Wednesday, 24 April 2013

James Gerdsen Welcomes You to His City, Cincinnati



James Gerdsen grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He left when he went off to college at Boston University. He spent a few years in Tampa, Florida before returning to Ohio. James Gerdsen then started working for his dad’s company, Apollo Heating and Cooling. Nowadays he is the President and CEO.  It was the love of his hometown of Cincinnati that brought James Gerdsen back.
There is something unique about this urban metropolis.  Locals are extremely proud to call this city their home, and they call Cincinnati skyline at night coming up Interstate 40 from the south one of the best skylines in the world.  The interstate leading up to it is surrounded by tall walls of slate mountainside. The road peaks at the top of the hill and the walls open up to reveal a gorgeous view. It rivals any New York or Seattle horizon.

James Gerdsen


Another point of debate even among residents is a dish the city is famous for, the chili.  It is an Armenian chili with chocolate and dashes of cinnamon. It is thinner than normal chili and is eaent on top of hot dogs or the way many locals like James Gerdsen like it, on spaghetti.  There are two places in town, Gold Star and Skylin,e that serve this style of chili.  Fights on the street have broken out over the debate of who has the best chili. James Gerdsen challenges you to try both on your next trip to Cincinnati.

A trip to Cincinnati isn’t complete without seeing a game at either the Great American Ball Field or Paul Brown Stadium. They are the home to the Reds and the Bengals respectively. The loves for these teams runs deep in this city.

If you visit Cincinnati in the fall during Oktoberfest, James Gerdsen highly recommends checking out this famous event. Cincinnati has one of the largest German populations in the country, and Oktoberfest represents this rich heritage. James Gerdsen also loves attending Ghetta Fest in the summer.

Monday, 22 April 2013

Effectively Working as a Team- James Gerdsen



As a college athlete and CEO of a company, James Gerdsen knows a few things about teamwork and effectively organizing a team. Everyone has been in a group sometime or another in their lives. It can be a positive experience or it can leave one person feeling overworked and used.  It all depends on whether or not the team is working in unison or fighting itself.



A perfect example that James Gerdsen likes to use is lifting a heaving box with a group of people. If five people lift a 500 pound box off the ground together each person lifts 100 pounds and the box is easily moved. If only three of the five lift together, each person has to lift about 165 pounds. The box may still be moved but the feat is much more difficult. Now, if only one person tries to lift the box it may never get off the ground.

The dynamic of the team will differ based upon the task at hand. Some projects require more independent work while others require constant collaboration. Determining the goal of the project is the starting point, suggests James Gerdsen. This lets everyone know what direction they are pulling. Next, break down the project into different tasks, says James Gerdsen. The tasks should be delegated to members based on expertise. Each task should also have a timeline to bench mark progress by. The timeline can be created as a group or individually. Group meetings should be held at each benchmark. If every member has to present to the group at every benchmark it helps to keep them on track. It is also an excellent way to get feedback.

Use the process of organization and communication provided by James Gerdsen on your next project.  Remember it is easier to move 500 pounds when each person is responsible for an equal portion of the weight.

Word of Mouth is the Way to Go- James Gerdsen



Word of mouth is the biggest marketing tool a company has. There are ways to make word of mouth work for your business. Use a few methods tried and trusted by James Gerdsen, CEO of Apollo Heating and Cooling to spread the word and increase sales.



Find an organization that is in a related industry or shares a similar mission statement. Volunteer or donate to the organization.  James Gerdsen is in the heating and cooling business and donates time, materials and money to Habitat for Humanity. James Gerdsen is also a contributor and active member of the Cincinnati Preservation Association. Both of these organizations deal with housing, the same as James Gerdsen’s company. They share congruent mission statements to serve passionately. Below are a few ideas for charities based on business or industry:

-Restaurants or Grocery Stores: local food banks or soup kitchens
-Clothing Retailers: Goodwill or homeless shelters would benefit
-Education or Content: literacy programs, exchange programs, educating women in foreign countries
-Business Owners: free seminars or mentoring
-Banks: free seminars on fiscal responsibility and saving for the future

The possibilities are endless. Reach out to the community and find key organizations that relate to the business and its care values. Share openly about the company’s ongoing work with local organizations. James Gerdsen recommends posting it on the website, under headings like “Proud Sponsor of” and “Number of Dollars Donated.” Hang a plaque in the store for all the customers to see. Consider investing in a lawn sign. The idea is to get people talking and asking questions. Positive buzz will be generated. The business’s name will being associated with charity, selflessness and community dedications. All the positive attributes associated with volunteering will be associated with the business, says James Gerdsen.

James Gerdsen has also found that customers are more likely to spend and return if they know a portion of their money is reinvested in the community. They are willing to spend a little more on local goods and services if it is for a good cause. That is why it is vital to market the company’s volunteer work relentlessly and to continue the community involvement.  The business will grow by word of mouth.

Saturday, 20 April 2013

James Gerdsen on Inspiring Future Business Owners



James Gerdsen travels around the country speaking to student bodies and conventions of entrepreneurs. His hope is to inspire others to start up their own company. This country needs more small independent owners with unique ideas.  Small businesses grow communities.
James Gerdsen has spoke on everything from data analysis to motivating employees.  James Gerdsen is an open resource that wants to be tapped. He is very approachable and can field any question that covers the gamut of business. A believer in the philosophy of brainstorming, James Gerdsen loves to hear and share new ideas. That is how businesses are formed, with one good idea.

James Gerdsen


It is his hope that through his lectures, he motivates the next generation of entrepreneurs. One of his core beliefs is that of the small business. The troubles of our country can be fixed if we start with the smallest building blocks. If assistance is given to a business owne,r he can do more good in the long run.

Through his speeches, James Gerdsen hopes to give the younger generation the tools they need to start a self-sustaining and successful business. James Gerdsen recommends starting a business that doesn’t require excessive amounts of start-up capital and can be done by one person. Great examples are a cleaning or cake decorating business. Both require minimal initial expenses and one person. Continuing running the business solo for as long as possible keeps the costs down. Once the company has grown large enough, hire an employee. It is cost effective to build a business in this way.  This is also an easy way to create customer rapport and cultivate repeat customers. You are the only employee so pay attention to the details and follow up with customers after services are rendered to ensure satisfaction.

Find something you like to do and what people want to buy and start a business.

Sunday, 14 April 2013

James Gerdsen: Tips on Making Your Home Energy Efficient



Many older homes are not the most energy efficient.  James Gerdsen is a home heating and cooling specialist. He has some inexpensive and beneficial tips for making your home energy efficient, whether it’s the winter or summer.

Excessive heating bills are killer in the winter time. Consider setting the thermostat at 68 degrees. Have your insulation checked. Over the years insulation can deteriorate, and James Gerdsen recommends having it checked and reinsulated every so often. If funds are limited, focus on insulating the attic. Heat rises, so insulating the attic will keep heat in the main area of the home. Also cover windows with thick currents to prevent heat loss through windows. Heat also escapes under doors. James Gerdsen suggests rolling up a towel and placing it against the cracks for a quick, cheap, and easy solution.

James Gerdsen


When the weather heats up it is easy to creep the thermostat down.  With the rising prices of electricity, this is costly. Install ceiling fans in every room. A fan kit from the hardware store can run as little as $30. It will circulate the air and reduce the need for the air conditioner (AC), says James Gerdsen. When the AC is running listen to make sure it shuts off and that is actually cooling. The units can leak Freon, which is normal, but if it gets too low then the air isn’t cooled and the AC unit runs constantly. If the fan in the AC unit runs continuously, that will definitely increase the electric bill. 

James Gerdsen


James Gerdsen’s last tip is applicable for summer or winter time. Make sure to change the air filters in your heating and cooling system. Clean air filters means the equipment doesn’t have to work as hard. Older homes are gorgeous, but they can require a little extra TLC.  Ask a local specialist to help determine how to better increase the energy efficiency of your home.

Monday, 8 April 2013

The Early Bird Wins 6 National Medals: James Gerdsen



James Gerdsen doesn’t boast of his 6 national medals. They sit humbly in a shadow box on a wall in his office. If you ask him about them, he will tell you it was just hard work.

After graduating from high school, James Gerdsen got a full ride scholarship to Boston University for rowing.  James Gerdsen’s interest in the sport began at a much younger age. His uncle used to row and he would head down to the river to watch him. When James Gerdsen was a little older, his uncle taught him proper technique.  It was amazing to him that one small little boat powered by a man and two sticks could go so fast. His parents bought him his first row boat when he was 12.

James Gerdsen


James Gerdsen practiced every day before school. He claimed it helped him clear his head. Even in the winter months, he never missed a day unless he was really sick.  Eventually he began to compete.  Then he started to win. Once James Gerdsen was old enough, college recruiters started to notice his skills. Several colleges offered him scholarships, but he chose Boston University. 

James Gerdsen


There, James Gerdsen would row with a team as well as individually. The synchronicity of the rowing team fascinated him. It was as a team they could win. Everyone had to pull at the same time in order for the boat to glide seamlessly through the water.  James Gerdsen arrived to practice an hour early at 5 am to get a head start. He focused on perfecting every move.  He encouraged and critiqued others on their form to improve the team’s time. Slowly the team shaved seconds off their time. They were able to win 6 National Medals by the time it was all said and done.

Friday, 29 March 2013

Balancing Work and Family: James Gerdsen



It is a delicate balancing act trying to split time between a job and family.  James Gerdsen ran into that problem several years ago.  James Gerdsen had just taken over as the CEO of Apollo Heating and Cooling. It was his dream to run a company, to lead a successful team. This was a big responsibility and James Gerdsen didn’t want to disappoint himself, the company, or his family.
Soon, James Gerdsen was spending sixty and seventy hours a week at work.  His family barley saw him. He missed his son’s first steps and first word. Missing these milestones really made him stop and think. He had his priorities wrong. His family had to come first.



James Gerdsen started putting more trust in his employees. When he put more trust in their abilities, they had more confidence in themselves. The confidence was evident as they took on leadership roles and more responsibilities. James Gerdsen had to be there less and less, and eventually was able to just work a regular forty hour work week.

Family is what is important to James Gerdsen, and it shows. He gives his employees the same courtesy in regard to their families. Employees work to provide for their families, but all the hard work seems pointless if they don’t get to see them. Twice a year, James Gerdsen makes sure to throw a big company picnic for all employees and their families.  It has become a tradition. Highlighting family as a value has positively affected the employees because they share James Gerdsen’s sentiments. At his store in Cincinnati, he has several generations of employees working alongside each other. The company has really embraced the idea of family.