PERSONALITY PROFILE 15
“ This is a business decision as much for us as for the client . It may well be that if we return within the guarantee period , which costs us money , we need to start prepping the client that the problem is more than just a blocked drain ,” says Solomons . “ By doing it this way , we are softening up the client as well as warming him up to the long-term solution . Consequently , one has a client for life because one is offering long-term solutions to the problem and not just a quick fix .” During lockdown Morningside Plumbers was called to an office park to unblock a drain – all 20 metres of it ! It became clear that the problem was not just ‘ stuff ’ blocking the drain but old broken pipes . Being an office park , it had the usual landscaped gardens with trees , so the roots had really destroyed the pipes .
This was fully established with the use of a drain camera . The client agreed that re-piping was necessary and commenced with digging up and replacing the old pipe with PVC and a host of fittings .
“ We are pleased to say there have been no further problems since the drain replacement ,” stated Solomons .
“ The success in maintenance plumbing is building a relationship with one ’ s client . This is done through trust . It is also important to develop one ’ s reputation in one ’ s own territory . It makes sense from so many angles , since one gets known as the reliable plumber , one who does good work , is honest and of course , this is good business sense . The cost of doing business is contained and working beyond one ’ s borders can become less profitable or even mean running at a loss . That just does not make sense ,” concludes Solomons .
Solomons qualified as a plumber , at Olifantsfontein , now Indlela , in 2012 and was fortunate enough to go back to university to obtain his first degree – a B Com in Marketing and Management , and then he then went on to complete an MBA . Not really wanting to go back to the trenches , he had interviews with a few supply and manufacturing companies and the minds did not meet in terms of the value he believed he was bringing to the companies . Solomons has owned Morningside Plumbers since 2013 , when he purchased the company from the previous owner who was looking to retire . As an entrepreneur , he wanted to grow the business , but run it on sound business principles .
Solomons runs the business / finance and developmental side , and Dean Chait runs the operational side . Morningside is a ‘ paperless ’ operation . After extensive research into the ‘ off the shelf ’ electronic systems , we changed the business to online CRM and Job Carding Systems .
Through the use of multiple stack software programmes , all web-based cloud software systems , he was able to shorten the job to invoice lifecycle from 24-36 hours to almost immediate . This , in turn , shortens the cash collection cycle which is important as positive case flows are the basis to running a good business . As all the programmes connect to each other , including email functionality , he has a constant and live picture of where the business is at any time , and can also run the business from any city or job site from a laptop , tablet , or smart phone .
Solomons is registered with the PIRB and is passionate about ongoing learning , which is essential if one wants to run a successful business . He also does have ‘ influencers ’ in his plumbing circle , who contribute to growing his knowledge base , both in plumbing and business , and stresses the importance of acquiring a business mentor and a ‘ go-to ’ experienced plumber to bounce ideas off .
We asked Solomons what message he has for plumbers out there , “ I think there is a very serious lack of business knowledge in the plumbing industry . Granted , I was fortunate to be able to qualify as a plumber and then obtain two degrees and these added to my growth , but success is understanding the cost of running a business and the opportunities that can be found by understanding business .” PA
“ Solomons is registered with the PIRB and is passionate about ongoing learning , which is essential if one wants to run a successful business .”
April 2021 Volume 27 I Number 2 www . plumbingafrica . co . za