b'BUILDINGATEAM GRAMPION 1vlark Gwaltney It\'s autumn, and thal means football. Recently, I was looking"Our task as contractors is forward to a relaxing day of watching football while contem to develop a structure of plating my roofing business and thee of ourdustry. As I stat inturned on the TV, I was disappointed to find no football gamesresponsibility and to watch-just 256 channels ofoperas, realily shows, soapaccountability." sitcoms, and courtroom. dramasWe often feel like oursembleoperas and businesses re soap reality shows, andmay have even considered Lhe possibil theis cau bad standdamage thatsed by theapple. we To find qualitymustfrom otherdusities oflling rich selling the daily antics of ouremployees, wedrawinge workforce tries, college campuses, and even ourmust as a sitcom. Unfortunately, we also might have feltcompetition. We like we\'re assess the talentsprospective employees and determine involveda courtroom drama,metimes as the plaintiffof inso and whatbs they can excel in. We must provide opportunilies sometimes as the defendant.jo for current employees,also understand theirnd My true love, however, is football, becausemostbutcapabilities aitclosely limitations. We can\'t stop recruitingour resembles how we view ouresses. Much like a footballsimply because allpobusinsitions are full. Competition will help ourloyees improve. coach, our goal asontractors is to devel empprofessional roofing cAg time ago, college coaches started op a team capa of winning championships. Here are somelon offering ble scholarshipsget the most talented players. Consider ways to build a championship roofing team:to offering scholarships to high school graduates interested in Create a Positive Cultureconstruction in exchange for summermploymentmust e We footballbe creative andovative to build theteam. When a fooLball coach begins a newprogram, he inn best must first createrk a positive wo environment. The culture he develops will define his success. Ourntractors is theTrain Well task as coThe successful football coachpends countless hours teaching same- to develop a structure ofponsibilily anduntabili sres accohisayers andensiders ite mostpart ty thatcompany\'s commitmentpl oft con th satisfyingof demonstrates yourto success. the ob. He uses methods such as video, hands-on training, Football recruits gravitate tointheyjprogramswhichcan andodldepetition Lo teach "the correctto do achieve their personalenjoying theofgo o r way" goals whilesuccessthe things. He grades his pla andes eedback entire program. Your prospective employees wantbe asso yers routinelyprovid fto so they lmowprogress. He uses his veteran players that ciated with a strong, successful companyontheir with a clear visifor the future.structure youop should demonstratehave "bought in" to reinforce his message. 1hedeveltheany\'s commitment tocingcareersThe successful contractor must use the same methods and emcomp enhan theirwhile brace teaching.deos, hands-on training, andan advancing the shared goals of theVi repetition c procompany. Coachesten talk aboutin"to theogram. Wevide the necessary knowledge for the new employee. Supervisor of "buyingprevaluations will provideandeteranployees mustthates are willing to "buy in" tothe feedback,your v emaskprospective employeLhe culture we have created."\'rill reinforce "the correct way" for your new employees. Recruit Talented PlayersRetain Your Best Players Football coaches knowsuccess depends ontaining The lifeblood ofny successful football program is recruitingthatreatheirest players, and these players\' happiness is vital to the talented players for allsitions. The backup quarterbackbporarely becomes thetartingensive end, because coachesteam\'s success. Coaches deal with unions, salary caps, schols defarship limits, andulations that are notecessarily team assess the qualities needed for each position andreg nrecruit friendly. Theirto promote and maintain a healthy accordingly. They also recruitpla to provide re challenge is enoughyers work environment soplayersntstay "home\'.\' placements andtoveteranwa to quality competition for regulars. They look Professional contractors face many ofame issues. VVe recruitented players from outside the areatry to createLhe stal and musl create a teampproach so employees understand that opportunities for loyal local players. Theystand not allaunderthey rue appreciatednagement and employees are recruits will "buy" to thet they mayve toand main program and tha hapartome ofthe good ofteam.working toward the same goals. Hopefully, these steps will ways with s their recruits forthe help you create yourmpionship Learn. Ouras professional roofingontractors is the same. Weown chajobcoften get caughtthe trap ofhatthe door intaking w walks in Mark GwaltneyDiamond-Everley and tend lo promoLe from within, even when thatofRoofing Contractors person is inwrence, KS, is chairMRCA\'s Business Management notpable ofing the job.sometimes are too slowLa of ca do Vveto Committee. He can be reachedmark@diamondeverley.com. recognize that an employee is not "buying in" and\'t under- at don22www.mrca.org- Midwest Roofer'