flexiblefullpage - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
Currently Reading

Hire with personality

Advertisement
billboard -
Marketing

Hire with personality

There's only so much a job interview can tell you about a prospective hire. "People can tell me whatever they think I want to hear when I'm interviewing them," says David Heaney, president of Rockland Architecture and Rockland Builders of Newport, Del. That's why Heaney uses personality profiles for anyone who interviews for a job with his high-end remodeling firm.


By Jonathan Sweet January 31, 2007
This article first appeared in the PR February 2007 issue of Pro Remodeler.

 

There's only so much a job interview can tell you about a prospective hire.

"People can tell me whatever they think I want to hear when I'm interviewing them," says David Heaney, president of Rockland Architecture and Rockland Builders of Newport, Del.

That's why Heaney uses personality profiles for anyone who interviews for a job with his high-end remodeling firm. Six years ago, he started using the DISC Profile after a business consultant recommended it to him. The test uses a series of 28 questions to determine personality types (DISC stands for Dominance, Interpersonal, Steadiness and Conscientiousness).

"This is one of the most useful tools we use in the entire company," Heaney says. "It's made a tremendous difference in hiring people."

Every position in the company has a specific personality profile assigned to it. For example, salespeople need to either be a strong "I-D" or "I-S," depending on the type of sales. Those who would do cold-calls need to be a strong "D" to deal with constant rejection, while being a strong "S" is better to make sure a customer is completely happy.

"People can change on a temporary basis, but in the long-term they're going to be true to their personality," Heaney says.


Success through consistency

Growing the company while maintaining quality is one of the biggest challenges remodelers face.

For Gary Moffie, that problem prompted him to create a Standard Operating Procedures manual when he decided to expand The Remodeling Co. in Berenly, Mass. He had started out with just himself and a field worker, but as the company’s reputation grew, he needed to add more employees. And he quickly discovered they had different ways of doing things.

"I didn’t want to micromanage the guys in the field, but I wanted the work to be consistent," Moffie says.

The manual covers techniques, such as how to install decking with mitered corners. It also covers management issues, such as how to fill out and submit time cards.

The manual is constantly updated, with 10 to 12 items added a year. For example, last year the company updated the manual to include digital photos of all interior walls before they are insulated to keep a visual record of where plumbing and HVAC are located.

New procedures come from a number of sources, including situations in the field, new laws or regulations, or something other successful companies are doing. Involving the employees in the process is the key to success, Moffie says.

"A lot of it comes from them," he says. "The project supers and the guys in the field all know that this is designed to make their lives easier."


Selling the experience

 

For its new marketing campaign, Encompass Design Build decided to look at remodeling from a client perspective.

The business coaches the company was working with told owners Troy Fenley and Chris Neumann to think more about the experience they offered their customers than the projects. That led to the company’s new tagline: "Stay where you are. Have the home of your dreams."

"There are a lot of post-war era homes on decent-size lots here, and people want to stay in their neighborhoods and their schools and keep their short commutes," Fenley says.

So far, they’ve had a positive response to the first round of postcards that went out around Thanksgiving. A second batch went out in January, along with local magazine advertising and a rebranding of the company’s Web site.


If you have a Trade Secret you would like to share, e-mail Senior Editor Jonathan Sweet at jonathan.sweet@reedbusiness.com.

leaderboard2 - default

Related Stories

How to Get More Leads with a Stronger Remodeling Brand

Discover how to build a strong brand for your construction company, and learn key strategies to differentiate and attract better leads
 

4 AI Tools for the Content Creating Contractor

Let artificial intelligence do the work

Building A Small Projects Division from the Ground Up

Through hard work and careful strategy, Harth Home Services has seen big growth

Helping Remodelers 'Get Their House In Order'

From remodeler to NARI executive to industry consultant, Diane Welhouse uses her expertise to help business owners 

Finding Success Online and on the Jobsite

The Molitors started with humble blog beginnings, and now the couple runs an unlikely two-folded business for social media marketing and design-build construction

How Much Are Window and Roofing Contractors Spending on Marketing?

Director of Home Improvement Drew Barto reveals the percentage of revenue replacement window, door, and roofing contractors of various sizes are spending on marketing in 2023

4 Things for Remodelers to Understand About Google Analytics 4

The new era of Google Analytics is here, and it's set to help you make better marketing decisions through in-depth metrics

The Empty Chair: Customer Experience Will Differentiate Your Business

With all signs pointing to a softer market, how can remodelers remain strong and different from the rest? Pro Remodeler's Director of Content Erika Mosse shares real examples.

Marketing Minute: How to Overcome a Drop in Demand

Director of Home Improvement Drew Barto shares tips on how to survive and thrive in periods of lower demand for your products or services

Do You Have a Healthy Marketing Mindset?

Use your marketing calories wisely and form healthy habits today to keep your business in shape

Advertisement
boombox2 -
Advertisement
halfpage2 -
Advertisement
native1 -

More in Category




Advertisement
native2 -
Advertisement
halfpage1 -
Advertisement
leaderboard1 -