Restoration logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Restoration logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products & Technologies
    • Submit Your Product
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • EDUCATION
    • KnowHow.
    • Podcasts
    • Trade Shows & Expos
    • Training & Certification
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • TOPICS
    • Water Damage
    • Fire & Smoke Damage
    • Mold
    • Contamination
    • Odor
    • Contents
    • Architecture
    • Catastrophe
    • Cleaning
  • BUSINESS
    • Managing Your Business
    • Insurance/Legal Matters
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • VIDEOS
    • Ask Annissa
    • Ask the Expert
    • Ironclad Marketing Minute
    • TradeTalks
    • Video Channel
  • INFOCENTER
    • Mold and Mycotoxins
  • THE EXPERIENCE
    • Convention & Trade Show
    • R&R Special Issue
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Managing Your Restoration BusinessAsk the Expert

Using Onboarding to Take Average Achievers to the Next Level | with Video!

By Ivan Turner
June 22, 2021

Editor's Note: Ivan Turner is a restoration industry veteran who has worn many hats including owner, consultant, and trainer. This new series of articles offers glimpses at topics covered in his upcoming book, "Confessions of a Serial Restorer: I Danced with the Devil and Lived to Tell the Story"


“One of the greatest things we’ve learned in all our research is that it all begins with people. Great vision without people is irrelevant. The principle in not getting the right people on the bus, it’s FIRST getting the right people on the bus.”
- Jim Collins

In his bestselling book, Good to Great, Jim Collins writes about how good companies, mediocre companies, and even bad companies can achieve enduring greatness. When reading the book, it doesn’t take long to realize this epic best seller was the culmination of thousands of hours of exhaustive research and comparisons between highly successful companies, some not-so-successful companies, and some in between, in addition to the sharing of his brilliant and in-depth understanding of inner workings of dynamic businesses. 

As a business owner and consultant, I find it thought-provoking just how many entrepreneurs, myself included, conveyed learning very similar takeaways from the book:  “I have the wrong people on the bus” or “I need to get the right people on the bus.” In others words, the business owner will feel one of two things. One thought: his or her business is not functioning as it should because there are some tribe members who simply don’t belong on the bus. Or, the owner feels people on the bus should be changing seats. Both thoughts may be another way of saying the tribe lacks leadership.

Rarely will an owner of a business acknowledge the leader/driver he or she has hired to drive the bus to a predetermined destination is operating the bus as recklessly as a drunken monkey. Nonetheless, using knee-jerk reaction thinking, it may appear the easiest thing to do is open the door and as we say in the Show Me State, just “chunk em’ off.” Take the non-performers off and keep moving ahead toward the destination. But the problem with this "chunk and run” approach is that two or three miles up the road, you realize that the bus is still sputtering and you just chunked off one person who may have been beneficial as you find yourself, and what other passengers are left, pushing your rust bucket to the closet service station which is six miles ahead, and all uphill.

There are stark differences, observed as attributes, between underachievers, average achievers, and high performance achievers. The differentiating markers have more to do with traits like a burning desire to be the very best at his or her job, an inherent desire to feel connected (think in terms of tribe mentality), a desire to participate in the growth of a company, and good, old fashioned drive. Encouraging and building up of these inherent attributes trumps any training and lip service you may have to offer them.

Here is an idea: the next time the check engine light on the bus comes on, pull over at the next exit, pop the hood, and take a look at the engine that powers your bus. You will recognize the light. It’s one of those that comes on when you’re driving merrily along your way, and out of nowhere, a problem appears. Your fast-moving bus goes from high speed down to an agonizing crawl due to an unexpected problem, most of which are simple in nature, yet require a calling in the light brigade to solve. Had you had the foresight to build systems and people qualified to run those systems it probably would have been like it never ever happened.

Like the bus engine, there are countless moving parts to a restoration company. Undeniably, the business plan will serve as the road map to the destination, a well-written employee onboarding process will serve as the directions, and a well-qualified leader will drive your bus to where you wish it to go.

If you are planning on building an onboarding process for your business, take it from someone who knows – build the process based on your five-year and 10-year destination plans. If you are currently stuck in the rut, but still have that burning dream churning in the pit of your stomach just aching to get out, then build your onboarding process based on that. It will give the needed hope to your passengers and they will clearly see a pathway to success. Building an onboarding process based on current location of the bus that is stuck in the rut is boring to high performance achievers, and when high performers get bored, they gladly jump off the bus and usually without notice while it sputters around.

I learned a lot during my 30 years owning two disaster restoration companies. One big thing I learned is my team saw and understood my dreams and visions, and ran with it. The only thing they asked for was the ability to come along for the ride. But the hard truth is when my dreams died, theirs did too. So make sure you have the right people on the bus, and it's continuing to drive forward with a purpose and a plan your entire tribe is onboard to pursue.

Cheers,
From the Siberian Hot Saki Club

KEYWORDS: hiring and recruiting restoration business development restoration business growth restoration business leadership restoration business management restoration business owners

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Ivan Turner, a 30-year veteran, was the founder and president of two successful mid-Missouri restoration firms servicing 14 mid-Missouri counties with water damage, mold remediation and fire damage, and has mobilized to largescale catastrophic events around the country. He is the founder and president of ShowMe Marketing Solutions. He may be reached at (573) 291-0234 or by email at ivanturner78@gmail.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mold remediation

    Fighting Mold and Bacteria Damage

    Successful mold remediation can be multidisciplinary,...
    Cleaning and Sanitation
    By: Josh Woolen
  • certifications and licenses for restoration professionals

    Certifications and Licenses Every Restoration Company Needs

    Restoration companies need to make sure they have the...
    Restoration Training/Education
    By: Sharon Elzarat
  • a wall covered in moss and fungus

    Zero Tolerance for Toxic Molds: Essential Steps for Successful Remediation

    Understanding the importance of zero tolerance for toxic...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Michael A. Pinto CSP, SMS, CMP, RTPE, FLS, ERS and Kendra Seymour
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Popular Stories

water on basement floor

How Much Water Causes Water Damage?

hurricane

To CAT or not to CAT? Who Should Stay Home

flooded living room

Baseboard Water Damage - Causes, Repair and Prevention

Submit Your New Product/Technology to R&R!

Would you like to promote a new restoration, remediation or cleaning product/technology with Restoration & Remediation? Fill out the question below to start your submission:

Events

September 3, 2025

The Experience Convention and Trade Show

The Experience Convention & Trade Show logoJoin us in Las Vegas for The Experience Convention & Trade Show, the leading event for cleaning, restoration, and remediation pros, packed with hands-on demos, expert speakers, and high-impact networking. Happening September 3–5, 2025 at Caesars Forum—this is where the industry comes to learn, connect, and grow!

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Doffing PPE

When you are doffing your PPE, do you sanitize between every step?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary.

See More Products
Prepare for CATASTROPHE with R&R!

Related Articles

  • distinguishing your restoration business

    Planning to Win: Combating Complacency in Your Restoration Business

    See More
  • networking

    An Accidental Brush with Restoration Industry Legends

    See More
  • The Pot of Gold: Explaining Property & Casualty Insurance Disaster Restoration

    The Pot of Gold: Explaining Property & Casualty Insurance Disaster Restoration

    See More

Related Directories

  • LearnToRestore.com

    LearnToRestore.com is the leading IICRC-approved school with certification courses in water, fire, smoke, odor, contents processing, and more. Learn and earn your certification in person or online with our live-stream classes. Our expert-led training prepares you with essential skills to excel in the restoration industry!
×

Stay ahead of the curve with our eNewsletters.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Submit a Press Release
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Reprints
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing