The “How and Why” of Employee Business Cards
Want to turn jittery homeowners into raving fans? Discover how ID badges and employee business cards give your techs instant, 5-star credibility.
KickStart: Every employee in your company should receive their very own personal business cards… immediately after hiring! Read on for why!
As a home services entrepreneur, you face a multitude of challenges every day. Your biggest problem? Unmotivated employees! I could go on and on, but I won’t and here’s why!
I’m getting PTSD flashbacks just reflecting back on my years down in the residential services trenches! And this industry has gotten infinitely tougher since I sold my business!
However, Steve Toburen doesn’t throw Pity Parties. Heck, I’ve even rejected the old “it is what it is” saying as a negative downer condemning me with no way out.
Instead, my favorite motto now is, “Well, here we are” 🤷 as in recognizing the current situation while using good, old entrepreneurial creativity to go forward! Sound good? 👍 Then LET’S GO!
What if I told you that your lethargic, unmotivated employee challenge could be dramatically helped with a little piece of cardboard that measures 2” high by 3.5” wide?
YEP, properly implemented the venerable business card will help rescue you from your employee problems!
NOTE: I’ve dissed before on why business cards are so great and how they can transform your residential services company. Click HERE to review these tips and then today let’s focus on your…
Challenge? Unmotivated employees- Absolutely! After all, this same lack of motivation and self-esteem is why they came to you for a (forgive me) “low-prestige job” as a home services technician!
Lots of applicants is GREAT… until you hire one. 🥹 Because now you must transform this poor, low-self-image, young person into an alert, dynamic and positive “take-charge” technician! 🫣
SOLUTION: It’s complicated. “Well, DUH, Steve! I know this. Give me some practical ideas!” Fair enough. Write this down…
“Begin with the end in mind” and “stage manage” a new employee’s onboarding path into your business.
NOTE: It starts with your “curb appeal” as in does your home services business look, speak, perform and yes, even smell like a Very Best Company? (VBC) It certainly should since homeowners will only leave ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews for VBC’s!
🤔 Steve’s Introspective Question: Be honest with the two questions below…
Does your residential services business even remotely resemble a company that as a young person you would have wanted to work for… long term? If not, why would you expect a Very Best Person to stick with you? But I digress since our focus here is on business cards so…
Remember, every single employee in your company should have and carry (more on why below) their very own personal business cards.
WARNING: My coaching clients often tell me, “My new workers don’t get their own cards till after six months with me!” But read on for a different take…
MotivationTIP #1: IMMEDIATELY after hiring a new employee do a rush order of their new personal company business cards (with their photo) to their home address.
Remember, your new hire likely has NEVER had their very own business cards so now they’ll be pumped about their first day with you!
I can hear the nay-sayers as I type this. “Steve, what if I spend $XX.00 on their business cards and then they quit in two weeks?” Yeah, this may sadly happen. 🥹
But wait! What will someone with their first ever business cards do? Hand them out to everyone they know! So even if my new employee quickly quits, I’m more than ahead thanks to all my business cards they handed out… for free!
🗝️ Meanwhile, reflect on the positive impact of being surprised with their very own business cards will have on ALL your new hires! 😁
ProTIP: Choose field technician photo ID badges that come with a handy pocket for their business cards on the back.
Now your techs will always have clean, dry business cards available. Way better than a soggy, crumpled card pulled from a sweat-drenched wallet! Talk about a negative Moment of Truth! 😦
MarketingTIP: Print two different business cards. One design will be a standard, high-class card, employee photo, company logo, etc. (Don’t cheap out. This is an investment that will pay off for years!)
Your other card design? It looks the same except it includes a special “Gift Card” offer for new clients on the reverse side. (This can be 15% off their first service, on optional item included free or an actual dollar discount.) Under the offer put a signature line with the sentence below: “Confirming signature”
MotivationTIP #2: Now when an employee finds a new prospect, they show the homeowner the offer and then say, “Here, let me sign off on your special gift.” But wait- it gets better!
When this business gift card is redeemed at your new staff meeting surprise the employee with huge applause and a gift card bonus! (I suggest at least 50.00 CASH to my coaching clients. After all, what’s a new client worth!) Wow, even more motivation for all your staff! 💲💲💲
Cards on the table time? I’m not suggesting the above tips will solve all your employee issues. But hey, an employee Recognition and Rewards program will go a loooooong way in motivating your staff.
NOTE: Going forward I’ll share other business cards tips. But meanwhile let me know your results on the above ideas! Let’s “git ‘er done”… together! 😎