The New Referral Program is Ready
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After 8 years of being around, making a few mistakes, but making even more sound decisions and building relationships with many sources, you probably realize by now…
The United Assemblers Network is here to stay!
There are other listing sources that just don’t cut it when it comes time to compare what there is to offer between them and us. Here are just five (5) really good reasons to be a part of our network and to take part in our new referral program:
# 1 – We are a listing of professionals and not just an online directory of whomever.
# 2 – You have a direct number for a network contact if you need it.
# 3 - Other services charge you whether you get the job or not.
# 4 – Your area is partially protected (as long as you follow the referral agreement)
# 5 – And most important… the network is run by assemblers, for assemblers!
So many other websites that have a listing service DO NOT have people with real experience in our industry and they are usually started by people who have no idea what our industry is all about.
I'm not going to be disappointed with anyone who does not want to partake in the program; it is not for everybody. My trying to please everyone in the past has impeded the growth this network deserves; but no more, it is time to move forward.
What I am about to say is “definitely” not going to be liked by a few of you… We are working with two national companies to help grow what our industry needs... and that is “PROFESSIONAL” assemblers. I promise… it will never be Go Configure or Impact!
However, business is business and this network is getting really good job leads everyday that have gone unanswered! The independent that lists in his or her area will “ALWAYS” get the jobs that are generated from the network; but again, if no independent is there, it will go to one of the two current national companies.
Here is your chance to grow a great business; it is your chance to get exposure like no other listing service and it is your chance to start making some really good money.
If you are ready, call me today because the area you are in may be taken soon since the recruiting starts now. Call 614-364-4232 if you get the recording… leave a message.
Here is the Referral Agreement (a very exciting, simple and fair program)
If you are already a premium subscriber and paid less than 6 months ago… all you need to do is fill out the contract and return it to the United Assemblers Network by e-mail; there will be no sign-up fee. If you paid over 6 months ago or you will be a new subscriber, there is a one time fee of only $100 and of course your referral fees.
Do it today because I guarantee the available areas will fill up fast!
You can pay referral fees here...
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The purpose of the Blog is not for venting...
For those who wonder why the Blog is moderated...
The Blog is moderated because we’re here to build a network of professionals; considering that… petty bickering or lashing out will not get posted along with other reasons.
When you respond to a Blog entry, PLEASE consider what you have to say. I have had people that did not see their comments posted because they wrote off topic, it was too long a response or complained without resolve; none of us have time for any of that!
Off topic can be annoying to anyone trying to read and get anything out of the Blog. You very well may have a great comment, so make sure your comment fits the particular entry you are responding to.
If a response to any Blog entry requires too much study to figure out what you have to say (taking time) so I can respond to your comment (also taking time), it probably will not get posted. It's not that I don’t read or don't like your response, it just comes down to the bottom line… time, and time is worth more than money to me.
Another reason a comment may not get posted… is complaining without resolve. It is easy to pick someone or anything apart and to speak up about something you don’t like, but how is anything to be fixed if your response is always and only “I don’t like that.”? For those people, nothing will ever make them happy with the exception of the complaint itself.
Here are even more reasons we moderate the Blog...
On the negative side:
- Virus protection
- SPAM (Stupid, Pointless Annoying Messages)
- Spam Marketers
- Rebellious Dissension
On the positive side:
- Professionalism
- Education
- Appeal to readers
You all mean a lot to me. We all have the same interests in our industry or at least I would hope so. We don't have to agree all the time. Furthermore, contrary to what a “few” of you may believe… I don’t know it all and neither do you, however I still respect what you have to say, it would be great if the same could be considered for me.
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New video on main UAN website
Watch the video and then read on below...
The above new video is generic enough to be used on your own website. Talks to the consumer about tools, time, patience and experience; if you do embed the code on your website, it validates your professionalism of being a subscriber of the network.
If anyone is not a paid subscriber and pirates the video, it tells the consumer to check them out to see if they are actually listed, when the consumer checks for their listing and many will, the person displaying our video will be driving traffic to our network and the consumer will find you through them… nice huh?
I am working on even more ways to drive traffic to us; build relationships with the consumer, retailers, manufacturers and even more exciting… developing our own e-commerce sites to sell the products; which is where most of the referrals will come from.
I am using social media heavily to get the word out. Right now I am heading toward 6,000 followers on Twitter that does drive traffic to the network.
Facebook is another place but don’t advertise your business, if you do Facebook will remove your profile. There is a reason for rules so be sure to follow them.
LinkedIn is yet another place to be and possibly the most important. In the last week I had an outside marketing rep at Costco Wholesale connect with me; LinkedIn is all about business.
If you don’t have an account with any of these social media sites, sign up for them all today… it’s free and be sure to connect with me when or if you do.
The referral program is almost developed… The biggest change will be a one time fee to be listed. To get listed you will need to agree to take part in the referral program. Any one who has already paid their annual listing fee will not have to pay again in the future “IF” they sign up for the referral program and agree to the contract. This is only for those who have paid for the year if you are on monthly installments you will need to sign-up.
Currently the referral program is in the BETA mode and I have not sent out all the requests; but, we have generated over $75,000 in potential business and quite a few of you have paid your referral fees… THANK YOU!!!
There are conditions for the referral program and you will want to sig-up as soon as possible because all metro areas will be protected with one listing and the conditions to be the only one listed will be spelled out in the contract.
Thank you for your continued support as a subscriber or listed member on our networks website.
Tech on!
It is in My Blood!
This post applies to any industry or career path; but is being addressed to the only organized directory of professional assemblers that can be found... http://UnitedAssemblers.com
I just wanted to let you all know… I’m not a tech because I have to be, I’m a tech who happens to own an assembly business and loves to build things… it’s in my blood!
You must have Integrity, Virtues and a Love of what you are doing if you want success. If you have these three things… success can be yours!
1. Integrity = Truth + Honor + Reliability
(Having moral and ethical principles, good character & honesty)
- When you build something, build it with integrity.
- When you come across problems, handle them with integrity.
- If you make mistakes (and you will), fix them with integrity.
If you do all things with “Integrity” (and not pride) success will be yours.
2. Virtues = Qualities + Merits + Intrinsic Worth
(Thinking and doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.)
- You want people to know you by your virtues.
- People will like you through your virtues.
- People will only trust you when your virtues are genuine.
When you apply “Virtues” to what you do, success will be yours.
3. Love - Passion – Devotion – Desire
(A strong liking for something, or a belief that it is important)
- If you love what you are doing you will be good at it and always want to do better.
- When you love what you’re doing it will illustrate your knowledge of it.
- If you love what you are doing you will do it with “Integrity”, “Virtues” and your “Love” for it will shine through… then again, success will be yours!
Like everything in life, there is always more. If you want to obtain more from what you do, learn all sides of it. There are three M’s for getting “MORE” out of your career or business.
- Learn how to Market.
- Learn how to Move on your marketing success.
- Learn how to Manage it once you have it.
If you want more and you learn how to get it… success will be yours.
What I have laid out here is an outline. It is not my or anyone else’s responsibility to do anything for you, it’s yours! There are millions of college graduates out there who fall short in their careers because they don’t improve on what the professors laid down as a foundation for them. You must take education to the next level by expanding on what you have learned.
If you take this outline and apply it, you too will be successful.
So... Is it in "your" blood?
We are moving on up...
Tech on!!!
Mike Mehrle
The Savvy Tech
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Something to think about...
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Is teaching the assembly business to a guy who only has a technician mentality anything like making a guy who was successful at running a lemonade stand the CEO of Microsoft?
I have had three techs that have had near zero experience in our business contract with me and thought they could just take over; but after they saw I was not an easy take over target they quit.
They all said, “so, I make 65% for doing all the work and you get 35% for doing nothing”; I should have never hired them.
All I am saying here is, if you have a successful assembly business... be very careful who you contract to, they may have your business in their sights. It is almost always easier to steal... but the thief eventually fails because anything worth having is worked for. It has taken me ten years of assembly work and 30 years of being in engineering support to get where I am and with very little reward in the past; but I stuck with it, "did not" listen to the naysayer and today… I can say I did it.
There has been little activity on the network because I have been out turning the wrench more these day's. The difference between a national company and a local assembly business owner is if a tech quits... the owner is nearby and can do the work themselves. Arrogance and pride keeps those who only want more money away from really making it.
Don't think for one second we are losing the grip of our stand in this industry. It is a struggle, even for me at times but what keeps me going is I know the outcome of hard work.
I am no better than anyone of you! You have the control of your own destinies, but you have got to work it; and that is what I do daily. If you are looking for immediate rewards you might as well play the lottery because just like the lottery and hoping for immediate results, odds are... you will lose!
I am working on the next Blog posting titled... "It is in my blood" I will share with you why I have what I do and how you can do the same.
Tech on!
MikeM
http://The-Savvy-Tech.com
http://www.facebook.com/MikeMehrle
http://twitter.com/TheSocial_1
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Who would you recommend other techs work for?
This is an anonymous evaluation so you can be as honest as you wish.
(Just don't sign with your real e-mail and name).
Please give your comments below about the survey and what the NAC cam do to make the technician happy.
Click here to EVALUATE...
Click here to view RESULTS...
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$35,000 from the start of the referral program
Sorry about the span between newsletters! I have been extremely busy with basketball goals, the crane and my accounts in central Ohio.
I thought you might be interested to know… I set up a form on our website March 15th of this year to gather information from prospective customers for the networks referral program. As of today May 19, 2010 there has been over $35,000 worth of referral business that has either gone unanswered or… and this gets me, unpaid referral fees.
That $35,000 is from organic searches only, since we are not running ads yet. Ads will only run in areas we have coverage. If the network receives a request from an area we do not have coverage, we will do everything we can to make sure the customer is serviced.
I really think after ads start running and with the great organic results we are already getting on the major search engines, our network has the potential of generating over $100,000 a month in referral business and possibly more soon after that.
The way the referral program will work (as it really is currently, just not officially) if you get a referral, do the job and get paid… you will owe the network the 10% referral fee. If you are a premium subscriber and don’t pay your referral fees; we will find another contractor in your area to accept jobs that “will” pay. If the new contractor pays for a premium listing (again if you do not pay your referrals) you will only be allowed a basic listing when it comes time for your renewal.
If you have ever thought about listing, now is the time. We are only going to allow one (1) premium contractor per major city… not metro area. There will be unlimited basic listings. Premium subscribers get the first opportunity for all referrals, and then it goes in order of who signed up first in the basic listings.
If you have signed up and not heard from us... call the office at 614-364-4232 to claim your area.
As the network makes more money… we can entertain the idea of running sponsored ads.
Please make sure to leave a comment of what you think about the referral program.
Also... take a minute to introduce yourself click here .
To your success…
Mike Mehrle
The Savvy Tech
Tech on!
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Basketball Goal Backboard Installation
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FINISHED...
Check out the video and let me know what you think:
NOTE: It is not necessary to be a part of our network to comment.
Typical Assembly - Installation - Repair Pricing
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This is where we will list pricing that is typical to our industry. It is not set pricing as to what you should charge or what the customer should expect to pay. It is only a guideline to help you figure out how to set your local pricing and for consumers to see what they can expect to pay a "professional" to assemble, install or repair their products.
A fast but not so accurate way of pricing is to charge a percentage of the item. The problem is you need to know pricing or ask the customer and trust they will give you the retail price and not a sale price. Here is The Savvy Techs percentage method:
Basketball Goals - 35% plus or minus
Fitness Equipment - 40% and higher
Furniture - 30% and higher
Game Tables - 45% and higher
Repair Services - $50 on site diagnostic $75 if it can be fixed without ordering parts and by quote after getting price on parts.
Swing Sets - 50% and higher
If you are a tech, consumer or anyone of concern with questions about this pricing structure... Feel free to post questions, comments or your own suggested pricing.
The items below that are highlighted have some pricing:
Basketball Goals
Fitness Equipment
Furniture
Game Tables
Repair services
Swing Sets
In-Ground Systems
ProDunk Hoops
(premium system)
Pro Dunk® Diamond - $475.00
Pro Dunk® Platinum - $450.00
Pro Dunk® Gold - $375.00
Pro Dunk® Silver - $375.00
Pro Dunk® Bronze - $350.00
Lifetime, 51794 91794, 16640072, 46" Reactor Impact - $325.00
Lifetime/Titan, 71797, 16640085, 48" Square Shatter Guard - $325.00
Lifetime, 51747, 19214201, 48" RBK - $325.00
Lifetime, 71798, 19655132, 50" Steel In-Ground - $325.00
Lifetime, 51781 51780, 16641495, 50" Shatter Guard - $325.00
Lifetime, 79953 59953, 16642737, 54" Shatter Guard Competition - $325.00
Lifetime, 59971, 19655145, 54" RBK Glass In-Ground - $350.00
Mammoth, 98854, 16642740, 54" Mammoth - $375.00
Mammoth, 98860, 16642753, 60" Mammoth - $375.00
Mammoth, 98872, 1662795, 72" Mammoth - $450.00
Mammoth, 98856, 19655158, 54" Mammoth Glass - $375.00
Mammoth, 98862, 19655161, 60" Mammoth Glass - $375.00
Mammoth, 98874, 19655174, 72" Mammoth Glass - $450.00
Goalrilla III, B2306, 5549168, Goalrilla III - $350.00
Goalrilla II, B2314W, 5548978, Goalrilla II - $375.00
Goalrilla I, B2308, 1291805, Goalrilla I - $450.00
Portables:
Lifetime/Titan, 91204 51204, 16638547, 44" Pro-Court Impact - $105.00
Lifetime/Titan, 91471 1471, 15894667, 44" Acrylic Fusion w/handle - $125.50
Lifetime, 71543, 16638835, 44" Square Clear Shatter Guard - $135.50
Lifetime, 71922, 16638903, 48" Shatter Guard Fusion - $$135.50
Lifetime, 51547, 19214188, 48"RBK Portable - $125.50
Lifetime, 71564, 19655116, 50" Steel Portable - $135.50
Lifetime, 51452 51456, 16639863, 50" Shatter Guard Infusion - $135.50
Lifetime, 51523 71523, 16640001, 54" Shatter Guard Competition - $135.50
Lifetime, 9301, 5116627, Shoot Case - Bee Graphics - $95.00
Lifetime, 1301, 16677061, Poolside 44" - $95.00
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Pricing for fitness equipment coming soon... suggestions? Post below:
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Pricing for furniture coming soon... suggestions? Post below:
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Pricing for game tables coming soon... suggestions? Post below:
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Pricing for repair services coming soon... suggestions? Post below:
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All American Palace Swing Set Installation Price $625.00
Atlantis Swing Set Installation $475.00
Bear Creek Bungalow $425
Big Sky Swing Set Installation $825.00
Blue Ridge Chateau II Installation $570.00
Blue Ridge Mountaineer Installation $625.00
Carlisle Swing Set Installation $375.00
Carolina Swing Set Installation $475.00
Congo Swing Set Installation $305.00
Crestwood Lodge Installation $475.00
Eagle's Lookout $925
Frontier Swing Set Installation $525.00
Greenbrook Swing Set Installation $450.00
Highlander Swing Set. Installation Price $625.00
Lexington Swing Set Installation $825.00
Northwoods Hideaway $650
Pioneer Peak Installation $675.00
Rocky Mountain Retreat With Tube Slide Installation $575.00
Ridgeview Clubhouse Installation price $450.00
Sierra Outdoor Playset $450
Sunchaser Swing Set Installation $250.00
Sundance Swing Set Installation Price $425.00
The Condor $725
Timberlodge $1,250
Wildwood Fort $450
Willowdale Swing Set Installation $525.00
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Do you have what it takes to go into battle?
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A steam roller coming at you full steam ahead… what’s going to stop it?
A snowball rolling down the side of a mountain… once it gains momentum… what’s going to stop it before it turns into an avalanche?
A network of professionals sticking together and growing a United Team… what’s going to stop them?
NOTHING!!!
I am so proud of you all… the emails… the posts… the phone calls.
I am humbled by your comments, but it is “you” that is the network not me. I may be here as the founder, but again, without the independents, the network is nothing and this industry is nothing. It is “I” who thanks all of you who have rallied support giving me a new breath and confidence needed to take us to the next level.
There have been many battles… but I see the war coming to an end. If the national assembly companies want to stay in business they will need to make adjustments to their failing system of promoting themselves as saviors to this industry with software programs; and fess up by admitting that “WE” are the backbone and “WE” are what makes this industry the reason it is even there.
We are building relationships that will turn this industry around… because of the Internet leveling the playing field; it has allowed us to become unified where it has never been possible to do in the past.
We have had two great interviews and there are many more to come. This relationship building and our new referral program is what you have always wanted; and now… it is in your grasp. The manufacturers know consumers deserve professional technicians like you.
We are very serious about the limited numbers of premium listings, so please, if you are considering subscribing to this network, don’t let someone take it away that hasn't been around as long as you have because you waited too long.
For anyone still on the fence… that’s alright; because you are now on a very high fence where your voice can be heard when you scream “WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH, AND WE ARE TAKING IT NO MORE!” , then make the jump to our side and win together!
You are a professional but many times treated like something much less, as you are used and abused, the technicians image is presented to retailers and consumers that it is the techs that have screwed up this industry.
I don’t really have a problem with the national companies other than none of them really get it… yet! You need to understand, it is not always the national “assembly” companies fault… Their hand is also played by the national retail chains that dictate what the national assembly company can charge. All of this needs to be fixed; including the percentages you are paid!!
If you like this type of work and you don't mind working for a national assembly company, you now have the voice to make the national assembly companies work on paying you what you are really worth; but it is going to take a continued unification and building of our network and our relationships!
Thank you for your continued support… now lets go win this!
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