Learn how First General Vancouver Island streamlined their operations and eliminated data entry issues and communication gaps — with a little help from the construction technology experts and business consultants at The Net Effect (TNE).
Objectives
- Faster workflows
- Streamline data entry and eliminate duplicates
- Eliminate time wasted “cleaning up” records
- Improve communication
- Better support sales, marketing and customer relations efforts
About First General Vancouver Island
First General Property Restoration Specialists Vancouver Island is a full-service general contractor, restoration and disaster recovery company with experience on over 4,000 projects on Vancouver Island.
Part of a network of more than eighty locations and members of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), First General Vancouver Island is a leading provider of construction, emergency mitigation, and hazardous material remediation services in the region.
Like many construction businesses, First General Vancouver Island had challenges with their tech stack. Ryan and Rebecca Hill, the company’s owners and operators, recognized that their construction technology setup was inefficient. Too many software programs did not connect, resulting in incomplete and duplicate records.
Disconnected systems also create opportunities for errors, which they feared could negatively impact customer service, sabotage sales efforts, skew data used to make decisions, or result in direct financial losses.
Approach
First General knew they wanted construction-specific software, but with so many solutions to choose from, they wanted to be sure that they were choosing the right one to meet their goals. They also wanted a quick, painless transition to ensure maximum buy-in from everyone on their team.
“We’re extremely satisfied with The Net Effect’s services. Their expertise in construction consulting has helped us achieve tangible results, including faster and more efficient workflows, streamlined data entry, and elimination of duplicates.”
Owner-operators Ryan and Rebecca Hill had seen enough DIY disasters to know that people should stick to their strengths—in their case, construction, restoration and repair—and outsource the rest. The Net Effect (TNE), a leading construction consulting firm serving small to medium-sized construction and service businesses, had the experience and expertise they needed to make it happen.
Why They Choose The Net Effect Construction Consulting Services
A deep understanding of the construction industry and its challenges
We have first-hand experience navigating the construction industry’s challenges, so we know your frustrations, pain points, and profit assassins better than anyone. We’ve catered our business consulting services and solutions specific to the needs of construction business owners and operators.
Diversity of skills and expertise
Our business consultants have a wide range of expertise, so whether you’re looking for guidance on construction tech, online marketing strategy (e.g. PPC advertising, SEO and SEM, social media marketing, etc.), data security, or other, The Net Effect construction tech experts can help you position your company for success and growth.
Services and support tailored to the business’s needs
Nobody knows your business and its needs better than you — but we don’t mind being runner-ups. We get to know you, your team, and your business — including its strengths and weaknesses, pain points, constraints, and goals — so we can provide complete, custom-made construction solutions that will help you take your business to the next level.
First-hand experience with the best construction tech on the market
We have tested, evaluated, and compared hundreds of digital tools and software to identify the best ones for small to medium construction companies and general contractors. Our software partners produce the best ConTech solutions on the market for key areas of the industry, and we help you choose the right ones for your needs.
Results
Optimized, fully-integrated software platform
Our business consultants worked closely with the owner-operators and team to understand their needs. They realized there was a better way to utilize their main software platform, which would reduce the need for supplementary software applications. Once we had optimized their existing construction management platform and integrated it with the right applications, First General was able to streamline data entry and eliminate duplicate records.
Identified and closed communication gaps
Lacking a centralized system, which makes it possible to efficiently track progress and enable effective communication between the team and clients, our construction technology experts recognized a gap in their client communication and progress-tracking system. To solve this problem, we recommended implementing a CRM that would allow them to track progress, automate workflows, and enable more efficient communication.
Faster, more efficient workflows
After considering their current setup and technology, Net Effect technology consultants suggested Salesforce CRM, a system that would enable them to consolidate their customer data, automate workflows, and streamline communication. Salesforce CRM could be integrated with their main software platform, which would make it easier for their team to access customer data, thus reducing duplicated data entry.
Turnkey solution
To make the transition easier, our software experts customized the CRM to meet the company’s specific needs, including automating the lead generation process, setting up appointment scheduling, and developing a communication system that would improve the client experience.
Seamless transition
To ensure quick and painless implementation, our technology consultants provided comprehensive training and support to the First General team, working with them to ensure they understood the new system and could use it efficiently. This allowed them to adapt quickly to the new system, ensuring successful implementation.
“The Net Effect has been a valuable partner in supporting our sales, marketing, and customer relations efforts.”
Results at a Glance
Improved customer relations and service
More accurate reporting
Better management and tracking outcomes
More efficient processes and workflows
No more wasted time and efforts
Increased capacity to take on more projects
The Future of Construction in Canada
Significant advances in the past several years have made user-friendly and affordable construction technology and digital tools accessible to even small contractors. Of course, with more choices than ever before, the landscape has become even more complex — enlist the services of a specialist for the best results.
With the widespread adoption of digital technology across the entire supply chain, basic digital capability will become the norm — and an entry-level requirement for participation in the industry. Whatever your needs, our business consultants can help. Contact The Net Effect today.
