The Leading HVAC Podcast

Service Training Evolution, LLC
The Leading HVAC Podcast

The Leading HVAC Podcast from SBE is a must-listen for HVAC professionals aiming to stand out. This short-format podcast offers a fresh perspective from seasoned executives, managers, and innovators. It provides valuable insights from their journeys to help you navigate challenges and become a true leader in the constantly changing HVAC industry.

Episodes

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    12. The #1 Leadership Tip to Keep Your Best Employees

    In this episode, we’re joined by Aleks Ozgur, Director of Coaching and Training at SBE, who shares her expertise on building effective teams in the HVAC industry through coaching and feedback. With eight years of experience at SBE, Aleks delves into strategies for hiring the right people, creating a coaching culture, and motivating today’s workforce. Learn how consistent feedback, coaching, and aligning personal goals with business objectives can drive team performance and increase employee retention. This episode offers HVAC leaders practical tools to empower their teams and foster a culture of growth.   Key Takeaways: Hire for Values and Train for Skills: Focus on hiring individuals whose values align with your company's culture. Skills can be taught, but the right attitude and alignment with core values build a strong foundation for a successful team. Give Consistent Feedback and Build a Coaching Culture: Feedback shouldn’t only happen when something goes wrong. Regular, immediate feedback—both positive and constructive—keeps employees motivated and engaged. Leaders should also coach employees by asking questions that empower them to find solutions rather than just giving directives. Set Clear Expectations for Success: Before onboarding a new hire, define what success looks like for their role. Establish clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) so both you and your team members know the benchmarks for achievement, creating a shared vision of success and reducing turnover.   Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    30 min
  2. DEC 3

    11. The #1 Skill Every CSR & Dispatch Manager Needs to Thrive in HVAC

    In this episode, we dive into the essential skills and strategies for success as a CSR and Dispatch Manager in the HVAC industry. Shannon Hunter, CSR Dispatch Manager at Daniell Heat and Air shares her journey from temp worker to leadership and offers powerful insights on managing customer expectations, building strong teams, and navigating change in a fast-paced environment. Whether in CSR, dispatch, or management, this episode will give you practical advice on handling stress, leading effectively, and staying adaptable to industry changes. Key Takeaways: Prioritize Clear Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication between CSR and dispatch teams is crucial for smooth operations. Daily huddles and regular updates on capacity planning help everyone stay on the same page, ensuring technicians are matched with the right calls and customer needs are met efficiently. Embrace Change for Growth: The HVAC industry is evolving with technology, from mobile dispatching to AI applications. Embracing these changes not only improves efficiency but also helps teams stay competitive. Taking change one step at a time can make adjustments manageable and lead to greater success. Manage Stress with Intentional Focus: In a high-demand role, managing stress is essential. Shannon recommends focusing on one task at a time and prioritizing what’s most important each day. Building work-life balance and finding activities outside of work, such as hiking or dancing, can also help prevent burnout and keep team morale high. Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    23 min
  3. NOV 19

    10. The #1 Communication Trick Every HVAC Leader Needs to Know to Grow their Company

    In this episode, discover the #1 communication strategy that every HVAC leader can use to fuel company growth. Dr. Dennis Cummins, a sales and leadership expert, shares powerful insights on how connecting each task to a clear purpose can boost team engagement, improve customer loyalty, and drive business success. Learn how simple adjustments to the way you communicate can make a significant impact on team morale and customer satisfaction. This episode is packed with practical advice for HVAC leaders looking to strengthen their business through intentional, purpose-driven communication.   Key Takeaways:   Connect Every Task to a Purpose: Explaining the "why" behind each task motivates team members by showing how their work contributes to the company’s mission. Purpose-driven communication fosters a culture of engagement, loyalty, and accountability. Make Communication a Leadership Skill: Great leaders communicate frequently and transparently, helping team members understand goals and align their work with the company's vision. Improving this skill builds trust and inspires your team. Use Storytelling to Influence and Inspire: Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with both employees and customers. Sharing stories of customer success or team achievements can help people see the bigger picture, increasing motivation and loyalty. Focus on Customer Education: In addition to leading your team, communicate value to customers by educating them on the benefits of your services. This approach builds trust, enhances loyalty, and increases repeat business, giving your company a competitive edge.   Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    40 min
  4. NOV 5

    9. From $2M to $48M: The Game-Changing Moves that Scaled George Brazil HVAC

    In this episode, we sit down with Jim Probst, president of George Brazil, to uncover the leadership principles and strategies that transformed George Brazil from a struggling $2M business into a $48M powerhouse in the HVAC industry. Jim shares his insights on scaling profitably, why investing in workforce training is critical, and how overcoming the fear of raising prices can actually boost customer loyalty. This episode is packed with actionable advice for HVAC leaders looking to grow their companies, deliver high-value service, and build a resilient team culture.     Key Takeaways: Prioritize Ongoing Training for Excellence: Consistent, high-quality training for both technicians and office staff builds a skilled workforce capable of delivering exceptional service. Making training a priority enhances service quality and positions the business as a trusted provider. Adopt a Value-Driven Pricing Strategy: Charging what your service is truly worth attracts customers who value quality and reliability. Embracing a competitive pricing strategy based on service value, rather than fear of losing business, strengthens customer loyalty and supports long-term growth. Leverage Data to Fuel Growth: Regularly monitoring key metrics like close rates, average ticket size, and service levels offers critical insights into business performance. Analyzing data consistently enables informed decision-making, operational improvements, and increased profitability.   Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    39 min
  5. OCT 29

    8. Revolutionizing HVAC Sales with Technology

    In this episode, we talk with Shelby Breger, co-founder of Conduit Tech. Shelby shares how her company is transforming the HVAC industry with innovative technology that simplifies design and sales. She discusses the challenges contractors face, how Conduit Tech addresses them, and the impact of using tech to boost sales and improve customer experiences. Shelby also highlights key leadership lessons for HVAC managers, focusing on the importance of collaboration, coaching, and adapting to change. This episode offers insights into how technology is shaping the future of HVAC.   Key Takeaways: Leverage Technology to Streamline Sales: Conduit Tech allows HVAC contractors to combine the design and sales process, saving time and increasing customer engagement. Utilizing tools like these can lead to higher sales conversions and improved operational efficiency. Involve Your Team in Decision-Making: Successful adoption of new technology hinges on manager buy-in and team involvement. Including your technicians in the process from the start fosters better adoption and helps align your team with new systems. Prioritize Relationships for Growth: Building strong relationships with industry educators and trainers can help your business gain traction and credibility. Word-of-mouth and partnerships can play a crucial role in expanding your customer base and increasing product adoption.   Want to see how Conduit Tech can benefit your business? Book a demo to see it in action: Book a Demo Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    27 min
  6. OCT 15

    7. Navigating Change and Challenges in the HVAC Industry

    In this episode, we talk with Kelcey Brueggeman, president of Service Business Evolution (SBE). Kelcey shares her unexpected journey into the HVAC industry after being a stay-at-home mom and discusses the various roles she has held. She highlights the unique challenges she faced as a woman in a predominantly male industry and the importance of addressing these challenges openly. Kelcey emphasizes the importance of building a strong team with diverse strengths and the crucial role core values play in decision-making. This episode also explores the evolution of the HVAC industry and forecasts future changes. Key Takeaways: Utilize Core Values in Decision-Making: Core values should be at the heart of every decision. From hiring and firing to team evaluations, consistently refer to your company's core values to guide your actions. This creates alignment within the organization and fosters a strong, value-driven culture. Hire for Complementary Strengths: Build a diverse team by hiring individuals whose skills complement your own. Identifying and nurturing talent within the team ensures long-term growth and strengthens the company's leadership pipeline. Promoting from within not only retains employees but also develops a deep understanding of the company's operations. Adapt to Technological Shifts: The HVAC industry is rapidly evolving with technological advancements like AI and modern software systems. Embrace these changes to stay competitive. Integrating technology into your business processes and training methods will help improve efficiency and prepare for the future workforce.   Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    26 min
  7. OCT 1

    6. The Secret to Building a Team No One Wants to Leave

    On this episode, our guest is Jason Gibson, General Manager of Carolina Heating Service. Jason shares the importance of caring for employees and fostering open communication. He discusses his leadership philosophy and the challenges of maintaining personal connections as the company grows. Jason also highlights the significance of hiring the right talent and developing existing employees. Key Takeaways: Genuine Care for Employees: When employees know their leader cares about their well-being, it motivates them to follow and perform better. Spend a few minutes each day connecting with your team members. Encourage open communication by making yourself accessible to your team. Own Mistakes: Be open about your mistakes and involve your team in finding solutions. Create an environment where team members feel comfortable providing feedback. Use mistakes as learning opportunities to improve processes and prevent future errors. Be Deliberate with Hiring: Implement a thorough screening process to ensure candidates are a good fit for the company culture. Encourage internal mobility by promoting employees to roles that match their skills and aspirations. Develop retention strategies, such as career development opportunities and competitive compensation packages. Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    23 min
  8. SEP 17

    5. Grow Your HVAC Company Through Simple Marketing Strategies

    Bobby Broyles, the Marketing and Community Relations Director for Blazer Heating and Air in Virginia is our guest on the Leading HVAC Podcast. In this episode, he shares his journey from College Athletics to the HVAC Industry. Bobby discusses Blazer's evolution, particularly during the recession, and how he leveraged digital marketing to grow the business. He shares tips on marketing no matter the size of your business.     Key Takeaways: Leverage Entry-Level Talent: Interns can create engaging graphics and manage social media accounts, helping to build a strong online presence. Entry-level positions are budget-friendly and provide mutual benefits—companies get fresh ideas and energy, while interns gain valuable experience. Community Engagement: Invest in local events like little league games and festivals. This not only builds relationships but also enhances brand visibility. Being present and active in the community helps differentiate your company from competitors who may not engage at the same level. Digital Marketing Strategies: Allocate a budget for digital marketing to grow your business without relying heavily on traditional media. Optimize your website for search engines to attract organic traffic and improve your online presence.   Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    33 min
  9. SEP 3

    4. How to Build a Team to Grow Your HVAC Business

    In this episode, Tom Calhoun, owner of Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Cooling and Heating, shares his 40-year journey in the HVAC industry. Tom discusses his career evolution from a family business to founding his own company in 2018. Tom's insights offer valuable lessons for HVAC contractors seeking sustainable growth and effective leadership. Key Takeaways:  Invest in coaching or hiring, even if revenue concerns exist. Take a leap of faith and trust the process. By finding a coaching program that aligns with their needs, contractors can overcome plateaus and achieve growth. Investing in coaching can lead to increased revenue, making the initial costs worthwhile. It is important to establish a strong company culture based on core values. Hiring individuals who align with your core values creates a cohesive workforce that collaborates effectively. This focus on company culture makes it easier to find new employees, as current team members can refer potential candidates who fit well within the company. Cash flow challenges can cause stress. One way to mitigate these issues is to implement a strategy of setting up a separate checking account for a reserve fund. If you allocate a small percentage of revenue from each installation job into this fund, you can create a financial buffer that can be used for growth without impacting operating funds. Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    30 min
  10. AUG 20

    3. How Personal Growth Affects Business Success

    This episode's guest is Greg Matson, owner of HVAC ComfortInc. Greg shares his 25-year journey in the heating and cooling industry, emphasizing the critical role of leadership in organizational growth. He also discusses the importance of continuous learning, personal development, and integrity. This episode offers insights into overcoming leadership challenges and fostering growth. Key Takeaways:  Leadership is Crucial for Growth: Effective leadership drives organizational success and employee retention. Leaders must be committed to lifelong learning and personal development. Self-Reflection: Regularly assess your values and actions to ensure they align with your leadership goals. Make decisions that reflect honesty and ethical standards, even when it's challenging. Invest in Training: Provide regular training sessions and workshops for your team. Establish mentorship programs where experienced leaders can guide newer employees. Schedule Development Time: Dedicate specific times in your calendar for learning and development activities. Empower your team by delegating tasks, freeing up your time for strategic growth. Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    27 min

About

The Leading HVAC Podcast from SBE is a must-listen for HVAC professionals aiming to stand out. This short-format podcast offers a fresh perspective from seasoned executives, managers, and innovators. It provides valuable insights from their journeys to help you navigate challenges and become a true leader in the constantly changing HVAC industry.

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