12: Questions You Need To Ask About Contractor Software with Heidi Ellsworth

If you are considering purchasing new contractor software or upgrading your existing system, you need to listen to today’s interview with tech expert Heidi Ellsworth. Heidi has been in the roofing industry for 25 years, so she has seen it all. She managed the Construction Sales Division at tech pioneer EagleView Technology Corp and now runs her own roofing focused marketing firm, HJE Consulting Group. She has a regular column in Roofing Contractor Magazine and recently helped found the National Women In Roofing Council. Heidi is also a partner in the tech driven networking site RoofersCoffeeShop.com where roofers gather to network with other contractors and industry veterans to discuss the latest issues we all face in our day-to-day operations, so everyone should sign up for that! Since Heidi is a regular speaker at industry events, I’m going to drill down to get the bullets from her recent presentations “Are You Ready For Software” and “The Questions You Need To Ask Before You Buy Contractor Software” to get you the information you need to know. What you’ll hear in this episode: How Roofers Coffee Shop began in the 1980’s and was transformed in 2000 Technology, history, current trends and more: Connect with others in the Roofers Coffee Shop How contractors can get involved and take advantage of this resource Questions I should be asking about software: Am I ready for software? What are our processes? How do our processes transition online? How do I integrate? How to pair veteran roofers and millennials within new technology The necessary technology, equipment, and using the cloud What is your focus? What is CRM? (customer relations management) The importance of a relationship with your software company Training and support for your team How to get started: Visit trade shows and software booths Network with other contractors Talk to distributors and manufacturers Why you need software with customer portals The new technology coming to our industry Problems some contractors have with the transition to new software: Not having scalability Not having security Not giving ownership of your data Not providing the tools you need Resources: Sales and Marketing for Roofing Contractors by Heidi J. Ellsworth and Karen L. Edwards HJE Consulting (Heidi provides 30-minute consultations through membership in the NRCA) Email Heidi: [email protected] or [email protected] Find Heidi on Linked In www.rooferscoffeeshop.com Recommended software: www.acculinks.com www.companycam.com www.jobnimbus.com www.jobprogress.com www.contractorscloud.com www.rooflogic.com www.theestimatingedge.com www.dataforma.com www.companycam.com