Rainbow International’s training program helps newcomers adapt to
franchising.
The pot of gold at Rainbow Restoration is overflowing with learning opportunities.
“When they succeed, we succeed,” says Jeramy Sibley, the Sure
Start coordinator for the Dwyer Group’s
Rainbow Restoration brand.
Sibley guides new franchise owners as they learn the infrastructure part
of the business.
Before meeting Sibley and his colleagues for in-person training at corporate
headquarters in Waco, Texas, newcomers prepare for the day-to-day operations
of a Rainbow franchise, learning how to find an office location, order
equipment, purchase vehicles and hire employees.
A flood of learning
“They come to Waco excited to see how things come together in a real-life
scenario,” Sibley says. The pre-training and webinars are meant
to get everyone “on a level playing field,” he says. “When
they get here, they’re prepared to get the most from their training.”
According to Sibley, a “full-size flood house” is crucial to
the educational process. “We flood the house, place equipment and
take moisture readings just as they would in real life,” Sibley
says. “Some of the new franchisees have been exposed to this and
know what to expect.” Others value the hands-on opportunity.
New owners must also receive the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration
Certification. They can take the test during their on-site visit, as all
states recognize the licensure. Some franchisees prefer to sit for the
IICRC test in their local area. Those who don’t pass can retake
the assessment. Either way, mentors and training help with franchisee success.
Graduation day and after
When the two-week training concludes, a graduation ceremony allows attendees
to share takeaways from their experience. “They are appreciative
to see and meet the franchise support and executive team,” Sibley says.
Another significant component of Rainbow’s training involves “shadowing”
an experienced franchise owner. “Working with a field training partner
ties everything together,” Sibley says. “Even with the flood
house, there’s not a customer to see in real life, which is extremely
important.” New owners spend time with the office manager and a
salesperson. They also respond to customer jobs and work closely with
their counterparts on goal setting and challenges, according to Sibley.
Owner support continues after the training period. Dwyer Group instructors
and mentors are available for daily phone calls and emails. Periodic shop
visits are part of the ongoing support, too.
Sibley admits that there is a lot of information during the six-week training
period. “It’s like drinking water from a fire hose,”
he says. “We’re constantly adapting, too, so our business
owners can achieve their desired level of business success.”
The goal: Ensure the foundation of the business is on solid ground that
can be built on by working together, says Sibley.
