We found out in my last Hotmail newsletter article “Cracking The Public Relations Code,” that many PR firms don’t want to be bothered with small accounts and we have to figure out how to promote our business on our own....
CRACKING THE PUBLIC RELATIONS CODE, PART 3: 16 THINGS TO INCLUDE IN A PRESS KIT
A press kit (also called a media kit) is a packed set of promotional material designed to give the media essential information about your company. It should provide background information, establish your credentials, and position you or your company for the media. ...
Oh No! What If It Gets Colder?
I'm positively gleeful about the prospect of runaway global warming - anthropogenic (i.e., man caused) or otherwise. You see, we've got the solution to global warming. It's air conditioning. Eureka - the future is bright!...
