Are you frustrated with the revolving door of talent in the building automation sector? Ever trained an employee only to watch them be lured away by a competitor? If these scenarios sound familiar, our latest podcast episode is for you.

Why Employee Retention Matters

In the rapidly advancing world of building automation, maintaining a skilled and dedicated workforce isn't just an HR concern—it's a core business imperative. The cost of replacing a trained technician can range from 50% to 200% of their salary. Given these numbers, the significance of retention becomes crystal clear.

In This Episode

We dive deep into:

1. The Reasons People Quit: Beyond just the lure of higher pay, what are the factors pushing trained professionals to jump ship?
2. Strategies Tailored for Contractors and Building Owners: While contractors battle in a competitive market, building owners, especially those bound by governmental pay structures, face a different set of challenges.
3. The Data Behind Retention: We'll provide statistics that every business leader needs to be aware of, showcasing the undeniable ROI of investing in employee growth and job satisfaction.

Key Takeaways

• Compensation isn't the Sole Factor: As many as 87% of millennials prioritize professional development in a job. This offers a hint for organizations: upskilling might be the key to locking in your talent.
• The Power of Non-Monetary Benefits: For governmental building owners, emphasizing benefits like job security and long-term pension plans can offset salary limitations.
• Investing in Training Pays Off: Organizations with strong training programs boast an impressive 218% higher income per employee.

Employee and leadership challenges are some of the most difficult issues business owners and managers face. Often times you advance in your career because of your skills in a specific area.

Your team or business grows and now you have people. People are awesome, they bring life to a team and business. But they are also complicated.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, our co-owner Rachel Zito and I discuss her efforts in leading our talent and culture initiatives at SBA.

There's an exhilarating wave of change sweeping over our podcast, and we’re absolutely stoked to bring you along for the ride. If you've ever found yourself caught in the complex web of the building automation world, yearning for clarity, fresh insights, and actionable strategies, our latest episode promises to be a refreshing splash of insights.

SBA’s Grand Transformation

One of the most exciting segments of this episode is our 'New Horizons'. We've broadened our vision and are pumped to introduce our dynamic new crew members and the revolutionary Workforce Development Cohort. It’s more than a new chapter; it's a reinvention, emphasizing our relentless drive towards innovation and excellence in the building automation sphere.

Sales Strategy: Up Your Game

Ever felt that your BAS business strategies needed a tad more oomph? We've got you. This episode features a 'Sales Strategy Snapshot', ensuring you're equipped with powerful insights that promise not just results, but robust, impactful outcomes.

Operational Excellence

For those at the helm of building automation teams, our 'Operational Expertise' segment is a treasure trove. We delve into the nitty-gritty, presenting tools and strategies designed to optimize, streamline, and fortify your operational structures.

Tech Talk: Solutions at Your Fingertips

In 'Techno-Bytes', we’re breaking down some of the most pressing challenges in the industry and, more importantly, equipping you with pragmatic solutions. It’s real, it's relevant, and it’s designed to give you an edge.

Listener’s Voice: Spotlighting You

And, of course, where would we be without our loyal listeners? In our 'Listener’s Spotlight', we address a riveting question from one of you. Remember, each voice in our community is essential, and we're ever-eager to hear from you.

A Glimpse Into the Future

We couldn't sign off without teasing some of the sensational content lined up. Stay tuned, because what’s on the horizon is nothing short of legendary!

Prepare for an adventure as we roll out the 435th episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, imaginatively titled "SBA 435: Highway Heroes - Untold Stories from a Traveling Building Automation Repairman."

In this episode, we have our Corporate Trainer, David Perkins, as your travel guide. David has spent countless hours on the road, moving from site to site, unraveling and fixing complex building automation and mechanical issues that have left others in the field scratching their heads.

Now, he's ready to share his wealth of experience and the wisdom he's gained during these troubleshooting treks. Not only will you hear engrossing stories, but you'll also gain a fresh perspective on building systems and how to troubleshoot them.

Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to learn from a seasoned veteran of the industry. Join us, and let's hit the road together in this fascinating episode!

Get ready for a thrilling ride as we present the 434th episode of our popular Smart Buildings Academy podcast, titled "SBA 434: In the Maintenance Zone - Exploring Best Practices for BAS Upkeep."

Leading the discussion will be our corporate instructor, David Perkins. Drawing from his extensive experience on the maintenance frontlines, David will share a captivating mix of success stories and horror tales that illustrate the stark realities of Building Automation Systems (BAS) maintenance.

But it's not all about storytelling. David will also equip you with effective maintenance strategies, practical tips and tricks, and comprehensive frameworks that you can apply directly to your work. Whether you're an experienced professional or new to the field, this knowledge will empower you to keep your BAS running smoothly and efficiently.

Join us and delve into the best practices of BAS maintenance. This episode is an opportunity to learn from the past and arm yourself with the knowledge to prevent common pitfalls. We promise you an educational and enlightening experience that you certainly won't want to miss!

Clear your schedules for the 433rd episode of our Smart Buildings Academy Podcast! This time, we're bringing in the big guns with our distinguished corporate instructor, Michael Roper, taking the lead.

The episode is masterfully titled, "The Art and Science of Valve Sizing - Decoding the Mystery." Get ready to immerse yourself in the fascinating universe of valve types, their sizing, and the critical decision-making that goes into selecting the right valve. This episode is all about breaking down the complexities and dispelling the confusion surrounding valve selection.

Ever wondered how to avoid choosing the wrong valve for your next Building Automation System (BAS) installs and retrofits? Then this episode is tailor-made for you.

So, whether you're a seasoned professional or a newbie to the field, here's your chance to level up your knowledge and skills in this crucial area. Can't wait to see you there!

At last, the wait is over! Episode 432 of the Smart Buildings Academy's Podcast is finally here! We sat down for an incredible roundtable discussion on Wednesday, June 7th, in an episode we've titled, "Growth and Grit: Our Workforce Development Endeavors Revealed".

In this discussion, we peeled back the layers on our trailblazing, fully online, 11-week workforce development program. Yes, we've been busy transforming ordinary postal workers and hotel lobby clerks into proficient building automation service technicians in less than three months! Even we couldn't believe it initially, but by the fourth week of the program, an astounding 80% of the technical labor is already billable.

We haven't kept our journey a secret either. This episode features frank discussions about the obstacles we faced, the lessons we learned, and the successes we've achieved. And, as a bonus, we're giving you a sneak peek into our exciting enhanced Version 2.0 curriculum, which is set to roll out in Fall 2023.

If you're curious about remote talent development, or you're wondering about the ideal students for our program, we've got you covered. This episode is jam-packed with invaluable insights and information.

If your interests lie in building automation, HVAC, or revolutionizing workforce development in these sectors, this episode is an absolute must-listen. It's here that the future of our industry begins.

We invite everyone to tune in, share, and engage with us during this enlightening episode. Let's grow together, folks!

We're excited to share with you that our esteemed Director of Sales, Julian Palacios, has guest hosted an insightful episode of our podcast series, titled "Seal the Deal: Winning Strategies for Securing Service Agreements".

In this episode, Julian illuminates his tested framework for identifying, proposing, and landing profitable building automation service agreements with commercial clients. Leveraging his extensive experience, Julian demystifies the potential risks and challenges one might encounter when selling service contracts, and elaborates on strategies to convert these hurdles into opportunities. This episode is more than just a podcast, it's akin to a masterclass for those aspiring to make their mark in this domain.

If you're ready to enhance your skillset, uplift your business strategy, and make a tangible impact in the smart buildings landscape, then this episode is a must-listen for you. It's packed with insights and strategies to refine your service agreement acquisition approach, helping you to stand out in the competitive smart building industry.

Remember to join us for this enlightening session. Our podcast series serves as a platform for us to learn, grow, and collectively revolutionize the Smart Buildings industry. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be a part of our rapidly growing community and tune in to this episode to keep up with the latest trends and strategies in the smart buildings space.

We are thrilled to bring you the 430th episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast - a podcast that explores the technologies and people driving the smart buildings industry. Joining us this time is none other than industry veteran, Michael Roper. With his extensive knowledge and experience in the HVAC industry, Michael will be providing us with invaluable insights on the topic - "The Cold, Hard Facts: Understanding and Mastering Chiller Sequences".

This episode is a must-listen if you're looking to comprehend the nuances of HVAC chillers. We'll be doing a deep dive into chiller concepts, discussing everything from how chillers work, how they're controlled, to how building automation systems integrate with them. No stone will be left unturned in our quest to demystify the world of chillers!

Set your reminder for May 2nd at 9 AM CST - you wouldn't want to miss this insightful episode.

Don't forget to subscribe to Smart Buildings Academy Podcast to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and keep enhancing your knowledge about the smart buildings industry. Remember, knowledge is power - and this power can help you make your buildings smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable. We look forward to having you join us on this enlightening journey!

Don't miss out on our latest episode airing on Friday, May 26th at 9 AM CST. Titled "The Current State: How Electrical Fundamentals Drive Building Automation," this session promises to shed light on the crucial role of electrical fundamentals in the realm of building automation.

Led by our seasoned instructor, Michael Roper, this discussion aims to provide building automation professionals with a solid understanding of core electrical concepts. Michael will unpack the often complex and challenging electrical principles, simplifying them for easy understanding and application in the world of building automation.

Join us as we delve into the heart of building automation, exploring how a firm grasp of electrical fundamentals can not only enhance technical proficiency but also lead to more efficient and effective building management strategies.

Tune in this Friday to take your building automation knowledge to new heights and stay abreast of the essential electrical principles driving this fast-paced industry. Remember, knowing the basics is the first step towards mastering the field!