September 2018
I
the REPORT
FROM A SMALL SHOP TO A FLOURISHING BUSINESS How Central Michigan Roofing Has Grown and Taken Me With It
Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com 1 – Emanuel Herschberger success I have in all areas of life. When I invest in me and apply the proper principles to changing negative habits, there are always positive things that begin to happen. I become a better father, which in turn helps me gain a better perspective on my business, which can help make me an all-around better person. When talking about the importance of investing in me, one of my goals is to teach my kids the basics of business and get them involved in activities that will teach life lessons. The more well-rounded they become, the more receptive they’ll be to helping someone else in life or even start their own business one day. I fully believe that the more time I spend with them, the more involved they will be, and that the stronger I build that bond, the easier it will be to have them more involved when they are older. You see, we only get out of it what we put in! All of these aspects create a very bright future for our company. As short-term goals come to fruition, long-term goals become more attainable. One of our biggest long- term goals is on the cusp of being fully developed. Stay tuned ... we’ll talk more on this later!
it’s also caused major improvements in our business.
Central Michigan Roofing started in 2013, and when I take the time and look back over the past few years, a lot of things have changed! Most people don’t know that our signature service of providing quick turnarounds and customized products wasn’t part of the original plan. We started off selling metal packages as a dealer, but we quickly realized that our mission of providing the best service and materials couldn’t be accomplished by limiting ourselves to just that service. Our business is obsessed with quality control, and we simply could not maintain the standards we have for our products by relying on other providers. That’s not to say that these products are flawed, but we knew our clients needed something more than another retailer. After realizing we were only as good as the next truck that delivered products to us, we quickly started our own roll forming. It’s made a lot more work for us, but
The growth I’ve seen in our business has had a direct result on who I am as a person. Five years ago, I was more focused on what was happening in the moment. I solved problems as they came and was very reactive in how I approached business. It didn’t take me long to understand that you can’t run a business that way. It helps to be proactive and always think ahead. What is going to happen three months from now that I need to be prepared for? What problems am I not forecasting accurately? How can I streamline processes to be better down the road? Working on my business organization has helped me drastically on a personal level too. I find I have less stress, more time, and better management of my own life. I’ve noticed that the more I work on personal development, the more
Can bees fly in the rain? Not without their yellow jackets.
WHEN YOU CAN’T SAY YES 3 Ways to Say No Without Losing a Customer
to the way they were before. Since that’s not an option, try to determine exactly what they are upset about. By asking a client why they prefer the old way, you might learn that they are having trouble accessing important information in your new software or that the new price increase is beyond their budget. Armed with this information, you can hopefully find a solution for what’s really troubling them. This is also a good time to explain the reason behind the change, if possible. Clients can be more accepting when they understand something better. Make Clients Feel Heard In every interaction, people want to feel listened to. Even when you have to say no to a client, making sure they feel heard and respected can go a long way toward maintaining that goodwill. Acknowledge the issue they are having, empathize with their frustration, and make sure your client knows you are listening by using their name and saying, “I understand.” You can’t say yes to every request, but you can remind clients that you value their support and appreciate the effort it took for them to contact you. Saying no is not bad customer service. When you take the time to say it the right way, you’re actually doing the client a favor because it means you aren’t wasting their time.
Has a client ever asked you for something you didn’t have the resources to provide? Have you ever had a request to do something that’s against
company protocol? Do clients want you to bend over backward on a task that isn’t worth the ROI? On these occasions, you are perfectly justified in saying no. But clients rarely like being turned down, so it’s important to learn to say no without losing a paying customer. Offer Alternatives Maybe a client has asked for something you don’t traditionally offer. Unless this is a rare opportunity to branch out and begin offering a new service to all clients, it doesn’t make sense to run yourself ragged fulfilling a niche request. Avoid the fear of letting your client down by referring them to another place where they can get what they need. This way, you get to say no while still being the person who helps the client get what they want. Ask for Clarification If you have changed anything in your company, be it the software interface on your website or your pricing structure, you may have frustrated clients who demand things go back A trim piece can make or break a good metal roof. Well, it might not break the roof, but it can make all the difference in a project. Anyone can slap some metal sheets on a roof and call it good. A successful roof is one with an appearance that matches the effectiveness of the material. In the case of our post-frame base angle trim, it does that and more. Here are two distinct features. Support Since this piece of trim is nestled at the bottom of a structure, it’s not uncommon for it to also hold panels of siding. The piece is fastened one inch from the bottom of the skirt board, and the second set of screws or nails will go through both the panel and the trim, effectively making them appear as one piece. Aesthetic By fastening the trim at the bottom of the skirt board, your eyes have a seamless transition to the base of the building. Sometimes called a “rodent guard,” this piece has also TRIM SERIES Post Base Angle Trim
been known to protect the bottoms of structures from Michigan’s rodents. However, the piece is mostly used to provide a clean look to the building. Any trim piece you need we can custom make at our shop with
ease. We specialize in the fabrication of almost every type of trim and can have it ready for you in no time with our signature 24–48 hour turnaround time. Contact us at the office for more information today.
Central Michigan Roofing | (269) 758-3330 2
Did you know? The Hawaiian alphabet has 13 letters.
STARTING WITH WHY Working Through the Golden Circle
Finding your why and holding on to it brings you greater fulfillment in everything you do. Instead of starting with what or how , start with why . It may be the most difficult question to answer, but from it you will proceed through life with purpose. You’ll know why you’re doing what you do and how you’re going to do it. Sinek says that instead of thinking from the outer circle in, think from the inner circle out. “When we communicate from the inside out, we’re talking directly to the part of the brain that controls behavior, and we allow people to rationalize it with the tangible things we say and do.”
When someone gets up and starts their morning routine, they know the purpose of what they’re doing. They know why they are doing this — to stay physically fit or to wake themselves up — and they don’t question the reason behind their actions. They know why they’re doing what they’re doing. There are many companies that can learn from this. Simon Sinek, founder of Sinek Partners and a professor at Columbia University, has what he calls the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle talks about the why (the inner circle), how (the middle circle), and what (the outer circle), which describes why some particular organizations inspire and others don’t. “Every single person, every single organization on the planet, knows what they do,” Sinek explains. “Some know how they do it ... but very few people or organizations know why they do what they do.” Certainly, what and how are the clearest of the three, but why is the most crucial. Knowing the reason behind your actions can inspire you — it’s a driving force. “Why do you get up in the morning?” Sinek asks. The reason why pushes people into action, or as Sinek says, “It’s inspiring.” Finding the purpose in an action, gesture, or even a purchase makes a person feel like they’re driven.
Beans & Greens Rigatoni
Have a Laugh
Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine
Ingredients • 12 ounces rigatoni pasta • 1 bunch Tuscan kale, rinsed • 1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney) beans • 2 tablespoons extra- virgin olive oil, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • Juice of 1 lemon • Salt, for pasta water and to taste • 2 ounces fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)
Directions 1. In a large stock pot, boil 6 quarts of liberally salted water. On another burner, heat a large skillet to medium-low. 2. Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 3 minutes less than the package recommends. 3. While pasta is cooking, add beans, red pepper, and 1 tablespoon of oil to skillet. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. 4. Add cooked pasta, kale, and 1 cup pasta water to skillet. Toss vigorously as kale cooks, about 4 minutes. 5. Transfer to bowls, top with a squeeze of lemon, sprinkle with cheese or salt, and serve.
Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself? It was too tired.
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Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
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I
Inside This Issue
How We’ve Grown to Who We Are Today
Can You Say No to a Client?
Custom Trim Series
Finding Your Why
Why Labor Day Is Indebted to the Pullman Strike
THE PULLMAN STRIKE AND THE ORIGIN OF LABOR DAY
was, barely acknowledged the strike was happening, and he refused to meet with the organizers.
Today, Labor Day mostly means a day off and the closure of public pools. But when it was first created, it was a president’s desperate attempt to curb the tension after one of the most violent strike breakups in American history. In the late 19th century, the workers of the Pullman Company, which manufactured luxury train cars, all lived in a company-owned town. George Pullman, the owner, lived in a mansion overlooking houses, apartments, and crammed- together barracks, all of which were rented by the thousands of workers needed for the operation. For some time, the town operated without a hitch, providing decent wages for the workers while netting the higher-ups millions of dollars. But after the economic depression of the 1890s brought the country to its knees, everything changed. George Pullman slashed his workers’ wages by nearly 30 percent, but he neglected to adjust the rent on the company-owned buildings in turn. As a result, life became untenable in the town, with workers struggling to maintain the barest standards of living for themselves and their families. In response, the workers began a strike on May 11, 1894. As the event ramped up, it gained the support of the powerful American Railway Union (ARU). But Pullman, stubborn as he
The tension increased when Eugene Debs, the president of the American Railway Union, organized a boycott of all trains that included Pullman cars. The strike continued to escalate until workers and Pullman community members managed to stop the trains from running. Eventually, President Grover Cleveland sent in soldiers to break up the strike. Violence ensued, with soldiers making a great effort to quell the strike at its core. By the time the violence ended, 30 people had lost their lives and an estimated $80 million in damages had been caused throughout the town. A few months later, President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day a federal holiday. Many experts believe that this act was an effort to build rapport among his pro-labor constituents after handling the incident so poorly. This month, as you fire up the barbecue and enjoy your day off, take a moment to remember the workers who fought for labor rights in our country.
Central Michigan Roofing | (269) 758-3330 4
How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together.
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