KickStart: Tie your techs to your company emotionally to dramatically reduce turnover. Intrigued? Then read on…
Can I be honest? “Well, Steve, why change now? You’ve always been kind of a bull-in-a-china-shop-type-of-guy! So go ahead.” 🙄 OK, if you run a residential services business…
🗝️ Your employees will always be your biggest challenge—and yet also be your greatest joy… and sometimes on the same day! Am I right… or am I right?
Over the years in the home services industry, I spent a lot of time down in the trenches with my crew. I thrived on this stuff! (Not so sure my techs felt the same way!) 🫣
However, I was (and still am) genuinely humbled by the trust my employees placed in me. 💖 (Even when they drove me slightly crazy!)
Most days were an absolute blast. We made great money, solved massive headaches for homeowners, and went home feeling fulfilled. You too?
And yet, the very real challenge? Keeping this exciting “emotional momentum” alive in your team day after day. So, here is your million-dollar question:
How can you keep your residential services business profitable, deliver 5-star customer experiences, and still reduce (or even eliminate) technician turnover?
Here’s the recipe: Your production staff must a) feel appreciated and b) fulfilled while still c) having FUN too! (“Paying people more” 💲💲💲is important too!) Here’s one essential concept…
Your Employees will Blossom in a Family Atmosphere
Yep, you must cultivate a close-knit, even exuberant “family atmosphere” in your residential services company. One great way to do this?
🗝️ Get your techs out of the trucks by sponsoring a monthly company outing.
I’m not talking about an awkward “rah-rah meeting” with your techs rolling their eyes at each other while you sermonize! 🙄 I mean spending some relaxing, down-to-earth and FUN time together! For example…
🗝️ Host a company-paid barbecue at a different team member’s house on a rotating basis. You’d be surprised how proud your guys are of their homes and their grilling skills. Or…
Sponsor a fishing charter, organize a casual golf scramble, or rent a block of seats at a local sporting event and then pick up the tab for burgers 🍔🍔🍔 and beer 🍺🍺🍺 at the local tap house afterwards.
ProTIP: Be sure to include your employees’ spouses and kids in these events. I found when mama liked me her husband stayed with us a lot longer!
NOTE: Don’t sweat the cost of these outings. The benefits of keeping a fully staffed, motivated employee roster far outweigh the price of a few dozen hotdogs, baseball tickets and/or some adult beverages.
Naturally, building loyalty is MUCH easier when you start with great hires in the first place. But once you have them, anything you do to promote that family vibe becomes a massive reason for your people to stick around.
Let’s face it, residential service work can be incredibly lonely out there in the field all day. But when your techs feel like the boss cares for them and their family, they will crawl over broken glass for you!
As the old (or is it new?) saying goes, “Girls (people) just wanna have fun!” 🥳🎉🎊🪅🎈🪇
Steve’s Golden Rule: Techs will start working for you because they need a paycheck. But they stay with you long-term for emotional reasons. 💖
Your real mission as an owner or manager? Convince your workers to buy into your company’s future emotionally and the rest is easy!
BonusTIP: Employee rewards and Public Recognition fit synergistically into the above mix. Learn how! 🎊🪇🪅🎉🎈
Folks, this stuff isn’t rocket science, and you don’t need to be everybody’s best buddy. Just set the stage, handle the logistics, and let the good times roll! 😎
The result? Your people will naturally bond with each other, and your customers will feel your company’s positive energy the second your tech knocks on their door.
Alright folks, break time is over! Time to get back to work! (Like this topic? Then click go here for: 4 more tech retention strategies!)
Next Week: Why and How to Convert Traumatized Homeowners into Raving Fans