How This 8-Location Window Treatment Company Cut Training Time in Half Using AI
Andrea Hoffer, MS, MBA
Helping multi-unit franchise owners build consistent hiring and culture systems that reduce turnover and improve performance. | Author of ‘Hire Higher’ | Keynote Speaker | Talent Optimization and AI Expert
Remember the old days of training new hires? That dusty binder of outdated procedures, the shoulder-surfing to learn computer systems, and the constant "sorry to interrupt, but how do I...?" questions?
I used to see this all the time with my franchise clients. Sarah, who owns multiple QSR locations, put it perfectly:
"I was losing good people because we couldn't train them fast enough. They'd get frustrated and quit before becoming confident in their roles."
This story is changing, thanks to AI.
Welcome to the second part of MOTIVATE, the final step in the DREAM Framework for hiring and retaining team members.
Let me share how we helped Ergun, one of our clients who a growing window treatment company that services 8 areas, transform his training process using AI tools that any small business can implement today.
"Training was our biggest bottleneck to growth," Ergun told me. "With team members from Orlando to Miami, I couldn't be everywhere at once, and my experienced installers were spending more time training than installing. Quality was suffering, and we were losing money on new hires who weren’t fully productive."
Here's the exact process we developed for Ergun’s business (and that you can implement too):
The Old Way:
- Overwhelming product manuals
- Inconsistent training delivery
- Constant interruptions for basic questions
- Frustrated new hires and exhausted managers
The New Way:
We created three distinct training tracks (Admin/Installation/Sales) using a combination of AI tools that any small business can implement:
1. Content Organization & Creation
We fed everything into Claude (AI Assistant):
- Product documentation
- Training video transcripts
- System processes
- Best practices
Claude organized it into:
- Role-specific modules
- Step-by-step guides
- Interactive exercises
- Knowledge checks
2. Visual Learning
Using Scribehow.com, we captured:
- Exact system navigation
- Screenshot tutorials
- Click-by-click guides
No more "Click somewhere on the right... no, the other right."
3. The Game-Changer: AI Training Companion
We built "Windy" - a 24/7 AI assistant who:
- Answers product questions
- Explains procedures
领英推荐
- Troubleshoots problems
- Never gets tired or frustrated
Picture this:
7 AM: New installer needs help with a bay window measurement
Old way: Wait for manager to wake up
New way: Ask Windy, get instant guidance
4. Interactive Learning
Using NotebookLM to create:
- Custom quizzes
- Role-playing scenarios
- Progress tracking
- Comprehension checks
The Results?
Our window treatment client saw:
- Training time cut
- fewer basic questions to managers
- increase in new hire confidence
- Zero "I quit because I couldn't learn it" resignations
Here's why this matters for your business:
Only 12% of employees say their organization has a good onboarding process. Organizations with robust onboarding can increase retention by 82%
Think about it:
- Frustrated employees quit
- Untrained employees make mistakes
- Mistakes lead to customer complaints
- Complaints create more frustration
- The cycle continues...
Break this cycle with AI-powered training:
1. Start small - pick one process to document
2. Use AI to organize and create training content
3. Build simple visual guides
4. Create a basic AI assistant for common questions
Want to learn more more? Reach out with a DM.
Remember: AI doesn't replace human training - it enhances it by handling the repeatable parts, letting your experienced team focus on teaching the nuanced skills that really matter.
Building your Dream Team? Check out my previous articles on the DREAM Framework for hiring and retention strategies.
#smallbusiness #training #AI #hiring #retention #franchise
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3 个月It's crucial to ensure employees feel confident in their roles to reduce turnover. Have you considered implementing mentorship programs as a training solution? They can make a significant difference! On a different note, I’d be happy to connect—please feel free to send me a request!