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Moving is Much More Than Picking Up Boxes

June 7, 2011

By: Dan Hopkins

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®, 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®, 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.

Other Articles by Dan Hopkins:

The Grandma Rules, Rules!

To Pack, or Not To Pack...

Do your Research and Choose Your Mover Wisely

 

ABOUT TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® – CANADA

In 2005, TMT International awarded its first master franchise in Canada to TMT Franchising Corp - a division of the Heron Capital Corporation. The Canadian TMT Master Franchise company currently has a customer referral rate of 94 per cent with fourteen Ontario locations servicing London, Hamilton, Halton, Mississauga North, Mississauga South, Brampton, Etobicoke, Toronto Mid-Town, Toronto East, Oshawa, Barrie, Newmarket / Aurora, Kingston and Ottawa. Visit www.twomen.ca.

Dan Hopkins is Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Development & Operations, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® - CANADA

ABOUT TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has been in business for over 25 years and currently operates in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland with 200 locations operating 1,400 moving trucks and completed 358,000 moves last year. www.twomen.com.