Hiring

Ep.193: Unlimited Vacation Time – [The Tim Faller Show]

May 16, 2022 Hiring, The Tim Faller Show 00:34:46

Join Tim and Steve as they talk to Clark Harris, who recently implemented an unlimited vacation time policy at his company, to see how it is working. Although some might find this idea radical, it fits right into the strong culture that Clark has built within his company. He runs an open book organization, where he shares performance numbers with all team members, fosters an environment of open communication, trust, accountability, responsibility, freedom, and developing an owner’s mindset. 

Clark, a carpenter by trade, started his company, Innovative Construction, in 2000 and serves the Atlanta, GA metro area.  He initially grew the company slowly until he found Remodelers Advantage, where he said he found the “right way to run a business”. He has grown Innovative Construction into a multi-million dollar business with 17 employees he endearingly refers to as team members. 

Listen as Clark, Tim, and Steve discuss:

  • Using unlimited vacation to attract and retain the BEST talent
  • How responsibility and freedom are interdependent
  • And more…

Remodelers Summit is a remarkable educational event designed specifically for the remodeling community.  This year we will feature:

  • 3 inspirational and entertaining keynotes
  • 4 education tracks with 36 industry leading speakers with strategies to help you grow a better business
  • Networking with Ask Anything sessions
  • 80s party, a happy hour
  • And more…

This year the Remodelers Summit will be held at the beautiful Gaylord National Harbor, near Washington DC.

You do NOT want to miss it!

Click Here

Ep.192: Active Listening in the Job Interview with Christine Miles

May 9, 2022 Hiring 00:35:13

In the interview process, actively listening is key. But how? And how do we change if we “really need someone”? Then, of course there are all the other times that when we look back at a difficult situation, whether a client or an employee, we see all the signs of challenge were there, but that we just did not listen. Guest Christine Miles is here to share some insight and answers on how to avoid that situation.

Christine Miles is an author of What Is It Costing You Not to Listen?: The Power of Understanding to Connect, Influence, Solve & Sell, a professional keynote speaker, consultant, executive coach, thought leader, entrepreneur, and radio show host.  She is the founder and CEO of EQuipt.  Additional information on her may be obtained here. 

Tim, Steve and Christine talk more about:

  • The importance of learning to listen
  • Other situations we can benefit from actively listening in
  • And more…

Ep.180: Setting Up an In-house Training Center with David Myers

January 31, 2022 Hiring, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:37:44

It is always both exciting and refreshing to see companies tackle skills training head on by providing necessary programs for new talent.  Guest Dave Myers joins us to talk about the training process he and his team use to set employees up for success.  

Dave is the Vice President and general manager of J. Francis Company, a design build and remodel firm in Pittsburgh, PA.  He previously worked in college administration and facility management, and finds that elements from his previous positions have been beneficial to the success in his current role.

Tim, Steve and Dave talk more about:

  • The investment into a training program
  • Logistics and timelines of training
  • Significant outcomes of the program
  • And more…
book-ad-for-tim

Ep.179: The Secret to Successful Bonuses and Incentives with Doug Panozzo

January 24, 2022 Hiring, Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:38:50

Join guest Doug Panozzo as he helps us wrap up our 4-part series on Bonuses and Incentives.  Doug shares the many facets of incentives and ways he has been successful in motivating his team.

Doug is the production manager at Hogan Design and Construction and joined their team in 2017 after several years managing projects for a technology company.  He brings leadership, communication, organization, and attention to detail to his job and we hear all about it in this episode.

Tim, Steve and Doug talk more about:


4-Part Series on Bonuses and Incentives:

Ep.168: Building a Training Center with Ed Hoksbergen

October 18, 2021 Hiring, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:28:02

As many of you may know, Host Tim Faller facilitates Roundtables Peer Groups for Production Managers from successful remodeling companies, from all over the US & Canada. 

One of the hot topics in these groups is the need for skills training and development.  Some are developing training departments within their own companies, with both in-person and virtual training classes, and others are working with trade schools.  

There are many ways to approach gaining that training and development, but the biggest challenge is often just recognizing and deciding that this is a need for your team. 

Listen to this episode to hear from guest Ed Hoksbergen, who joined forces with a local trade association to create a center where this development could occur. 

Ed is the Production Manager at Encore Homes in Middleton, WI.  He splits his time between the office and the field, coordinating with superintendents, realtors, subcontractors, and homeowners throughout the entire construction process.  He is also a chairperson for the skilled trades committee, a group looking for ways to promote the trades to youth.

Tim, Steve and Ed talk more about:

  • The origins of the idea for a training center
  • What makes the training center successful
  • Finding jobs for the graduates
  • And more…

New Project Manager Roundtables Group Forming Now

Due to ongoing demand, we will be taking new members into our 7th Roundtables Group, specifically for Project Managers, in January 2022. Developed and led by our Senior Consultant and “Production Guru,” Tim Faller, this special Roundtables™ Program focuses on all aspects of production management; People Management, Technology, Training & Development, Customer Service and more.

For more information about this great program, click here.

Ep.167: Hiring for the Future with Jim Reardon

October 11, 2021 Hiring, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:31:51

Without a doubt, hiring is a huge challenge in any field, but especially in design build and remodeling. 

A large aspect of that challenge is that instead of consistently working to improve the hiring process, teams often wait too long, and find themselves in a situation where a position needs to be filled immediately.

Host Tim Faller thinks that there are ebbs and flows in the intensity and energy put into the hiring process, and that not enough focus is dedicated to hiring at all times.  

Guest Jim Reardon, Production Manager at Rhode Island Kitchen and Bath joins this episode to talk about a practice of being staffed for an upcoming growth spurt, and how to project that kind of growth. 

Jim has been with the company for 5 years and has been part of the transition from a $3.5M company, to a $7.5M company, producing over 80 projects per year.  He oversees a production office staff and various trade partners all while continuing to grow the business.

Tim, Steve and Jim talk more about:

  • Projecting growth
  • Setting goals
  • Working alongside a consultant
  • And more…

New Project Manager Roundtables Group Forming Now

Due to ongoing demand, we will be taking new members into our 7th Roundtables Group, specifically for Project Managers, in January 2022. Developed and led by our Senior Consultant and “Production Guru,” Tim Faller, this special Roundtables™ Program focuses on all aspects of production management; People Management, Technology, Training & Development, Customer Service and more.

For more information about this great program, click here.

 

Episode 162: The SPAR Process with Tim Faller

August 23, 2021 Hiring, Management, Production 00:37:11

Employee review strikes fear into everyone’s hearts.

Something has to change in the process of developing and figuring out how much someone is worth to a company, as well as a number of other aspects in the employee review process.  This episode talks about a change in this process to ensure employee growth, and how to take the necessary steps towards seeing employee reviews through a different lens.  

Host turned guest, Tim Faller, is a senior consultant and the “Master of Production” for Remodelers Advantage. For the past 17 years, he has worked with hundreds of remodeling companies, large and small, to help improve profits by creating smooth, efficient production systems.

Tim and Steve talk more about:

  • The SPAR process
  • Focusing on employee growth
  • The need for training and developing production staff
  • And more…

Get Your Production Team Focused on Profit!

Keep your production team focused on profit with weekly team training, whether they are in the office or in the field on a phone, tablet or laptop.

This Masterclass, led by Tim Faller, is held every other week on Monday afternoons, and the next class starts on September 13, 2021.

[Click for More Info]

Ep.160: Developing a Training Plan with Kevin Dunn

July 26, 2021 Hiring, Production 00:30:53

In an earlier episode, we spoke to Charles Boucher of Neal’s Remodeling in Cincinnati, Ohio, and discussed his role coming from auto parts manufacturing, to remodeling. 

He mentioned that he and their former Production Manager, Kevin Dunn, were working on training plans for the field staff, and we knew we needed to get Kevin on the show to discuss the need for companies to do the training of both entry level staff as well as those who have been around for a while. 

Kevin is the Production Training Manager at Neal’s Design Remodel, and has been with the company for 17 years.  He started at the company as a lead carpenter with 25 years of experience in construction, and has spent the last 12 years with Neal’s as a production manager, and managed the production staff from 4 million to 9 million per year. 

Tim, Steve and Kevin talk more about:

  • Starting a training plan
  • Creating structure
  • Implementing these plans
  • And more…

Upcoming Production Masterclasses

R/A Masterclasses are rich, intense, interactive learning experiences with plenty of hands-on instruction; blended with information, advice and strategies from some of the most experienced instructors in the industry.

The following Masterclasses will be focused on Production and led by Tim Faller:

Ep.159: Hiring a Trade Contractor to be a Production Manager with August Bergdahl

July 19, 2021 Hiring, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:34:20

With business booming and companies growing, one of the questions a lot of remodelers find themselves asking is, “Where can I find a good Production Manager?”  It is hard to find people that can do this very difficult role, and this episode will continue to look at this role in a company and who may be the best fit.

The focus of this episode is hiring one of your trades out of their business, and into yours.  Guest August Bergdahl talks about how this method came about and some tips for listeners to be successful in their search for a great production manager.

August is the Founder, Chief Growth Officer, and a Principal of Crescent Builds, a Seattle based residential construction and remodeling firm. August started Crescent Builds in 2007 and has been leading sales, growth, and business development from the start. He currently leads the sales team and is focused on the growth and success of Crescent delivered through relationships, analytics and new opportunities. 

Tim, Steve and August talk more about:

  • Getting started in the process of finding a production manager
  • Where to look in the search for a production manager
  • Signs you may need a production manager
  • And more…

Ep.155: The Games People Play with Jeff Neal

June 21, 2021 Hiring, Management, The Tim Faller Show 00:32:02

One of the most important topics in our industry is the labor situation. A corollary is once we have good staff how do we keep them? There are many answers to that question but the one that pops up more frequently than others is to have a great culture.

One thing is for sure you have to care about the people that work for you and let them know that in every way you can. Another component seems to be – have some fun.

Back in Episode 5, our guest, Brad Yetman, referred to what we have come to call “mini games” or different ways we can motivate and engage with our team members to keep them interested and on board.

In this episode we look at things from a slightly different perspective with guest, Jeff Neal from Ozarks Remodeling and Design in Springfield, MO. Jeff joined Ozarks in August of 2020 to take over managing the production side of the business and has been able to grow the production staff to double the size, allowing them to reduce their backlog and serve their customers sooner.

Tim, Steve and Jeff talk more about:

  • Background and description of Ozark Remodeling (size, types of work, etc.)
  • The Definition of a “mini game.”
  • Where the concept come from and the motivation behind offering them to the team.
  • An example of a game that has been used to “fix” a problem.
  • And more…