Masonry Magazine December 2012 Page. 37
ADVERTORIAL
We must play with the cards we are dealt
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Where liberty dwells, there is my country.
been spent, Americans still have enough confidence to enjoy the silliness of Halloween, the somber and joyous gratitude of Thanksgiving, the real reverence of the holidays of their faith, of the reverie and promise of New Year's Eve and Day.
Our country has been blessed, even before its beginning as a nation, because of the leadership and vision of its founders. When the country was being built, its leaders adopted the principles that established its plumb lines and boundaries. Moral, ethical and religious values were part of its fabric. In other countries, the reality was "the king is law," but our leaders turned that on its head and demanded that "the law is king." Real leadership!
Don't lie awake at night, worried about what may or may not happen. Dig in. Pitch in. Go "all in" for 2013 and for your family. There is an old saying that there are three types of people: those who watch things happen, those who make things happen, and those who wonder, "What happened?"
Come Nov. 7, MCAA still will be here, with a plan in place to move our industry forward next year. We are waiting for your involvement and leadership, because a breakout year in 2013 won't happen without you. IMAS
Gary Micheloni is a working project manager, speaker, author, consultant and coach. Write him at FullContactTeam@gmail.com.
Copyright 2012 Gary Micheloni
CONTRACTOR TIP OF THE MONTH
As I write this article, it is Election Day in the U.S.A! Stuck on Chicago's O'Hare Airport runway, I am pondering the outcome of the election tonight. All elections are important, but this one seems to be more so. I feel like I spent the first 25 years of my working career trying to figure out how to get into business, and I have spent the last few years trying to stay in business and, at least, keep the shirt on my back.
Now, it could get even worse if the pro-business candidate doesn't win, and they raise taxes. Anyone investing in the stock market knows that you don't take a chance investing $100 in a company to see if that company can make its business model work, when, if it does, you get to save $60 or $80 of the profit. Risking our money in a construction business (when the average construction company only earns 1 percent to 5 percent net profit) to keep 60 percent of those earnings is no different. All who know me know how positive minded I am, but there is just no way I can find a positive note in this one. We have to be idiots to do it!
I am sure I will get some slack from my critics for writing how I truly feel in this article, but I believe it is a scary time for our country right now. We have one guy running for President who has been Santa Claus with tax payer money. Those that have gotten the free stuff tend to like ole Santa, so it is obvious how they will vote. To borrow a line from Ohio Gov. John Kasich, "When you get more people riding in the wagon than you have pulling the wagon, the country has major problems."
I chose to go through the often-delayed, heavily congested O'Hare to get home, so I could watch the election unfold alongside my state's local congressman, state representative, and a couple hopeful county commissioners. Seeing in person the reaction the candidates will have to their win or loss will be worth the travel efforts.
I can't imagine all of my choice candidates winning tonight, so, like all business owners, I will be dealt a hand with the election results. It is up to my companies and me as to how we play our cards based on that outcome. If the pro-business candidates win, we will plan for expansion in areas we see opportunity. If the opposite occurs, then we ride out the storm by only investing in sure bets, or none at all.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, one thing is for sure: We will all have to deal with the leaders who are chosen and move on. Once we find out what the politicians are going to do regarding policies, regulations and taxes, we must adjust our business model accordingly. Will the Congress let the tax cuts expire? Will Obamacare be re-vamped? Will there be more money in the near future to build infrastructure like more schools, public works buildings, etc., that may end up creating more work for the construction market? I doubt it, but there's just too much unknown at this point. In the meantime, we all still have decisions to make, and our decisions shape the futures of our companies.
As I write, I am still trying to get home from Chicago O'Hare. One thing is for sure: As I told my office staff, I will be late for work tomorrow, due to celebrating the victory (hopefully by the candidate I am pulling for) for President of the United States. And, if he does not win, I will still be in late as the results will most likely leave me feeling sick. I hope you all voted today for a better tomorrow.
Damian Lang is a mason contractor in southeast Ohio and inventor of many labor saving masonry systems and products. He is also the author of the book "Rewarding and Challenging Employees for Profits in Masonry." To order a copy of his book or to inquire about attending one of his seminars, contact him at dlang@langmasonry.com or call 740-749-3512.
All rights reserved, 2012 Damian Lang, President of Lang Masonry Contractors, lec., and EZ Grout Corp.
COACH GARY'S CORNER:
What's your plan for growth in 2013? Coaching will help you get there in less time, and with more success. Ask Coach Gary to speak for your group, association or convention, or even to coach your company. Coach Gary's first book, "Get Paid for a Change!" is available at Amazon.com. Pick it up there; change your business. And, get his FREE scheduling seminars at www.MicrosoftProjectClasses.com.