By Shawn McCadden, CR, CLC
The future of the remodeling industry is dependent on education. Providing educational opportunities if you are an employer—and participating in those experiences if you are an employee—is critical to growing as individuals and to advancing our industry.
Education covers all areas of our business, none more important than understanding and using technologically to advance your individual skills and those of your company. The leaders of the future will be fluent in their knowledge of their business and on the leading edge in their use of technology.
If you're starting a business today, my best advice to you is to continually educate your employees, cultivate their skills and provide them with opportunities to grow. The companies that will take the lead moving forward will be those that put this kind of strong emphasis on their most valuable asset—their employees.
The Shortsighted View
One common reason employers don't provide education and training is because they themselves never were in a business environment where they were offered educational benefits. These shortsighted employers often are technicians with entrepreneurial seizures. They do not see the long-range benefits of employee cultivation and retention and how it affects the bottom line.
Many contractors also fear that if they educate their employees, they will leave and start their own businesses, creating direct competition. Ironically, many employees leave because they are not receiving any education, training or career growth and opportunity. It's only human nature that people want to improve, so the most motivated employees are the most likely to leave in search of the very thing their employers are afraid to offer.
The solution to this problem is obvious: Employers must become aware of the connection between employee growth and the benefit to the company. If employers don't recognize the connection, they won't be motivated to provide it. It's easy enough to find out what the employees want, too. Just ask them:
- What do you need from me to help you reach the next level?
- How can the company help you to achieve growth in your career and within the company?
- What skills do you need to add to your toolbox to help us justify your advancement and the accompanying financial gains?
Education Should be Center Stage
Education means more compensation and opportunities for employees, increased business and more loyal employees for employers. Education is also a personal advantage to employers if they want to work "on" their businesses instead of "in" them, or if they'd like to take any personal time away. Just think: If you never took the time to train, educate and mentor your employees, you could never take a vacation. Who would hold down the fort while you were gone?
Personally, the most rewarding reason to educate employees is because it changes their lives and gives them a career they care about. Some of my employees started off barely affording apartments, and I watched them grow to eventually owning their own homes and supporting their families. These employees become personally invested in the business. The mutually beneficial relationship that develops helps both them and your business. It's a win-win-win situation. Through the business and as an employer, you give employees the opportunity to grow and be successful within the company, and most importantly, in life.
Shawn McCadden, CR, CLC, is director of education for DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen by Worldwide.
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