Tag Archives: Podcast

FEATURE

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

Business Solutions, Customer Experience, Field Service Managment, Software, Startup, Technology Solutions, Uncategorized, Workforce Collaboration, , , , , , , , , , ,

This week we’ll explore the concept of Relationship Economics and how it can transform the customer service and field service industries. 

In this episode, we feature David Nour, CEO of The Nour Group, Inc. and author of Relationship Economics®, to talk about the importance of relationships in business.

David shares his insights on creating a customer-centric culture and provides practical tips on developing and maintaining long-lasting relationships with customers. 

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

FEATURE

Predicting Field Service Management Business Market in 2023 (Ep. 20)

Business Solutions, Customer Experience, Field Service Managment, Software, Startup, Technology Solutions, Uncategorized, Workforce Collaboration, , , , , , , ,

As we enter a new year, staying ahead of the curve and understanding the challenges and opportunities is essential to the field services business.

In this episode, we’re joined by Rob Freedman, Head of Growth at Zuper to explore the forecasted growth of the field service management market and the technology trends shaping the industry in 2023. 

Rob discusses everything from his latest article from outsourcing and the rise of contingent labor to the adoption of AI and automation.

Rob discusses:

  • The forecasted growth of the field service management market
  • The impact of outsourcing and the rise of contingent labor
  • Advantages of adopting AI and automation in field service management
  • How Zuper is navigating the future of field service management with technology solutions
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Rob Freedman: 

About Rob: 

Rob Freedman is a marketing executive and consultant with over 15 years of experience. He loves growing brands, developing all-star teams, and helping people achieve their professional and personal goals. Rob is a frequent contributor to articles on digital marketing trends, team leadership, and branding. As if all that weren’t enough, he also has two daughters to keep him busy! He spends his free time listening to music (he’s got eclectic tastes), traveling (he’s been everywhere from San Francisco to Kampala), reading books about the latest innovations in business, or drinking coffee (black).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

FEATURE

Service Trends to Watch Out for in 2023 with Wael Mohammed (Ep. 16)

Business Solutions, Customer Experience, Field Service Managment, Software, Startup, Technology Solutions, Uncategorized, Workforce Collaboration, , , , , , , , , , ,

The field service industry is experiencing a massive opportunity for growth in 2023.

As the industry moves forward, service leaders and technicians will need to strive to make data-driven decisions that will move them in the right direction.

In this episode, Michael Israel is joined by Wael Mohammed, EVP of Strategy at Field Nation, to talk about how the data from the work Field Nation performs helps companies scale back or scale up when needed. Wael shares some of the insights from the valuable data of the 2022 operations and how it can help inform the field service community and customers.

Wael discusses:

  • How the shift in IT and telecom needs has diversified labor sourcing strategies
  • Why it’s better to adapt to move from a fixed expense structure to a variable expense structure
  • How Field Nation’s data insights are helping its customers increase their service capabilities to expand their growth
  • How the negotiation process for technicians works
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Wael Mohammed:

Connect with Michael Israel: 

About Wael Mohammed: 

Wael Mohammed is the Executive VP of Product Management at Field Nation.He has a passion for identifying innovative concepts and transforming them into viable market solutions. With 25+ years of experience that span several industries across the B2B and B2C spectrum, Wael enjoys inspiring, mobilizing, and leading Product and cross-functional teams to deliver innovative technology products that make significant market impact.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

FEATURE

Field Nation: Cutting Labor Costs In The Market with Mynul Khan (Ep. 15)

Business Solutions, Customer Experience, Field Service Managment, Software, Startup, Technology Solutions, Uncategorized, Workforce Collaboration, , , , , , , , , ,

With the change in consumer expectations, there is a substantial investment in IT and telecom infrastructure to support the digital customer experience. As a result, the demand for skilled technical labor as a fast, convenient cost-cutting option has risen.

In this episode, Michael Israel sits down with Mynul Khan, CEO of Field Nation, to discuss his company and how it has been able to meet the demand for technical labor, manage macroeconomic obstacles and reduce overall costs for companies.

Michael and Mynul discuss:

  • What the impetus was for founding Field Nation
  • How Field Nation got into the overall field service landscape
  • How Field Nation is helping businesses through this inflationary period
  • The trends Mynul sees for field services in 2023
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Mynul Khan:

Connect with Michael Israel: 

About Mynul Khan: 

Mynul Khan is the founder and CEO of Field Nation. Khan graduated from St. Cloud State University, where he developed an affinity for business start-ups. After selling his first venture, Khan launched Minneapolis-based Field Nation in 2008, when he identified the emerging contingent workforce trend.

Field Nation is not Mynul Khan’s first startup, but it is the one into which he has poured all of who he is. Mynul is the Founder and CEO of Field Nation; the leading online work marketplace for connecting people to get work done. His programming and data analyst background, as well as a honed “growth hacking” business acumen, combine in the form of a humble and soft-spoken man who is uniquely driven.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

FEATURE

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

Business Solutions, Customer Experience, Field Service Managment, Software, Startup, Technology Solutions, Uncategorized, Workforce Collaboration, , , , , , , ,

Enhancing the customer service experience is really all about exceeding expectations. Going above and beyond for your customer leaves them feeling delighted and satisfied — ultimately building the customer Loyalty you want.

In this episode, we build on last week’s conversation about the concept of completed service work with executive coach and founder of The Nour Group, David Nour. 

David Nour and Michael Israel expand on completed service work and the activities involved in delivering an effective customer service experience that leaves a positive impact on customers.

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

FEATURE

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

Business Solutions, Customer Experience, Field Service Managment, Software, Startup, Technology Solutions, Uncategorized, Workforce Collaboration, , , , , , , , ,

Completed Service Work is a lot more than providing service to customers when things need fixing. It’s a very strategic aspect of the business if performed correctly can set your business apart from your competitors. 

In this episode, Michael Blumberg, the President and CEO of Blumberg Advisory Group, Inc. and David Nour, the author of Relationship Economics® join Michael Israel. The trio discusses how completed service work elevates service professionals and businesses. They explain in detail the importance of using field service management to build meaningful relationships with customers. 

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

FEATURE

Live From the HubSpot Inbound Conference in Beantown (Ep. 12)

Business Solutions, Customer Experience, Field Service Managment, Software, Startup, Technology Solutions, Uncategorized, Workforce Collaboration, , , , , , , , , ,

There is no doubt that HubSpot is one of the leading CRM platforms for scaling businesses. 

One of the main reasons HubSpot has managed to stay the course in a competitive industry is because of its ease of integration with many other solutions and applications such as Zuper FSM.

Michael Israel and the Zuper team take the show on the road to Boston for the Hubspot Inbound 2022 Conference in this episode. He gives us a sneak peek into the events and discussions at this conference and shares the highlights of Zuper’s partnership with HubSpot.

Michael discusses: 

  • Zuper’s integration with HubSpot
  • The conference that led him to join the Zuper team
  • The speakers and events at the Inbound 2022 conference
  • His experience visiting Boston now as a former resident of the city
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michael Israel:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

FEATURE

Gearing Up for the Fourth Industrial Revolution with Wajid Zakir (Ep. 11)

Business Solutions, Customer Experience, Field Service Managment, Software, Startup, Technology Solutions, Uncategorized, Workforce Collaboration, , , , , , , ,

Did you know that we’re currently in the midst of our Fourth Industrial Revolution?

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is a period of rapid transformation across industries, societies, and nations. Technology, connectivity, and automation have been at the forefront of this revolution.

In this episode, We make a virtual stop in the UAE to speak with Wajid Zakir, Co-Founder and Director of Quiz Infomatics. He discusses how the UAE is gearing up to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution, some challenges businesses face when transitioning from traditional to digital, and strategies to overcome them. 

Wajid discusses: 

  • The three initiatives driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the UAE
  • Five strategies for successful digital transformation
  • COVID’s impact on technology adoption in the UAE
  • How companies could grow in a competitive market with digital initiatives
  • The need for education in field management tools and their implementation in every industry
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Michael Israel: 

Connect with Wajid Zakir

About our Guest: 

Wajid Zakir works with clients to help them transform their way of doing business. He uses technology to enhance customer experience, improve business processes, optimize costs, and maximize the use of tech opportunities.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

FEATURE

Streamlining Services in the Landscaping Industry with Ben Souva and Jacob Krum (Ep. 10)

Business Solutions, Customer Experience, Field Service Managment, Software, Startup, Technology Solutions, Uncategorized, Workforce Collaboration, , , , , ,

The best businesses are created when you’ve identified a problem that needs solving. Our guests this week found their niche in the landscaping market as a result of their own frustrating experiences. 

In this episode, Ben Souva and Jacob Krum, the founders of Trim Landscaping, join Michael Israel to discuss the circumstances that made them start a landscaping business. They explain the usefulness of different technologies in solving the operational inefficiencies and business challenges that were getting in the way of achieving their goals. 

Ben and Jacob address: 

  • How they reinvented and modernized the way landscapers operate and manage their businesses
  • Their journey of how they started vs. where they are now 
  • What to look for in a technology partner that helps with scaling your business
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michael Israel: 

Connect with Ben Souva and Jacob Krum:

About Ben Souva:

When it comes to growth and development strategies, Ben Souva never fails to bring his innovative approach to the table.

Ben used his extensive business development experience to develop new solutions for the back-end operations of his local landscaping business. Within one year of implementing Saas and Enterprise strategies, he saw business revenue increase by over five times its yearly average.

Today, Ben is proud to help landscapers around the country improve their operations, grow their revenues, and find success doing what they do best!

About Jacob Krum: 

Jacob Krum is a true magician in the world of business. A proven, passionate entrepreneur with an innate and unique ability to quickly assess and advise on growth strategies, Krum has demonstrated his expertise throughout his career by rapidly scaling multiple businesses from zero to over $650K MRR in as little as one year.

Combining his love for real estate with his drive to grow ventures, Krum is the owner and operator of Nvest realty. This firm identifies, targets, and purchases residential properties in the Phoenix metro area to renovate into profitable vacation rentals. Since its inception, Nvest has hosted more than 600 groups at Nvest branded assets. Forward-thinking and synergy-focused, Nvest added a burgeoning landscaping business to its portfolio in 2020 and has increased its gross revenue by more than 1,300% in its first year.



Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

FEATURE

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

Business Solutions, Customer Experience, Field Service Managment, Software, Startup, Technology Solutions, Uncategorized, Workforce Collaboration, , , , , ,

You’ve probably heard of a popular management principle called Completed Staff Work. Completed Service Work is an evolution of this concept of doing everything thoroughly and anticipating next steps to the world of field service management.

Did you know there is more to completed service work than simply fixing a customer’s problem? 

In this episode, Michael Israel talks to David Nour, the author of Relationship Economics® about how completed service work elevates the service professionals, their impact on the businesses, and the need for a more strategic conversation around services than taking a transactional approach.

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.



Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS