Testimonials
Emma Erickson, former employee at Pierre’s company
“My days at Pierre’s former company were filled with learning and fun and lasting memories."
Emma continued’
As Samuel Johnson once said, “Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.” Perhaps what makes Pierre’s book credible and a pleasure to read is, firstly, his over 30 successful years within the HVAC business industry, and secondly, his ability to relate to the masses, not only within his industry but within many walks of life. Having known and worked with Pierre, I have had the pleasure of hearing his many stories of when he was starting in business, along with his many jokes and advice. He is a true example of perseverance and all the wonderful things it can bring within his own life and in his work, as well as his ability to inspire others to find joy and purpose in their work and journeys.
No matter what walk of life that you are on, I assure you that these words will inspire you in some way. If you have a dream, you can achieve great things. As Pierre once told me to “always speak the truth,” I am, and I have. Always dream big, and happy reading!
Emma Erickson
Lauren Tilson, former employee at Pierre’s company
“I appreciated having a boss who encouraged us employees to explore and have fun during our business travels. Instead of focusing solely on business, indulging in local activities, food, and sightseeing together developed our friendships and added a sense of joy and belonging when away from home.
One time, after an out-of-town trade show, Pierre and I stopped at a fishing hole near the conference center. I may not have caught The Big One, but we did share a great laugh!”
Have you ever known someone who “Made It” and wondered how they got there? Or wished you could mine all the wisdom from a certain role model or mentor?
I worked for Pierre for over a decade before he announced his retirement from Gagnon & Associates. He hired me as a sales support team member, then later promoted me to an outside sales position. As a 21-year-old college grad with no sales experience, I was eager to enter the workforce, but anxious about being a newcomer in an industry full of experienced professionals. I was introduced to design concepts, internal office processes, and complex longstanding business relationships I hadn’t encountered before. I was Green. I knew that I had to adapt quickly if I was going to keep up in this new business world. I was determined to “Make It” and become successful.
At many job sites, meetings, and conferences, I observed engineers and business owners turn to Pierre for guidance and assistance in solving problems. They expected quality solutions from our company because we earned a reputation for providing good service. Often, the best solution for the customer was not the easiest, nor instantly rewarding to our company. However, those choices proved our commitment to offering the highest value, and helped build trust with clients who in turn offered us more opportunities in the future.
I learned that Success is not an end-goal label acquired by chance but is a perpetual result of choices and deliberate actions taken consistently over time.
Nowadays, when I’m faced with a challenge in business, I sometimes ask myself, “What would Pierre do?” This typically opens my mind to creative ideas and solutions that are in the best interest of our customers (and in the long run, us!) Pierre exemplified the keys to success written in this book throughout my career at Pierre’s former company.
I invite you to use this A-Z list to adopt new habits and strengthen your abilities. Evaluate your current position in relation to your desired results and highlight which strategies your plan would benefit from. Revisit the list and reflect on your progress and improvement. Allow yourself to develop a new approach to daily tasks. Select a word and make it your theme for the day. “How can I expand and realign with my vision for this project today?” You may find that by first asking the question, you naturally make choices that coincide with your goal.
No matter what your work arena, experience level, or what success means to you, I believe that your goals are achievable by applying these principles.
Lauren Tilson