Residential Metal Roofing Executive Report

Making A Commitment

Issue #9 | July 21, 2014 | Todd Miller

In the last issue of the Residential Metal Roofing Executive Report, we looked at ways to properly position your company in front of prospective customers. In this issue, we want to begin to look at how you can make a commitment – a pledge if you will — to your prospects on behalf of your company.

This pledge, properly done, will accomplish several things for you. First and foremost, it sets forth standards and rules of behavior for you and for your company. This pledge that you make to your customers establishes the “banks of the river” for all of the actions taken by your company. Next, it sets your company apart from your competition. And finally, if done properly and with all sincerity, it will be a very helpful part of the closing process, setting the stage for a successful project and relationship going forward.

In a future issue of the Executive Report, we will take a look at the salesperson’s personal pledge of service to your customers. We will give details on how to write, present, and follow through on that pledge. In this issue, though, we want to look at your corporate Code of Ethics. This is something that will become part of your presentation book but will also be re-visited at the time of closing. Consumers do not see things like this from other companies. If done with all sincerity, honesty, and transparency, it will have a dramatic, lasting impact on your prospect.

So, we suggest having your Code of Ethics produced on nice, parchment-like paper. This will be something that you will hand to the prospect, and leave with them. The document you leave will have a personal, original signature from the owner of your company. Following is a sample Code of Ethics similar to that being used by many successful home improvement contractors.

CODE OF ETHICS

At (Your Company Name) we know that you work incredibly hard to own and maintain your home. You should be very proud of what you’ve worked for and we only want to help you build on that pride and enjoyment. Choosing and hiring a contractor to enhance your home investment is a major decision. We have all heard disheartening stories of folks who made the wrong choice. The best way we know to assure you of a memorable and positive experience with (Your Company Name) is to make a pledge of our behavior over the course of our relationship. To that end, we have adopted a Code of Ethics that we want to present and leave with you.

Following are the promises we make to you. If at any point in our relationship you feel we are at risk of not meeting these promises, we ask that you please call me, the company president, (Name), at (Cell phone).

TRUTHFUL ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION

What you hear from us in our advertising and our conversations will be accurate. Our careful research and training guarantee the highest level of knowledge at all times across our organization. If we are ever uncertain of an answer to your question, we will be honest about that and get you the information you need.

OPERATING LEGALLY AND CORRECTLY

Our insurance certificates (both general liability and workers comp) are in our Presentation and will be made available to you. We will obtain appropriate permits when needed. Because our customers and team members are like family to us, safety is paramount on every job. The jobsite will be left clean at the end of each day and every effort will be made to protect you, your property, and our workers. If something unexpected ever happens and your property is damaged, we will immediately let you know and agree on a plan to make things right.

RESPECT FOR YOU AND OTHERS

Our sales process and presentation have been designed to be thorough so you can make an informed decision. We practice what we call “Permission Marketing” – you will be in control of the sales process and we will never take the next step until you invite us to do so. We respect your right to make the best decision for you and your home. As such, we promise to stand on our own merit and not criticize or interfere with your relationships with other home improvement companies. At all times our team will treat you and yours with the highest degree of appreciation for the valued customer you are. You will never witness any disrespect, profanity, or inappropriate behavior or remarks from our team.

FAIR PRICING

While we all know that we get what we pay for and high quality products and workmanship cost more than inferior ones, we promise that our pricing will be a fair and accurate representation of what is being provided. If additional costs become necessary during your project beyond any “add-on” figures we have agreed to in writing, you will know exactly what the cost will be and we will sign a contract for that work to proceed. Likewise, we will do an audit of your project once it’s completed and, if our team has been more efficient than expected in completing your work, a portion of that savings will be shared with you.

A RELIABLE PROCESS

Our company must operate efficiently. To accomplish that, a careful plan is put together for estimating, scheduling, and completing your work. Prior to the start of your project, the plan will be reviewed with you and your questions will be answered. Nobody likes surprises. If unforeseen circumstances require us to alter the schedule, we will contact you promptly and a mutually agreeable plan will be established. To help facilitate the actual installation process, our crew leader will check in with you at the end of each workday (provided you are at home) and review what was accomplished that day and what you can expect from the coming days.

QUALITY INSTALLATION

Your roof will be installed by a crew of competent technicians with an experienced and caring leader. He or she will watch over all aspects of the installation, ensuring workmanship that is both beautiful and functional. There are times when we as a company do call on sub-contractors for their expertise. If that is ever necessary on your home, you will be informed in advance.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

Along with product warrant(ies), you will receive a written (Duration in years) workmanship warranty from us. Copies of all warranties you receive will be available for your inspection before you decide to do business with us, and we will show you how to properly register the warrant(ies). Any concerns you bring to us before, during, or after the project will be responded to within 36 hours during the work week or by end of work day on Monday if the concern arises over a weekend.

COMPLETE SATISFACTION

We are committed to fulfilling our contract with you and making certain that you are delighted at the end of your project. When your work is completed, a key manager from our company will review the project with you and verify that we have done our job. Upon your complete satisfaction, they will obtain the final payment.

______________________________
(Name), President
(Your Company Name)

The above is only an example of what a Code of Ethics can look like. As you work on developing yours, again, think of it as the “banks of the river” for how your company behaves. This is your corporate commitment of conduct and it must be communicated throughout your organization. In a future issue of the Executive Report, we will dig into the salesperson’s commitment to their prospects.

Please feel free to email me at tmiller@isaiahindustries.com if you have any questions or would like to discuss this in further detail. Our company wants to be your partner in business and in success.

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