I know I sound like everyone's parents when I say, "Education is the key; it is everything!"

As the year is coming to a close, I am excited about the changes and opportunities for Virginia PHCC. Mrs. Dagenhart is preparing to take over the reins as state president, and she has plans to revitalize the organization, involve members more, and provide terrific educational opportunities for members and their employees.

I know many of you are concerned about the federal deficit, tax changes, and health care reform and the effect these issues will have on your businesses. However, I know those who take the time to continue to learn and grow as responsible business people will be more likely to survive, and perhaps even thrive, during changes. I know it is not easy to find the time to educate yourself and your employees, but you must do so if you plan on surviving.

Just like the automotive industry, the plumbing and HVAC industries are going through massive transformations related to energy use and comfort. Given the technological advances in our industry, the days of starting a business with a tool bag and the family station wagon are disappearing. The "mom and pop shops" will most likely fall by the wayside. The cost to train and outfit employees to work on tankless water heaters, grey water systems, geothermal heating and cooling equipment, solid state controls, and Internet protocol- enabled systems is too expensive for most small operations, and these technologies soon will be standard.

So my advice is to either prepare now to invest in training, or prepare to be left behind. If you want that training to be affordable, use the power of PHCC to your advantage. As business owners, you know you have to make investments. You can spend time behind the wheel driving to the next job site, or you can invest in organizations like PHCC, become active, and create new solutions for all members.

In my experience as President, I see the larger mechanical contractors join organizations like PHCC and have active participation as members investing their time and resources lobbying the government and setting standards while the smaller companies do not remain active members or do not join at all and depend on larger companies to perform this function. Even as many of the "big boys" just pay annual dues, how can we afford not to be active then leave the future of legislation that directly affects our profit loss statement in the hands of our competitors. Small and large companies need to invest more, attend organized meetings, share their knowledge, goals, and agendas and then join a committee or board and make profitable change happen.

I realize some of you may believe sharing knowledge is dangerous. However, the truth is that by sharing knowledge, you raise the bar for the entire industry. Those who perform to the new standards take market share from those who do not deserve (and often are not even licensed) to be in our industry. In addition, the sad truth is most people are too lazy, or short-sighted, or cash-strapped to implement the shared knowledge. You can always improve your own business by working together, and there is plenty of profit to be made.

Those of you who know me know I like to gamble, so let me make this bet right here right now: if your firm is doing over $1 million sales a year, and I talk to you about your business for one hour, and I do not suggest ways for that can save you at least three times the cost of PHCC annual dues which are slightly under $1000, I will pay your dues for the first year. However, do not forget this is a wager, therefore if I do save you that money, you must give me a check for your annual dues plus $1,000 for the state PAC fund. So if you "lose," you will still be ahead about a thousand dollars!

I know there is never enough time in the day for everything you need and want to do, but unless you start making time to improve your knowledge, you will ultimately end up with plenty of time but no money!
If you are looking for a place to start or supplement your business education, here are a few books I would recommend:

The E-Myth Revisited (Michel Gerber)
HVAC Spells Wealth (Ron Smith)
The 7 Triggers to Yes (Russell Granger)
Hot, Flat and Crowded (Thomas Friedman)

Thanks to everyone for your support this past year. Regardless of my position in the state organization, I am always available to help any member. Just drop me an email at alan@parrishservices.com.

Thanks to everyone for your support this past year. Regardless of my position in the state organization, I am always available to help any member. Just drop me an email at alan@parrishservices.com.

Sincerely,
Alan Givens
President, PMPV/VAPHCC