Masonry Magazine December 2012 Page. 35
Continually ask yourself if
what you're doing is a good use of your time and money.
Santa Fe, N.M., who saw me present to a large group of local contractors. He wanted to share some things that work for him: "Fire the idiots! But, more important, I found two top-notch working foremen and convinced them to come to work for me. I had to offer them about a 50 percent wage premium over market wages. I had to raise my open hourly rates significantly, and I charge them out even higher on bid work. Guess what? Virtually no customers were lost, my percentage of really excited customers soared, and I was free to do what I do best: sell jobs! They run their jobs, ask me an occasional question (perhaps just to flatter me) and I give them free rein. After this experience I realized that if I have to go to a jobsite for a reason other than boredom, curiosity or public relations, I don't have the right man on the job. Find the right people, give them the right resources, set 'em free, and never look back!"
The fastest way to get your company organized and focused on keeping customers is to hire the best and give them the task of getting the work done. Great people do cost more money, but take less time to manage than weaker ones. Plus, you'll never be able to get your business to grow beyond the capacity of your top people. Professionals will make you money. You can't continue to do it all yourself. Sell your truck or backhoe, lease a used one, take the money, and hire a professional to help you.
Put your priorities to work
Don't just talk about it, get started and do it! Continually ask yourself if what you're doing is a good use of your time and money. When you do things you shouldn't be doing or don't like doing, your business becomes a drag. Activities that are not rewarding drain your energy. Exciting tasks and activities included in your top priority list are rewarding and actually invigorate you.
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When you are moving toward your goals, improving your business and seeing progress, you will get excited about your future. What are your Top 2 business priorities? Remember that your #1 priority is to keep your No. 1 priority as your No. 1 priority!" IMAS
George Hedley is a licensed professional business coach, popular professional speaker and best-selling author of "Get Your Business to Work!" and "The Business Success Blueprint For Contractors," available at his online bookstore. He works with business owners to build profitable growing companies. Emall gh@hardhatpresentations.com to request your free copy of "Winning Ways To Win More Work!" or sign up for his free monthly e-newsletter. To hire George to speak, be part of his ongoing BIZCOACH program, or join one of his ongoing Roundtable Peer BIZGROUPS, call 800-851-8553, or visit www.Hardhat Presentations.com.
George Hedley, HARDHAT Presentations
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December 2012
MASONRY 33