A large part of running a viable, healthy and vibrant hydronic business is keeping on top of business-related training. This includes not only taking courses on the business of doing business, but courses of which your field employees may take advantage. I’ve had conversations with business owners about training for their field employees. One of them told me, “If I train them, they will leave me for greener pastures.” I replied, “Yes, and if you don’t train them, they will stay here forever.”
There is an old saw in our industry that claims, “You have to stop and sharpen your axe on a regular basis to keep it working well.” Otherwise, you waste a lot of energy to accomplish a given feat. The Radiant Professionals Alliance asked many of our members which programs they wanted to see us put forth to help enhance their businesses. The No. 1 response was education — and not just the pipe, valve and fitting side of the business, but more classes on the business of doing business.