RentalMetrics

Enterprise Confessions: Removing the Fluff from the Selling & Buying Process

When I wrote "Confessions of an Ex-Enterprise Salesperson:  What I Really Meant When I Said _________________" I didn't realize how universally the book could be applied across industries. 

Of course since RentalMetrics is focused on the Construction and Equipment Rental sectors, early feedback there was very positive.   Today Construction News has put out the news to the world that the book is still available at NO CHARGE. 

The book is a brief journey into what you might expect a salesperson to say when trying to separate your business from hard earned profits.  "Confessions" goes onto to provide the counter punch so you can ensure that expectations are clear and reality is the number one item on the agenda.

If you'd like the book you can find a download link to the right in the sidebar or simply enter your name and email in the boxes below and you'll receive it almost immediately.  If you have any questions or comments about the book, please let us know.

Cresco Equipment Rentals Leverages Online Video Commercials and Gains National Exposure

I'm impressed at the use of video for an online commercial for Cresco Equipment Rental.  This nice article appeared in the WSJ online on the 11th of August.  The piece talks about how businesses are leveraging video to get their messages out without the glitz and glamor of a "TV type production" that blows the marketing budget for the year in one little video shoot.

These programs offer "small businesses a way to capture their target audience...on a larger scale and at a cheaper price," says Josh Martin, a vice president and director of emerging media for New York-based ID Media, a member of Interpublic Group of Cos. "Video commercials offer a compelling way to engage consumers."

Take a look for yourself.  We agree that using what we call "good enough" production values are key to rising above the chaff...without breaking the bank.  We live by mantra as witnessed by our "Get to know us" in the upper right sidebar and through our 60 Second Grill series. 

FleetOwner on Twitter

The folks over at FleetOwner have just announced that they're using Twitter to spread news and information on the sector. Their Twitter page can be found at http://twitter.com/fleetowner

If you are wondering what the heck Twitter is, just consider it a "micro blogging - social networking" platform that more and more business are using to connect.  Sure there's a bunch of "I just ate a burrito" posts out there, but there is a great purpose at work here and filtering through the noise is doable.

Since RentalMetrics is nearer to the bleeding edge of technology and social media connectivity as it applies to the heavy equipment rental/construction sectors...we are happy to be joined by another convert!

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New Series - RentalMetrics 60 Second Grills

Hello there.  We've just released the first in a series of videos called the RentalMetrics 60 Second Grills.  These short videos are designed to get your creative juices flowing.  Do you like Red Meat like we do?  Well you're about to be served up a bevy of bovine enjoyment.  So grab yourself a cup of coffee and share about a minute with us.  WARNING:  Watch AFTER lunch.  The images inside this video will get your mind...and stomach working overtime!

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.

The Rise of the Home Warrior...and Fall of the Road Warrior

We often tout the benefits of our subscription based Interactive Learning Environment (ILE).  We deliver rich content using audio, video, web conferencing, etc. from the home office here in Des Moines, Iowa.  We're proud to say that we travel little, leaving our funds readily available for reinvestment in our business (resulting in more value for your business).  But we used to be road warriors, wearing frequent flier miles and hotel status levels as badges of honor. "I can go around the world twice and stay at the nicest hotels for free...how 'bout you?"

Well no more.  We're a bit ahead of the curve since we stopped traveling before costs for EVERYTHING went ballistic.  But now more than ever, companies are cutting back on travel and looking at alternative methods to communicate with remote workers, business partners, and clients.

There's a great article in Business Week called:  The Waning Days of the Road Warrior
The piece discusses the likely possibilities that we may NEVER go back to our "5 states in 3 days whirlwind trips to see potential clients".  Many firms that ditch expensive gatherings are cutting the costs and using alternatives only to find BETTER results and less wasted time.

So say goodbye to your Platinum Status and say hello to your family at dinner time.  Ahh the benefits of high travel costs.

Care for a look at our ILE?

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.

 

 

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.

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.