Month: November 2016

E598: Managing Project Invoicing

November 29, 2016 Tony Booth Coachcasts, Project Management 0 Comments

Go the extra mile to keep your payments flowing timely.

 

  1. Getting paid is a priority
    1. Manage the process
    2. Meet the deadlines
    3. Include all necessary information
    4. Stay on top of it all with good practices
  2. Your first invoice
    1. Review your contract for all requirements related to payments
    2. Create your first invoice early
    3. Schedule a meeting with your client to review
    4. Create a checklist for future invoices
    5. Follow up on the approval and payment process
  3. Subsequent invoices
    1. Submit timely
    2. Include the proper information – make sure you review with the checklist
    3. Follow up with your client about receipt and approvals
    4. Follow up on expected payment

E597: Social Media Profiles

November 29, 2016 Tony Booth Coachcasts, Marketing, Sales 0 Comments

Now that your website is tuned up, let’s look at social media.

 

  1. Social media platforms are becoming go-to resources for buyers
    1. LinkedIn – B2B
    2. Facebook – B2C
    3. Others
  2. Social media are platforms that allow people to connect with your company
    1. People use these platforms for research
    2. There are two sides to consider
      1. People researching construction related things
      2. People researching you specifically – this is what we are talking about today
    3. People want to learn more about you and find a possible connection
      1. That friend that may have hired you in the past
      2. That employee that knows one of their friends
  3. We need to have a social media presence
    1. At a minimum:
      1. LinkedIn
      2. Facebook
    2. Create your company pages
      1. Keep your information accurate
    3. Have your employees all link to the pages as well

E596: Ask Coach – Handling Vendor Agreements

November 28, 2016 Tony Booth Ask The Coach, Coachcasts 0 Comments

Getting vendors to agree to our terms can take a little persuasion.

 

Q: I recently updated my subcontract and purchase order agreements and I am having trouble getting some of my vendors to agree to the new terms. Should I work with these vendors with a simplified agreement?

A: You should work with all vendors using the same basic agreements. Start with a basic agreement with the important information then persuade your vendors to agree to it. If you cannot get them to agree, then you should seek other vendors.

 

  1. Subcontracts / Purchase Orders serve a purpose
    1. They outline who does what
    2. They guide us when there are issues
    3. They tell us how we will work together
    4. We all need one
  2. A good agreement serves all parties
    1. Create a simple agreement that covers the legal basics and add the other key elements
    2. Put your focus into the scope, schedule, and corrective action sections
    3. Don’t work with anyone without an executed agreement
  3. Some vendors may need some guidance
    1. Let them know it’s designed to protect both parties
    2. The agreement tells the details when someone else may no longer be involved
    3. If they cannot comply then you will seek other vendors

E595: Getting Back At It

November 25, 2016 Tony Booth Coachcasts, Organization, Time Management 0 Comments

Ready, Set, Get Back At It!

 

We often have times when we are off from work and it’s always a struggle to get started again when our time off has ended. It’s hard getting back on the horse and getting going. Here is some help.

 

  1. Prepare upfront – before you are going to be away from the office
    1. Write a To Do list for your first day back
    2. Clean off you desk
    3. Leave some open time on your schedule
  2. Getting back on the horse
    1. If you prepared, jump right into your tasks
    2. If not
      1. Clean off your desk
      2. Create a list of “quick hit” items to complete first
      3. Let your email wait
      4. Focus on taking action – one item at a time

E594: Being Thankful

November 24, 2016 Tony Booth Coachcasts 0 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving and Thank You for being here.

 

We don’t need to wait for a special day to practice an Attitude of Gratitude

 

  1. Reflect regularly
    1. Look back at your day, week, month, year and see what you are grateful for
    2. Who are thankful is part of your life
    3. What happened that is awesome
  2. Express more gratitude
    1. Say Thank You more often
      1. Say Thank You to someone you normally wouldn’t – one a day
    2. Do things for others without expecting anything in return
    3. Pick up some Thank You cards and start sending hand-written Thank You notes

 

I am grateful for these times that we live in and thankful that you are part of this amazing community.

E593: Project Planning Process

November 23, 2016 Tony Booth Coachcasts, Project Management 0 Comments

Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.  Ben Franklin

 

  1. Project planning is a key part of successful projects
    1. It determines how we are going to execute the project
    2. Takes the estimate to a workable plan – Overview to details
    3. Creates the understanding for the team to follow
  2. The fundamentals of good planning
    1. Start before signing the contract – start the review to catch any errors
    2. Include your operations, estimating, accounting, and others in the planning process
    3. Schedule review meetings with each sector (can be quick one on one meetings)
    4. Do a final review with the team and management (or peer review)
  3. The level of detail for your plan will vary on your projects
    1. All plans should include:
      1. The review process
      2. Construction budget – not the estimate
      3. Construction schedule
    2. Additional items can be added as needed:
      1. Purchasing plan
      2. Responsibility matrix
      3. Deliverables matrix
      4. Resource plans
      5. Equipment plans
      6. etc.

E592: Updating Your Company Website

November 22, 2016 Tony Booth Coachcasts, Marketing, Sales 0 Comments

Over 80% of potential customers rely on websites to help make their buying decisions.

 

  1. It’s 2016, an updated company website is a must
    1. 94% of B2B and 80% of B2C consumers will review your website before buying
    2. A website provides potential customers with an understanding of your qualifications
    3. How does your company show up on the web? Is it time to update?
  2. Start with the basics
    1. The web design needs to be responsive – able to be viewed on all devices
    2. The basic components
      1. Contact info on home page – phone number and link to “Contact Us”
      2. Information about what you do
      3. A portfolio of projects – segmented for easy viewing
      4. An about page
    3. Your contact form should collect basic information – not too complicated
  3. Once you cover the basics start building advanced features
    1. A blog section
      1. Write blogs that build your companies authority
        1. How to find the right contractor / Tips for remodeling / Etc.
    2. A resource section
      1. Provide information to help buyers with the decisions they need to make
        1. Papers / checklists / links to other web resources / etc.
    3. Testimonials
      1. Provide testimonials from previous customers – allow potential customers a way to talk with other clients

E591: Getting a Little Extra

November 21, 2016 Tony Booth Coachcasts, General Business 0 Comments

Sometimes we have to dig deep and put in a little extra effort.

 

The Contractor’s Strategic Planning course is live. Learn more here.

 

  1. We often find ourselves in times where we need to get a little more
    1. We need some more billings for the month
    2. We need to meet a deadline
    3. We need that little extra push
  2. Leaders step up and make it happen
    1. Your rally your teams
    2. You dig a little deeper yourself
    3. You get the most out of yourself and others
  3. When you need the extra push, roll up your sleeves
    1. Build a strong why
    2. Make a solid plan
    3. Celebrate the success

 

Let’s all go out this next 5 weeks and increase our billings by 10%!

E590: Remember to Enjoy Life

November 18, 2016 Tony Booth Improvement 0 Comments

As we go through the daily grind of life it’s easy to forget to enjoy the journey.

 

The Contractor’s Strategic Planning course has launched. Get details here.

 

  1. Life keeps us busy
    1. We have huge demands no our time
    2. Always seems like we have too much to do
    3. We get caught up and forget to enjoy life
  2. Part of success is enjoying it
    1. Our journey must include stops along the way
    2. Een though we enjoy our work, we need to have other enjoyment as well
    3. Without enjoyment, you will burn out faster
  3. Create a practice of enjoyment
    1. Put some time in your schedule for fun
    2. Practice being present in the moment when having fun
    3. Holiday season is coming up, be sure to enjoy it

E589: What Is Your Vision

November 17, 2016 Tony Booth Coachcasts, General Business 0 Comments

Having a clear vision helps guide your company into the future.

 

  1. Every business needs to have a vision
    1. Where do you want to take the business
    2. What does your business stand for
    3. What will it look like in the future
  2. Does your company’s vision fit with your vision
    1. What is important to you – your values and vision
    2. Does this fit with your company
    3. You want to avoid conflicting vision and goals
  3. How do you measure up
    1. You have a vision – now what?
    2. How does your company measure up to your future vision
    3. What are the key areas you need to improve
    4. We have to build the operations of the business before we can reach our goals

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