Episode Summary
He serendipitously discovered his love for training and educating future tradesmen through an early collaboration with his brother at Bergen.
Loren was a part of Bergen when his brother decided to transition the company’s ownership to its employees. This decision was influenced by his previous job experiences, where he realized that ascending to the top was unattainable due to nepotism and the preference for family ownership within the industry.
As Bergen experienced growth and success, Loren took over their apprenticeship program and transformed it into a core pillar of Bergen culture. It was so successful that Bergen spun off their program into an independent trade school, Blackhawk School of Apprenticeship. Blackhawk serves as the gateway to Bergen, where every new tradesman is trained and educated through this School of Apprenticeship. It’s become a rite of passage to work at Bergen.
Loren’s brother initiated the multi-year process of selling the company to its employees through an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). An ESOP allows employees to own shares in the company, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the company’s success.
Listen to Loren share how this transformative process changed Bergen’s culture, igniting a shared passion and dedication among the employees for the business, its customers, and their craft.
A few key takeaways:
- Empowerment through Education: Loren Garder’s initiative to develop a comprehensive training and education program underscores the importance of continuous learning and skill development in professional growth and organizational success.
- Culture Transformation via Ownership: The transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) illustrates how sharing company ownership with employees can transform a company’s culture, fostering a sense of belonging, responsibility, and collective drive toward success.
- Strategic Innovation in Business: The creation of the Blackhawk School of Apprenticeship as a feeder system for new talent highlights the value of innovative approaches to solving traditional business challenges, such as talent acquisition and development.
- Impact on Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction: This suggests a strong link between employee empowerment, company culture, and the quality of service provided to customers. In Bergen, the shift to an ESOP improved company dynamics significantly and influenced the customer experience and business success.
- And more!
Connect with Loren Gardner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorendgardner/
Connect with Apprenticeship Works
Instagram: www.instagram.com/apprenticeship_works/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553685544705
Connect with Bergen Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling
Website: https://noworrycomfort.com
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