Running a home services business takes more than just technical expertise—you need systems that keep things running smoothly. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly putting out fires instead of growing your business, this episode is for you.
Larry Wilberton from Super Tech University joins the Profitable Home Services podcast to break down how simple, strategic systems can reduce chaos, improve team performance, and increase profits. He shares practical steps to help you move from working in your business to working on it—so you can scale without the constant stress.
Tune in to learn how small shifts in your processes can lead to big results.
In this episode:
- – Why technical skills alone aren’t enough to run a successful business effectively.
- Why systems are crucial for business growth and scaling beyond basic operations.
- How to move past technical skills and learn the needed soft skills for business success.
- The importance of job costing to understand true profit margins in service businesses.
- Why documenting processes gives opportunities for team members to move up.
- How to implement systems gradually by focusing on one process at a time.
- The value of coaching in pushing entrepreneurs out of their comfort zone.
The key moments in this episode are:
[02:08] – Importance of Business Systems and Leadership
[06:39] – Building Systems One at a Time
[10:18] – Technical Skills vs. Business Skills
[17:27] – Leadership and Team Fulfillment
[26:29] – Revisiting and Updating Business Systems
[32:51] – Explaining the “Why” Behind Processes
[44:27] – Job Costing and Profit Margins
Importance of Business Systems and Leadership
Running a successful business isn’t just about having great technical skills. It’s about creating a solid foundation of systems that help your entire operation run smoothly. When you first start your business, you might be great at the technical work, but managing a company requires a completely different set of skills. Your technical skills are important, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle.
Building Systems One at a Time
Don’t try to create every single system in your business at once. That’s a recipe for overwhelm and failure. Instead, focus on developing one system at a time. Your technical skills will help you identify which system needs the most attention first. Pick the process that causes you the most pain or creates the most inefficiency, and work on that. Once you’ve perfected one system and made it stick, then move on to the next one.
Technical Skills vs. Business Skills
The skills that make you great at your craft aren’t the same skills needed to run a successful business. Just like a great teacher doesn’t automatically become a great principal, your technical skills alone won’t make you a successful business owner. You need to develop business skills like leadership, financial management, marketing, and system creation. Your technical skills are your foundation, but your business skills will determine your long-term success.
Leadership and Team Fulfillment
Your team is your most valuable asset. When you create clear systems and opportunities for growth, you help your team feel fulfilled and motivated. Your technical skills matter, but how you lead and support your team matters even more. Show your employees a clear path for advancement, help them understand their role in the bigger picture, and create an environment where they can grow and develop their own technical skills.
Revisiting and Updating Business Systems
Business systems aren’t set in stone. What worked last year might not work this year. Regularly review and update your systems to ensure they’re still effective. Your employees will help you identify when a process needs improvement. Pay attention to changes in your industry, technology, and team dynamics. A system that worked perfectly a while ago might need tweaking to stay relevant and efficient.
Explaining the “Why” Behind Processes
When you implement a new system or process, don’t just tell your team what to do. Explain why it’s important. People are more likely to follow a process when they understand the reasoning behind it. Technical skills can give you insight into why certain methods work better than others. Take a few minutes to share that knowledge with your team, and you’ll see much better buy-in and execution.
Job Costing and Profit Margins
One of the most critical systems you can implement is job costing. Many business owners think they’re making a good profit, but when they break down the actual costs, they’re surprised. You need to look beyond just the surface-level numbers. Calculate everything – labor, travel time, parts, overhead. You might discover that some jobs you thought were profitable are actually costing you money.
By focusing on these key areas, you can transform your business from a struggling operation to a well-oiled machine. Remember, success isn’t about working harder – it’s about working smarter and creating systems that support your growth.
About Larry Wilberton:
Larry Wilberton studied chemistry and math, along with his BS in computer science. He is a current co-host of the Blue Collar Nation podcast and co-owner of Super Tech University. He and his partner Eric Sprauge are former restoration company owners. Eric and Larry quickly grew tired of putting out fires all day and they set out to change the system. They built “Morning Tech Meeting” to connect with the technicians and share tools and tips to help them learn the “soft skills” they needed to be successful in the field. Now they also own and operate Super Tech University, a proven video training program.
Connect with Larry:
Resources: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
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