RentalMetrics 60 Second Grill - Episode 003
In this episode, we get to gnaw on some serious RedMeat. We're talking about continued investment in training and throwing around meat metaphors galore. Your mouth will water.
RentalMetrics...red meat for heroes that rent iron and move dirt.
RentalMetrics is the "in-sourced" management
consulting firm for the construction equipment rental sector. We're
headquartered in the heartland of America too. Please browse through our site
to gain some insight on how we think, what we do, and what makes us passionate
(some say obsessive) about extracting every last drop of efficiency from your
operations.
Construction Sector
Innovate!
Change: It’s been happening on since the beginning of time. Still, doesn’t it seem surprising when the economy takes a little dip, a new competitor moves down the block, or a market dries up and completely disappears?
In a world that is becoming less hierarchical and more fluid, flexibility is a must. Consider the great innovators of the past 150 years; most of them have taken a general-use item or idea and added a new twist. John Deere took a standard plow and made it self-scouring, Edison took the idea behind telegraph and innovated the phonograph. Bill Gates didn’t invent the PC, but found a way to expand the software business beyond even his own expectations.
Think about your place in the construction sector, do you really need to follow the feast-or-famine cycle of the industry, or is there a way to innovate and break out of the mold?
RentalMetrics Offers No Risk - Monthly Access to Interactive Learning Environment for Construction and Equipment Rental Industries
RentalMetrics has operated on a quarterly pricing model that includes:
- Access to our Interactive Learning Environment containing education and information to increase business health and efficiency.
- Access to our client video conference calls, open QA, and special reports.
- Access to our team for special client projects and project management.
We have had numerous inquiries however from smaller construction companies wanting to streamline operations without having to hire consultants or go with the RentalMetrics full access subscription. Some of these companies are saying, "Just give me access to information for a small monthly investment and if I need more help, I'll upgrade."
We're not ones to argue with that great business logic.
So, we're offering our e-learning environment at $97/mo. No strings attached.
We believe you'll stay around to see the new and exciting business health courses and education offerings we provide. Also, we think you'll love participating in our forums where other industry colleagues will share opinions and tactics to help you move the needle to the positive.
Times are tough. But now is the time to invest in your business's health.
For LESS THAN PRICE OF ONE TANK OF GAS in your company truck...you may just save enough money to buy another truck.
You’re Not Alone
For those struggling to make a dime in the world of heavy equipment you’re not alone.
Consider our brethren in the agriculture industry. With a high dependence on heavy equipment, little tolerance for high-fuel costs, and high-dollar asset investments that take years to pay off - there more than a few similarities.
The belt-tightening strategies are awfully familiar too. Using GPS and other high-tech gear (often under the guidance of consultants) to cut input costs and increase efficiency is the forward-thinking response by industry experts.
Are you struggling to keep your head above the flood waters of rising energy costs? You’re not alone. Keep an eye on others who are facing the same struggles and watch as the leaders emerge.
Online Education and Training for Rental and Construction
Although there are plenty of firms out there that provide safety training online, we at RentalMetrics are providing "Business Health Training" online.
- Our target is not safety managers.
- Our service is geared toward department managers (fleet managers, service managers, transportation managers, general managers) and business owners.
- Our education is delivered via audio, video, and screen cast remotely...on our subscriber's schedule.
- Our topics include:
- Business Process Management
- Marketing and Promotion
- Technology Solutions
- Project Management
A subscription to an online education and training service seems like pretty cheap insurance against stagnation and getting burned by technology solution vendors right?
Trench Jumping
This is a quick and pretty cool demonstration of Trench Jumping. I found this on the Equipment Trader Blog and apparently the original source comes from the good folks at NAHETS. If you think operating one of these machines efficiently and safely is like playing in the sandbox...think again!
RentalMetrics Online GPS Product Showcase - Blue Sky Network
If you can spare 5 minutes and 44 seconds...take a look at the next installment in our Online GPS Product Showcase where we chat with Blue Sky Networks, an Iridium Satellite Tracking Partner/Provider.
"Confessions" book coverage results in global exposure
Yesterday, Michael Krigsman over at the IT Project Failures blog posted a nice review/highlight of my "Confessions" book. He was very adept at showing the value of the book as a guide to reduce hype in the enterprise sales process...and not a "hit piece" on the sales profession (we're all selling all the time right?).
As a result of his post and various other channels, RentalMetrics has been contacted by companies as close as our own backyard, Des Moines, Iowa...and far away as Bangalore, India.
The power of delivering a solid product and service on line is unparalleled. It allows us to have Breakfast with Brits...and Lunch with Laotians...and Dinner with Dominicans.
If you're wondering what blogs, social media, social networking, and sharing your knowledge of your niche with the world can possibly do for you...I'd be happy to chat with you,
over a coffee... or over a broadband connection.
CAT testing Rental Stores WITHIN Home Depot
It's reported that CAT is testing its Rental Store model within a Home Depot in Texas. With all the talk of major expansion, CAT was probably destined to find a partner with the infrastructure to accelerate its plans.
I think it's a great fit. CAT can offer landscapers and other contractors the "smaller stuff" that typically goes to the total rental solution providers now...while having the ability to call upon the larger big yellow iron brothers if required.
The Home Depot provides CAT ample real estate and a built in base of loyal customers too. This will prove to be a fantastic strategic move for both Home Depot and CAT.
So which rental firm will partner with Lowe's now? How about Menards?
Return on Investment from GPS Solutions
Paul and I were chatting the other day about the ROI model going into our Independent Learning Environment subscription site. It was interesting because we hit upon something that often gets lost when project teams are caught up in justifying the expense or dissecting the areas in which ROI can be captured.
So often, ROI models include things that are very cool and very critical to savings....if you use them.
If your main purchase driver is theft prevention, then it would be silly to count "Higher and more accurate billable hours" in your calculations. Even if you have every intention of "possibly using those other features", your ROI in this case would be:
- Possibly reduced insurance rates for the fleet.
- No down time while stolen machine would be processed/replaced.
- Deductible not paid out.
There's nothing wrong with using this ROI model at all. The key is recognizing that a GPS tracking system may have 5-10 key areas of savings it takes credit for...but if you don't have the staff or system to take advantage of them (at least today) don't delude yourself into using those elements to justify the expense.
