We All Clicked “No” on Clippy. Most Trade Businesses Never Got Asked.
Clippy was turned off because 1990s tech wasn't ready. Trade job management systems are ready today, but powerful features sit dormant because nobody ever asked.
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From the blog
Practical thinking for trade and field service business owners, on pricing, profit, job management, and making the most of Simpro.
The Work Is Finished. The Job Is Still Open.
Every trade business has them. Jobs that were completed weeks ago, sitting open in the system because something small never got closed off. Here is why unclosed jobs drain cash flow and how to fix it.
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You Know Your Charge-Out Rate. Do You Know How Many Hours Actually Reach a Job?
Ask a trade business owner what they charge for labour and you'll get an answer straight away. Ask what percentage of the hours they pay for actually end up costed to a job, and the answer usually takes a bit longer.
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AI Won't Create the Gap. It'll Expose the One You Already Have.
We're starting to get the AI question from clients. It usually arrives the same way: a bit of pressure, a bit of worry, and some version of 'how do we make sure we're not left behind?' It's a fair question. But it's pointed in the wrong direction…
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You Finished the Job. So Where Did the Profit Go?
It's one of the most frustrating experiences in a trade business. The job is done, the invoice is sent, the team did solid work, and yet when you sit down to review the numbers, the margin just isn't there. You weren't slow. You weren't sloppy. So what happened?
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You've Hit a Growth Ceiling. Your Systems Are the Reason.
Most trade business owners don't realise they've stopped growing. They're just incredibly busy. There's a stage every successful trade business hits. The phone's ringing. The team's out. Jobs are getting done. You're turning over decent money. And yet…
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Why Your Pricing Looks Right… Until the Job Is Finished
Most trade business owners put real thought into their pricing. Rates are reviewed, margins are calculated, and quotes go out feeling solid. On paper, the numbers make sense. Yet all too often, when the job is finished and the invoice is sent, the profit doesn’t match expectations. The work was ...
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When “Good Enough” Is Costing Your Trade Business More Than You Think
Most trade and service businesses don’t think their systems are broken. Jobs are getting done. Invoices are going out. The team is busy. On the surface, everything looks fine. But here’s the uncomfortable truth…
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The Trades Are Changing Fast - And These Insights Matter Even More as We Head Into 2026
The Simpro Software + Quietly Outlook Report was released earlier this year, but reading it again now, a few months later, the insights feel even more relevant as we head toward 2026. In fact, many of the trends it highlighted have only become clearer in the work I’m seeing every day with trade b...
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Why Being Busy Doesn’t Always Mean You’re Making Money in Your Trade Business
It’s a story I hear all the time from tradies. The phone won’t stop ringing, the vans are out all day, and everyone’s working flat out. Yet when you finally sit down to look at the numbers… they just don’t add up.
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Profit on Paper, But Not in the Bank?
You’re working hard, jobs are getting done, and invoices are going out, but when you look at the bank account, the numbers don’t match the effort. What’s happening?
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From Reports to Real Insights: Making the Most of Your Simpro Data
Simpro is packed with data that can help you run your business better. From being able to view profitability and labour costs to monitoring cash flow and employee performance, the data is already at your fingertips. The key is to make sure you are using that data in a way that drives confident de...
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