As a consultant to remodeling business owners, I spend a considerable amount of time on the phone. These hour-long calls, done with some regularity (ideally, monthly), can make a big difference in the success of a business. Anytime a business owner gets an informed outside perspective, there is the potential to speed up the progress of the company. 

It’s not unusual for me to have a business owner request that I speak with one or more of her employees. By listening carefully to both the owner and the employee, I can provide insight on how the pair can improve their working relationship.

Generally, this work is done remotely. But there are times when I come and work directly with the company. In my world, this is called on-site. Often a business owner chooses to host an on-site session in the hopes of realizing the full potential of his team. Maybe there seems to be a lack of clarity regarding what success at the company might look like. Or, perhaps the company has grown and there is a disconnect between new and long-time employees.

Curious? Here’s what is included in the session:

  • Two one-hour phone calls before the on-site so that I can fully understand what the client hopes to change.
  • Interviewing up to 10 employees for about 15 minutes each over the phone. By doing this, I get a pretty good idea of the employees’ perspective about what is going well and what could be going better.
  • Administration of the Remodelers Advantage employee insight survey, a blind survey of all employees which provides unfiltered insights into the employees’ perspective of how the company and the owner(s) are doing.
  • A one day (for companies with up to about 10 to 15 employees) or two day (for companies with more than 15 employees) on-site session from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. that is designed to bring the team together by providing opportunities to get to know one another. This is accomplished by breaking up employees into small groups for focused problem-solving exercises. Regardless of whether it lasts for one day or two, the on-site includes a download of the company’s strengths and its weaknesses and threats, which are then winnowed down, with the group working to brainstorm solutions.
  • A follow-up report to the owner providing my perspective on each department of the company and, in some cases, on the employees. The idea is to provide the owner with suggestions and tools for improvements in a results-oriented fashion.
  • A one hour-long phone call to review with the owner the follow-up report.

It makes me tired just laying all that out!Yes, I am biased, but I never cease to be amazed at the effect such an event can have on a company.