Podcast 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?
1. What are our processes?
2. How do our processes transition online?
3. 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:
1. Visit trade shows and software booths
2. Network with other contractors
3. 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:
1. Not having scalability
2. Not having security
3. Not giving ownership of your data
4. Not providing the tools you need