Classification of technician’s skill levels can save a service company big money, by sending the right technician out to the right service call. 

As most service companies try to organize their service operation many fall short, more than 92% of them do not make the grade. Let’s think of that in lost profits, because that is what it equates to. Many service companies still operate like companies did in the 60’s and think that is ok. Yes some have added a computer and think “they are up to date and with it”, yet they are so far behind. With the cost of insurance, fuel, vehicle maintenance and many other costs related to operating a service company it is essential to look at means of streamlining the service operation for maximum profit and efficiency. With EFFIENCY being the key word, we do not have to sacrifice benefits, newer vehicles, or anything, we just need to organize better. Many service companies think things are good as they are and do not want to change a thing, well change is good and is healthy to a service organization. 

A simple solution is Skill Classification, it is as simple as you would not want a carpenter to perform heart surgery, sounds ridicules well it is! Having under qualified service techs perform service on equipment that they are not familiar with or have no idea how it works is not only a dangerous situation but a costly one. 

A). If he gets injured while servicing that equipment you managers and the company are, and or could be held Liable. 

B). If someone else should get injured, again you managers and the company are, and or could be held Liable. 

C). If property damage is caused from fire, explosion, or simply directly or indirectly again you managers and the company are, and or could be held Liable. 

D). Lost and wasted time in fumbling around trying to figure things out not only makes your technician look incompetent but your entire company looks incompetent. 

These are reasons customers loose confidence in your company and abilities, and will look for a new service company.

We all know loosing clients is not a good thing, with competition at a all time high we need to keep our clients safe and happy at all times, we owe it to them in dispatching a service technician that will correct their problems and get them up and running quickly as possible and at a reasonable cost. With not having the right technician on the job, and over run of time will cause many problems, and escalated costs to the client and the company. Think about it, how many times you had to adjust invoices and write off time where a service job went over, and then had to explain to the client why this happen. 

· Why hassle with this?
· Why take a chance in someone getting injured? 
· Why take a chance in loosing good clients? 
· Why take a chance in loosing more revenue?

By service classification you will reduce these problems over by 98%, wow! Many companies would love to increase the bottom line by not increasing prices and overhead. This is simple management, Not rocket science!

The American Air Institute has deployed a program in 1989 that has proven that job classification saves lives, money, clients and integrity. What are you waiting for? Go make a better profit, try it for just a few months, you will be wondering why you did not do this sooner!


©Copyright 2002, American Air Institute, all rights reserved, Authorization Required for Reproduction, Author: Glenn M. Goetzinger Ph.D.
www.servline.com/hvac/