The Inflation Reduction Act: Key Strategies For Finding Workers and Working With State Energy Offices

The Inflation Reduction Act is set to provide a lot of subsidies and other resources to contractors. But unless you know the details, you may not be able to maximize them for your business. That’s why we’ve invited Xavier Walter on the show to chat with IDI’s Business Development expert Ken Allison. They explain how you can get access to these benefits and how to best utilize them to hire and retain the best talent.

Xavier is the State Outreach Coordinator with the Building Performance Association. He is a certified energy auditor and contractor building science trainer for over 15 years in the home performance industry. He’s going to share some of his experience and how he built and ultimately sold his company by building a team of professionals, many who are still in the industry today. We discuss these rebates, how you can make sure your state actually takes advantage of them, and how to recruit, onboard, and retain workers by providing a clear career pathway.

For more on the Inflation Reduction Act Bill, read here: https://www.idi-insulation.com/what-does-the-inflation-reduction-act-mean-for-you-and-your-company/

In this podcast…

3:06 – Why this money is NOT a guarantee for contractors and what you can do about it

7:12 – What can you do to start adding labor for new construction projects?

12:45 – Training and wage subsidies options

15:59 – Thinking differently about what newer generations of workers want

23:28 – Rethinking employee benefits for better worker retention

Doing Things The Right Way with Suburban Manufacturing

Doing things the right way, even when it’s harder, will help you maintain a business with great customer relationships and a reputation that attracts more customers. That’s a philosophy that is central to the success of Suburban Manufacturing and our guest today, Mike May.

Mike is the Product Manager of the Python division at Suburban Manufacturing, which is headquartered in Monticello, Minnesota. He has been working with the spray foam industry since Suburban first launched the Sidewinder Spray Foam Sleeve back in 2016, with his main focus being new product development, product line management, and new business development.

Mike takes us behind the scenes and tells us how Suburban tests the innovative products that you count on to protect your rig.

In this podcast…

1:00 – The importance of doing things the right way

6:00 – All of the industries that Suburban Manufacturing designs solutions for

8:23 – Keeping the contractor off the hook for very expensive hoses

11:26 – How Suburban uses “Stage Gate” to ensure that products that go to market solve the biggest problems

15:43 – Why Suburban partners with IDI to get products into contractor’s hands

17:48 – Why do people love to use the Sidewinder Hose Wrap and how the thermal elements helps contractors in all climates

23:29 – How Suburban developed a drum blanket that was actually easy to store

29:00 – Finding the best place for a drum blanket temperature