Become a pro in 5 easy steps

By The RIDGEPRO.

How pro power can boost your business and unite your team.

If a roving reporter asked you to name a professional, what would you say? Would you name a sports figure? A musician? An astronaut? A business executive? In general, there’s no higher compliment to give someone than to say, “You’re a pro.” In reality, professionals are found across all walks of life and don’t need to have a famous name. At The RIDGEPRO, we interact daily with professionals in roofing, construction, holiday light installation, industrial safety and many other trades. Over the years we’ve noticed that they share certain characteristics we all can learn from. 

1 – Start-to-finish quality 

A professional comes prepared and dressed for the job whether it’s to give an estimate, perform the work or do the cleanup. Delivering quality is a mindset that must be shared from the top of the company all the way through the ranks. A consistent quality performance relies on staying on top of trends, new materials and best practices in the industry. Making sure your teams have the right tools, materials and training all contribute to a professional effort. 

2 – Reliability 

If you say, “We’ll start the roof tear-off next Tuesday,” your customer is counting on you to be there and be ready to work. Earning a reputation for showing up late or not putting in a full day gets you a reputation as an amateur, not a professional. Plan ahead and don’t over-promise. 

3 – Admit mistakes 

Professionalism demands absolute honesty in pricing and scheduling. You promised the job would begin next Tuesday and then it rained for four days straight and backed things up. Get ahead of the customer’s wrath by reaching out as soon as you know you’re behind. No one likes surprises. Finally, you started the job and a dropped tool breaks the carriage lamp outside the front door. Don’t blame a crew member and don’t wait for the homeowner to find it before you ‘fess up. Admit any mistakes and offer the best remedy. Lingering, unhandled problems create doubts about your professionalism that will cut into referrals and future business. 

4 – Commitment to safety 

Safety is a culture that must be cultivated in a company committed to professional practices. Conduct regular safety trainings and insist on a safety reminder at the start of each shift out in the field or in the warehouse. Insist that proper safety gear is used at all times. At The RIDGEPRO, we’ve been trusted by safety professionals since 2013 because we know that nothing is more important than preventing falls in roofing applications. Remember: professional companies are SAFE companies. 

5 – Share the spotlight 

When a job is well done, say so. Encourage and reward your teams for professional behavior large or small. The estimator who lands a big job because of his honesty with a customer; the new recruit who noticed a safety issue on the job and spoke up; the office admin who found a new app that will save time and money in the field all deserve their hour in the spotlight. When a team feels appreciated, professionalism grows.   

There’s no better time than right now to assess your operation for professionalism in all aspects. Welcome your entire team into the process and you’ll soon reap the benefits with increased referrals and business.