10 Top-Notch Training Tips for Remodelers

Many years ago, I was on a panel and I heard a successful entrepreneur from the restaurant business say something that changed my thinking toward training. He said, “Training is an investment, not an expense.”

Just as with other investments, you need to seriously consider the ROI. You also need to understand that this particular investment is essential to growth. Businesses that adopt this thinking are seeing better results while those that don’t are backsliding. 

Here are ten tips to help you make ongoing training a success: 

1. Ask don’t just tell. Ask managers and team members where there are opportunities for improvement. You will get buy-in and more active participation if everyone is part of the process.

2. Focus on the “why.” Make sure part of the training discussion is centered on why this topic is important. If people understand the “why” then they are more likely to be engaged in the training process.

3. Make it mandatory. If you know that the training will help performance, then make it mandatory. 

4. Be the orchestra director not the musician. Your job is to choreograph not just be on the stage. Try to bring in other voices, whether they are team members or resources from outside the business. If a team member is skilled in a particular area, reaching out to them as a trainer can be very effective.

5. Make training interactive rather than dissertations or speeches. Think about the 80/20 rule: Success is 80% listening and 20% talking. Including interactive discussions as part of the training makes it more pleasant and productive.

6. Prepare. Make sure that you or the trainer are as prepared as the people in training. I like to give students a podcast to listen to or an article to read before the training session and then use that in the training. This increases the likelihood of them retaining the information.

7. Focus on the ripples not just the splashes. Think of a great topic or training as a “splash.” The real buy-in and improvement comes from what happens afterward. What is the follow up? How do you hold them accountable to promises for adoption? What is your commitment to keep it top-of-mind going forward?

8. Balance group and one-on-one trainings. You need both. In addition, people learn differently so it’s important to understand your students and mirror their learning style with your training approach. 

9. Watch for the rising stars. A great way to see your people grow is to ask yourself, “Is their stock rising?” Are they embracing new things and getting creative about improvement? Or are they saying, “I haven’t had time to put this in place.” Invest more in those who are investing in themselves.

10. Make it fun. There is a reason the TV is full of game shows and competition programs: They are fun to watch. Try to adopt some techniques with familiar formulas such as American Idol or Family Feud. While it may be a little corny, it can be fun and effective. 

These ideas are heathy ways of thinking, and require no special talent. The top 20% of remodelers don’t just adopt this, they live it.