Coaching Your Techs To Success - 3 Simple Tips to Make Your Team the Best!

With the NBA Playoffs slowly winding down and the Finals just around the corner (my money is on the Heat, what’s yours?), I have been watching a lot of basketball lately.  As I have been watching these teams compete, I have come to realize that basketball teams are a lot like field service companies.

I know, it sounds a little far off, but just stick with me.  I promise you will see my point by the end of this article.

You as business owners and managers are the coaches of your field service teams.  Below are some tips on how to “coach” your guys out in the field

• Share your knowledge – Coaches aren’t just some no names from off the street wearing fancy suits and screaming from the side lines, they are professionals.  Most of these coaches, just like you as contractors, have been in the profession for some time.  You know what you’re doing and what your guys should be doing, so share your knowledge.  This team of technicians obviously respect you if they are choosing to work for you, especially your new guys, the “Rookies.”  They are just getting their feet wet and often appreciate some words of wisdom – even if they’re too proud to ask for them!
• Switch out your starters – Coaches like testing out different starters in games to see who works well with others and who can get the most done in that first quarter.  You can try this out within your own company as well.  Mix up the teams you send out each morning or week.  Find which ones seem to be most productive and do the best work together.  This mix up also keeps things interesting for your guys in the field, meaning they don’t fall in to a boring routine.
• Provide confidence – While you are the boss and need to know when to reprimand your guys, you also need to know when to provide them with positive feedback.  Focus on when they do something right.  Make sure they know the contributions they make to the company and to the team.

See?  I told you I could tie the two together nicely!  While you may not have an entire nation looking on as you coach your guys to victory, you do have an entire business counting on the team to work properly for there to be success.  Understand that you are a leader and your guys look up to you for your advice and even your approval.  Now go get ‘em, Coach!