Business owners can build a strong foundation for growing their HVAC company with the help of planning. You learn where you started, where you’re heading, and what to expect when you arrive. In essence, a business plan positions you for future success.

According to industry experts, you ought to develop your business plan based on how you wish your business would be in ten years. Learn everything you can about how HVAC management works by finding a mentor, listening to podcasts, and reading books by leaders in the HVAC industry.

Make your plans, plan some more, and then make some more.

SAWIN Service Automation gives you the tools to succeed when you are ready to put the plan into action. Create a budget plan, and create a business plan.

While both plans require you to lead your team to success, remember that putting together a business plan is not a simple process. It is a document that must be updated on a regular basis:

• Review it four times a year, or at least twice.
• Adjust it as your company grows and hires new team members.
• Use it to track goals, then set new ones.
• Expand or add new service, but do it with data to inform the decision.

Organizing is the second core function of business management.

You, your management team, field technicians, dispatchers, and customer support reps need to get organized to improve workflow and efficiency. A well-organized HVAC company:

• Ensures that each team member has the right tools and materials.
• Sets up a transparent pay structure, so everyone knows what to expect.
• Incentivizes and rewards high performance with flat-rate pay.
• Maintains a stocked inventory, reducing waste with clear controls.
• Automates invoicing to create better cash flow.

Other industry experts suggest creating an in-depth organization chart that clearly defines each employee’s role, job duties, and compensation structure. Also, strive for a management hierarchy that allows only five direct reports to any one manager, and provide detailed operating manuals that outline proper procedures at your HVAC company.

It’s a recipe for HVAC management success, and one used by big players in other industries.

In addition to planning and organizing, leading may be the most important thing you do as a manager.

Leadership can sometimes mean giving up control for growth, or receiving personal accolades for winning. Work on your business instead of inside of it, choosing between control or growth, because you can’t have both.

You can control what matters most with the fourth HVAC business management function.

Having planned, organized, and led, it’s now time to measure the success or failure of your plans. By doing so, you’ll be able to identify your company’s key performance indicators (KPIs) and know which actions to take to boost performance.

To assess your company’s success, to identify areas for improvement, and to determine what measures to take to ensure your business thrives, monitor the following key metrics:

• Sales revenue
• Gross margin
• Monthly profit/loss
• Service metrics
• Customer retention
• Advertising ROI

Your company can track specific KPIs in real time with SAWIN’s cloud-based software, schedule work orders efficiently with profit in mind, and set benchmark goals that are right for your company.