Xero Add-on Focus: GeoOp

By aucklandnorth. Posted in Cloud Software, Contractors.

This handy online business software is responsible for revolutionising the Trades and Services Industries. Recently, we caught up with Scott to find out more about GeoOp.

Tell us a little bit about GeoOp…

The tool that started the revolution. Equipping field staff now!

GeoOp is the APP that replaces inefficient, paper based systems with a simple way to accurately create, assign, cost, quote & invoice jobs while in the field.

What are the main benefits tradies will see with GeoOp?

GPS functionality ensures visibility in the office and time saving on the job. GeoOp takes advantage of the mobile devices already in the hands of trade & service staff. Join the revolution today.

Where do you operate?

GeoOp is a global solution, headquartered out of Auckland, New Zealand. We have a Melbourne office in Australia with a range of support and sales staff, and have sales offices setup in London, UK and Denver, US.
Most of our customers are located in NZ, Australia, US and the UK.

What are your thoughts on Xero? How does your software integrate with it?

Xero are a key partner for GeoOp. We integrate with Xero to allow our customers to access and integrate their accounting and stock information to make our already amazing solution that much better.

What is one piece of advice for business owners in your industry? Can you share any lessons learnt from business struggles or challenges that you’ve overcome?

Don’t be scared of change! Embracing a new way of working can be tough, our industries we market to have been working with pens and paper for decades and change can be frightening. But once a trades or service business revolutionises the way it works by implementing GeoOp, the work/time required to adopt a new way of operating pays itself back in spades with the efficiencies gain in day to day work.

Why do you like to recommend our Sidekick service to your clients?

Sidekick are like us, they’ll revolutionise the way you work and will help you reach your goals in business.

Our favourite superhero is Batman because he made sure he has a trusty Sidekick… who is yours and why?

Iron Man because he’s constantly upgrading and staying ahead of the technological curve – Something we strive for + he’s kinda cheeky.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvZiVcuOYBY

Like what you see? Get in touch with GeoOP on their website today! Or see the app for yourself on the Apple App Store, or on the Google Play Store.

How to Keep Investors on Your Side

By aucklandnorth. Posted in Business Growth, Cloud Software, Contractors, Small Business, Solutions, Startups.

This is a featured Blog from our friends at SeederBoard.


Raising funds for any business is notoriously difficult. Any number of factors can slow things down or get in the way, preventing you from taking your business to the next level.

Once you have completed endless elevator pitches, a frantic search for due diligence paperwork, then working out a fair term sheet, you might finally close the fundraising round. (more…)

Top Tips For Tradies

By aucklandnorth. Posted in Business Growth, Cloud Software, Contractors, Events, Small Business, Solutions, Startups.

Sidekick’s National Powered Up Businesses Roadshow brought together hundreds of trades people that wanted a better, easier way to manage their trade business.

We spoke to Andy Burrows from Trades Coach after the event to compare ideas of where trades businesses struggle.(Link to his fantastic blog).

Three issues that we both found important were: Cash flow, time and cost management-especially for multiple jobs, and blowing the budget.

1. Cash flow

After a long project is over and you have finally been paid, looking at your bank balance can feel great! But if you are a tradie that looks at the $70,000 then thinks you’ve got enough cash for a new ute, you are not working your cash flow correctly.

But firstly how well collecting your payments? And if you aren’t getting paid on time, do you know exactly who owes you what?

Options: Payclip– BNZ have a device that plugs in to your smartphone to collect payments for small jobs right then and there. So if you did great work on your maintenance call out and the owner is home, why not get the money now?

Xero: With Xero your debtors are automatically loaded into a projected graph on your Xero dashboard, once you send your invoice off. This means you not only can see in advance when you are due a big pay week, but you can also see which invoices are overdue for payment/who to chase up. Send an invoice from your mobile on the job too, you could charge them for it but it will only take a minute or two.

Now, on top of all of this you need to figure out how much of that money is yours to keep, and how much you need to keep your business growing smoothly and your suppliers paid. Trade businesses have fluctuating income so prepare yourself and make your profits where you can, which leads me to issue two and three.

2.Time and cost management for multiple sites, long hours.

So no brainer, you were busy working on the job, and what time did you finish that job last Tuesday again? It can feel like a chore doing your paperwork which might make you put it off, throw it in the direction of your wife, or get sick of it real quick.

This is especially for trades that have multiple small jobs to do like maintenance or plumbing. How are your job quoting systems? Are your staff measuring their time well?

Training your staff and subbies alongside a good system means accurate and quick quoting for your staff, and faster payments. You are also teaching your staff good management, which could benefit them in their trade future. You can learn it together.

GeoOp– It’s quite good if you have an admin lady that answers calls and delegates jobs. She can type the job out as she receives them, and drag and drop them (on the computer) to the staff, who get text alerted with all the details. For the lucky tradie that’s nearest or almost finished, a mobile GPS will lead them to their next job.

With GeoOp, you can utilise your staff’s time and increase your turnover, which means you or your admin can think about marketing, fliers, and getting the guys to drop them in a few nearby mailboxes. Ah, carrying on, but last thing-its integration with Xero pushes invoices, bills and receipts through to the front desk so there’s no double entry. There’s so much to cover, so you may as well utilise a free half hour demo- Vanessa on 021 278 1798 can get you one.

3. Back costing and budget blow outs

Back costing helps you estimate your profit properly. You deserve to make a profit for the work that you do, so charge out accordingly. Once you get in to the habit of back costing you can see how far off you are from your job estimates, and your quotes will adjust to your expectations. At the PUB, about 1/3 of tradies back-costed, so there’s lots of room for improvement.

Do you know how to set your budgets? Shaun our CA is passionate about budgeting for success, and will give you a free consultation to talk about how you are setting yours. Call him on 021 644 547. Andy Burrows trades coach blog if you want to check it out.

Thanks for meeting us at the PUB!