Masonry Magazine May 2009 Page. 42
FULL CONTACT PROJECT MANAGEMENT
By "Coach" Gary Micheloni
What's Your Stimulus Plan?
There's lots of buzz about "shovel-ready" projects out there - billions and billions of dollars going into the economy and infrastructure. No doubt, we're all going to have a fabulous year, what with all of this new work! So, here's the question: Are you buying it? Do you know where your extra piece from all of this is coming from?
Deep down, where do you think most of your help will come from over the next couple of years? I'm going to suggest that your help will come from the same place it always has: your hands! Your help is in your own hands. Your success will be local, and will come from your own efforts.
Sure, we'll read in the newspaper about a couple of contractors who get a wheelbarrow full of money delivered right to their jobsites, but just a couple. They'll make the news. For the rest of us, it'll be business as usual, just a bit harder.
This is the time to rally your troops. Remind them of their greatness. Never give a client reason to criticize your workmanship or your schedule. Take care of your long-term customers, but don't let them run over you, either. Give them what they bought, and maybe a bit more. Just don't get crazy. Remember that whatever you give away comes directly from your after-tax, bottom-line, end-of-the-year net profits.
We've been talking since the beginning of the year about goals and visions for 2009. So it's fair for me to ask you how you're doing. Are you where you thought you would be? You know, if you need to do a mid-course correction, April's a pretty good month to start moving!
COACH GARY'S HISTORICAL QUOTE:
"All politics are local."
The Voice of the Masonry Industry