Invest in Your Employees
Zack Smycer
Stone Industry Consultant
It is common knowledge that machinery is a big part of the stone business. I often hear how a company’s machines become their “best employee that never gets sick and always shows up.” It’s true that machinery has changed the game when it comes to efficiency and productivity. This isn’t a proclamation arguing against it. Just like that machine needs regular maintenance to remain working properly, employees need training to not just remain working properly, but to grow.
When a company invests in an employee’s growth they invest in their business. Regular training fights off complacency and helps grow the arsenal of skills an employee can wield within your business. From your fabricators to the sales staff, your business should have a foundation for learning.
First off, a proper training program for new hires should be rock solid and regimented. Developing a program can be time-consuming, but remember: you’re investing in your employees just like that CNC machine. Without an individual who knows how to properly operate it, the return on investment on that expensive machine will be stunted. A new employee should have guidelines on what skills they need to acquire, and the time frame in which they are expected to become proficient.
Whoever you’ve tasked with training should also have guidelines on tracking their progress. Doing this allows your new employee to feel secure in what’s expected of them and how they are acclimating to the new position. It also can be tied to a roadmap for pay raises and promotions. If your new employee hasn’t quite mastered the skills you’ve set out in the next tier of training, help create more opportunities for training. Remember, you’re investing in that individual and their success is your success.
This also has benefits for both parties: the trainee and the person you’ve tasked with training. The trainee learns a skill and the trainer gains experience leading and managing. Eventually, your new hire develops their skills and becomes a bigger asset to the business and can one day become the next generation of trainers. This cycle can help continually grow your team and their skills and in turn, your business.
If you aren’t already, becoming a member of The Natural Stone Institute opens you to a wealth of training modules across all aspects of the industry, from Safe Slab Handling to marketing and sales strategy roundtables.
Separate from in-house training– look to the stone industry community for resources. We are fortunate to have such a large group of passionate stone professionals who are always looking for ways to push the industry forward and help a fellow fabricator out. Stone Fabricator’s Alliance and All Slab Fabbers are just two organizations that bring the stone community together, and have become a huge resource for group problem-solving and skill development. Both organizations hold multiple workshops across the country that tackle training challenges and spotlight new and improved procedures and equipment.
Zach Smyser is a Richmond, VA native with over a decade of experience through various roles within a stone countertop shop. Zack has a passion for all things stone-related, and takes a visionary approach to providing creative design solutions that are focused on the customer experience. He is currently employed at Granite International in Cicero, NY. Send your comments to publisher@slipperyrockgazette.net .