What do you call that flying disc you throw for your dog? A Frisbee. How about that bandage you put on a cut? A Band-Aid. That tissue you use to blow your nose? A Kleenex.
Noticing a pattern? These are all items that are more commonly known by the name of the company that makes them, or the name of a very specific product. They stand out so far from the competition that their name is the one you use when referring to the product category they’re in.
One of the best compliments a company can receive is not being compared to their competition. Standing out far enough that the competition cannot even compare is a great goal for a field service business to reach.
With irrigation software you can surpass your competition in a number of ways. Below are just some of the ways you will stand out from the competition with the help of software:
Efficiency and Organization – The one thing you can be sure field service software will give you is efficiency and organization. With software you can manage everything from the time a call comes in until you send out the invoice.
A well run company from the inside, stands out when out in the field. It’s quite easy to tell when a worker is stressed or not prepared for a job, versus one who has everything he needs to do the job well. While your competitors are struggling to remember appointments, let follow ups slip through the cracks and get their invoices out in a reasonable amount of time, you could be spending time marketing to your newest batch of prospects.
In the grand scheme of things, customers won’t see or be affected by every area that becomes more efficient within your business. They will however, appreciate all that your business has to offer thanks to it being more efficient. The service they receive from your company will help you stand out when compared to competitors that are struggling to keep up with their daily work flow.
Knowledgeable – I don’t know about you, but one of the main reasons I become a repeat customer is when the staff is knowledgeable. I appreciate and respect those that know what they are talking about and can help me to make informed decisions even on subjects I am not an expert in.
For example, I am not a car man. I know when it needs to be taken in for an oil change, I understand tire pressure, and I helped a friend change his brakes once. So when I get my car fixed, I want it done by someone with knowledge about my specific car. I am lucky enough to have found a great mechanic who lets me know when I am in crucial need of a part and when I can afford to wait a few months to splurge on new tires.
Having knowledgeable employees both in the office and out in the field will make your customers feel safe and confident in your work. With irrigation software, your company will have access to real time data. This means if a customer calls in wondering when their appointment is, the office simply clicks a few buttons and has an answer in seconds, rather than needing to call the customer back once the paper shuffling results in an answer. This also means that your guys in the field have access to the customer’s history and any notes that may be important when visiting a customer’s site. They are aware of what was done last time your company was on site and they will know to close the gate so as to not let the dog out. These may seem like little things, but in the eyes of a customer, the little things are usually what makes a company stand out.
Tech Savvy – A growing trend in any business and any lifestyle is technology. Smartphones, tablets, laptops and the internet run most of our days. Software is just one more form of technology that is making lives easier.
A tech savvy company is viewed as a strong and smart business that is willing to keep up with the changing times. It could be as simple as capturing the customer’s signature in the field and printing the invoice right in the truck, or it could be more complex and dive into a complete history of the customer and noting they will need to replace their system in a year. Whatever it may be, irrigation software helps you be up to date and current.
A lot of your newer customers are first time home owners and grew up with a cell phone. Being able to provide them quick, efficient service all with the help of software and its features will keep first time customers intrigued and coming back.
Standing out from the competition is a great way to gain and keep customers. If you can show you aren’t like every Tom, Dick, and Harry your customers will be impressed. Irrigation software will help your company to be better organized, knowledgeable and up on the latest technological advances within your industry.
Are you ready to stand out from your competition? Check out our Irrigation Software Buyer’s Guide to get you started!