TRAINING

Comments of Those who have Experienced Either Hands-on, Personal or Classroom Training From Tom McNall of GNS

"I would like to say thank you for all the helpful information you provided at the seminar. Not only were our expectations met but they were exceeded.  We feel we walked away with a lot of valuable information, as our company is looking to add the field to our list of services. Hopefully soon we will become Marble Institute of America members too."

John Derrickson, Royal Plus Inc.

" I just wanted to write you a letter in regard to my experience working with you and your stone restoration crew. As you know, I had taken a 3 day course out on the east coast.This course was like an introduction to stone restoration. In 3 days we covered a whole lot of material. I came away from the course more or less overwhelmed by information. Having worked in floor maintenancefor 8 years, I just felt like I needed more time with experienced people to help me gain confidence in restoring stone floors.  I wanted to work on an actual job for a longer time so that I could get a feel for working with all the equipment and systems involved. That was whern I called you and we made arrangements for me to work on one of your assignments to restore 4000 square feet of travertine tile. During the 2 weeks that I worked with you and your crew, I got a real good feel for what is involved with stone restoration. From the very beginning steps of the job to the very end.  During those two weeks I gained the confidence to start me on a work path that will last well over 20 years. I know that I didn't learn everything about stone, but I did learn enough to give me that push to begin. So once again, thanks for the opportunity.

Sincerely  

Stuart Young

      Santa Fe Floor Care

Austin, Texas

"I wanted to personally thank Tom McNall and Great Northern Stone for their time and hospitality recently on my short education trip to Canada. ... I was able to learn first hand the “tricks of the trade” from one of the best in North America. Tom showed me proper technique when it comes to grinding and polishing natural stone floors. ...how to quote potential restoration jobs. ... I was able to pick up on the techniques quicker than most beginners in floor restoration. ...I have grinded and polished my first floor successfully, and have gained all the confidence in the world. I have Tom and GNS to thank for this. Tom is extremely involved in the MIA (Marble Institute of America), and is making great strides to make the Stone Industry the best it can be. Education is the most important step for the MIA, and Tom has instilled this concept into hundreds of others who are willing to learn."

 

Tres Naquin, Granite Clinic™

"Tom's Knowledge and practical approach to teaching was exceptional"

Steve Herr, Hard Rock Tool

"Tom's knowledge of natural stone and his ability to explain it so I could understand it was priceless. He also has the knack to make the class fun and enjoyable with his humor and he does not mind getting down and dirty when he has too..... I have called him on his cell phone at all hours with my problems and he has always taken the time to try and help me through."

James Stephens, Heavenly Touch 

Tom McNall is a recognized expert in the stone and tile care and restoration field. He provides training and education to the industry focusing on such topics as "How to be Profitable in the Natural Stone Restoration Business,""How to Care and Clean Natural Stone,""How to Top Polish Countertops" and many more. Tom teaches for the MIA, StonExpo, Great Northern Stone and the ITCSI. He has also taught several companies in both the United States and Canada on site how to restore and maintain stone.

Following are some of Tom's upcoming courses. Check the interactive calendar for a complete schedule and for details, feel free to contact us or go to the respective web sites.

CLICK ON INDIVIDUAL SEMINAR IMAGES FOR MORE INFORMATION AND/OR AGENDA

HANDS ON 2009!......for the MIA

Call the MIA at 440-250-9222 for dates and locations or click here

Restoring Stone Countertops and Flooring
(classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations)

Day 1 provides classroom instruction about setting proper expectations with both residential and commercial clients; different equipment needs to accommodate flooring and countertop repair; and, many tips to be successful.

A networking reception caps off the first day.

Day 2 offers demonstrations to complement what was covered in the classroom - crack repair, chip repair, seam polishing, and more. You'll learn how to operate the machinery and use the products needed to be successful. The seminar wraps up with an excellent Q&A session with the instructor. NOTE: This seminar is limited to 30 attendees.

• Who Should Attend: All Stone Professionals who field questions regarding the care and maintenance of natural stone; Companies adding restoration services to their existing business; Stone Fabricators/Installers using restoration to gain repeat customers; Companies new to natural stone fabrication and/or installation; Others hungry for education about natural stone; Janitorial firms - stone companies should let their clients who use janitorial firms know about this seminar.
• What you will learn: How to know if you are using the right equipment for the job (and your firm); New restoration techniques; How to price competitively and make a profit in restoration; How to grow your customer base

In Our New State of The Art Facility

Las Vegas NV !

Marble and Granite Restoration and Polishing

An intensive 3 Day hands-on course

2009 Dates Click Here

Great Northern Stone is pleased to present MARBLE AND GRANITE RESTORATION AND POLISHING - an Intensive hands-on instruction course to teach you how to restore natural stone floors, countertops, showers and walls. Plus, this course includes a bonus section on concrete polishing and hard surface cleaning.

Learn from the pros

The course is given by Tom McNall so you'll be learning from a seasoned stone pro. Whether you’ve been working with stone for years or are ready to learn a new trade, this course is designed to give you what you need to prepare you for the lucrative field of stone restoration.

Class Agenda: 80% Hands On!......Or more!

---CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION---

And coming back in 2009 by popular demand...

"Care and Cleaning Basics for Natural Stone"

In Las Vegas NV and London ON

PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR NATURAL STONE CARE!

…BECAUSE THE PRICE OF NO EDUCATION IS TOO EXPENSIVE!

As the people who restore marble and other natural stone, it is distressing to see the number of restoration jobs needed because a janitorial company or maid service just did not know how to care for natural stone. One application of the wrong chemical can cost anywhere between $1,200.00 and $ 50,000.00. 

Do you really want to eat these costs or run them through your insurance?  If you are not insured, do your customers want to eat these expenses?  Would you like to know how to properly care for natural stone and as a result be able to demand more money?  Would you like to see how you could spend less time caring for stone?  Most janitorial/maid services spend too much time cleaning stone when it is really low maintenance. The problem is that until now, nobody cared to educate the daily caretakers of marble and natural stone.

Now, at the offices of the Great Northern Stone in Las Vegas NV and a yet to be determined location in Ontario, Tom will begin teaching classes on "Stone Care and Cleaning Basics."  The one day classes will cover identification of type of stones, how to best clean each type, how to care for vertical surfaces and showers, toilets on natural stone and surrounding areas and proper care of natural stone floors. This informative class will show you how you can actually save valuable man-hours cleaning stone floors daily. You will learn how to remove stains using a poultice and how to keep your customer's natural stone looking like new longer and therefore you will be able to demand more money as an expert in stone care and cleaning.

You will learn secrets from the pros as well as be referred to our restoration clients when we are called on to fix up other janitorial/maid service companies mistakes. Yes, that is correct!  Every time we restore a floor to new we are asked if we can do the daily maintenance. That is not our industry, we restore marble and natural stone. The problem is, there is a serious lack of companies that know how to properly care for natural stone on a regular basis. Hence the need for this class. All attendees of this class will receive our endorsement for janitorial/maid services when requested or when we notice a problem with our customer's maintenance staff. 

Be a part of the solution not the problem!  Learn how to properly care for natural stone and get on the list of companies that know stone and its needs.

Sign up today!  Classes will be limited in size to ensure that everyone learns as much as possible. Investment per student is $ 395.00. Each student will receive a textbook, the education needed to properly care for natural stone as well as a fine catered lunch.

Classes begin at 9 AM. We break for lunch at noon, then continue until 3PM.  Students are encouraged to linger and ask questions afterward if they wish.

Click Here For Dates and to Sign Up

Anytime, Any where......

On Site and/or On Location Personalized Training For Your Company!

We will develop a training program for your company and staff and train them in house (yours or ours).  We have taught franchise companies (selected), corporate in-house staff and individuals.  We also will allow qualified applicants to ride with us on actual jobs to learn first hand what puts the Great in Great Northern Stone.

GKV shows new ones "the ropes"

WE ALSO NOW HAVE LOCAL PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES SO PLEASE ASK!