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One person cannot be everywhere and do everything, and the key to operating a successful company lies heavily in one’s ability to delegate the work.

Industry educators have told me over and over again that the younger techs entering the trades generally either possess the technical skills to do the job or can be trained in those skills easily enough, yet they often lack the ability to communicate effectively with the customer both in writing and in person.

Is an HFC phasedown policy possible? Yes, though it won’t come easy or cheap. And, in a world where so many have so little, its importance is certainly up for debate. 

Are you taking any special steps to attract the HVACR industry’s next generation of employees?

This is an election year, which always leads to even less being accomplished in Washington than normal. A heavy supply of gridlock will likely be served throughout the remainder of 2016.

Young people want to join a culture that matches their own aspirations. HVACR can be that place if the salt-and-pepper crowd would realize that, for some millennials, it is not so much about the day-to-day features and benefits of business as it is about being engaged with customers and being involved in the business. 

Simply ensuring techs attend these industry events isn’t enough. It is also vitally important to make sure they are active participants in whatever discussions, activities, or thought-provoking exercises are taking place once they arrive.

To help honor those who inspire our industry, The NEWS is now accepting nominations for its 17th annual Best Instructor Award and fourth annual Best Trainer Award. 

The Top 40 Under 40 contest is open to those working in all aspects of the industry; the nominee just has to excel in the workplace and have a fuzzy memory of cassette tapes.

As customers move away from hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and also some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are you comfortable working with the new refrigerants being introduced?