On New Year’s Eve two years ago, partners Courtney Dies and Ashley Smith met with CEO Bob Lloyd. The call to review training and career paths turned into a 12-month, game-changing project.
“We completely blew up how we develop our people,” Courtney said. “We walked away from that meeting knowing how important it was for us to do this project right. We had to do it right. Our team deserves elite training and development, so that’s what we needed to deliver.”
What started as a career path for just training turned into three clearly defined career paths – one for managers, sales and service associates. Now, with the new tools in place, associates have the tools they need to own their own development.
“As a company, we have systems and processes for everything,” Ashley said. “And we needed to build the system for our associates’ careers.”
WATCH: Jennie Juran and Courtney Dies talk about career paths
The career paths materials that arrived at our properties this month set incredibly clear expectations. It takes a paint-by-numbers approach, explaining what associates need to master to advance to the next level within their given career path.
“It seems so simple, but it’s stuff we’ve never done before,” Courtney added.
Partner Jennie Juran played a key role in outlining the sales career path, which is broken into four different levels. Now, if you’re a senior sales associate who wants to advance to a senior sales executive, the non-negotiables are on the career path for you to review.
“It’s the perfect tool for associates to identify gaps in their development. Once you identify where you need to improve, our people can work with their trainers and regional heads to put a PDP (personal development plan) in place,” Jennie said.
On the service side, associates not only see how they can advance their careers, but the incentives that come with each promotion, including:
- Tool buckets
- Psychrometer
- Analog AC gauge manifold set
- Dewalt 20V max brushless tool-combo kit
- HVAC manifold set
- Oculus VR headset and training seat
Associates can expect in-market training on the new career paths in February. Loop also will take a deeper dive into each career path this Spring to show you how our associates are using this new benefit and maximizing their Connor Group careers.