Masonry Magazine December 2007 Page. 47
Keep on faking it until you start making it. The way your company manages some of its projects, deals with its schedules, distributes its resources, and chases that dream of better profitability. And yet, you have resources at your disposal that will help you to do exactly this to be a better PM and get into the chase.
Sometimes it's hard to think that you could pull this off, or that you could be the kind of a PM who gets things done, on time and on budget. I appreciate how that can be. Maybe that was just the way things were done in 2007, but 2008 is here. So, I'm going to ask you to try something new, and it's a three-step process:
Suit up by using a proven PM system that can get things done, and do this even if you aren't sure that the "suit" fits. Show up by implementing this system, even if it's little-by-little, and realize that too many contractors do too much extra work for free. Remind yourself, every time your client asks you to do something else for free, that "It's not ours!" Send out your RFL. Become proactive. Keep yourself and your company from getting burned.
Keep on faking it until you start making it. Even if you aren't convinced some system will work for you, realize that it has worked for others, especially the most successful. That's not even arguable. Is everyone else that much smarter than you? Of course not! Have a little faith in yourself; in the systems out there that will improve your bottom line; and maybe even in your self-image.
COACH GARY SAYS:
You can't become what you need to be...if you remain where you've always been!
COACH GARY'S CORNER:
Are you ready for 2008? Ready now to suit up and show up? Need to find out what an RFI is? What is the best way to handle RFIs? Get Coach's free report on "Winning RFIS." Could you use some coaching? Visit www.FullContactBlog.com and participate with Coach. Subscribe and get free audio updates and other info that will help your projects. See what's up in the world of project management. Click the archives, and use the help available to you there. Also, you can get Coach Gary's book, "Get Paid for a Change!"
I just know this: During these past few days, a few thousand people made a heck of a difference in the lives of a few hundred thousand with no formal training. They did it just by chasing an idea, because it's the right thing to do.
Gary Micheloni is a working project manager, speaker, author and consultant. Got a question? Go to the Blog and ask him.
Copyright 2007 Gary Micheloni
When Things are Good, Make Changes
MASONRY NEWS CONTRACTOR TIP
When things are going the best they can for your company, make changes. If your company is hitting on all cylinders while achieving record sales and profits, why would I tell you to change your operations? You'd think that when the bus is running well, you could just sit there and enjoy the ride, wouldn't you? Let me tell you this: When your company is on top and it feels like the good times will go on forever, you'd better not get comfortable and fall asleep at the wheel. If you do, it won't be long before you're running right off the edge of a cliff.
I'm in my motor home writing this tip while my friends are outside playing horse shoes and drinking beer. Even though it is hard not to go out and join them, I just had to write this tip sparked by the headline on the front page of the local newspaper today that states in huge letters "Fenton closing its doors." As I read the story about the Fenton Art Glass Co., which is shutting down after 102 years of business, I wondered what went so wrong for a company that was popular throughout the world for the handcrafting of art glass.
The paper said it was due to competition, the economic situation and the rising cost of production. I am sure all these factors lead to the demise of this wonderful company. But once a company gets down so far, it is almost impossible to turn it around. That's the point I want to make in this article: Companies prosper due to the changes they make when they are on the top, not after trouble is on the horizon.
After 102 years of being in business, there had to be many times that Fenton Art Glass was on the absolute top of their game. That's the time to predict future markets and make the changes needed to insure lasting success.
When a company is doing so well, the managers and owners often get comfortable. In fact, they often get so comfortable that they forget they must constantly be making positive changes to insure their future success. In science class, they often teach the boiled frog syndrome. This study shows that if you put a frog in a pan of hot water it will jump out. However, if you put a frog in a pan of warm water, it will get comfortable and stay in it. Then you can put a fire under the pan and while the water gets warmer and warmer the frog will get more comfortable, clear up to the point that it actually boils itself to death instead of jumping out. This is similar to what happens to business owners who don't make changes because they are comfortable when things are going so well.
So how do you avoid the boiled frog syndrome? Make the changes you know your company needs to make while you are on top of your game and making record profits. Imagine what you'd have to do if your market would shift and work is no longer there. While you are on top, you have the resources to make changes to insure your future success. If you wait until that inevitable time when things get tough, the resources may not be there, and it could be too late. Making these changes during good company times will keep your bus from running off the edge of a cliff farther down the road.
Damian Lang is a mason contractor in Southeast Ohio who has four companies that do combined sales of $18 million. 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 attend one of his seminars held specifically for mason contractors, call Remi Huck at Lang Masonry, 800-417-9272