Looking to build a strong company that is ready for expansion and success? While there are various strategies to achieve this objective, investing in an employee training program stands out as one of the most advantageous steps you can take to bolster your business. The development of such a program holds substantial benefits for both your workforce and the overall organization. Consider the time spent creating this program as an investment with many positive returns. If you’re on the fence, or not sure why you might need an employee training program, here are just a few benefits to consider:
Now that you know the reasons why it’s important to create an employee training plan, we’ll dive into the necessary components of a good plan. It is important that each of the training phases is in a cohesive written document or manual that is provided to the new employee to be used as a reference guide during their training period.
Training Schedule
Plan how long the training process will take. Typically, this this is a 2–4-week process.
Systems Training
The systems training section of your employee training program should provide a complete, step by step guide to the installation and procedures for each system that your company installs.
Truck & Trailer Loading/Unloading Procedures
This section should outline the expectations for loading and unloading company trucks and trailers. If you have a brick-and-mortar shop, it should also include how to handle returning tools and products to your company location.
Customer Touch-Points & Communication
The systems training section of your employee training program should provide a complete, step by step guide to the installation and procedures for each system that your company installs.
Employee Advancement
Be sure to include a section in your employee training program about employee advancement so crew members have a solid understanding of how to move up in the ranks.
Looking for business development tips for your concrete coatings business? Check out our other business development articles.
Starting your journey as a concrete coatings contractor? It’s important that as you begin, you’re working with guidelines that are based on contractor experience and rooted in sound business practices so you can avoid common pitfalls and start out right. In this article we explore the 10 tips for New Concrete Coatings Contractors that will save you trouble and ensure a strong start in the industry.
Maintaining simplicity in your service offerings is crucial for effectively managing and growing your business. One of your first objectives in developing your business plan should be to carefully select a target market and specific product offerings and concentrate all your resources and efforts in that direction. By doing so, you can channel your focus and expertise, optimizing your business processes and strategies to cater to the needs and demands of your chosen market.
Although it may be tempting to provide a broad offering that will appeal to a large target market, attempting to serve too many markets can have a detrimental effect on your growth trajectory. The inherent complexity of managing a wide range of applications in different markets can potentially slow down your business’s expansion. Moreover, training installers becomes a more intricate and resource-consuming task when dealing with a broad range of applications and market dynamics. Minimize the number of flooring systems and potential options you will offer and be sure to have suppliers setup that can quickly provide materials for your projects.
By adhering to a focused approach and specializing in a specific market and product offering, you position your business for more efficient growth and operational excellence while ensuring that your team of installers can be effectively trained and proficient in delivering high-quality services.
A sales and marketing plan is a foundational tool that guides your business towards achieving its sales targets, reaching potential customers effectively, and building a strong brand presence in the market. It provides a clear roadmap for your sales and marketing efforts, aligning them with your overall business objectives.
As you go through the process of developing your plan, you will gain a clear understanding of your company’s brand personality, intended customers, how you want to position your business in relation to the competition and understand the value that you’re offering.
Ultimately, this plan should be a reference document that is used by salespeople, management, marketing and design professionals within your organization to inform business decisions. A solid plan should include guidelines on the following:
It’s advisable to work with a professional agency or marketing professional to help create a well-rounded marketing plan. They can also help to develop your logo and design guidelines for your business.
Establish a vital partnership with a reliable supply partner who can bolster your business operations. Seek out a partner willing to provide comprehensive support, including essential elements such as training programs, sales tools, and valuable field support. A supportive supply partner can play a pivotal role in equipping your team with the necessary knowledge and skills, empowering them in the sales process and on jobsite installations. Moreover, they can offer valuable insights and hands-on assistance in navigating the field, addressing challenges, and optimizing your business strategies. This collaboration ensures that your business has the right resources and expertise to succeed and thrive in the competitive market landscape. with training, sales tools and field support.
Finding a mentor in your field can significantly impact your business success by providing invaluable guidance, support, and a wealth of experience to draw from. It can accelerate your learning curve and improve your decision-making, ultimately contributing to the growth and sustainability of your business. This can be someone in your market or another successful contractor in another state, a supplier or salesperson.
A mentor can work to guide you as you find your footing in the industry. They can help you mitigate costly mistakes as they draw from their own experiences. Additionally, mentors usually have an extensive network within the industry. Through your mentor, you can gain access to valuable contacts, partnerships, and potential clients that can help your business grow.
Implementing an accounting system is essential for maintaining financial order, compliance with regulations, strategic planning, and ultimately ensuring the success and growth of your new business. It allows you get the full picture of your business’s financial health regarding business performance, job profitability, overhead expenditures and cash flow. Having a good accounting system also makes the management of invoices and payment of vendors a much less arduous task. It’s also important to note that lenders and financial institutions may require detailed financial records to approve loans or funding. An accounting system provides the necessary documentation to support the loan application process.
Investing in high-quality equipment for a concrete coatings business is paramount for several reasons. First and foremost, having quality equipment ensures efficiency. High-performance tools and machinery are designed to handle the demands of the job effectively, leading to increased productivity and reduced downtime.
Additionally, durable and reliable equipment tends to last longer, reducing the frequency of replacements and repairs. This, in turn, lowers maintenance costs and enhances overall cost-effectiveness.
Furthermore, specialized high-quality equipment can offer advanced features and capabilities that may be necessary for complex projects, enabling the business to take on a broader range of jobs and meet varying client requirements. Ultimately, investing in top-tier equipment is an investment in the success, efficiency, and reputation of the concrete coatings business.
Clients often associate well-maintained, high-quality tools with a professional and trustworthy service, contributing to a positive reputation for the business. Be sure to research the type of equipment you’ll need to address your various project needs. Choose high-quality brands and create a proper maintenance program to ensure longevity of your equipment.
Developing an employee training plan offers numerous benefits for both employees and the overall health of your business. Standardized training equips employees with the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools to perform their jobs more effectively and efficiently, leading to improved job performance. It also creates consistency, increases productivity and enhances employees moral and satisfaction. This in turn, reduces turnover, which can be a costly issue for any business owner.
Although there is an initial investment in training, it can lead to cost savings in the long run by reducing errors, minimizing downtime, and improving operational efficiency, so be sure not to skip this step.
In a previous post, we discuss “The Top 3 Tradeshows for Concrete Coatings Contractors” and the benefits of attending these events. Attending events and being a member of trade associations in the industry offers a variety of benefits for individuals and businesses. These include networking opportunities, market research, partnership opportunities and learning and education. Industry focused trade publications, newsletters and shows can help you keep a pulse on trends, expand your connections and knowledge and gain an edge over competition.
Most materials suppliers in the industry offer regular trainings on the materials that they sell. During these trainings, they demonstrate proper mixing and installation techniques, give you tips to use on jobsites and troubleshooting information that may come in handy when issues arise. Trainers will also discuss new trends in the industry so you can stay current. These trainings are often free, and they are a great way to network. Sending your crew to regular trainings is a great way to continue educating and can be a valuable part of your employee training program. See DPF’s Training Calendar.
Far too frequently, new contractors underbid projects to secure a portfolio of projects. While this tactic may yield some benefits initially, it can prove detrimental in the long term. Low bidding on projects attracts customers who prioritize cost over quality, potentially leading to dissatisfaction and strained relationships. Moreover, continuously accepting low-budget projects can undermine the financial health and sustainability of the business, hindering growth and limiting the ability to invest in quality resources and skilled labor. It’s crucial to strike a balance between building a portfolio and establishing fair pricing that aligns with the true value of the services provided, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for the contracting business.
When it comes to garage floor coatings, homeowners want both functionality and aesthetics that can withstand the test of time. As a garage floor coating contractor, one of the most effective ways to gain a competitive edge in the market is by providing your customers with a clear and concise written warranty. In this blog, we will explore the value of a well-crafted warranty, how it can help your business stand out from the competition and what details should be included.
WHY ARE WARRANTIES IMPORTANT?
To begin, let’s establish the significance of contractors offering a warranty and explore how it can benefit your business in the short term and beyond:
Building Trust and Confidence: A written warranty acts as a promise and commitment to your customers. When homeowners invest in a garage floor coating, they want the peace of mind that their investment is protected for years to come. It is a signal to potential customers that you stand by your work and believe in the quality of your services. This confidence enhances your brand credibility and promotes the positive perception of your company as a trusted name in the industry.
A clear and straightforward warranty will instill trust and confidence in your services, showcasing your dedication to quality workmanship and superior products. This trust is vital in the service industry, as it encourages word-of-mouth referrals and positive reviews, helping to build a strong reputation for your business, leading to more business opportunities and expanding your customer base.
Differentiation from Competitors: In a competitive market, having a written warranty can be a game-changer. Many garage floor coating contractors might offer warranties verbally or in a vague manner, leaving homeowners uncertain about their protection. By providing a comprehensive, written warranty, you set yourself apart from the competition and demonstrate your professionalism and commitment to customer satisfaction. This added value will likely influence potential customers to choose your services over others, thereby increasing your overall sales.
Minimizing Legal Hassles: A written warranty not only benefits your customers but also protects your business. Without a clearly written warranty, disputes and misunderstandings can escalate, leading to legal troubles and damage to your reputation. A well-documented warranty helps to mitigate such risks by offering a basis for resolving any conflicts that may arise, reducing the likelihood of litigation and potential financial losses. Additionally, it is recommended that you carefully craft and review your warranty with legal council to avoid oversights which may leave you open to liability. A lawyer can ensure that your company is operating in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. They can identify potential legal risks and help you take appropriate measures to address them.
WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR WARRANTY?
Having outlined the importance of providing a warranty and the advantages it brings to your business, let’s now delve into the essential components that should be included in your warranty. A well-structured warranty explicitly outlines what is covered and what is not. By defining the scope of coverage in simple terms, you can avoid any misunderstandings or disputes with your customers in the future. This clarity fosters transparency, showing that you have nothing to hide and that your business operates with integrity. Clearly stated terms and conditions give homeowners a realistic expectation of how long the coating should last and what actions may void the warranty, empowering them to take better care of their newly coated garage floor. The following are the common components of a solid warranty offering.
Limitations: Clearly state your limitations of liability under the warranty. This ensures that customers understand the extent to which they can seek compensation for damages. These limitations can vary depending on the type of warranty and the product or service being covered. Here are some common limitations of warranties:
Repair and Replacement Policy: Describe the procedures for addressing warranty claims, including whether the flooring will be repaired or replaced in case of covered defects.
Transferability: Clarify whether the warranty is transferable to subsequent property owners, if applicable.
Maintenance Instructions: Provide instructions on proper maintenance and care of the garage flooring to maintain warranty coverage.
Claims Process: Detail the steps that customers need to follow when making a warranty claim. This should include contact information and any documentation required for the claim.
Legal Jurisdiction: Specify the jurisdiction and governing law under which the warranty is valid. This helps avoid confusion if legal disputes arise.
Contact Information: Provide contact details for the warranty issuer, including their customer support or service department.
Additional Terms: Include any other relevant terms and conditions that apply to the warranty but have not been covered in the above sections.
To ensure transparency and prevent any unexpected issues, it’s crucial for your customers to carefully read and understand the warranty terms and conditions. As an additional measure, you can offer to review the warranty with them, addressing any questions they may have, thus providing clarity even before commencing the job.
As you prioritize your customers’ peace of mind and demonstrate the quality of your services, your business will thrive in the competitive world of garage floor coatings.
Ask any jobsite manager in the concrete coatings industry how to ensure a smooth installation and they will likely tell you that proper planning has a lot to do with success. As the old adage goes, “By Failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Don’t leave your jobs to chance. Instead, use the five steps below as a guide to help work through the details of your installation beforehand so you can mitigate problems in advance.
STEP 1: Material Storage & Staging
The management and storing of your materials are one of the most important aspects of preparing for your project. Once your materials are on site, get all pallets broken down. Next, organize the materials by product and component in the order that you’re using them. Be sure to get a count of all your materials to make sure you’re not missing any critical components and that you have everything you’ll need for the project.
Once all material inventory is accounted for, you’ll want to decide where it will be stored. Ideally, you will store them close to where your mixing station and equipment will be placed. Other factors to consider is long-term storage of material. This is mainly for larger jobs or jobs that will require climatization of materials due to environmental conditions. In this case you will need two storage areas, one for immediate use and one for later phases of the project.
STEP 2: Staging & Securing of Equipment
You’ll want to ensure that all the equipment that is necessary for the project is on the jobsite. Additionally, it will be important to choose a location to store and secure the equipment. Don’t overlook this detail. Stolen equipment is expensive to replace and can cause delays in the installation if you don’t have what you need. First, pick a spot that is conducive to where you are working. Ideally, you want it to be secure, possibly a lockable space. If that’s not an option, use a job box to secure all hand tools and small equipment. Secure any grinders and larger equipment as well, finding something you can lock larger equipment to, or lock them together and to a pillar or post using a steel cable and lock.
STEP 3: Power
Power is going to be necessary to run your equipment and lighting during the installation. You’ll need to do a walkthrough of the jobsite to ensure that you have what you need. Make sure you have your generator setup or determine where you will tap into onsite power. On new construction sites, pay close attention, because not all new construction is going to have available power. You will also need to ensure that you have enough power to run all the necessary equipment. Each piece of equipment will have different requirements; single phase, three phase, et. Some equipment will require a spider box, or power distribution box, which you can plug into a 50 or 70 amp circuit to run hand grinders, vacuums, lights, and small equipment such 220 machines. Determine what equipment you’ll be running, what the power needs are, and ensure that you have the power to support it prior to beginning your installation.
STEP 4: Planning Your Installation
Once you’ve got your materials, equipment and power sorted, you’ll want to plan how you’re going to install. Choose where you will start the installation and where will you finish. Mark out the stages of installation as they relate to material coverage. For example, if you know that your product mix is going to yield 200 sq ft, place a mark on the wall with tape to indicate the anticipated coverage area. This will ensure that materials are not being installed too thick or being stretched too far and they will be consistent throughout.
STEP 5: Setup Your Mix Station
Now that you’ve planned your installation, you’ll need to setup your mix station. Having a mix station will help to prevent mixing errors and improve jobsite workflow. Attention to this area of staging will help you operate and install faster as well as maintain a clean, professional work area.
• Set up near your installation
• Prepare with floor protection like ram board and plastic
• Organize products, tools and accessories in order of use
• Arrange for the disposal waste, packaging, etc.
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