Introduction:
If you are a business owner in the fitness equipment service industry, finding experienced talent can often feel like a Herculean task. I’ve seen your calendars and I know first-hand the demand for skilled professionals who can efficiently troubleshoot, repair, and maintain fitness equipment is high, but the employee pool seems incredibly shallow. So, how can businesses in this industry overcome the challenge of recruiting and training new employees effectively? Let’s explore some of the best strategies that I have used and where I see success.
Strategic Recruitment:
First, the standard approaches.
Leverage specialized job boards. Indeed, for example, seems to produce a slightly more professional candidate than Craigslist. The cost will be higher so set up filters to ensure that the responses you get are qualified individuals and fit your company culture.
Use social media to promote your company and the fact that you are hiring. This will require some dedication. You will need to repost 2-3 times per week highlighting the unique aspects of your company culture and the opportunities for growth within the organization.
Maybe even some signage on your fleet vans? It’s a cheap solution and it can’t hurt, right?
Now the more creative approaches.
Network within the Industry. Attend trade shows, conferences, and networking events to connect with professionals in the fitness equipment service sector. Word of mouth and industry referrals can be powerful tools in attracting top talent.
Reach out to college campuses near you to advertise on their job boards for winter and summer break jobs. This will only result in manpower for installation assistants, but that may be one of your busy seasons anyway and the added help will prove worth while.
Comprehensive Training Programs:
This is a critical step that is often missed. I cannot express how important having multiple avenues for training inside your organization is. Once you identify a person worth investing in, you absolutely must have a standard for training. Hiring new talent is so hard that you must put an emphasis on retaining the staff you have. Training is key here.
Have you created your employee manual yet? If so, have you revised it lately? It may need some updating every couple of years. Training manuals should read more like a conversation and less like an instruction manual. Make use of the AI tools available now to make this so much easier.
Develop Tailored Training Modules. Design training programs that cater to the specific needs and challenges of your company. Think about the common pitfalls you face and build training around those. The fitness equipment service industry is so specific that you will likely be training someone with similar experience. Maybe they have a mechanical background or electrical background. Consider this as you build your training system. Use terminology that relates and describe your expectations going forward. Include modules on equipment diagnostics, repair techniques, and customer service. I highly recommend a 90 day program that will quickly provide your new employee a broad sense of who your company is and what is does. You can expand this to more in depth training later.
Hands-On Experience is absolutely the best form of training. Employ this tactic whenever possible. Team up your more experienced personnel with newer. Intentionally schedule specific jobs to pass on that knowledge one to the other. Make sure you have conveyed your intentions and what it is you are hoping to gain from this job. Assigning new employees a mentor within the organization can accelerate their learning curve. Seasoned professionals can share insights, tips, and tricks that might not be covered in formal training programs. This approach allows new hires to gain valuable experience and confidence in dealing with various equipment issues.
Foster a Collaborative Environment. Encourage a culture of collaboration where experienced employees willingly share their knowledge with newcomers. This not only aids in skill development but also strengthens the sense of camaraderie within the team.
Offer Competitive Benefits and Incentives:
Let’s face it, wages have skyrocketed in the past few years. Your company is not exempt from the pressure of offering higher salaries. You will likely need to adjust your pricing, if you have not already, to account for your higher operating expense.
Competitive Salaries: In a competitive job market, offering attractive salaries is crucial to attract and retain top talent. Research industry standards and adjust compensation packages accordingly.
Performance-Based Incentives: Implement performance-based incentives to motivate employees. Recognize and reward exceptional work, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Invest in Technology and Tools:
Provide Cutting-Edge Tools: Equip your team with the latest technology and tools to enhance efficiency in diagnosing and repairing fitness equipment. Training employees to use advanced equipment ensures they stay ahead of industry trends.
Embrace Digital Learning Platforms: Incorporate digital learning platforms and resources to supplement traditional training methods. This enables employees to access information conveniently and stay updated on industry advancements.
Field Tech Fitness solutions is your partner here too! Call me and let’s talk about all the ways that Field Tech can help your business skyrocket! Call me on my cell, I want to understand your company’s needs. Ruben Hand 602-828-1426 (yes, that’s really my cell phone number!)