Ep.54: Keeping Long-Term Employees with John Sylvestre

We’re once again talking about the labor crisis in the remodeling industry, but from a different angle. Developing an environment that will keep the employees you have, and help them grow in their roles, will help your company prosper.

In this episode, John Sylvestre talks to Tim and Steve about how he’s created a company that keeps employees — and keeps them happy.

John is the owner of Sylvestre Remodeling and Design in Minneapolis. He paid his way through school by remodeling and building homes and graduated with two degrees in architecture. He’s chaired the NARI education committee and the certification committee and also developed and implemented the Certified Lead Carpenter program. He has won numerous awards for his work in education including the Harold Hammerman Award from NARI. He says he has the best job in the world, drinking coffee and talking with people about changing their homes.

John’s team is filled with long-term employees — his Field Supervisor has been with him for 37 years, and was his first hire, his Production Manager for 26 years, and his Lead Carpenter for 27 years. He talks about how he finds and hires great people, and how he keeps them, including:

• Letting people go in a direction they choose
• Hiring well-rounded people
• Understanding limits
• Hiring for culture fit
• Empowering your employees to make decision
• Asking the right questions to spur hiring and development
• How to train in your organization
• Why his company’s like a hockey team
• Mystery bus trips
• Keeping your great people during downturns
• Staying flexible
• And more …

Including why having fun is so important in keeping the team members you want to remain with you.

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Keep them coming! Send your suggestions for a topic or guest to Tim at tim@remdoldersadvantage.com.