VIDEO: Coaches Corner – The pros and cons of TV contractor referral programs
Steve Payne
Videos Canadian ContractorShould you consider associating yourself - or your "brand" as the marketing types call it - with that of a famous TV contractor? Will it do you any good? Is the entire idea any good? Mike Draper talks to Rob Koci about this topic.
Mike Holmes had a program like this (Holmes Referred) and he discontinued it.
Bryan Baeumler has a program like it right now (Baeumler Approved) and he seems to be liking it.
Mike Draper, our resident contractor coach (www.renovantage.com) talks in this video about how the “quality control” can be tough to maintain for the celebrity contractors who launch such contractor referral programs.
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We have represented Toronto Hydro, Sears, Homeservice and a few other lesser known names over the years. It definitely provides more opportunity and often quality opportunity (clients who are more careful or had had bad experiences and are now willing to pay more for good service), but it also makes your price more expensive. None of them do it for free. You will tend to develop a skill set to defend higher prices, better explain options, write better proposals, and most importantly provide higher quality installations with better customer service too. You see, you now have big brother to answer to. But make no mistake…Clients will treat you differently. We are all guilty of it. Last week I was a complete jerk to the call centre at Telus, yet a perfect gentleman to the lady at the Telus kiosk at the mall. I don’t have a split personality…honest! Some of these “Big Brothers” also provide business coaching/clear expectations and lets face it a lot of contractors need help here. Overall I feel we are improved from these relationships and would recommend them to others who are willing to improve.