Dee Seneviratne

SMB owner

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@descomps I got my forklift license 1 month before settling on the acquisition of our hvac business. I think almost everyone in a sme with a forklift should have it in order to maintain optionality

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@dylthorn @NolanGore We were struggling to meet our commitments to our customers because we didn’t control our schedule with subcontractors.

So we had to do the hard thing in order to control exactly when we could install AC systems.

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@therobertbrooks Actually @therobertbrooks

You think it’s possible to build a small tool, so a tech enters the model number of the equipment,

then tool searches parts data bank, pulls current pricing and updates/creates ST (the whole pricebook chain - materials services templates)?

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@therobertbrooks Bookmarking this tweet.

I have to import old data from “Completed Jobs” folders on the network drive from the last 20 years.

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@therobertbrooks Amazing! You are crushing it.

I run a similar sized HVAC business in Australia. Curious if you mind sharing how your major %s break out?

EBITDA = 28% (1.41/5)

How does:
- Equipment
- Materials
- Direct Labour
- Overhead Labour
- All other overhead
Pan out?

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@Jason @olivergee23 is the most knowledgeable on all things Paris.

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@hubermanlab @waitbutwhy @grok what’s a “no key out function”

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@jcolesimpson I feel this post 🫶

Sometimes it’s gut punch after gut punch and you have to grin and bear it.

If it is any consolation, this event will allow you get better at picking out these customers much easier in the future.

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@LeadershipAcad1 How do you go from

“you don’t know what you don’t know”

to

“know”

as quickly as possible in an acquisition?

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@STLChrisH Do you consider a Sales person who gets: base salary plus commission all as Direct Labor cost (COGS)?

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@MikeBotkin_ @StrongpointRich Have you considered instead of hours, looking at revenue as a ratio of labour cost?

(“Direct labor efficiency ratio”)

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@STLChrisH @peteyboardman Anything you still do to keep your finger on the pulse?

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@StrongpointRich I experienced this to a minor degree.

LinkedIn post about acquisition lead to all existing and prospecting vendors to call, email, pop in…

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@ChandlerReedSMB 👋

3…years searching 😬

3 months learning.

3 months DD & closing.

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@STLChrisH Agree but there is something to be investigated about a form of “surge” pricing for seasonal businesses I think.

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@LeadershipAcad1 Years ago I started a list of issues I encountered during the week and then Friday after lunch would be spent tackling that list.

It worked well!

Might reinstate it

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@LeadershipAcad1 I worked from home one day this week and felt I had the productivity of a full five days 🤯

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@STLChrisH Really keen to hear about overbooking.

I’ve noticed you mention this several times and ending the day not being able to fill last minute gaps because they are running ahead of schedule or a last minute cancellation is soul crushing 😆

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@StrongpointRich Nope - he doesn’t know either ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Dee Seneviratne @DeeSeneviratne]

@StrongpointRich Oh sorry, I assumed that was what you were chasing. My bad!

Don’t know the first one unfortunately but a friend has traveled there extensively. I’ll check with him