Everyone wants to be a part of a group.

    The question is: Which one?

    Several contractor service groups offer plumbing contractors the opportunity to choose the best fit for their company in terms of goals, benefits of membership, similar business viewpoints, size and many other factors. Here's a look at the contractor service groups that specialize in programs for plumbers and what they offer:

Construction Contractors' Alliance

First up is the CCA, an enhanced service group of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association. CCA helps plumbing contractors solve the specific challenges they face through an array of programs and services. The CCA was formed in 1998 for PHCC contractors specializing in residential, industrial, commercial and institutional construction projects.

    The typical CCA member is a second or third generation contractor with about 100 employees, specializing in either residential or commercial plumbing. Very few CCA members do both, according outgoing group president, Les DenHerder. Current CCA membership is 25 contractors representing all regions of the country, but heaviest representation is in California.

    CCA provides specialized benefits for members, such as two Alliance meetings a year, seminars for middle managers, an e-mail discussion group called CCAConnect, peer groups and focus groups.<p>

    For 2007, CCA offers support from peers-especially through e-mail networking-that helps member contractors through problem issues. In addition, each CCA meeting features different skills, like negotiating, that are addressed by new speakers.

    DenHerder said that a chief benefit of CCA membership is getting access to ideas that a contractor can put to work for immediate profit gains.

    For more information, contact Charlotte Perham, the director of communications for the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association in Falls Church, Va.,at (800) 533-7694.

Nexstar Network

Nexstar Network is an affiliation of independent service providers for plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling contractors dealing in residential, commercial and construction projects. The organization is member-owned and member driven, and focuses on business growth and development.

    Nexstar has approximately 380 members in the United States, Canada, Australia and the Caribbean. Bob Mallory of Nexstar said the typical member is an independent contractor who has been struggling in the commercial world and is looking to increase his profits in the service trade.

    "It's unique because it's member-owned," Mallory said, where all money taken in is used to develop member programs. A member-based board of directors, elected by members at a Super Meeting, gives the Nexstar staff direction as to the group's goals and addresses the membership's needs.

    The organization has two big events yearly-a Super meeting in the fall and a newly-instituted Owner's Spotlight Series in the winter or spring, which is open primarily to business owners. The Owner's Spotlight Series runs for two days and focuses on a single topic, for instance, succession planning or marketing. Nexstar also has started its "Where's Wanda?" program that puts together kits to reach customers in places they frequent, instead of just the home.

    Nexstar Network offers training programs for nearly every job title in a service company and also has member-trainers who have volunteered to teach the courses. In addition, Nexstar has five business coaches-three general coaches, one new member coach and one marketing coach-that members can call on at any time.

    For more information contact Bob Mallory at  Nexstar Network in White Bear Lake, Minn. at (888) 609-5490.

Plumbers' Success International

Plumbers' Success International is the "world's foremost success school for the professional plumber serving the residential market," according to Scott Iverson, research and innovation director for the group. PSI is part of Success Group International, which also represents electricians, roofers and HVAC contractors.

    Plumbers' Success International has more than 300 members, said marketing director Paul Gassett:  "The typical member is a plumber seeking success, from a single plumber shop to a company with dozens of employees," Gassett said. "For instance, our founder Mike Diamond's business, has 100 service trucks."

    The organization offers an array of management, marketing and training programs, as well as individual business management experts to work with members on a daily basis.

    In addition to conducting two conferences each year, PSI has rolled out the Technician Seal of Safety, a licensed program for members to communicate the fact that they put homeowner safety first by conducting background checks and drug testing on their employees. The program allows PSI members to brand themselves as different from others and also shows a sense of community responsibility, according to Gassett. PSI also has dozens of turnkey marketing programs and offers several private label products, such as Nature's Miracle, a water softener and purifier product, through its buying group.<p>

    Why should a contractor join? Plumbers' Success International is able to help plumbers maximize their success by serving homeowners, according to Iverson.

    Plus, he noted, each member gets the advantage of Diamond's 25 years of experience in the industry. For more information, contact Plumbers' Success International, in St. Louis at  (800) 505-8885.

Quality Service Contractors

Established in 1994 by a group of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Contractors- National Association members, QSC aims to provide contractors with training, technology and professional development in order to develop superior client service and satisfaction.

    Currently there are 245 members, ranging from single-tech companies to those with 125 technicians. The average member is a company employing about 7 or 8 techs.

    QSC is non-profit so all the funding generated stays with the group to produce meaningful education for its members, according to executive director Charlie Wallace. The group is open to all contractors and doesn't have territories for its members.

    QSC is in 2007 heightening its focus on Internet technology and developing Web-based member services to enable members to participate from their home or office with minimal travel time away for meetings. The group also is continuing to develop traveling programs that it takes to all areas of the country.

    Wallace said both longtime and beginning business owners can benefit from QSC's expertise in providing the necessary tools for running a business more profitably and serving clients better. He also cited Power Meetings, held twice yearly, to help members maximize profitability and productivity.

    For more information contact Charlie Wallace, the executive director of Quality Service Contractors in  Falls Church, Va., at (800) 533-7694.

The Service Roundtable

The Service Roundtable is an organization founded by HVAC and plumbing contractors to help other contractors improve their sales, marketing, operations and profitability. <p>

    The group is represented in all 50 states, most Canadian provinces and on three continents. Matt Michel, CEO and president, said the typical Service Roundtable member is smart, progressive, forward-focused and strives to spend more time working on the business than in the business. "We help independent contractors remain not just independent, but profitably independent," he said.<p>

    The Service Roundtable is focused on using the Internet as a vehicle to deliver high quality, easily-customized direct mail, sales support, consumer newsletters, business forms and other content direct to members' desktops.<p>

    Service Roundtable has the industry's largest peer-to-peer support group, 24/7/365, according to Michel. Each week it also provides new sales, marketing and business materials to members.<p>

    The Service Roundtable is all Internet-based and large scale. All the material it creates is original so members never need worry about lawsuits over Digital Millennium Copyright Act violations, according to Michel.<p>

    For more information contact Liz Patrick at (877) 262-3341.