“I can’t find great techs.”
That’s the #1 problem contractors share with me, over the phone and on the seminar trail. A few contractors have solved this problem. Jim and Jason Criniti have.
My best friend and mentor, Al Levi, introduced me to Jim Criniti a few years back. Al was working with Jim and his brother, Jason, to improve their operations. Jim was looking for some help streamlining his financials, so they called me in to help.
When I arrived in town, I called Jim to ask what time he wanted to pick me up the next day. “How about 2:30 in the afternoon?”
Hmm. I responded, “Well, OK. But, I won’t get to see any of the techs.” “That’s fine. I don’t like to see them. It feels like they are working against me instead of for me. I hate my guys.” Wow. That’s rough. I sensed Jim was pretty burned out.
As we worked together, I learned that Jim was frustrated by his inability to create the clean, organized, systematice company he could see in his head. And he blamed his team.
Can you relate? You’re working 20 hours a day and you see three techs leaning on the bumper of a dirty truck taking a smoke break. You scheduling a meeting and one tech shows up and the others “forgot.” You run an ad for experienced techs and no one applies. Or, the one person who calls doesn’t show up for the interview. Frustrating, right?
Then, for Jim, one thing changed everything. At Al’s direction, Jim and Jason put a simple business plan in place. They focused on a few projects at a time that would move them in the direction of a turnkey company. They started to ride along and get input from team members.
And, Jim had an epiphany.
“It was never them. It was always me.”
I was inspired to write this Special Report: How to Find Great Techs based on the Criniti’s company transformation. Download it here…
Most people start recruiting when a team member leaves. One way to find great team members: ALWAYS be recruiting, hiring, orienting, training and retaining team members. Literally, these activities should happen weekly, sometimes daily.
Always recruiting starts with helping the team members you already have be successful. Formalize your systems, and include them as you write procedures and build your Operating Manuals. Go on Ride Alongs and ask, “Why did Joe leave? Why do you stay?” (Get ready for some tough love.) Engage team members in the process of upgrading your company and raising your standards.
Always recruiting means having ads running all the time. Another great tip: Check out Workable. It’s an app that streamlines your recruiting and hiring efforts. Also, make sure your ads are compelling, and not the same old “15 years of blood, sweat and tears required.” Commit to offering a career, not just a job. Highlight your culture and your training and layer on the love. Include testimonials from your current, happy employees.
Another tip: On Day One at ZOOM DRAIN, new hires are provided an Orientation Checklist. This procedure ensures that the new kid is acknowledged, welcomed and set up to win the moment he or she arrives. The Orientation Checklist is included in the Special Report: How to Find Great Techs.
Finding great people? For Jim and Jason, that just isn’t a problem anymore. The hiring “pool” is much larger because they aren’t looking for someone who is “licensed and highly skilled, has their own tools, can work 24/7 without complaint, and can read the boss’s mind and do things his or her way.” They look for willing and capable, and then they test to make sure their hiring candidates have both. The Crinitis take 100% responsibility for offering training and opportunities for growth for their team members.
I’ve come to love them and their company so much that I have partnered with Al, and Jason and Jim Criniti to franchise ZOOM DRAIN.
We are happy to share – a LOT – about what we’ve learned building a rockin’ team. Some would say it’s a risk, however it’s a risk we are happy to take. If we help a lot of people, and magnetize a few potential franchise partners….well, it’s definitely worth it. If you are interested in ZOOM DRAIN franchising, we can arrange to meet on the phone privately.
CLICK HERE to schedule a phone call with me.
No charge, no pressure. Just a chance for us to visit. I am here to help your reach your goals, whatever they may be!
“Until you change, nothing will change for you. Once you change, everything changes.” ~Wayne Dyer
Love, love, love,
Ellen xo$
