Ask The Coach

E551: Ask Coach – What Should I Do First

September 26, 2016 TonyB Ask The Coach, Coachcasts 0 Comments

To make proper changes we must know what we want to accomplish.

 

Q: I have been listening to all the content and want to implement the change in my business. Where should I start?

A: First, you need to have a good understanding of what you want to create.

 

  1. We have to have a target
    1. What do you want to do?
    2. Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years?
    3. What is important to you?
  2. Understanding what you really want
    1. Get out a sheet of paper and start writing notes
    2. What do you want from your business or career
    3. What do you want to become
      1. The best contractor in your town? The fastest contractor?
    4. What markets excite you?
    5. Write these things down and include the reason why
  3. Create your vision – 5-year and 10-year
    1. Write a narrative of what your company or career would look like
    2. Think of what your website would look like
      1. Who are your customers, employees
      2. What projects have you done, how large is your business
      3. What is your claim to fame
    3. Once you understand where you want to get, where to start becomes a lot clearer

E546: Ask Coach – When To Push Back

September 19, 2016 TonyB Ask The Coach, Coachcasts 0 Comments

Don’t confuse a pesky client with good customer service.

 

Q: I have a good customer that I do work for but they are always asking me to do additional work for free. When should I push back?

A: From the beginning.

 

  1. We all get asked from time to time
    1. Can you do this for me? Can you add this for free?
    2. Can you get done early?
    3. It can be hard to say no to our customers – be Elite not a push over
  2. Be sure your lines are clear
    1. What are you willing to do for your good customers?
    2. How much, how far, how long?
    3. Know this upfront and it’s easy to say “our policy is”
  3. Establish boundaries the first chance you get
    1. Stand your ground when you are asked – don’t just give in
    2. Make it clear what you will and won’t do
      1. Follow your guidelines and policy
    3. If they don’t understand they may not be that great of a client after all

E541: Ask Coach – Getting People Into New Tech

September 12, 2016 TonyB Ask The Coach, Coachcasts 0 Comments

Getting your team to adopt new technology can be a struggle.

 

Q: I started using a new mobile app for daily reporting but I am having a hard time getting people to use it. How can I get people to adopt new technology?

A: Explain the reason why it’s important and train them well.

 

  1. We want to bring new technology into our business and projects
    1. Update our systems and procedures
    2. Create efficiency in our business
    3. But, people are resistent
  2. It’s human nature
    1. People don’t like change
    2. We are scared of what we don’t know
    3. We feel that the change is not necessary
  3. Making a smooth transition
    1. Explain the reason why it’s important
      1. Most people feel that the change will benefit the company and not them
      2. Explain how it benefits the individual
    2. Start small and build on the successes
    3. Provide proper training
      1. Group people in training based on their current levels
      2. Train some champions to be a resource

E531: Ask Coach – Cash Flow On Larger Projects

August 29, 2016 TonyB Ask The Coach, Coachcasts 0 Comments

Growing your business can strain your cash flow so be sure to plan properly.

 

Q: I want to chase larger projects to grow my business but how can I better manage the cash flow needed?

A: Planning, projecting and executing.

 

  1. If you want to grow your business, chasing larger projects is one way
    1. They will require more manpower, materials, equipment and maybe even management staff
    2. Those all cost money so watch the cash flow
    3. Poor planning can force us to make poor choices
  2. Plan during the estimating process
    1. If you will need to borrow money be sure to include the costs in your bid
    2. Need pay when paid terms on materials? That may cost more
    3. Can you find the manpower – maybe consider a subcontactor/partner
  3. When you win the job, project the expenses and execute
    1. Now that we covered the costs, make it happen
    2. Project your spending versus your income
      1. Find your shortfalls and solve them
    3. Execute the plan, review and adjust

E526: Ask Coach – Project File Organization

August 22, 2016 TonyB Ask The Coach 0 Comments

Create a consistent file management plan to save hours and frustration.

 

  1. It’s a small item that can create a big headache
    1. PM has everything filed but something happens
    2. Where is the information you need? Can you find it?
    3. Items can get lost
  2. Create a unified system of filing
    1. Create a file tree legend for all projects to follow
    2. Cover everything from estimating to closeout
    3. You can find a sample in the resource section here
  3. File sharing and access is important too
    1. Figure out the best solution for your organization
    2. Keep all files in a common system that’s easy to access
    3. Consider a cloud-based system like Dropbox
      1. Pay attention to access controls

E521: Ask Coach – Better Supplier Management

August 15, 2016 TonyB Ask The Coach, Coachcasts 0 Comments

Take control of your suppliers with great communication and clear expectations.

 

Q: How can I get better control over my suppliers?

A: It starts with a good Purchase Order and excellent communication.

 

  1. Suppliers can make or break a project
    1. Late deliveries versus on-time
    2. Material problems like damaged product or wrong product
    3. Poor submittals
  2. Start by pre-qualifying your suppliers
    1. Just like any sub we should make sure our suppliers are up to the job
    2. Can they handle your needs
    3. Is this something they do regularly
  3. Write a good purchase order
    1. Always use a PO – your own not theirs
    2. Create a template
    3. Outline the requirements including expected durations
  4. Communication beats all
    1. Start communicating your requirements clearly during the buyout
    2. Keep them up to date with clear timelines
    3. Follow-up with them, never think that they have you covered, confirm it

E516: Ask Coach – How Can I get Help

August 8, 2016 TonyB Ask The Coach, Coachcasts 0 Comments

We can all use a little help sometimes, don’t be afraid to ask for it.

 

Q: My project is behind and in trouble, how can I get some help?

A: Make a sound assessment then search for the resources.

 

  1. The is a question that I should get a lot more often
    1. I am behind on my project, how can I get on track
    2. I don’t have the right resources, where can I find them
    3. I don’t have enough skilled tradesmen, where can I find more
  2. It happens to all of us from time to time – we need some help
    1. Don’t let your ego get in the way
    2. Sometimes an easy solution is right in front of you
    3. Don’t wait too long to get help
  3. The sooner you get help the less it hurts
    1. Jump in early and get creative to find the resources you need
    2. Ask your competitors
    3. Ask larger or smaller firms in the same trades
    4. Get a consultant to review
    5. Hire someone temporarily to get over the hump
    6. Most importantly, get help!

E511: Ask Coach – Upgrading Software Systems

August 1, 2016 TonyB Ask The Coach, Coachcasts 0 Comments

Are your software tools the right fit for your business.

 

Q: When should I consider updating my software systems?

A: Sooner than you think.

 

  1. We all use systems – accounting / project management / scheduling / etc.
    1. We determine what to use by needs & resources
    2. Sometimes it’s dictated by the projects we do
    3. As we grow our needs change and we need to upgrade
  2. As a rule of thumb, always use systems for where you want to be, not where you are
    1. What types of systems will you need when you reach your next level?
    2. When you are reviewing system think about where you want to be in 3 years
    3. We want to make continuous improvements on our business systems
  3. Evaluate your situation once or twice a year
    1. Look at current systems versus next level future systems
      1. Review skills, time, ease of operation, etc.
    2. When you evaluate cost, be sure to consider future efficiencies
    3. Don’t be the last one to the dance
      1. You don’t want to be the last one to start using:
        1. BIM / Telemetrics / Mobile Apps / Robotics / Etc

E506: Ask Coach – Dealing With Delays

July 25, 2016 TonyB Ask The Coach, Coachcasts 0 Comments

If you are having scheduling issues deal with them head on.

 

Q: The Prime Contractor is giving me a hard time about delaying the project. It’s not all my fault. How should I handle this.

A: Protect yourself at all times. Give notice when anything is delaying your progress, no matter how minor it seems.

 

  1. We try to avoid it, but delays can happen
    1. We plan to avoid them but sometimes things go wrong
    2. Supplier ships the wrong materials or misses a delivery date
    3. Prior sub does something incorrect that causes more work for you
  2. Communication is key, your fault or not – be sure to let everyone know
    1. Let you client know when something will impact the schedule
    2. Don’t be a hero
    3. Indicate possible impacts on all RFIs, Changes, Proposals, etc.
  3. Correct course
    1. If the delay is your fault do what you can to fix it
    2. Keep progress moving forward, work with others to coordinate
    3. Put in the extra effort to correct the schedule

E501: Ask Coach – Determining Your Unique Selling Proposition

July 18, 2016 TonyB Ask The Coach, Coachcasts 0 Comments

Determine you unique selling proposition and build your culture and brand around it.

 

 

Q: How do I determine the what my sales pitch should be?

A: Determine your unique selling proposition and brand around it.

 

  1. What is a unique selling proposition?
    1. It’s what you stand for and how you operate
      1. Easy to work with / transparent / quality / speed / thoroughness
    2. Can be more than one but make one a priority over the rest
    3. It should be what you do and others don’t
  2. Defining your USP
    1. Look at your values – how do they fit
    2. Look at what you love to do – how does that fit
    3. Look at your market – what do your customers want / what are others not doing
    4. What are your strengths
  3. Expressing your USP
    1. Build your culture and brand around your USP
      1. Everything you do should reflect your USP
    2. Educate your entire staff on what it means
    3. Create stories to educate everyone on your USP

Contractor's Business Evaluation Course

Take this Contractor’s business evaluation course and identify the areas that need improvement most.
SIGN UP FOR THE FREE