RentalMetrics

RentalMetrics ILE membership is closed

Our team has decided to limit membership in the RentalMetrics ILE to current members as we've become increasingly engulfed in projects.  If you're still interested in joining us, feel free to sign up for our free trial membership and we'll let you know when we open the ILE back up.  We want to keep flow of information up and provide new content weekly and we just can't do it with the projects we're involved with.  We plan to reopen membership and up the flow of new content in the Spring of 2009 after we've had a chance to hire additional research engineers and rental technologists.  This is the only fair thing we can do at this stage and we appreciate your continued support.

The back story
As more and more people experienced the multimedia content we produced in the ILE and the robust software platform we built to house it, inquiries came flying in from:

1. Business coaches wanting to use our software and multimedia talents to propel their business to the next level, increase their exposure globally, and create an online business that allowed them to share their brains and strategies with the world...from the comfort of their own home.
2. Consultants who were tired of traveling 150 days per year and being maxed out on income...wanting to have their seminars and sessions video taped and edited into online seminars delivered to anyone with a credit card.
3. Small businesses who wanted to offer higher value to their clients through educational programs and additional paid programs that create a recurring revenue stream, a community of loyal followers, and a platform to expand their business with no additional physical space.
4. Local companies that understand the power of video online who wanted us to create multimedia marketing materials, company intro videos, video blog posts, and custom audio for them.

The net result of those inquiries was the formation of createWOWmedia.

createWOWmedia is doing just that, creating wow for clients through the innovative deployment of video, audio, imagery, and voice over to amplify small and medium business brands.

So RentalMetrics and createWOWmedia are partnered at the hip and share many resources to deliver multimedia services to your rental business today.

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RentalMetrics 60 Second Grill - Episode 002

We're cooking up a serious side dish today with some French flair that would make the perfect accompaniment to a huge hunk of bovine goodness (ie STEAK!).  So bring it on, click play, and prepare for a treat.

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. 

What’s Your Style?

Image via Wikipedia

Have you ever found yourself bored to death during a lecture? Do you struggle to read anything longer than a comic book? Do you find yourself looking for pictures or diagrams to understand a new concept? Maybe you find that in order to learn something new you just need to “do it.”

Knowing your dominant learning style (visual, auditory, or kinesthetic/tactile) can be incredibly helpful when trying to master a new subject. Are you an auditory learner? Try getting books on CD. Visual learner? Movies or step-by-step pictorial diagrams are the way to go. Kinesthetic/tactile learners – go get your hands dirty!

At RentalMetrics we recognize and appreciate the diversity in dominant learning styles and the unique viewpoints each group of learners brings to the table. We believe a one-size-fits-all training program is antiquated, biased, and just plain ineffective. That’s why our Interactive Learning Environment (ILE) provides written documents, podcasts, videos, examples, and exercises to best fit your learning style.

Get smart…check out our Free Trial today!

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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?

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The future of business travel: Not doing it

Think Scotty was on to something when he beamed captain kirk around the galaxy? 

Well get ready to be blown away. Are you ready to have virtual meetings with holographic images of team members that really don't look different than their actual...physical selves? Take a look at this video and witness the Cisco On Stage TelePresence project. (click play)

This is truly the future of an interconnected world with no travel boundaries.  Personally, I think the airlines (the ones left) should make a move to OWN this technology.  That way they could offer "book a flight" or "book a holographic conference" at a conference center (airport) near your town.  Imagine how happy people would be knowing they were just driving to the airport to have a meeting vs. fly!

I'm guessing Des Moines wouldn't be on the same hot list as LA or NYC of San Francisco...but we'll wait. 

You see...at RentalMetrics we're already taking the bold steps to embrace this world.  It may only be 10 years before this is a common reality for everyone.  Shouldn't we start getting used to it now?  Flying is already a nightmare.  Now that it costs an arm and a leg to "buy that nightmare", I think it makes sense to leverage all things virtual. 

Our subscribers get a web cam for free when they sign up.  They also get access to an online Interactive Learning Environment that powers them at home, in the office, or on the road. 

We're headed towards the world of tomorrow...today.

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.

 

 

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.