Newsroom

MOVING IS MUCH MORE THAN PICKING UP BOXES

September 11, 2010
Renters Guide
by: Dan Hopkins
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One of the main reasons why people hire movers is that they want to hand over the all-important task of transporting their prized possessions to professionals who understand the ins and outs of the process. One of the most trusted movers in the industry is TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® - The Movers Who Care® , which was founded in the early 1980s by Mary-Ellen Sheets. The company has grown to more than 200 worldwide locations by providing exemplary service.Professional movers should be trained to handle all aspects of a move, so when you are shopping for a firm to pack and/or move your belongings to your new place, ask what kind of training their employees receive. For example, our franchisees are required to attend a two-week education/training session called STICK MEN UNIVERSITY®, which is named for the stick-men logo designed by Mary-Ellen Sheets. That logo appears on every truck, sign and company document, and has become a symbol of trust. In addition to learning about the marketing, accounting, hiring practices and management of their franchise, owners are taught to train their employees with the latest techniques and the best available equipment. Training is held in Lansing, Michigan and delivered by management and home office executives. They are also taught how to properly pack items for a move. The TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® /INTERNATIONAL, Inc. headquarters has a fully functional two-storey home built inside the training centre, where trainees learn to maneuver, wrap, pack and load tricky items such as pianos, fragile breakables, major appliances and big-screen TVs. From large bedroom sets to home office set-ups, trainees are expected to learn to recognize any and all possible obstacles, and then empty the home as quickly and efficiently as possible. This innovative training facility also includes a replica moving truck built to scale. Trainees pack the back of the truck with household items, and the sides are clear so that the trainers can observe how well the items are packed. Packers must determine how far and long the items will remain in the boxes and containers during transit and how much jostling the items will endure, and pack accordingly. While franchisee owners may not move furniture as part of their regular routine, this exercise enables them to properly train their employees in packing and moving methodology,Our goal is to exceed our customers’ expectations by treating everyone as you would want your grandmother to be treated. We call it THE GRANDMA RULE®. We are adamant that the customer should be every moving company’s first priority. Our training classes are continually monitored and updated as new technologies come along, to make sure that we are providing the best service available. In addition, through STICK MEN UNIVERSITY®, regional managers can take training courses throughout the year, and the trainers hold a two-day frontline staff conference at our international headquarters. We have also adopted the tagline “Movers Who Care®” to reflect our attitude toward what we do. Check with the moving companies you are considering to learn how much training their movers receive before trusting them with your cherished possessions. (Dan Hopkins is COO and Vice President, Development & Operations, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® CANADA)