The former Pimlico Group CEO Charlie Mullins sold 90% of his trade empire in 2021 for over £100 Million — that’s a lot of plumbing. Charlie started out like many, as a local apprentice and after 40 years of hard work he became the most recognised trade business in the UK.
Pimlico Plumbers generated early success in a variety of different ways. One key aspect was his ability to recognise the pain points customers had with plumbers and was able to solve these with his own service. This key problem-solving aspect was supported by many other factors that all contributed to the local service becoming a UK trade empire.
Here’s a 10-step guide to building a thriving trades and home improvement empire in the UK:
- Service Excellence First of all, you can’t build a great business without first mastering delivery and customer service. Develop a customer service strategy that not only meets expectations — but goes above and beyond solving your customers problems.
Implement a customer relationship management system to manage customer relationships effectively and provide personalised experiences that your customers will never forget. Make sure the service expectations are met with every single customer you have.
- Construct Lead Generation Strategies All good things are downstream of leads. For any business to thrive it needs a robust and continuous pipeline of leads and tapping into the digital marketing space is where it all begins.
Utilise a mix of digital marketing techniques including SEO, PPC advertising, and social media marketing. Develop premium content that showcases your expertise to attract potential customers and elevate your business above your competition. Implement nurture email marketing sequences and referral programs to keep your calendar stacked with appointments and enquiries.
- Create a Recognisable Brand Identity
A memorable trade or home improvement service is only as good as the brand associated with it. What’s the point of giving a premium service without a premium brand identity to attach it to? If you want to stand out in the crowd, you need to look the part.
Create a recognisable brand that speaks to your target audience. Develop a distinctive visual identity including a professional logo, consistent colour scheme, and cohesive marketing materials. Craft a compelling brand story that communicates your values and what makes your trades or home improvement business unique.
- Establish a Strong Online Presence
We live in a digital business ecosystem — adapt or be left behind. Developing a premium user friendly website is the new shopfront or billboard. How would you want your shopfront to look?
Develop a user-friendly, visually appealing website that showcases your trade or home improvement services and expertise. Maintain an active online presence and encourage satisfied customers to leave online reviews, boosting your credibility and visibility.
- Develop Optimised Systems
What sets apart good trades business from a great trades business is its internal operations. Don’t shy away from implementing the newest project management software, emerging technologies and establishing efficient workflows.
Optimising with systems will need to include every single facet of your business, so be diligent with documentation and organisation. Streamlining your operations will optimise your business for maximum efficiency and give you an edge over your competitors.
- Continuously Improve Your Staff
A trade or home improvement company is only as good as the members within it. Stay on the forefront of industry tends and consistently invest in upskilling current members of your team. Embracing continuous learning and improvement is a great way to support your staff and the company overall.
Equipping your staff with the the latest skills, knowledge and technology will only further enhance the quality of your service and improve the value of your business.
- Data-Driven Decisions
Analyse then act. Without measurement there is no success. Implement the use of analytical tools to track and report on key performance indicators across all functions of your trade or home improvement business.
Use this data and reporting to make strategic business decisions. This is helpful to track business goals and have a company wide aligned vision that ensures everyone is marching to the same beat.
- Expand Your Service Offerings
As you begin to build a foothold in your initial market you can begin to expand your service offering to attract a wider customer base. Often in the trade and home improvement space, customers are undertaking large projects that require various tradesmen.
Customers love simplicity. If you can offer a one solution for all (just like The Pimlico Group), you are more likely to attract additional jobs as customers generally want the easiest way to solve their problem/s in the fastest time possible.
Ensure each expansion is strategic and aligns with your companies vision and never forget to educate consumers on what your new service offerings are.
- Strategic Partnerships
Collaborate with complimentary local businesses to create strategic partnerships that are beneficial for both parties. This could include, real estate agencies, other trades professionals, or corporate partnerships.
This is a great way to reach more customers within your industry. It also helps align your brand with another brand, where done strategically, can elevate your business to a more premium status (above your competitors).
- Scale Your Business
Once you’ve covered the first 9 steps and established a rock solid foundation — you might want to take it to the next level. This could be expanding your team, growing in new markets or simply dominating any competitors that are left. This scaling process is one that needs to be undertaken with precision and care but if done correctly, might turn your business into the next £100 million empire.
By incorporating these ten steps into your trade or home improvement business operations you are well on your way to building the next empire in the UK.
