Category: Workforce Collaboration

FEATURE
Streamlining Field Service Operations with Mark Scharaga (Ep. 31)

Streamlining Field Service Operations with Mark Scharaga (Ep. 31)

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In field service, staying ahead means embracing innovation and strategic partnerships.

How can a company streamline operations and enhance processes? What role does technology play in transforming service delivery?

In this episode, Michael Israel hosts Mark Scharaga, the Founder and CEO of Sora Partners, to explore the journey of his company in field service management and the pivotal role that Zuper played in revolutionizing their services. Mark touches on the challenges encountered during implementation and the triumphs that followed.

Mark discusses:

  • The founding of Sora Partners and its role as an implementation and managed service provider for point-of-sale systems
  • The integration and benefits of using Zuper software to streamline Sora Partners’ operations
  • The impact of technology on improving efficiency and customer satisfaction in field services
  • The future growth plans of Sora Partners and the anticipated expansion of their technician team
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mark Scharaga:

Connect with Michael Israel:

About Mark Scharaga:

Mark Scharaga is quickly becoming a force in the technology service industry. Starting Sora Partners in 2020 in the height of the pandemic, the Company has tripled in size and revenue. It has grown revenue every month since January of 2021. 

He leads the Company with a commitment to provide World Class services to the restaurant and cannabis industries. That goal resonates as the Company is known for providing highly skilled technology specialists, which leads to successful system implementation processes.

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FEATURE
How Can Field Service Technology Improve User Adoption and Efficiency? with Vanessa Hunt (Ep. 28)

How Can Field Service Technology Improve User Adoption and Efficiency? with Vanessa Hunt (Ep. 28)

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Whether you’re navigating change in your field service operations or implementing new technology, this episode offers practical guidance and actionable strategies to ensure success.

Join Michael Israel as he delves into this critical topic alongside Vanessa Hunt, founder of Vanessa Hunt Consulting. Together, they share invaluable insights on user adoption and the challenges faced by field service users.

Tune in to gain insights from industry experts and elevate your approach to change management!

Vanessa and Michael discuss:

  • Change management in the context of field service and implementing field service technology
  • Challenges faced by field service users who primarily use mobile devices
  • Importance of understanding the perspective of field service engineers
  • Benefits of mobile apps for field technicians
  • Essential steps for successfully implementing change management and ensuring sustained adoption
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Vanessa Hunt:

Connect with Michael Israel:

About our Guest:

Vanessa Hunt worked as an independent CRM Consultant from 2006, before establishing Vanessa Hunt Consulting Ltd in January 2010. She’s held training and management positions in software organisations and consultancies such as Maximizer Software Ltd, McAfee, Detica and CSC Computer Sciences. With over twenty years’ experience in training, marketing and CRM implementation, she’s dedicated to sourcing the best Marketing Automation, CRM and ERP solutions for her clients. Vanessa is a keen linguist, fluent in English, French, German and Italian. She’s worked on many CRM training projects, delivering training across Europe in multiple languages. Vanessa loves hiking and bikepacking in the mountains. She lives near the Chilterns with her husband and athletic cat.

 

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FEATURE
Unlocking Efficiency in Field Services by Leveraging Technology with Omer Menashe (Ep. 29)

Unlocking Efficiency in Field Services by Leveraging Technology with Omer Menashe (Ep. 29)

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Have you ever wondered how technology can help you manage field service and improve expense tracking?

Michael Israel sits down with Omer Menashe, founder of Clyr and a pioneer in driving efficiency within field service operations through innovative automated expense management solutions. Join us as we explore how Clyr’s integration with Zuper is revolutionizing the way field service professionals manage expenses, save time, and elevate customer experiences.

Michael and Omer discuss:

  • Unlocking the power of automating expense management for field service companies.
  • The seamless integration of Clyr with Zuper’s robust field service management platform.
  • Real-life benefits and significant time savings experienced by field service teams.
  • Strategies for field service companies to transition from manual to automated expense management.
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Omer Menashe:

Connect with Michael Israel:

 Linkedin: Michael Israel

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FEATURE
The Power of Relationships in Field Service with David Nour (Ep. 21)

The Power of Relationships in Field Service with David Nour (Ep. 21)

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In this older episode of the Zuper FM podcast, we’re diving deep into Relationship Economics and its transformative power in the customer service and field service industries.

Join us as we feature David Nour, CEO of The Nour Group, Inc. and author of Relationship Economics®, in this enlightening episode. David sheds light on the pivotal role relationships play in business, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a customer-centric culture.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s leading experts.

David and Michael discuss:

  • How relationship building is a critical skill that can be quantifiable and a strategic asset
  • Why focusing on fewer, deeper, authentic relationships that are mutually value-based is more important than having more contacts
  • Tips field service or customer service leaders can follow to create critical business relationships and be more disciplined and systematic in building and nurturing them
  • Effective relationship building and intentional long-term relationship development
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with David Nour: 

Connect with Michael Israel: 

About Our Guest: 

A senior leadership/board advisor, educator, executive coach, and bestselling author, David Nour is internationally recognized as the leading expert on applications of strategic relationships in profitable growth, sustained innovation, and lasting change. The author of eleven books, including bestsellers Relationship Economics® (Wiley) – forthcoming in its 3rd edition, Co-Create (St. Martin’s Press), and Curve Benders (Wiley, 2021), Nour serves as a trusted advisor to global clients and coaches corporate leaders.  

Born in Iran, Nour immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager with $100, limited family ties, and no fluency in English. He graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and went on to earn an Executive MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. He resides in Atlanta, GA, with his family.

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FEATURE
Outside-In leadership: The Fundamentals with Dennis Sadlowski (Ep. 18)

Outside-In leadership: The Fundamentals with Dennis Sadlowski (Ep. 18)

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Customer experience is the cornerstone of business success—it’s how customers perceive their interactions with your company, and it’s crucial for every business. This is as true today as it was when we first released this episode. 

But what does it take to truly excel at customer experience?

In this insightful episode, join Dennis Sadlowski, a CEO & Outside-In Leadership expert, as he unveils the roadmap to achieving the best customer experience.

Dennis discusses:

  • The outside-in leadership concept in detail
  • How outside-in leadership affects field service in a positive way
  • Why it is important to connect every employee in the company to the customer experience
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Dennis Sadlowski:

Connect with Michael Israel: 

About our Guest: 

Dennis Sadlowski is an accomplished Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, Outside-In Leader and C-suite Advisor serving domestic and international businesses. He has led public and private equity companies globally, in various industrial manufacturing and services industries. Mr. Sadlowski served as the CEO of Siemens Energy and Automation, a $4 billion, 12,000-employee operating company of Siemens AG. He also served as the CEO of CECO Environmental, CEO of International Battery, and COO (North America) of LSG Sky Chefs. Mr. Sadlowski holds a BS in Chemical and Nuclear Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from Seattle University.

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FEATURE
Expanding Completed Service Work: How to Elevate The Customer Service Experience with David Nour (Ep. 14)

Expanding Completed Service Work: How to Elevate The Customer Service Experience with David Nour (Ep. 14)

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Let’s revisit a classic! Enhancing the customer service experience isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about exceeding them. 

Going above and beyond leaves customers delighted and satisfied, fostering the kind of loyalty every business craves.

Join us as executive coach and founder of The Nour Group, David Nour, alongside Michael Israel, to expand on the strategies and activities essential for delivering an exceptional customer service experience.

David and Michael discuss: 

  • How misaligned expectations can cause customer relationships to go bad
  • What “best of breeds” is and how it relates to completed service work
  • Why data has become the new renewable energy
  • The total completed service work ecosystem and what it entails
  • How to exceed expectations by adding value to your current customer service processes
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michael Israel: 

Connect with David Nour: 

About David Nour: 

A senior leadership/board advisor, educator, executive coach, and bestselling author, David Nour is internationally recognized as the leading expert on applications of strategic relationships in profitable growth, sustained innovation, and lasting change. A Forbes Leadership contributor on the Future of Work and an Inc. contributor on Relationship Economics, Nour’s unique insights have been featured in various prominent publications, including The Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fast Company, Huffington Post Business, Entrepreneur, and Knowledge@Wharton. He’s also the host of the popular Curve Benders podcast. 

Born in Iran, Nour immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager with $100, limited family ties, and no fluency in English. He graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and went on to earn an Executive MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. He resides in Atlanta, GA, with his family.

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FEATURE
A Framework for Completed Service Work with Michael Blumberg and David Nour (Ep. 13)

A Framework for Completed Service Work with Michael Blumberg and David Nour (Ep. 13)

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Learn how mastering Completed Service Work can give your business a strategic edge. 

By leveraging field service management to forge deep connections with customers, you can cultivate loyalty, drive growth, and position your brand as a leader in your industry.

In this enlightening episode, Michael Israel is joined by industry experts Michael Blumberg, President and CEO of Blumberg Advisory Group, Inc., and David Nour, author of Relationship Economics®. Together, they delve into the profound impact of Completed Service Work on service professionals and businesses.

Michael & David discuss: 

  • How great completed service work can elevate your business above your competitors
  • The importance of having a mentor
  • How field service management helps build meaningful relationships with customers
  • Definitions of Net Promoter Score (NPS) and sentiment analysis 
  • How predictive data can be used as a leading driver of customer relationship
  • Different ways companies can empower their employees to go the extra mile for their customers
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michael Israel: 

Connect with Michael Blumberg:

Connect with David Nour: 

About Michael Blumberg:

Michael Blumberg is the President of Blumberg Advisory Group, Inc., a research and consulting firm in the field service industry. Michael’s firm provides clients with strategic guidance and tactical assistance for improving the overall profitability and quality of field service operations through procedural and systemic improvements and optimized service marketing strategies. Michael is a prolific author and frequent speaker at industry events and conferences.

About David Nour: 

A senior leadership/board advisor, educator, executive coach, and bestselling author, David Nour is internationally recognized as the leading expert on applications of strategic relationships in profitable growth, sustained innovation, and lasting change. The author of eleven books, including bestsellers Relationship Economics® (Wiley) – forthcoming in its 3rd edition, Co-Create (St. Martin’s Press), and Curve Benders (Wiley, 2021), Nour serves as a trusted advisor to global clients and coaches corporate leaders. He is an adjunct professor at the Goizueta Business School at Emory University and was named to the Global Gurus Top 30 Leadership Professionals and the Thinkers 50 Radar Class of 2021 lists. A Forbes Leadership contributor on the Future of Work and an Inc. contributor on Relationship Economics, Nour’s unique insights have been featured in various prominent publications, including The Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fast Company, Huffington Post Business, Entrepreneur, and Knowledge@Wharton. He’s also the host of the popular Curve Benders podcast. 

Born in Iran, Nour immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager with $100, limited family ties, and no fluency in English. He graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and went on to earn an Executive MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. He resides in Atlanta, GA, with his family.

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FEATURE
Completed Service Work and Its Value in Field Services with David Nour (Ep. 9)

Completed Service Work and Its Value in Field Services with David Nour (Ep. 9)

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Even though it’s from the archives, this episode packs a punch with insights that still hold true today.

Join Michael Israel and David Nour on this episode as they dive into Completed Service Work, a game-changer in field service management that goes beyond mere problem-solving to elevate service professionals and businesses alike.

In this enlightening conversation, Michael Israel and David Nour explore the transformative power of Completed Service Work, shedding light on its strategic importance and impact on service professionals and businesses.

Michael and David discuss: 

  • The concept of “Completed Service Work” and its relevance to field services 
  • How companies like Uber, Pizza Hut, Lyft have changed the expectations of consumers and businesses at large
  • How and when does a customer’s relationship begin with a business
  • The importance of being responsive and proactive in building customer relationships 
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michael Israel: 

Connect with David Nour: 

About Our Guest: 

A senior leadership/board advisor, educator, executive coach, and bestselling author, David Nour is internationally recognized as the leading expert on applications of strategic relationships in profitable growth, sustained innovation, and lasting change. The author of eleven books, including bestsellers Relationship Economics® (Wiley) – forthcoming in its 3rd edition, Co-Create (St. Martin’s Press), and Curve Benders (Wiley, 2021), Nour serves as a trusted advisor to global clients and coaches corporate leaders. He is an adjunct professor at the Goizueta Business School at Emory University and was named to the Global Gurus Top 30 Leadership Professionals and the Thinkers 50 Radar Class of 2021 lists. A Forbes Leadership contributor on the Future of Work and an Inc. contributor on Relationship Economics, Nour’s unique insights have been featured in various prominent publications, including The Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fast Company, Huffington Post Business, Entrepreneur, and Knowledge@Wharton. He’s also the host of the popular Curve Benders podcast. 

Born in Iran, Nour immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager with $100, limited family ties, and no fluency in English. He graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and went on to earn an Executive MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. He resides in Atlanta, GA, with his family.

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FEATURE
Field Service and the Potential Impact of a Recession with Michael Blumberg (Ep. 26)

Field Service and the Potential Impact of a Recession with Michael Blumberg (Ep. 26)

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Did you know that field service can be recession-proof? In a recent study conducted by Blumberg Advisory Group Inc., results showed that despite concerns of a recession, a majority of respondents are optimistic about the future. What happens most times during a recession, there is a higher demand for maintaining and servicing existing products, which works out in your best interest. 

In this episode, Michael Blumberg is back on the podcast to discuss the findings of a study conducted by Blumberg Advisory Groupon field service and its potential impact during a recession.

Michael discusses:

  • The importance of proactive service especially in field services
  • The impact of economic recessions on homeowners and businesses
  • How customers expect the same level of service across industries, thanks to Lyft and Uber and the bar they set for customer service
  • The top challenges reported in the survey, including pricing pressures, shrinking labor pool, and supply chain constraints
  • Career opportunities in the field services 
  • The use of technology, such as AI and augmented reality, in improving service delivery
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michael Blumberg:

Connect with Michael Israel:

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