Sharon Koehler

Artistic Stone Design

Recently, I had occasion to talk to an installer from another company. He was a nice guy but when I asked him what brought him to our door he said he wasn’t getting enough hours with his current employer. He came at a time when we were really busy and to be truthful, I always just assume that if we are busy, so is everyone else. I was intrigued by his lack of busyness so I started asking him some questions. Then the truth came out:

Question: “Do you have any skills besides installing like fabrication or face polishing?”

Answer: “Yes, but I don’t like to do that stuff.”

Question: “Why not?”

Answer: “I’m an installer.”

Question: “When you are light on installs do you go and help out fabrication?”

Answer: “No, I’m an installer.”

Question: “When you are not very busy do you go out and help in the yard?”

Answer: “No, I’m an installer.”

Question: “When you are slow do you ever pick up a broom and clean the shop area or volunteer to clean out the trucks or restock supplies?”

Answer: “No, ma’am. I’m an installer.” (At least he called me ma’am!)

Do you see the problem? I am more than sure that if this “installer” had applied himself, he could have had more hours. Unfortunately, he had pigeonholed himself and couldn’t see outside his own little box. What a shame for him and his company. Companies (bosses) are always looking for that person that goes above and beyond. Those are the people that get noticed. Those are the people that get better raises and promotions. Those are the people that companies value. Those are the people that when layoffs and downsizing come along, they are laid off or downsized only as a last resort. And if that happens, they have little trouble finding another position.

Is it about being a good fabricator or installer or forklift driver? Of course it is. But why would you limit yourself or your employer? If you are an installer and you can fabricate, why wouldn’t you jump in if necessary? If you’re an installer and you don’t know how, why wouldn’t you want to learn? The Army motto for over 20 years was “Be all you can be.” Why would you not want to do or be your best – ANYWHERE? 

A bit over four years ago, I accepted a position with the company I work for now. A while back, we hired someone else for that position. Why? Because over the last few years I have tried and learned so many new things that I actually didn’t have time for the position they hired me for. I outgrew the job. How did that happen? Over the last four years I literally tried to learn something new every day. I didn’t always make it but that was the goal. My answer is not “NO” when they ask me to do something that I don’t know how to do. My answer is usually something like “I’m not sure how to do that but I bet I can learn.” Then I either Googled it, read a book about it or enlisted the help of someone who knew how to do it, so I can learn it. 

It’s not rocket science. It’s just learning a new skill and applying that to your everyday life. 

A word of caution: just because you might be a manager, a supervisor, a CEO or some other company leader does not mean that you can get lazy or that you are exempt from learning new things. How can a company grow or expand its offerings if nothing new is ever tried or learned? 

There are several big shows or conferences throughout the year. KBIS, Surfaces, Coverings, etc. All have different classes and demonstrations you can sign up for, not to mention information you collect at the different booths and displays. Or take some smaller classes put on by The Natural Stone Institute (now combined with the Marble Institute of America).

Last month a coworker and I traveled to Charlotte, NC where the North Carolina Stone Summit was holding a workshop on Marketing in the Natural Stone Industry. Part of my job is marketing. Why wouldn’t I want to learn something new? In January, the owner of my company went to Surfaces in Vegas. He came back and talked to us about all the cool stuff he saw and learned. We are going to start trying to do something new because of things he saw and learned there. Recently, I went to a hands-on natural stone sealing demonstration. I can assure you that I have never sealed anything in my life other than an envelope that goes in the mail, but I can’t talk to our customers or understand what our crews are saying if I don’t know these things. 

Don’t trap yourself in a box. Don’t pigeonhole yourself. Look around. Where can you help? What can you learn? Ask questions. Learn to be the go to guy or gal. Don’t sell yourself short. If you do, everyone else will too. 

Sharon Koehler is a 10- year veteran of the stone industry and currently head of marketing for Artistic Stone Design in Richmond, Va. She has been a regular contributor to various trade magazines for several years. Please send your thoughts on this or any other article to sharon@artisticstonerichmond.com.