
Even the best restoration software tools only work well if your team knows how to use them. After you’ve picked a new technology tool to use as a part of your restoration claims billing work, the next step is to train your restoration team on how to use it. At One Claim Solutions, our team uses several software tools to help us successfully manage claims billing for our restoration contractors. We’ve seen what it takes to successfully train a restoration team on new tech. If you’re a restoration contractor planning your company’s onboarding for a new technological tool, here are some practical tips to help you successfully train your restoration team on new technology to make sure your investment isn’t a waste.
Before rolling out a new platform or tool, make sure you’re clear on why you’re implementing it. Maybe you are trying to reduce paperwork, improve communication with insurance carriers, or track job progress more accurately.
Regardless of what your goal is, be sure to convey it to your team. They are much more likely to buy into training when they understand the “why” behind the change. As you are training, keep tying the lessons back to your goals.
Not every team member learns the same way, which means a one-size-fits-all training session will always leave several employees straggling behind or disengaged. Instead, intentionally build multiple training formats into your training plan. When you do this, you’ll be able to ensure you reach everyone in a way that works for them, leading to a more confident and proficient team.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with training formats. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Training your team on every feature of a new system all at once is one of the most common mistakes we see restoration contractors make. When you go for the “everything, everywhere, all at once” approach, you leave your team feeling overwhelmed and confused. And a confused team is not a team that is eager to buy into the software.
Instead, break training into smaller steps. What those steps are will depend on what tool you are trying to train your team on. But here are some examples to help you get an idea of what the training phases could look like:
A phased approach helps your restoration team absorb the training information gradually. Then, when it comes time for the next phase, they are ready to listen, learn, and implement.
Training your restoration team on new technology will always be more effective when the training content feels relevant. Instead of teaching technology in the abstract, connect it directly to your team’s day-to-day tasks. For example, if you’re rolling out a project management app, create a sample job and show how updates flow from field techs to the office. This not only makes the training feel practical but also helps employees see how the new tool will make their jobs easier.
Managers don’t necessarily have to be the ones always training the team on using new apps or software. On any restoration team, there will be some people who are more technologically fluent than others. Leverage this by choosing “tech champions” on your team. Give these team members advanced training, and then have them help you train the remaining team members and act as go-to resources for their coworkers. Having peers to turn to for quick questions makes it less intimidating for team members who may struggle with new systems. It also reduces the burden on managers to answer every small question. Plus, these tech champions may have ideas about how to take full advantage of the technology’s features that you wouldn’t have considered yourself.
Training doesn’t end after the initial rollout. Learning is an ongoing process, and your team will probably forget steps, run into unexpected issues, or discover features they don’t understand. The key to preventing frustration is providing ongoing support. This could look like regular refresher sessions, a library of how-to guides, or turning to your tech champion when they have questions. The key is making sure your restoration team knows where to go when they get stuck, rather than abandoning the technology altogether.
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Monitor how well your team is adopting the technology and whether it’s actually helping you achieve the goals you set. Pick the metrics you track based on your goals. If you notice gaps, it may mean employees need more training, or that the process itself needs to be refined.
While technology is powerful, it should never replace the human relationships that drive restoration success. As One Claim Solutions Co-Founder Josh Ehmke puts it, “Technology is only as good as the people behind it.” Some employees might see new technology tools as a sign that they’re being replaced. Your task is to convey to your restoration team that technology is a tool to support, not replace, the team’s expertise, communication, and judgment.
Training your restoration team on new technology takes time, consistency, and the right approach. But for many contractors, managing both claims and tech training in-house can be overwhelming. That’s where One Claim Solution comes in.
At OCS, we’ve already developed and refined restoration-specific claims technology through our Contractor Portal. We’ve tested it, trained our team on it, and proven its ability to streamline claims and help contractors get paid faster. Instead of investing months into training your staff on complex claims systems, you can outsource to OCS and immediately benefit from our technology and expertise. Reach out to One Claim Solution today to see how our technology-driven approach can help your restoration business get paid faster and with less stress.