"Service Business of the Year” Award


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"Service Business of the Year” Award

Local Newspaper Names McAfee “Service Business of the Year”

At a business awards banquet held on December 11, 2009 in Dayton, Ohio, McAfee Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. was named “Service Business of the Year.” The local awards gala, sponsored by the Dayton Business Journal (DBJ) and presented by Soin International*, is a prestigious, black-tie event held each year at the Shuster Performing Arts Center to honor local companies and business leaders who have outshined their competition. On this night, awards were handed out in seven different categories that gave recognition to a top executive, nonprofit organizations, manufacturers, minority businesses, young and start-up companies, community supporters and service businesses. The final award is given to the overall Business of the Year as selected from winners in each of the other categories. In a special insert printed by the DBJ, feature articles were included that highlighted all of the award winners, including McAfee Heating and Air Conditioning. In that story, written by staff reporter Joe Cogliano, Greg McAfee talks about his company and explains its success. “We decided at the beginning of the year that we weren’t going to participate in the recession,” said McAfee. “That’s not to be cocky… I say I can’t control GM, I can’t control Chrysler, but I can control McAfee Heating and Air.” As a result, McAfee increased their sales by 18 percent in 2009. Their ideas to boost business included advertising special offers tied to helping customers through the recession, including a discount (up to $1,500) that matches federal income tax credits for new heating and air conditioning installations. Their tried and true marketing methods also worked just as effectively, like continuing to promote their preventative maintenance program (Comfort Club) that offers regular customers annual inspections and priority service to keep air conditioning and heating systems in top shape. McAfee also offers the exclusive “8:00 to 8:00 at the Same Great Rate” program, meaning customers can schedule evening appointments for the same price as a daytime service call. According to the DBJ story, McAfee also has been more successful than other HVAC companies in the area because they have stayed out in front of potential clients by continuing to implement new marketing and advertising strategies to communicate their value to customers. This was a key point in Cogliano’s story as explained by Paul Stalknecht, president and chief executive officer of Air Conditioning Contractors of America. McAfee also credits his hard-working employees and his strategy for keeping employees in the loop with regular updates about the business. He also guarantees his workers a certain number of hours, even in tough times. But the future looks bright for the company in 2010. “We know who we are and where we are going,” says McAfee.
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