In part one of a four-part series, “MDP Mindset,” Richard and Laura share how to go from thinking like a plumber to becoming a CEO of your plumbing business, and why it is vital to the success of your business that you make that mind shift.
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3 Golden Nuggets
- You’re a CEO. You created your own business. When people ask what you do, always say, “I’m a CEO.” Own it.
- You’re not a plumber anymore. Wear clothes that make you feel like a CEO.
- You’re not plumbing anymore. You need to guide and direct the business. That is now your focus. Develop a business mindset.
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Show Notes
How to Be a Plumbing CEO
(10:08) Let’s talk about the Million Dollar Plumber mindset. When we spend time with our clients, we don’t focus on the business stuff. For a successful business, the business tasks you need to do is about 20% of it. The other 80% is what goes on in your head. It’s a mindset. Where most fail is in the mindset. It’s not that they aren’t good plumbers. It’s how they think of themselves.
Speak it and Believe it
(11:22) When you meet someone for the first time and they ask, “What you do for a living?,” don’t say, “I’m a plumber.” You own your own plumbing business. You’re not a plumber anymore. You are a CEO. We challenge our clients to always say, “I’m a CEO. I own my own plumbing business.” Put CEO on your business card, because that is what you are. That is your responsibility, and that is what you’re doing.
Another thing we stress is the practice of writing down your goals daily. Write down what you are going to achieve as CEO of your plumbing business. Write it out, then speak it out. Out loud.
You may not be a 10-truck company yet, but you say in a positive voice, “I have a 10-truck plumbing company.” The key to this exercise is to do it every day. Richard has done it every morning for years. There is power in speaking it out.
Likewise, you must be intentional about your thoughts. You may be one of the best plumbers out there, but you must be all business now. That comes from changing your mindset and thoughts. So, think it and speak it out loud: I am a CEO.
Dress up. Stand out.
(15.09) Clothes make the man. Have you heard that saying? Your clothes can identify you as a plumber. But you’ve made a choice to be a plumbing business owner. You’re not a plumber anymore. So wear clothes that make you feel like a business owner.
If someone walked into your office, and all your crew was there, would they be able to tell who the business owner is? If the answer to that is no, then you’re wearing the wrong thing.
Even if you’re still in the truck, wear a different uniform. When you are out of the truck, get rid of the work boots and the jeans. Wear something that makes you feel like a CEO. I’m not saying you have to get all suited up with a tie. You can find your groove. It’s great to be who you are — But it’s important to set yourself apart from the frontline guys. Or even from being a plumber.
People judge a book by its cover, period. When you go to the bank, and you’re asking for money, don’t go in with dirty, worn boots on. If you are involved with the local community, perhaps with the Chamber of Commerce, don’t wear your plumbing uniform to meetings. You may want to say, “They can just accept me the way I am.” It doesn’t work that way. Start to dress the part. It means no longer wearing plumbing clothes.
Some of our clients even have a CEO truck. There’s just something about that. Present yourself as a CEO. When you start seeing yourself that way and speaking out that way it elevates you.
Develop a Business Mindset
(24:00) As a plumbing business CEO your job is the business. Your focus is not with the plumbing code, the latest equipment, and techniques. If you’re thinking, “I don’t know much about business,” then you need to learn.
I’m not saying sit behind a desk and look at numbers all day. But focus on the things that will move the business. That’s The Million Dollar Plumber mindset. This is about the freedom lifestyle. It’s about creating financial wealth, and time wealth. You need to guide and direct the business. That is now your focus.
(29:00) You’ll be checking on why Joe hasn’t moved yet. He’s doing a water heater. He’s been there three hours. Why hasn’t he moved? Don’t say let me get out there and help him. Let me give him another set of hands and show him how to do it right. If you’re thinking that way, you’re going to fail. You can’t scale that.
You can either continue to do the stuff you’ve been doing, or you can learn what you need to do to create the life and the business that you truly desire. (Go to https://milliondollarpro.com/success-academy/ for your free 14-day trial.) Remember, you were purposefully and wonderfully created, and you were created to do great things. You are the CEO.
Richard’s Call to Action.
If you want to learn more about numbers that matter and how to best run your plumbing business, why not schedule a free 30-min strategy call with us? Let’s talk about your goals and where you want to be this time next year, and we’ll help you create a path to make that happen. Schedule your free strategy call here today!
