Rich Jordan | Strongpoint

SMB lesson: Day after acq. announcement, heard rumblings that our senior plumber felt job-insecure and betrayed by the transaction. Big problem when my largest vulnerability is the skilled trade talent.

@CJohn95931 Thinkpad is definitely a vibe 💯

@StrongpointRich I only trust: 1. Paper 2. Thinkpad

I'm convinced that the general consumer has gotten wise to the "technician with a tablet" aesthetic.

@SMB_Attorney @smblawgroup Killers 👊🏻

Four years ago today, we launched the first-ever social media-driven law firm, @smblawgroup. Here’s how it’s going:

@heydannypeavey No - much more robust than that. Happy to provide more insight. DM me.

@StrongpointRich So comfort advisor closes a customer with some sorts of good better best paper then hands customer the phone to pay?

@ERodz3 x.com/StrongpointRic…

@StrongpointRich paper documented and then scanned in the truck before departing?

@heydannypeavey Over-the-phone close by dedicated folks in the office that are working live within ST.

@StrongpointRich So do you close on paper then enter into ST?

@dirtyhandsops We've completely gotten away from them. Still technology running in the background, but no high-tech presentation anymore.

@StrongpointRich I've given serious consideration to reverting to paper processes because of this.

@BPD1776 @jamesonhaslam @pinpulleddrmf

@jamesonhaslam Maybe yes this combo @pinpulleddrmf and his man @StrongpointRich

on a completely unrelated note, who is the absolute best recruiter for blue collar stuff?

@OneManLBO @jamesonhaslam @pinpulleddrmf Already have some members in @jamesonhaslam's market too. Mostly recruiting plumbers and office admin types over there.

@jamesonhaslam That would be @StrongpointRich + @pinpulleddrmf, with I think focus on trades side up to GM for SMBs nationally (but correct me if I'm wrong)

@moseskagan Athletics > Military > Business can be an incredible leadership pipeline. Any success I had in the military was very much built on the leadership foundation I picked up in athletics. And business success built on the military experience.

Much of running a small business is stuff you learn as the captain of a high school sports team (or, in Rich's case, leading men in combat)

Eating my own cooking today (and yesterday, and last week).

Talked to a guy that bought a plumbing biz 6 months ago. Frustrated that he's struggling to get his team to follow him, trust his ideas, comply with change. "I haven't gotten in a truck yet." 😐

@thegeneralmills Looking like pulling this move yesterday is going to win me a competitive deal.

@StrongpointRich Pro move

Always always always bring a fillable LOI template with you to a seller meeting.

@therobertbrooks There's some vulnerability in getting in the truck when you're new to the trade. But if you're humble and hard-working, the team notices.

I spent a number of days out on our hardest installs climbing in attics and slinging equipment (have to show the young guys what old man strength is) as a way to earn respect. Now they know I'll get out and do it myself if I need to. But.. they rally around making sure I don't have to so I can focus on the business more cause they see the value in where we are going. Not immersing yourself in the trade a bit is one of the biggest mistakes I think ETA guys make.

True as a leader in business too, esp. blue collar business. No one cares.

If you can't get your team to wear the proper uniform, you've got work to do.

@davidsenra @danawhite @ufc Excellent watch. Dana's an animal. Well done @davidsenra

My conversation with @danawhite, president and CEO of the @UFC. 0:00 Founders Are the Best Storytellers 1:04 Buying the UFC for $2M 2:51 Excellence Is the Capacity to Take Pain 7:58 One Good Night's Sleep and "Fuck It, Let's Keep Going" 10:53 The Ultimate Fighter: A $10M Bet-It-All Moment 13:12 The Napkin Deal With Spike TV 22:00 Leaving Spike TV and the Phil Duman Story 28:24 First Event Profitable: What He Does Differently Now 32:30 Why Dana Sits Ringside Watching a Screen 34:07 Building a Team That Can Read His Mind 45:10 "Who the Fuck Are You and What Have You Done?" 51:55 Selling the UFC for $4+ Billion 57:32 Not Cutting a Single Employee During COVID 1:03:30 Firing a Sponsor Who Told Him How to Vote 1:07:45 There Is No Plan B 1:09:00 Joe Rogan: Doing the First 12 Fights for Free 1:12:37 Loyalty Is the Most Important Thing Includes paid partnerships.

@cubanseminole1 @pinpulleddrmf We've placed sales & management roles as well

@pinpulleddrmf @StrongpointRich How about Sales Managers for Roofing companies? Also, good sales guys.

A couple months ago @StrongpointRich and I started a trades recruiting firm. Electricians, plumbers, techs, auto body, etc. The surprise that shouldn't have been a surprise- Speed of getting a candidate in front of the employer has to be measured in minutes, not hours or days. In the time it takes to draft a profile, send an email, and wait for a response- they candidate could get poached for a $2/hour difference.

@BCVT88 @slye Lmao 😂

@slye Dakain is pretty standard in the northeast, I do close to 20 houses a year and we install heat pumps in every single one. If someone is giving you a sky high price it’s because they don’t want to deal with you. Judging by your lengthy post, I would quote you $40k

Most HVAC contractors in America are trying to keep you in the 1990s. I had $15,000 cash to spend on a cold-climate heat pump. Nearly every contractor I contacted tried to talk me out of it or over-quote me an outrageous amount to deter me away. One guy spent 20 minutes explaining why variable-speed heat pumps are a scam. Another literally said he wouldn’t put one in his own house. Why? My guess: 1) They are ignorant of the latest technology 2) They don’t have the training to install/service the new systems 3) Their pockets get filled from big box old school HVAC manufacturers if they sell them Unfortunately, a new HVAC for most homeowners is very urgent so these contractors use this time crunch to overcharge or upsell inferior systems. Luckily, I bought a couple of $130 window AC units to hold me over for 2 weeks while I reached out to 15+ contractors. I received quotes ranging from $10,000 to over $24,000. Only 2 of the quotes included a modern cold-climate heat pump. After price matching and negotiations, I ultimately chose a Daikin Aurora Fit cold-climate inverter heat pump + 97% modulating gas furnace (true dual-fuel setup) Total cost after rebates = $13,000 This system usually goes for around $20,000. Here are the key takeaways I wish I had known before I started shopping: 1. Always demand a real Manual J load calculation. Don’t settle for a “rule of thumb” or register count. I had 3 different contractors give me 3 different sizes until one actually ran proper software. 2. True variable-speed inverter technology is worth it especially in a multi-level home. It runs longer at lower speeds, gives much better dehumidification, smoother temperatures, and is noticeably quieter. 3. Dual-fuel (heat pump + high-efficiency gas furnace) is often the smartest move in mixed climates (like my home in Louisville). The heat pump handles most of the year efficiently while the furnace only kicks in on the coldest days (if necessary) 4. Shop aggressively and negotiate hard. Buy yourself some time with some temporary/portable units. I got competing quotes and used them to drive the price down significantly. 5. Duct sealing, correct sizing/tonnage, and proper installation matter more than most people realize especially in older homes. 6. Have a detailed checklist to vet each contractor. An extremely helpful guide I had throughout the process was from @energysmartwv So why did I insist on cold climate heat pump? • Way better temperature balance upstairs (even without zoning) • Excellent dehumidification in humid summers • Significantly quieter operation • I’m expecting to save $60/month on electricity • Less reliance on gas and possibly eliminating the need altogether Modern cold-climate heat pumps are no longer experimental. They’re one of the smartest upgrades most homeowners can make right now. Do your homework to make sure you are getting the best system possible for your home. Don’t let old school contractors keep you in the past. Have you installed (or considered) a heat pump in a cold or mixed climate? Were the contractors helpful or did they try to talk you out of it?