Hello Everyone,
One of the other ESI members threw me a link to this discussion. I have to admit that I find it pretty interesting. I think that instead of talking back and forth to each other about what you have each heard about ESI, you might inquire from actual members. It would seem to me that this is the most logical approach. There are a lot of partial truths to what has been said here. For instance, the focus of ESI is on service work. All of you who have been in the construction, big commercial/industrial world--have been through some form of the following:
You do a med.- to-large size job. The GC or company that you are doing the work for finds it convenient for them to use you as the banker. You do the job...you pay your bills, your employees, etc. And they sit on your money (even if you have built your business to the point where you are not cometing only on price). OR worse yet, they simply fal lon hard times and refuse to pay you. A few of these jobs and your cash flow is gone for the year or more. Forget about the low profit margins...the cash flow is what will kill you.
The ESI system is one that is based on hitting double digit profit margins. It is one designed to maximize your cash flow. Do the service, charge an adequate fee--(yes ESI teaches you how to do this and not fall back into competing with the Cheap Charlie's out there--you know the $55 per hour types)--Sorry if I offended anyone but if you fall into this category you should consider possibly stopping service work and raising the bar for the rest of the business-minded folks out there.
Yes ESI does provide training. No ESI does not do any sort of lobbying. The philosophy is: it is not up to the gov't to make you money...it is up to you!
An investment in ESI or in your own company or any investment should be given the same consideration and you should have a certain standard of expectation. That is what is the return going to be? Do I want a 15% return. That is pretty good compared to what you would get in the stock market right now (or really at any time.) Do you want a 30% Return? How about a 60%, 90%, 200%, etc.? What is it? That depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Do you want to become a company with net profits of 5% or 10% or 15% while growing your revenue consistently? That is the real question.
As you big construction companies know: It doesn't matter how much you make. It is how much you keep. I would rather have my company do $800K in service and pocket $230K then do $5M and lose $75K any day!
Basically just ask ESI--"what do I get for my money?" If you don't like the answer then don't become a member. Some members are start-up companies while others are 60+ truck operations. The criteria should be the same for them as it is for you. For most of them, it's how do I become the next Patrick Kennedy. He is the same person that I am--an electrician turned business-owner who struggled for years before discovering what is necessary to make a lot of money in this business and he has faced the same challenges. So how do I implement the systems into my business to repeat what he did? Right now about 250 members are discovering this. If you have any questions call one.
As for accountants and marketers providing you with cheap advice. I promise that you will get what you pay for. How many of thes accountants and marketers have a background in the Electrical field??? How many of them can tell you what you are doing wrong and actually give you the stuff to fix it? Believe me, if these people are out there. They are a part of ESI. If you would like, you could pay me a few thousand bucks to design you a unique marketing scheme. I would not vouch for response but would take the money!
Profit On!
Landon
