October 24, October 25, November 1, November 2, 2022 – 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Cost is $169 per ABC Member Employee

About the Class: Critical Skills® is the training soft skills for key team members who work closely with supervisors and leaders by providing top field personnel with pre-leadership training. This course is jam-packed with immediately actionable and relevant content. Critical Skills generates meaningful discussions between supervisors and their crew members, putting everyone on the same page.

Who should attend: This innovative program is for key field-level employees, supervisors, and employers. Company leaders are welcome to attend to reinforce program concepts.

Format: ABC of Wisconsin uses the GoToWebinar platform for online classes. The four, 90-minute to two-hour sessions. Each of the sessions are presented using a fast-paced, fairly direct approach. Critical Skills is known to generate meaningful discussions between supervisors and team members.

Workbooks: Before each session begins, a PDF of the workbook is sent for download. The workbook is a tool participants can use in the program. It includes exercises and activities that can be shared with employers and team members.

Session details:

1. Construction Communication Part 1 — Mon., October 24, 2022 5:00–7:00pm CDT/6:00- 8:00pm EDT. What is the Communication Model and what could possibly go wrong? We will focus on the communication cycle between a sender and receiver. We then look at how to overcome communication barriers and discusses the power of active listening.

2. Construction Communication Part 2 — Tue., October 25, 2022, 5:00-7:00pm CDT/6:00– 8:00pm EDT. Communicating ethically and earning respect are at the very core of an effective construction crew. Part 2 outlines the behaviors of a high trust working environment. It also covers how gossip, rumors, and lies destroy trust. This module includes talking to supervisors, filling out essential paperwork, and reading to find information.

3. Construction Teamwork — Tue., November 1, 2022, 5:00-7:00pm CDT/6:00–8:00 pm EDT. Successful construction crews have common characteristics. We will cover the difference between groups and teams. Highlighting team member styles and intergenerational/multicultural teams. We will also spotlights the importance of on-boarding new crew members, which results in peak performing teams.

4. Construction Professionalism & Productivity — Wed., November 2, 2022, 5:00–7:00pm CDT/6:00–8:00pm EDT. No matter the trade, construction is a profession. This session ties the traits of construction professionals in with productivity.

This course is for those who are transitioning to a supervisory/managerial/leadership role in the construction industry. This course provides participants with knowledge they need to understand their new role and to start building their leadership skills.

Who should attend:  This introductory course has been designed for those with proven technical knowledge/skills who are new to or preparing for a role supervising or leading others. 

TOPICS COVERED:

1. Challenges for the New Foreman – Every new position has unique challenges, especially in the construction industry. There are several common issues new leaders must face, including preparing for a new position, building a culture of effective leadership, and the fundamentals of goal setting.

2. Crew Member to Crew Leader – The most effective supervisors are individuals who effectively and efficiently put work in place. Supervisory leadership requires a completely different set of skills and typically comes with new responsibilities. We will discuss how leaders get things done through members of their team.

3. The Working Foreman – What does a successful transition look like? Often the first step is to be a working foreman who still works with the tools or an assistant crew leader, with a small crew. We will discuss what the expectations are for this type of position and ways of progressively increasing the percentage of leadership duties.

4. The New Leader – What are the differences between management, supervision, and leadership? We will discuss the competencies required for all three of these aspects of a crew leader’s position. Also, what are typical construction costs? What can a field leader do to help control costs to meet projected budgets on a project?

The Construction Team focuses primarily on a team leader’s approach to construction leadership. 

Who should attend:  This program is for those who supervise others. This includes crew leaders, foremen, project supervisors, office managers, and construction executives. This leadership course, like the Construction Leader and Construction Foreman programs, covers new material with an emphasis on the team.

TOPICS COVERED 

1. Team Builder – Lessons on leadership often forget to address the need for leaders to build their teams. The initial segment in this series investigates how leaders can tap the unique talents of their people to build better teams. Participants will finish this segment knowing how to be a Team Builder.

2. Team Leader’s Playbook – Leaders need a set of useable skills to get the most from their teams. This segment discusses a number of these skills including problem solving, team decision making, working through conflicts, critical thinking, and communication. All topics are viewed through the lens of the Team Leader.

3. Train and Mentor – Leaders need to train team members and be mentors. Team members need mentors to grow in their careers. Coaching is a part of the mix. Train and Mentor discusses how all these elements of the team relationship need to work together for a winning team.

4. Your Winning Team – Team Leaders never stop learning and improving. The final segment in this series adds several tips on how to continuously improve as a Team Leader. Participants will wrap up their journey in becoming a better team leader by learning valuable lessons in how to get the most from their team, now and in the future.

Great craftspeople can become great crew leaders, foremen, and supervisors, with proper support, guidance, and educational opportunities. The Construction Foreman series provides participants with the knowledge they need to build their supervisory skills. 

Who should attend:  This program is for those with little or no formal supervisory training who supervise others in some capacity. This includes new crew leaders, foreman, and supervisors with anywhere from a few months to a few years’ experience. Company owners, project managers, and experienced supervisors may benefit from this session as well.

TOPICS COVERED 

1. Transition to Foreman – New and existing leaders will discover useful leadership keys and supervisory skills. Find your own leadership style and learn how to use it successfully.

2. Communication for the New Leader – Communication skills are essential for every good leader. Understand the significant communication elements needed to be a highly-effective communicator.

3. Delegation – Find the reasons why good leaders need to also be good delegators. Acquire the skills and knowledge leaders need in delegating tasks to their people.

4. The Foreman Your Crew Wants to Follow – Everyone wants to be on the winning team. Learn what respected leaders do to motivate and build enthusiasm in their teams.

Becoming a great leader will result in better performance for the entire team.  In this five-module program, participants will learn the leadership skills they need to become top performers.

Who should attend:  This is a construction industry leadership program for those who are responsible for supervising others, including crew leaders, foremen, supervisors, project managers and company leaders. Company owners are encouraged to attend. 

TOPICS COVERED 

1. Construction Leader Qualities – What is Leadership? This module focuses on leadership rather than management of construction work groups. 

2. Construction Leaders – Construction leaders are liaisons between their teams and upper management. This module looks at the role of leaders and the six actions they can take to produce superior results.

3. Leadership is Hard – Experienced leaders understand the power of conflict and motivation. This module will look at motivation, demotivation and how to promote employee accountability.

4. The Great Leader – The great leader isolates and identifies the root problems of poor performance. This module also looks at the power of praise to increase team enthusiasm.

About this class: The Five Secrets to Becoming A Profitable Contractor: You and others have successfully built a construction company, but you’re not making as much money as you think you should. You might be going broke and don’t even know it. Don’t be a part of the contractor’s dilemma. This session will share secrets to independence and start growing your company profitably. Sessions include financial basics, financial KPIs, comp rate basics, budgeting, and revenue recognition. 

Who should attend: This program is for office level employees who are moving into higher level roles, transitioning from working in the business to working on the business. This includes general managers, new or soon to be company owners, CEOs, CFOs, and COOs.

Instructor: Aaron Mills

Aaron Mills is the founder and CEO of Daaxit, Inc., a professional financial services company offering fraction CFO services to established contractors. Aaron’s 25 years of financial oversight for several $10-30 million contracting companies gives him a unique perspective into how to scale businesses through a framework he calls Financial Resource Optimization (FRO). His expertise has been nationally recognized for multiple awards, including Crain’s Chicago Business Fast 50, four-time INC’s 5000’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies, and Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) Top 600 Specialty Contractors. Aaron enhances profitability and improves employee revenue output for every contracting company he works with while helping owners discover financial freedom.

Location: ABC Professional Development Center, Madison

The fee is $235 per person

About this class: Creating a “culture that excels” is a key leadership skill. Engaged employees performing at their best have the greatest impact on company outcomes. This session will cover how to develop a company culture that encourages employees to thrive while bringing their best to work every day. In addition to the main session, participants will choose to attend one of two late afternoon 90-minute sessions, the HR Boot Camp and Employee Handbook.

Who should attend: This program is for office level employees who are moving into higher level roles, transitioning from working in the business to working on the business. This includes general managers, new or soon to be company owners, CEOs, CFOs, and COOs.

Instructor: Mark Marsden

Mark is a passionate, motivational keynote speaker with deep experience building and developing culture within corporate, non-profit and educational organizations. His background as an educator, marketer, speaker and mentalist have provided opportunity for him to present his workshops and keynotes to a broad range of executives, employees and business leaders, helping them deliver results and achieve goals. Mark’s interactive workshops uniquely blend design thinking, organizational psychology and creativity to provide real-world, actionable content and strategies for companies. 

Location: Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells

The fee is $350 per person

Note: This is one course of the 12-course Emerging Leader Program, but can be taken as a stand-alone course.

About this class: Becoming a great leader will result in better performance for the entire company. In this session, participants will learn the leadership skills they need to become top performers and to help others do the same. Topics include construction leader qualities, team leaders, leadership is hard, and the great leader. 

Who should attend: This program is for office level employees who are moving into higher level roles, transitioning from working in the business to working on the business. This includes general managers, new or soon to be company owners, CEOs, CFOs, and COOs.

Instructor: Mike Somers 

Mike has more than 40 years construction owner and manager experience. He has served on the ABC of Wisconsin Board of Directors and was instrumental in establishing the ABC Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship program, having taught the program for several years. Currently, Mike teaches several construction leadership and management courses for ABC Wisconsin. He travels the United States and Canada teaching construction professionals and sharing a lifetime of “real experiences” in and personal enthusiasm for construction. Mike is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a degree in Business Management.

Location: ABC Professional Development Center, Madison

The fee is $350 per person

Note: This is one course of the 12-course Emerging Leader Program, but can be taken as a stand-alone course.

About this class: The Five Secrets to Becoming A Profitable Contractor: You and others have successfully built a construction company, but you’re not making as much money as you think you should. You might be going broke and don’t even know it. Don’t be a part of the contractor’s dilemma. This session will share secrets to independence and start growing your company profitably. Sessions include financial basics, financial KPIs, comp rate basics, budgeting, and revenue recognition. 

Who should attend: This program is for office level employees who are moving into higher level roles, transitioning from working in the business to working on the business. This includes general managers, new or soon to be company owners, CEOs, CFOs, and COOs.

Instructor: Aaron Mills

Aaron Mills is the founder and CEO of Daaxit, Inc., a professional financial services company offering fraction CFO services to established contractors. Aaron’s 25 years of financial oversight for several $10-30 million contracting companies gives him a unique perspective into how to scale businesses through a framework he calls Financial Resource Optimization (FRO). His expertise has been nationally recognized for multiple awards, including Crain’s Chicago Business Fast 50, four-time INC’s 5000’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies, and Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) Top 600 Specialty Contractors. Aaron enhances profitability and improves employee revenue output for every contracting company he works with while helping owners discover financial freedom.

Location: ABC Professional Development Center, Madison

The fee is $235 per person

About this class: Emerging Leaders often deal with disputes. At times these can reach the level of arbitration or litigation. This session will discuss the concept of breachless execution. Topics include contracts & terminology, issues & resolutions, progress billing & the payment process, and performance issues, default, & termination. It will then cover dispute resolution & avoiding disputes. The emphasis will be on best practices each step of the process.

Who should attend: This program is for office level employees who are moving into higher level roles, transitioning from working in the business to working on the business. This includes general managers, new or soon to be company owners, CEOs, CFOs, and COOs.

Instructor: Josh Levy

Josh is a partner with HuschBlackwell. His experience as in-house counsel for a national construction firm provided him with a real-world understanding of the concerns of owners and contractors. Levy’s clients recognize his advice as authentic − from the onset of planning to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A dedicated advocate, Levy has represented clients in more than 50 American Arbitration Association (AAA) hearings, as well as numerous state and federal court and jury trials. He also has served as an arbitrator on the AAA construction industry panel of neutrals for 13 years and assists clients with matters concerning employment law. Josh currently serves on the ABC of Wisconsin Board of Directors.

Location: ABC Professional Development Center, Madison

The fee is $350 per person

Note: This is one course of the 12-course Emerging Leader Program, but can be taken as a stand-alone course.

About this class: This session addresses the differences between branding and marketing and how they work together to drive customer engagement and, ultimately, sales. We will explore the brands and the steps to create a marketing plan designed to generate new business and strengthen relationships with existing customers. We will also discuss the power of culture in leveraging employee influence to advocate for a company and promote the brand.

Who should attend: This program is for office level employees who are moving into higher level roles, transitioning from working in the business to working on the business. This includes general managers, new or soon to be company owners, CEOs, CFOs, and COOs.

Instructor: Scott Truehl

Scott Truehl is Executive Vice President and Partner with Friede & Associates. With more than 30 years of experience in site selection and commercial development, Scott is responsible for assisting clients not only with their project development, but also their site analysis and acquisition, municipal approval, and development needs. Prior to working in the construction field, Scott held management positions with Wisconsin Power & Light. Scott is an active member and presenter at the International Construction Leadership Network and is a speaker at both national and state contracting conferences on topics including creating a positive corporate culture, marketing construction services, design-build construction, and working with realtors and developers. He also speaks to hundreds of trade contractors each year on how to effectively work with general contractors.

Location: ABC Professional Development Center, Madison

The fee is $350 per person

Note: This is one course of the 12-course Emerging Leader Program, but can be taken as a stand-alone course.