Director’s Notes 3/19/2012
What is the the answer to "We don't know what we don't know?"
Training, but for what?
The demand for good training is high and is recognized by top
businesses as being the key to developing top performing organizations. We are
lucky to have several great programs next month, the fact that the Super
Technician program filled up in 48 hours indicates the demand. As of right now
we still have some space available for the In the Home “Retail Sales Training”
program but it is expected it to fill up soon as it will be opened to the
Service Roundtable members (for a fee). You and/or your sales person(s) need to
attend to increase your average sale for each job. While most of the
competition is just sitting still, there always is someone that focused on
eating your lunch. You can lengthen your lead and crush their moral as Joe will
make it all about doing business with you and your company, while price will
far down the list of consideration.
Future Programs
Currently under discussion are additional training programs
and the development of an ongoing schedule to plan ahead. In addition to our Boot
Camp, In Home Sales, and Super Technician Development Training programs, we
have under consideration and development:
·
Financial statements and management
·
Hands on Strategic Planning
·
Time Management
·
CSR and Dispatcher Charm School
·
Marketing Plan Development
These are just a few and we are looking into dovetailing
some of these programs at locations that allow us to visit some of our best contractors so you can see what success looks like in action.
In many cases these program will be limited in size to provide the highest
level of QUALITY in lieu of just number of participants.
I need to KNOW!!
I would like your feedback on any classes or program you
would like to see. Also if you attend a great (not just good) program share
that with me as others can benefit from what you learned. It does not have to
be just Plumbing, HVAC, or Electric it can be on marketing, business
management, or anything that can make you or your company better. Some times it is all about just being able to ask the right questions and training can lead to that.
HR
An item of note is that the National Labor Relations Board
(NLRB), an office in the Federal Department of Labor, has prevailed in their
efforts to have the “Employee Rights” guidelines posted in every office relating
to organize, IE join or form a union. Rather than speak to issue that this
presents I would rather offer a practical way of mitigating its impact on your
organization. You can get an “All in One” Federal labor law posters that
include this plus all the other requirements (do not forget one for the state
if required). While it may be more expensive (you can get a one year update
program) this Employee’s Right section will get lost in the all the rest of the
material that employees have become accustom to seeing and will not stand out
like an 11”x17” independent poster just on this subject would. You can go to CE
Solutions, the Service Nation’s HR and Safety partner, they have resources on
their website for these posters, however there are many other suppliers on the
web.
If you need to get your login or register for this service
contact:
Ian Schotanus
HR & Safety Program Manager
Phone: (707)395-0357