Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2019 62 T he United Appliance Servicers Association's (UASA) Most Professional Servicer Contest is a very rewarding project for us as we see how the professional image of service companies has improved over time. Last year's contest at the 2019 Annual Service Training Institute (ASTI) in Nashville was by far the largest so far. We offered more prizes than ever, and we look forward to making the contest bigger by out-performing last year's event. The contest offers great recognition and is a fine team-building medium, and it's open to all appliance service companies – so grab your service managers and get started. CONTEST DETAILS There will be three winners and six runners-up in each category. Prizes include UASA memberships, admission to future ASTIs, a marketing package, bragging rights and more. Dacor surprised us all at the 2019 ASTI by giving away three ranges of the winner's choice. There are four size categories: 1-2 tech, 3-7 tech, 8-plus tech shop. To enter, follow the link to www.unitedservicers.com. The contest ends November 30, 2019. The winners will be chosen by their peers at the 2020 ASTI in St. Petersburg. Thank you to our volunteer judges, contest sponsors, Plus One Solutions and Dacor, and to all those who entered the contest. Congratulations again to our 2019 Most Professional Servicer first place winners: Advanced Appliance (1-2 Techs), Pegasus Appliance Repair (3-7 Techs), and Lake Appliance Repair (8+ Techs) and also to our runners up: Northeast Appliance Repair, Oak Valley Appliance, Sharper Service Solutions, Village Home Stores, 911 Appliance Repair, and A.B. May. I reached out to former Executive Director Paul MacDonald to ask him about the origins of the contest. Paul said, "For years as the Executive Director of United Servicers Association, and as a presenter at Regional Service Training Institute (RSTI) and ASTI events, my fellow presenters and I were often speaking about the professionalism of the independent servicers in the Appliance Repair Industry. I remember speaking about the first impressions our technicians make with customers and how important those are to our company's success. "I once saw a billboard in Dallas that read in very large letters 'Act Your Wage,' with a sharply dressed service person displayed next to the words. The phrase was permanently etched in my brain. If you want to charge professional rates, you'd better look and act like a professional. For many independent service providers, they get how important it is to run a professional repair business, and all that it takes to make that happen. Make no mistake, it's not easy, but it's not impossible. "While dining at one of my favorite restaurants in 2013, I noticed several highly visible plaques hung with pride on a wall. They read 'Best of the Bbest By Palm Springs Life Magazine.' The company in each category with the most votes was honored by its industry colleagues at a gala event. "I immediately decided that United Servicers needed to do something similar, to recognize our members who stood out as the most professional servicers as judged by their peers. And so the Most Professional Servicer Contest was born at the 2014 ASTI. Not only could members take their recognition home to brag to their customers, United Servicers could show off the contestants' entries to the manufacturers and the United Servicers sponsors. A win-win for all, and a great pat on the back for many." Paul's great idea launched a powerful vehicle for helping to improve the image of our industry by highlighting the best appliance service technicians and companies, one at a time. This is a key part of the United Appliance Servicers Association mission, and I am proud to be a part of it. Please get involved! S E R V I C E D E P A R T M E N T David Smith Dave Smith Appliance Services LLC Toledo, OH. United Servicers Association Board Director Most Professional Servicer Contest Committee Chairman RO THE UNITED APPLIANCE SERVICERS ASSOCIATION'S MOST PROFESSIONAL SERVICER CONTEST

• Cover