NEW ORLEANS — The 2024 Service Operations Forum, hosted at the Hotel Monteleone in January, provided a platform for Synergy Solution Group members to explore key aspects of service operations, employee engagement, and organizational culture.

The event drew 68 industry professionals who met in a collaborative environment in which they shared strategies, insights, and experiences.

The forum commenced with a workshop led by David Osborne (Dale Carnegie) that focused on "Building a Culture of Engagement." Participants engaged in discussions about conflict resolution and strategies for enhancing workplace engagement.

“The conflict resolution for the issues were helpful,” said Karl Schoening of North Mechanical. “Made me think a lot about the way I handle things and what I can do to improve.”

The afternoon session on employee retention and recognition allowed members to share and learn from each other's experiences in fostering team engagement and appreciation. David Sanchez (Galgon HVAC) highlighted the value of learning from peers.

"Great information from everyone on how to keep employees, especially for me … new to the role. It is great to no have to make all the mistakes I can expedite my experience by learning what others have done,” he said.

The second day delved into the financial side of service operations, with discussions about strategies for sustainable growth and fostering a business mindset among teams. "Eye-opening to how others are tracking and improving their financials,” said Kyle Hatfield (Interstate Mechanical). “It gave me ideas on how to get more granular with my own processes.”

A key focus was also placed on empowering teams through training, with Kevin Almon (Vital Mechanical Service) presenting the company’s employee arc development model. “I’ll be implementing the ARC ideology presented by Kevin,” said Sean McKibban (Five Star Mechanical). “It was simple, flexible, and powerful.”

The day concluded with Synergy’s 2024 Partner Fair, a venue for members to explore new products and services. 

The final day featured a panel discussion on client retention, addressing methods for evaluating client relationships, and ensuring client satisfaction. This was followed by a session on creating a championship culture within organizations and how to encourage members to share initiatives that drive improvement and foster a positive culture.

“The best part is just the three days of conversation without restraint,” said Nick Cline (Vital Mechanical Service). “Sometimes just knowing that everyone else is out there trying to figure out the same issues helps reduce the stress of not knowing all the answers.”

Synergy Solution Group is a network of peers who share the same vision, drive, and passion for the commercial HVAC industry. Its mission is to help contractors build connections and develop meaningful relationships for everyone within their organizations.