Missed the latest episode of Shift to the Future? We have you covered. Episode 4, AI is here! What should I do and not do with it for my business? We brought in Tersh Blissett, HVACR business owner of Service Emperor and host of the popular podcast Service Business Mastery, to share how AI has revamped his business operations.
Hosted by Brian Feenie, ACCA’s QI certificates chief encouragement officer, the conversation explored the many ways AI tools can automate tasks, streamline operations, and give HVACR business owners much-needed time back in their days.
Watch the full episode here and make sure to catch the next episode:
January 21: Why putting your pricing online isn’t as scary as you think
Highlights from the episode
An unexpected opportunity to change careers – Blissett’s path into HVACR wasn’t a straight line. After leaving the United States Air Force and earning an engineering degree, he realized he was earning just as much money as his friend an HVACR. The only difference was, he was saddled with student loan debt while his friend wasn’t. Seeing that success encouraged Blissett to take a chance and transition into the industry. What started as a whim turned into a career, with Blissett eventually founding his own HVACR company and podcast.
A passion for automation grows – Diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia as an adult, Blissett discovered that automating repetitive tasks helped him stay focused and productive while he got to focus on working with his hands. In 2017, as cloud technology grew, Blissett leaned into AI to simplify daily operations. The shift allowed him to manage his business remotely, even before remote work became the norm when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.
Fitting AI into the HVACR industry – As the conversation shifted to integrating AI tools into HVACR operations, Feenie raised a common (and valid!) concern: AI can feel overwhelming—and risky. Blissett agreed but emphasized that AI tools, especially custom-built ones, make life so much easier. For instance, he built a custom GPT with ChatGPT that creates invoice summaries. The tool asks targeted questions about service calls and generates easy-to-read invoices, free from complex and unnecessary jargon at an 8th-grade reading level, making it effective and accessible for his team.
Mitigating AI’s security concerns – AI’s speed is a double-edged sword. While it saves time, it also raises security concerns. Blissett suggested practical solutions, like uploading documents without logos or sensitive data to minimize risks. His AI-driven SOP builder, which simplifies creating standard operating procedures, is another example of how automation reduces repetitive work without sacrificing security.
Even outside work, AI has proven useful for Blissett’s family. He shared a story about using a custom GPT to navigate warranty disputes for his wife’s car, saving $1,800 by quickly finding the relevant documentation. Creating the custom GPT took about 30 minutes, but finding the answers he needed to settle the dispute (and save big) took seconds.
Practical AI solutions for business owners – For businesses looking to explore AI, but are unsure where to start, Blissett recommended starting small. One simple yet effective use? AI-generated responses to online reviews. By crafting empathetic, thoughtful replies, businesses can boost their online reputation without getting bogged down in emotion.
Profit and loss (P&L) analysis is another area where AI shines. Blissett encouraged uploading profit and loss statements—minus branding—for AI-driven insights into financial performance. Tools like Perplexity, which pulls cited information from search engines, and Claude for copywriting can also strengthen business strategy.
Using AI to upstage competitors – When Feenie asked about low-hanging fruit for adopting AI, Blissett suggested starting with customer pain points. He recommended reviewing competitors’ 1- and 2-star reviews to identify recurring issues. Business owners can then create videos that address these problems. By targeting these specific concerns, the videos are more likely to appear in local Google searches, positioning the business as a problem solver and attracting potential customers.
As Blissett pointed out, AI isn’t just another tool—it’s a way to buy back your time.
Blissett shared several other exciting AI tools for business owners, including:
Scorecard builder custom GPT
Checklist builder for any job position
Quote summary builder (without industry jargon)
Custom GPT builder
Zapier builder
Marketing Mentor
Want to learn more? Don’t miss the next Shift to the Future episode, where Feenie will sit down with E-DEN Instant Quote co-founder Josh Koplin and dig into the hotly debated topic of online pricing.
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