RentalMetrics

New Topic Added to the ILE: Introduction to Selecting a GPS System

We've just released another great topic on the Maximizing the Value of GPS Across the Entire Organization course. Full Access subscribers go DIRECTLY to this course!)

The topic is a video called Introduction to Selecting a GPS System. 

The video describes the process of stepping back from why we "think" we need GPS...opting instead for the creation of a clear road map that defines why we "really" need the solution.

Along with the video, we also added my e-book "Confessions of an Ex-Enterprise Salesperson".  The book is more of a business tool to remove the smoke and mirrors from the sales process...for both sides of the selling equation.  If you sell or buy software for your enterprise, the book is a must have.

If you're on our 30 day Introductory Membership and want to get ahold of this exciting new course material and all that follows each week, visit the Membership Link once you're logged in and select FULL ACCESS from the drop down.  Feel free to use any discount code you might have handy. 

Keep in mind that full access means:

1. Continuous updates and additions to our analysis, research, tools, and case studies.
2. Twice monthly video conference QA sessions where we address key issues facing the sector.
3. A free webcam so you can participate in our sessions anywhere in the world you have broadband.
4. Access to industry peers via our user forums to get the real and unfiltered "voice of the customer."

If you have questions, give us a call at 515.309.1531 or email Doug Mitchell

Keys to Communication with Remote or Virtual Teams

The RentalMetrics business model leverages more collaborative technologies to execute than you're probably used to.  We believe in producing our RedMeat content that makes you more money instead of flying around the country and filling up rental cars with $4.00 gas on your dime.  We're very comfortable with technologies and strategies to communicate with our clients...virtually.

So now you are working with or managing teams all over a metro area, a state, or the world.  Did anyone give you a manual on how to communicate effectively in the brave new interconnected world?  I'm guessing no. If you're not used to working with teams remotely, challenges will arise.

Luckily, there are some very smart people out there to help us through this.  No matter the technology used, there are some great guidelines provided by Michelle LaBrosse in her piece called: 

Business in a Knapsack: Six Keys to Clear Virtual Communication

Can you run your projects when you're on the run?

My favorite idea is #2

2. Manage results, not activity.
In the physical office environment, "busy work" often gets mistaken for real work. In the virtual environment, when you can't see what people are doing, the key is to manage results. Set expectations and monitor the results, not the daily activities.

Do we practice what we preach here at RentalMetrics?  Heck yeah we do.  I see most of the folks in our organization in person once a week at most.  Usually, those are 2-3 hour sessions to brain storm new course ideas or have lunch to catch up and simply connect.  Otherwise, we're using collaboration workspaces powered by Central Desktop, instant messaging, video conferencing, text messages, and those darn cell phones.  We simply state the desired result and attach expectations to the outcome. 

Getting used to remote communication methods and tools may just be the wisest investment you'll make over the next few years.  It won't be long before those video game playing, ipod listening, text messaging "young people" are the seasoned leaders in your construction/rental organization. 

For more on how companies have adapted to remote/flexible workers...take a look at how Best Buy has "Smashed the Clock" with fantastic results.

 

 

Great article on Making Change...Pleasurable

It's great to find complimentary articles to courses we offer in our Interactive Learning Environment.  Since we just released our new course on Change Management, the timing of this piece was fortuitous.

The article is titled:  The Influencers: A Manager's Guide to Succeeding at Change

In the article, author Kerry Patterson gives some tangible ideas and concepts on how to make change stick.  One of my favorite points in his piece is number 3:

Principle No. 3: Make the Undesirable Desirable
Humans seek pleasure and avoid pain. So, when tasks are repetitive, painful, or boring, find a way to make them more desirable by either changing the task itself or helping people view it in a new way.

This basic rule of humankind is applicable in the workplace and at home. (If you have kids, you understand this well).

Here's Kerry's bio and website link for further investigation:

For more information and resources visit www.influencerbook.com

Kerry Patterson is coauthor of Influencer: The Power to Change Anything, (McGraw-Hill) and the New York Times bestseller Crucial Conversations. He is also a sought-after speaker and consultant and cofounder of VitalSmarts, an innovator in corporate training and organizational performance.

 

Educating Employees on New Technology

I wrote a piece that is now live on the Construction Business Owner.com site called Educating Employees on New Technology.

Here's a quote:

Change is a Four-Letter Word: I.C.A.N.

New technologies in a construction business environment fail most often because employees are not educated on why the change is happening and how that "upgrade" will improve the business. 

Too often, companies mistake training for true education. The training session, which most often comes after decisions have been made, contracts have been signed and IT has invested a tremendous amount of time configuring the new system into the overall structure of the company, is too often an employee's first introduction to a technology upgrade.

The article highlights the I.C.A.N. change management process that we recently debuted in our Change Management Course inside the RentalMetrics ILE.

Doug Mitchell's Podcast with Sam Simon at the Construction Equipment Owners Blog

I was recently interviewed by Sam Simon over at the Construction Equipment Owner's Blog for a podcast. 

If you can spare few moments...take a listen.  We chat about extracting maximum ROI from equipment tracking solutions...across the entire enterprise. 

Many times, GPS buying decisions are made by one silo within an organization.  Often the decision is reactionary.  In this podcast, I give some strategies on how to step back and make a sound decision on deploying GPS and getting the MOST out of it. 

Sam also references our Introduction to GPS video which is one part of our Free Trial course in our Interactive Learning Environment (ILE).  To see all of our course offerings in the ILE, click here for your free trial.

New Course Added to ILE: The I.C.A.N. Change Management Process

We've just added a great course to the RentalMetrics ILE.  It's all about change management.  We've seen great technology solutions and process changes turn completely sour because someone forgot to tell those affected...why.  Why is this process changing?  Why are you taking my reliable and stable accounting system away?  Why are you tracking my every move with a GPS chip...don't you trust me?

By applying the I.C.A.N. method, you can smooth the road to success by managing the human aspect of corporate change. 

Here's a hint.  This is the hardest part of making positive change in business...and it's the LEAST taught in most quality improvement/enhancement programs.  I think change management got about 4 hours out 4 weeks of my 6 Sigma Black Belt training. 

Never fear, the RentalMetrics ILE is here.  This course is part of our FULL ACCESS membership subscribers. 

So either subscribe now...or take a test drive and let's be friends. 

To learn more about RentalMetrics and our offerings, simply click on the What We Do.

RentalMetrics RedMeat Podcast - Interview Excerpt with Cliff Henley of Fleet Management Solutions

If you can spare two and half minutes, take a listen to Cliff Henley, CEO of Fleet Management Solutions as he shares some insight on a key component in the ROI equation for asset tracking GPS solutions - fuel savings.

This is a clip from a longer and very informative interview I did for our subscribers within the RentalMetrics Interactive Learning Environment or ILE.  If you'd like to learn more about the ILE, please click here.

Download fms_podcast_interview.mp3

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RentalMetrics Interactive Learning Environment Launch Gets Press

Nothing says "launch" like a press release hitting the trade publications around the world.  Here we are in Rental Equipment Register's weekly online newsletter which hit this morning.

Over the next couple of weeks, I hope to see the release get picked up in lots of places to spread the word. 

Our service can be summed up the following way:

Subscribing to RentalMetrics is like hiring a team of analysts, researchers, marketing wizards, statistical gurus, and a hall of fame coach to attack the business problems that cause pain at your construction/equipment rental company. 

The team's recommendations, plans, and strategies are presented in ways that really hit home using audio, video, and screencasts.  There's a good bit of video conferencing and interactive LIVE QA sessions via webcast too.

The team is available 24 hours a day every day.  They don't require desks, wear suits, or ask for vacation.  They're self driven, motivated, don't need  supervision, and pay their own cell phone bills.

Team members don't require sleep, are available anywhere in the world, and work for very modest wages.

Do you need a team like this?  Hire them or try them out.

RentalMetrics Walkabout Video

Paul has done a bit of wizardry and created a nice "get to know the RentalMetrics Interactive Learning Environment" video tour.  Just click play below and you'll get a tidy background on how to navigate and maximize your efficiency working with the ILE. 

We've been staying up late and our families are starting to wonder where we are...but the ILE is shiny and dust free.  Right now, we're letting some folks into the ILE with the golden key.  Are you ready?

Using Social Media Tools in "Old School" Industries

John Jantsch over at Duct Tape Marketing just released a podcast where he interviews Jason Brown of Brown Lures.  His company creates...well...fishing lures.  While professional bass fishing has come a long way in the last few years in terms of TV time and popularity, it's not exactly a place where people think high tech.

Here's the home run quote:

Brown credits his blog with changing the way people find him, he created a podcast that gives him great “fishing stories” and loyalty from guides up and down the Gulf coast, he uses RSS and content tagging to automatically produce fresh blog content, and email marketing to blow his competition away at trade shows.

Using social media in industries that are still slow to adopt it is the killer competitive advantage.

Killer Competitive Advantage! Agreed. 

 Do you think that your construction or equipment rental operation can leverage some of today's social media technologies to gain that advantage?

We think so.

In fact, we're just about to release a new module in our Interactive Learning Environment that will get you acquainted with what's out there waiting for you.   It will be found in the  Introduction - Free Trial Category so guess what, you can get this course for free.  It should be posted by early next week.  In the meantime, you'll have plenty of audio, video, and text based content to peruse.

If you'd like to sign up for the free trial, simply click this link and you'll be taken to the sign up page.  No strings attached.

If you're not interested in signing up, you can always read an article I wrote for Rental Product News called, "Ready For a Blog?"