Planning your slow times can bring great returns

MCS Influencer Jon Olson says that down time is not always a bad thing. 

For many, October signals a change of the seasons. In some regions of the country, the next few months will be a welcome reprieve from intense heat, while others will be challenged by frigid cold, making it far more difficult to work outside. Regardless, the changing of the seasons can be a great time to maintain your tools and work on your business. Rainy, cold or windy days can be a great opportunity to turn downtime into productive time by inspecting and maintaining the tools and equipment your crew relies on every day. A little preventive maintenance now can help ensure your team is ready when demand picks back up.

Start by making sure tools are clean, dry and properly lubricated. For tools stored in cases, inspect and clean the cases as well, since trapped dirt and moisture can lead to corrosion over time. It’s also a good opportunity to touch up the cutting edges of tin snips with a sharpening stone and lubricate their pivot points. For larger equipment, take time to inspect wear components and address anything nearing the end of its useful life. If you use a roofing seamer, for example, check the condition of the drive and forming wheels and replace worn components as needed. A few simple maintenance steps during downtime can help extend tool life, prevent unexpected issues on the job and keep your crew ready for the next busy stretch.

Another area to focus on during slow times is training, which can greatly improve your team’s skills and marketability. It is common to do safety and manufacture specific training during the slower months, but this can also be a great time to work through training your team on how to do more complex tasks or how to advance their overall skills. You can use leftover materials from past jobs to allow team members to try new tasks they have not worked with before or to train them on how to work with tools they may not have worked with yet. Training less skilled team members to do more complex tasks during downtime allows your team to be prepared if someone is sick or unable to work. In short, training helps you build a stronger team.

This time of year can also be a great opportunity to train crews on topics such as oil canning, clip bleed and other common conditions they may encounter in the field. Building a stronger understanding of these issues helps your team not only improve their own expertise, but also clearly explain what customers should expect from a finished project. The more informed the customer is upfront, the better the overall experience is likely to be.

Manufacturers offer a wealth of free training through their websites and YouTube channels, while industry events such as METALCON and IRE provide opportunities to learn from experts, exchange ideas and see the latest technologies firsthand. Ultimately, slower seasons don’t have to mean lost time. Use them to sharpen your team’s skills, maintain your equipment, strengthen your business and take time to recharge. The work you put in now can help ensure you’re ready when demand picks back up.