We all remember the person who truly saw us, believed in us and was a big reason we moved the needle in our life. I’m a next-level person, always looking for a growth opportunity and the doors that open when I reach a new point of success. 

While contemplating writing a piece about the importance of developing and retaining mentors in dealerships, this social post below came through my feed. There it was. Greenway Equipment hitting it out of the park with recognizing their teaching leaders. 

I gave them a call and had a high-level culture conversation with COO Brad Nash and Jared Field, Director of Talent Acquisition, Development and Safety. 

They shared more about the people in the post: one a previous technical instructor from a local college, another with a military background, and yet another who was a parts manager within the John Deere organization for more than 20 years.  

In total, the dealership has 30 locations and a number of educational programs specifically built (and run by) its in-house teams. From an ag-tech program affiliated with local schools, then an in-house apprenticeship and even a mentor technician track, Greenway has developed options for those just starting out and others looking for a new career path, whether 18 or 48. 

Field explains that the leadership vision is heavily invested in mentors and coaching, knowing that they’ve found success in finding and training their own. 

“They don’t mind slowing down a bit to show them the right way,” he says of the apprentice mentors. “They see the value in training a new young person and bringing them into the career path. We all try to get the new members encompassed into the organization and help them know who to talk to, what our culture is like, and be successful.”

And Field explains the “why” to their approach in a way that made me just smile and nod. I’ve seen it and lived it. Culture is absolutely critical in who stays and who goes. “It’s difficult to keep technicians these days, so anything we can do to keep them here is what we’re trying to do,” he says. 

He should know. In his role, he lives and breathes topics like people, talent and retention. 

And then it was Nash’s turn. As COO, it was obvious by his thoughts that he is someone who connects all the dots. 

“It’s important to recognize the work they’ve done,” he says referring to the instructors in the original FB post. “We all work together, but they dedicate themselves to making sure that Greenway has quality trained employees.”

Nash continues on, saying that a clear path and tools to succeed are critical to any new technicians joining the team. He explains that a sink or swim mentality isn’t setting anyone up for success and can be very overwhelming. 

“I promise you it makes all the difference,” he adds. “When you bring people on board, and lay out how good it can be, but then SHOW them a clear path to get there, it’s powerful. Have that conversation with them. ‘As long as you’ve bought in, I’m the guy that can get behind you and help you rise.’ 

“When you start talking about what a person can become vs. just a monetary thing, they start to understand what you’re trying to build: a culture that cares about its people, that cares about the customer and who’s truly trying to be a part of something bigger than themselves,” he adds.

Then comes the retention, employee referrals and in turn, a stronger foundation for the business.

The duo agrees that it isn’t a set-and-forget it either. Building culture, training, recognition, is a daily force Nash says they must create and sustain. 

He says he tells service managers and trainers that they have an opportunity to truly impact a person and their life, and their family’s life. “You can do that by helping the person see themselves like you see them, and that they can achieve these things,” he says. “And when they believe because you speak from a place of possibility for them, then you have something special.”  

Greenway Equipment recently announced its graduating apprenticeship class. 

Read the full article “The Technician Shortage Begins Before the Job Opening” here: https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25732-the-technician-shortage-begins-before-the-job-opening