Referral and voucher management systems were being discussed on a Facebook Group that has a focus on technology and business systematisation recently.
The original question was from a ServiceM8 user, wanting to explore how he could deliver a way to incentivise his clients to refer him to friends and family – once he delivers his delivers his in home service.
As the thread and conversation went on it was clear that there were systems and software that could be bolted onto Job Management systems that would help with this, like:-
It was also clear that the ideas being discussed were not easy to set up quickly – and they also had additional costs associated with them – before the project was started!
It was difficult to imagine how a referral voucher system could work within ServiceM8 – without having a specific application!
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Later that same day – a client called us with a specific voucher related problem, asking about referral and voucher management systems… they had sold £10,000 worth of gift vouchers, for their services, for Valentines Day!
The vouchers had been printed on quality, branded, card. They had a value of between £20 and £400, were individually serial numbered, with a shelf life of 12 months.
After discussing various ideas and workflows we came up with the following solutions:-
- Idea was to create a Job for each voucher.
- Record the serial number of voucher as a New Customer (Company)
- Record the name of the person tat buys the Voucher as the Billing Contact
- Record the recipients details as the Job Contact – when known.
- Set them them as Quotes in SM8
- Create and apply a Voucher Badge
- Then Queue for 12 months
- As Vouchers get redeemed, convert to Work Orders, and Completed as work finished
Going forward, client can record serial numbers of Vouchers as the Names in SM8, Badge, and Queue – and simply convert to a Client if they are redeemed within expiry date..
This process works for this particular client because all sales are made through an EPOS retail till system, Stripe, or direct bank transfer.
If anyone else wished to use this as a voucher system, either:-
- Vouchers are to be given away – no cost – referral incentives
- Take payment using a second Job, cross referencing each Job, (If this was something that was going to be done regularly, a Job duplication Add-On might be considered – reducing the amount of admin while ensuring accuracy of data.
Reporting: Using Quote/WO/Completer work stages, combined with Badges, standard reporting can be used.
Anyone using vouchers as part of their core business strategy may wish to look further into this and try to automate the process if/when it gains ‘legs’ and more sales/results!
For any more information, or any more about different ways that a modern Job Management system can help your service business to grow please do not hesitate to contact us.