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BOOK A CALL with Trevor to learn more about refrigeration training programs

In this conversation, we’re talking about the crucial importance of gaining additional qualifications and certifications as a refrigeration technician, even if you’re company won’t pay to train you. The good news: most companies today are willing to invest money and time in employee training and skills development. Here, we’ll talk about why you should be pursuing additional training and refrigeration skills, and how to pitch your company on the value of investing in your training, and taking responsibility for your personal life and career, regardless of where you work or who you work with.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Creating a personal training plan

-Training on personal time

-Paying for training out of pocket

-Why companies want to invest in training for employees

-Where to find additional training

-Arranging a training payment plan with your employer

-Return on investment from employee training

-Pitching training to your employer

-The learning mindset

-Employer vs. employee responsibility

-Taking initiative on professional development

-Value to the company of investing in training

-Government incentives and grants for skilled trades development

Helpful Links & Resources:

BOOK A CALL with Trevor to learn more about refrigeration training programs

Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here

Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/

Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor's Supermarket Academy

BOOK A CALL with Trevor to learn more about refrigeration training programs

In this conversation, we’re talking with Jim Marsen of Jones Food Store Equipment Ltd. about how to sell more preventative maintenance (PM) contracts in the refrigeration industry. We cover how technicians can enhance their sales skills by knowing what to sell, how to sell, and who to sell to, all with integrity and honesty. Jim also has some great tips for overcoming challenges like customer hesitation and how to anyone can develop the soft skills every sales person needs.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-How to sell preventative maintenance

-How to create a value proposition

-Identifying your target client

-Avoiding false expectations

-How to build trust with customers

-Learning to be a better salesperson

-The importance of honesty in sales

-Identifying opportunities to upsell services

-Why technicians are innately great salespeople

-How to develop a sales mindset

-What to include in a preventative maintenance proposal

-Developing the soft skills of selling

-Importance of language in sales

-Developing the mindset to learn new skills

Helpful Links & Resources:

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn

Jones Food Store Equipment Ltd. Website

Episode 176: The Science of Refrigeration Troubleshooting: Tips and Techniques with Jim Marsen of Jones Foods

Episode 181: Ways to be more efficient as a technician and how to reduce your troubleshooting time with Jim Marsen

Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here

Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/

Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor's Supermarket Academy

BOOK A CALL with Trevor to learn more about refrigeration training programs

In this conversation, we’re talking about the common feeling in refrigeration of constant “busyness” and the challenge of always putting out fires. Why is it many successful people rarely complain about feeling busy, while others perpetually express overwhelm? It comes down to having a proactive mindset and identifying the causes of overwhelm, whether related to customers, staff, management, or internal processes. This episode covers how to properly plan, communicate and foster teamwork so that together, refrigeration professionals can improve efficiencies and reduce the constant feelings of being “too busy.”

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Identifying the root causes of busyness

-Strategic approaches to manage busyness

-Team collaboration and long-term solutions

-Identifying the bottleneck that causing you to feel “always busy”

-Being productive vs putting out fires

-Developing an approach to putting out fires

-Being proactive instead of reactive

-Looking for inefficiencies

Helpful Links & Resources:

LinkedIn article: “The ‘I Am Too Busy’ Story” by Trevor Matthews

BOOK A CALL with Trevor to learn more about coaching & mentorship programs

Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here

Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/

Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor's Supermarket Academy

BOOK A CALL with Trevor to learn more about refrigeration training programs

In this conversation, we’re covering the basics of heat transfer in refrigeration with Tania Herrera, Product Engineer at Güntner US. Heat transfer fundamentals are so important to know as a refrigeration technician, designer, or engineer. This episode dives into the mechanics of heat transfer, and how different factors such as refrigerant velocity, air flow, and material properties impact the efficiency and performance of heat exchangers, especially in CO2 systems operating in transcritical and subcritical modes. This is Part 2 of my series with Güntner - you can download Part 1 here: Episode 229. CO2 System Controllers with William Anaya of Güntner

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Fundamentals and mechanisms of heat transfer

-Latent and sensible heat

-Heat exchanger design principles

-3 types of heat transfer: conduction, convection and radiation

-Internal and external heat transfer

-Important heat transfer calculations

-Parallel flow and counter flow

-How to improve heat exchange within a heat exchanger

-Heat transfer in CO2 Systems and Gas Coolers

Helpful Links & Resources:

Follow Tania on LinkedIn

Guntner Website: https://guntner.com/

Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here

Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/

Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor's Supermarket Academy

BOOK A CALL with Trevor to learn more about refrigeration training programs

In this conversation, we’re talking about how to handle conflict with customers and coworkers. It’s a topic refrigeration professionals face all the time, and a soft skillset that’s required to advance your careers and build stronger relationships within the industry. Here, we cover strategies and actionable advice for developing emotional intelligence, communication skills, empathy, and how to maintain a calm demeanor during heated discussions.

In this conversation, we'll discuss:

-Active listening and effective communication

-Crucial conversation education

-Common conflict responses

-Understanding what root cause of the conflict

-Empathy and problem solving

-Handling uncomfortable conversations

-Reflecting on conflict situations

-Addressing workplace discrimination

-Power of negotiation

-Emotional intelligence

Helpful links & resources:

Free Download: Dale Carnegie’s Golden Book

BOOK A CALL with Trevor to learn more about coaching & mentorship programs

Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here

Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/

Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor's Supermarket Academy

BOOK A CALL with Trevor to learn more about refrigeration training programs

In this conversation, we’re taking a deep technical dive into CO2 refrigeration system controls with William Anaya, Controls Engineer at Güntner US. We cover the importance of proper setup, operation modes and troubleshooting common issues. William also shares how to optimize the performance of adiabatic units, the role of ambient temperature and humidity in water usage, and best practices for maintaining heat exchangers. This episode is loaded with valuable tips for technicians who want to grow their knowledge and efficiency in handling CO2 refrigeration systems.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Understanding controller setups for gas coolers

-Auto internal and server external modes

-Troubleshooting refrigeration control issues

-Troubleshooting Modbus wire issues

-Understanding refrigeration electronics

-Communication faults with fan motors

-Maintaining and replacing adiabatic pads

-Monitoring and maintaining water

-Different controller modes based on geography

Helpful Links & Resources:

William on LinkedIn

Guntner Website: https://guntner.com/

Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here

Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/

Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor's Supermarket Academy

BOOK A CALL with Trevor to learn more about refrigeration training programs

In this conversation, we’re sharing practical tips to help refrigeration technicians improve time management skills and make calls faster and more efficient. These are all time management strategies and habits that any technician of any experience level can implement - from creating checklists to better organizing your tools. These time management tips will accelerate your development as a refrigeration technician, help build confidence in troubleshooting and greatly increase productivity and job satisfaction.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Habits for better time management

-Keeping your vehicle and tools organized

-Having multiple tool bags for specific jobs

-Spending more time assessing than troubleshooting

-Tips for roubleshooting refrigeration service calls

-How to build confidence as a tradesperson

-Slowing your pace and avoiding mistakes on service calls

-Learning to trust and validate your own work

-Creating a checklist and process document

-Delegating tasks

-Time management skills

Helpful Links & Resources:

Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here

Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/

Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor's Supermarket Academy

BOOK A CALL with Trevor to learn more about refrigeration training programs

In this conversation, we’re talking with Kevin Mullis, Technical Manager at Integral UK about how technicians can gain a better understanding of transcritical CO2 supermarket refrigeration systems. Kevin shares his first-hand insight on the evolution of CO2 technology in the UK (and now North America) and provides tips for technicians who want to learn and get more confident working with CO2 refrigeration systems. He also shares his interesting journey from light supermarket maintenance into refrigeration, then onto training and technical management.

-Early challenges and innovations in CO2 refrigeration

-The evolution of transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems in supermarkets

-Why refrigeration technicians should start out in construction

-Career options beyond field work and technician

-Navigating low load situations

-Set points and parameters

-Understanding refrigeration controls and electronics

-Importance of continuing education and staying up-to-date with training

-Performing an initial visual test on a service call

-Being OK with making mistakes

-Balancing external load in refrigeration systems

-Building confidence working with CO2 refrigeration systems

-Similarities between CO2 and other refrigeration systems

Helpful Links & Resources:

Kevin Mullis on LinkedIn

Website: Integral UK Ltd.

Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here

Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/

Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel