Building Processes For The Long-Term
While it’s tempting to say yes to every job, it’s worth taking a step back and considering your next move so you can move in the right direction long term.
Lately, you may find yourself running around like a madman, with the phone ringing and lots of people calling on your time. Money is good, there’s a building boom on and it look set to continue for some time. So, now is the obvious time to pull out all the stops, take on as much work as possible and just go for it, right?
Wrong! Especially if you are “running like a chicken with its head cut off”.
The thing is, if you are facing challenges delivering the kind of service you believe in, then simply multiplying what you are currently doing is just going to increase the difficulties – and give you much bigger headaches.
So, rather than jump in, you need to use the opportunity the current boom presents to build yourself a long-term and secure building business. That way you will be successful now, during the boom, and long after this boom is over (and it will end - we just don’t know when).
To make the most of the greater demands that the current situation is putting on you, you need to et away from the bind of being incredibly busy.
To build a smart and secure business, you need to put time into it and work on the strategies that need to be implemented to enable it to both survive and grow.
Even more important is getting those strategies in the correct order.
Here are just some of the steps you might want to follow to get your sites running smoothly.
1. Instruction
Never delegate a job unless you have given clear instructions about how you want the job to be run. Never leave a foreman to just do it his way! Sure, he may do it well, but imagine the confusion if in time you have several jobs runnign concurrently - all following different routines. Project managing will be a nightmare! Team members will not be able to move around easily as they will need to learn routines for each foreman!
2. Design
Take a little time and design your onsite routine now, while you are small, and while you work on the routine yourself. Imagine that you are both the foreman and the project manager and outline the onsite management routines – meetings, reports etc. It might seem a bit odd having a meeting with yourself (as foreman), and giving a report to yourself (as project manager) but it’s worth it – when you get busy, you want these routines to be running smoothly.
Rather than jump in, use the opportunity the current boom presents to build yourself a long-term and secure building business
3. Implement
Don’t spend heaps of time trying to get your processes perfect before you start using them. They will never be perfect! Rather, roll out your routines and systems while the business is still small and while you still have no more than two or three jobs running at a time. Work on making your routines habitual and then on improving them.
The goal is to have these routines running at such a level of effectiveness that you can leave your site managers for days on end, knowing that they will be as effective as you would be if you were running that job.
4. What To Include
Your systems should include basic things such as site behaviour (culture), health and safety, tidiness, language and radios, etc. Then, of course, job-related systems such as typical job instructions to ensure your foreman approaches each section of work the way you would.
Most importantly, you need checklists to ensure each stage of a job is finished correctly.
Finally, you need some performance tools – for setting targets, allocating work and reporting on achievement of targets.
These systems and processes will ensure that your jobs deliver both what the client wants and meet your standards, your schedule and the budget that you have allowed.
Take a little time and design your onsite routine now, while you are small, and while you work on the routine yourself.
Lastly, you need to monitor the performance of your onsite teams, systems and routines by having a review of all your onsite processes at least twice a year.
Building a strong and stable construction business takes time and logic. But, you’ve got to start with the foundation – otherwise, the roof will slip off!
Go for it!
Graeme Owen
The Builders Business Coach
P.S. Whenever you’re ready….here are 4 ways I can help you grow your building business:
1. Grab a copy of my free book
It’s a road map of a successful 15 minute sales call that’s guaranteed to increase your conversion rate. http://thesuccessfulbuilder.com/book-15-min-sales-call/
2. Join Trade Mates and connect with builders who are scaling too.
It's our new Facebook community where smart builders learn to get more income, time and freedom. View our free business resources for builders. Ask questions of like minded business owners and business coaches. Give your knowledge and expertise to help others. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TradeMates/
3. Join On Ramp
If you’d like help to kick start your sales and marketing…just message me at graeme@thesuccessfulbuilder.com and put “OnRamp” in the subject… and I’ll get you all the information.
4. Join Loft Members
If you’d like help to get off the tools, make more money and get your life back...just message me at graeme@thesuccessfulbuilder.com and put “LOFT MEMBERS” in the subject...tell me a little about your business and I’ll get you all the details.