What You Need to Know About Employee Moonlighting
utAs an employer, you may wonder if you can (or should) attempt to prohibit your workers from moonlighting at second jobs or prevent them from launching their own businesses based on the experience...
View ArticleRewarding Top Employees
It’s natural to recognize and reward your company’s top workers. But especially in a small business environment, rewarding some employees and not others can lead to hurt feelings or in extreme cases,...
View ArticleAll in the Family – Rules that Govern Family Businesses
If you operate your business as a family enterprise, you already know the benefits of working with people you know. But you might not be aware of the associated tax benefits and potential pitfalls....
View Article10 Free and Low Cost Tools for Small Business Owners
Being a small business owner often means operating with a small budget. But that doesn’t have to mean skimping on essentials. The list below represents some of the best resources available for small...
View ArticleShould You Hire a Job Hopper?
Back in the day, a string of short term jobs on a prospective employee’s résumé was a definite red flag. But in today’s fluid job market, that’s not necessarily the case. Especially since the Great...
View ArticleHandling HVAC Emergencies
HVAC breakdowns frequently happen at inopportune times. It’s also not difficult to imagine a circumstance when an HVAC-related emergency could become life threatening. Unheated homes during the winter...
View ArticleAre Old School Marketing Strategies Still Valid?
Back in the day, brochures, flyers, direct mail and yellow pages listings were THE way to get your company’s name out there. Nowadays much of the focus on marketing has been directed online. But is...
View ArticleBidding On Medical Building and Hospital Jobs
Contracts for equipment installation and services for medical buildings and hospitals are potentially very lucrative, and represent a year-round source of income. It’s no wonder that such contracts are...
View ArticleFiring a Customer
Every entrepreneur or small business owner has (or has had) at least one troublesome customer. Maybe the customer complains over minor (or nonexistent) imperfections or is always slow with making...
View ArticlePreparing for the 2017 Tax Season
April 17 may still be months away, but the time to begin preparing for tax season is now. Every tax season presents significant changes in the tax code. However, with the change in administration in...
View ArticleShould You Pay for NATE Certification?
Although North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification is not required by law for HVAC contractors and their employees, it is considered to be a vital credential for technicians and others...
View ArticleManaging Millennials
The HVACR industry is made up largely of Boomers. However, the youngest Boomers are already in their 50s, while the oldest Boomers are rapidly approaching and entering retirement. Generation X, the...
View ArticleShould You Purchase Workers’ Comp Insurance?
Unfortunately accidents happen. Workman’s compensation laws are designed to protect workers who are injured or become sick on the job. Workman’s compensation insurance can protect you as an employer....
View ArticleFree Online Templates: Approach with Caution
The main convenience of free templates is that they provide a format in which users can input their information. What they don’t do is provide the actual information pertinent to your small business....
View ArticleGoing (Mostly) Paperless
As a business owner or entrepreneur, you potentially generate a lot of paper. Contracts, invoices, financial records – not to mention trade publications and junk mail – it all adds up. Going paperless,...
View ArticleWhen the Project Goes Wrong: Who’s Responsible?
You’ve finished a job, but the customer is clearly unhappy. She claims that you didn’t follow the contract, and she refuses to pay. While this is a tough situation for your company to face, you don’t...
View ArticleElements of a Good Business Plan
A good business plan can be an invaluable tool. Banks and lenders rely heavily on them. Entrepreneurs and small business owners can use them as a foundation for launching a business as well as for...
View ArticleAre You Ready to Expand Your Business?
Your company is doing great financially. You have a healthy client/customer base and your bottom line is healthy. You’re seriously considering expanding your company’s operations. But are you truly...
View ArticleShould You Offer HVAC Recycling?
Although some HVAC installations involve entirely new systems, for example, new homes or commercial buildings – many jobs involve replacing old equipment. Especially for consumers disposal of their old...
View ArticleCompany Credit Cards: Pros and Cons
Many large corporations provide credit cards for their employees. But company credit cards have potential benefits for small businesses as well. Knowing the pros and cons associated with company credit...
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