Denver, CO/Dec 15-17, 2003 - Jim Johnson gets the big picture. Instead of passively waiting for move consultants, third-party contractors, and the up-start mobile storage business to further syphon off dollars once guaranteed to traditional moving companies, Johnson is positioning to take advantage of what he sees as future opportunities in office moving.

For Johnson, co-owner of Johnson Storage & Moving along with his brother, Mark, training ranks among his highest priorities. So much so, the International Office Moving Institute (IOMI) was invited back for an encore of its office moving training seminar for Johnson employees held earlier in the year.

Although moving an office requires labor and vehicles as does a household move, Johnson recognizes the vast differences in skills and equipment needed to excel in both.

"Recogizing the differences between residential and O&I moves is the first step to diversifing business. It provides moving companies who can adapt to changes in market conditions with another revenue stream to even out economic slumps and seasonal ups and downs," said Ed Katz, head of IOMI and founder and former owner of Peachtree Movers in Atlanta.

Jim Johnson believes training is the key.

"All employees and associates participate regularly in a wide range of training and certification programs designed to ensure a consistently high level of customer service," said Johnson. "We do that by making sure that promises made by our sales force are delivered by the crew on the job, completing the job on-time for the price quoted with a minimum risk of damage."

And he values the efficiencies gained through training.

"We set standards and then train our people to meet them, to do it one way so that no matter which office or branch is handling a move, the service will be the same. We strive for consistent service, to move things just once. It saves everyone time and money," Johnson said.

"Training provides the confidence needed to fullfil the company's purpose of delivering services which reduce customer stress by assuring value, by saving customer time, and by making customers feel safe and appreciated," Johnson said.

With a history spanning more than 100 years, Johnson Storage & Moving practically invented the moving industry in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. In addition to its headquarters in Colorado, the company operates branches in Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, and Wyoming and has offices nationwide. Currently Johnson Storage & Moving operates under the fourth generation of family ownership.
During the seminar, the customer service
challenge of matching sales promises to
move-crew performance gives the sales force of Johnson Storage & Moving a lot to ponder.
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 Mike Derita from Johnson's Dallas, TX branch and Phyliss Indest during a sales training session.
“At last—An accurate method for estimating office moves. What a confidence builder.
I’ve been wanting to take your
seminar for the last four years.”
 Ray Royals, Security Van Lines, Inc.,
a division of Johnson Storage & Moving Co.
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 Ray Royals
Jim Johnson, co-owner of Johnson Storage & Moving, tries his hand at IOMI's estimating formula to figure a large law library move.
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 Johnson management personnel admire the company's first set of Mat-A-Doors® stickered with their own company logo. IOMI instructor Ed Katz demonstates installing one of the doorway protector panels on an interior office door.
Supervisor Travis encounters "tough character" Ed Katz during role playing, which helps supervisors better handle
day-to-day labor issues.
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 Ed Katz of the International Office Moving Institute teaches Johnson's crews and operations how to complete jobs on time for the price quoted with a minimum risk of damaged.
Comments From Training Attendees

“Even though I have 23 years of experience in the moving industry—as a mover, a long distance driver, and now a salesman, I still learned a very unique way of estimating and moving office furniture. Ed Katz’ seminar proved to me that no matter how much experience one has in the moving business there is still always more to learn. I really did not look forward to taking the seminar because I assumed that it would be just another boring session. I was wrong—It was great!” Tom Springer, Johnson Storage & Moving Co.


“Ed gives detailed information in a comfortable setting using past experience to enlighten and inform.” Phyliss Indest, Johnson Storage & Moving Co.


“Ed Katz educates with the precision of a diamond cutter . . . I have been tutored over my 29 years by many in office moving, (as well as other aspects of this industry), but you caught my attention because you had a definitive method that not only made sense, but it tied up many loose ends and created a seamless process that is believable for all concerned. Thank you for your system and your entertaining educational process.” Dan Sessoms, Johnson Storage & Moving Co.


“Ed, thank you so much—I’ve gotten tremendous positive feedback from all of my employees who took your seminar.” Jim Johnson, Owner, Johnson Storage & Moving Co.
Denver, CO/Jan 2003 - "A detailed Scope of Service ensures that what is promised by the sales person can be deliver by operations."said Ed Katz of the International Office Moving Institute
called in key people from offices around the country for a two-day training session with Ed Katz, left, of the International Office Moving Institute (IOMI).

Johnson Storage looked to IOMI for quality control and consistency in both their office moving and household divisions. Training focused on protecting sensitive electronics and the importance of using extensive building protection to forge alliances with building managers. Another popular topic was developing a Scope of Service.

Jim Johnson, owner of the Denver-based United Van Lines agent arranged training so his people "can be the best they can be."
"Thanks for including me in the last two-day class with Mr. Katz--what an incredible eye-opening experience . . . I've been doing this half my life . . . He is and was by far one of the most genuine trainers I have
seen . . . "

Elaine Stewart
Johnson Storage & Moving Co.

"Thank you very much for the entertaining and very informative two days . . . "

Patrick Shellhouse, Manager, Colorado Springs, CO., Branch
Johnson Storage & Moving Co.