For many construction company owners, it’s a fun job to have. You get to work with people each day, you’re not stuck in an office morning until night and there’s the chance to use your creativity to help people’s dreams become a reality.
Of course, you may not simply want to focus on fun. Do you want to be the market leader in your area? Then you do need to focus on improving certain aspects of your business on a continual basis. From using the right height safety systems to managing your team members and even your industry network, it all matters. It determines if you’ll grow and survive in a competitive market.
So, let’s ask the important questions and discuss the harsh realities you need to face.
Do You Employ the Right People?
The talent on your team makes a huge impact on outcomes:
- You need people who can easily work with others, since you work in a team
- The skills and knowledge of your employees will determine the quality of work you deliver
- Quality of work has a direct impact on the satisfaction of your clients, which will determine your public reputation
You also need to employ people who will do what is necessary, even if you’re not there. Can you trust your team to grow instead of hurt your brand?
Can You Organise?
Not sticking to timelines is almost synonymous with the construction industry. It’s understandable because you have to manage unpredictable factors like the weather. But you can’t use this as an excuse to waste others’ time. At the very least you can keep clients and developers informed about the state of affairs.
Having a practical project management software program can assist. You can easily share information with your team, get their feedback in real time and be empowered to send updates to other role players so they can plan accordingly.
Are You Moving with the Times?
Technology like software mentioned above is essential even in an industry that’s this established. Although it’s not necessary to invest in all modern gadgets, consider which ones will enable you to improve service delivery.
Some construction companies use drones in order to view progress, give detailed reports to other parties and take images of their work to compile an impressive portfolio. You’ll also agree that the right power tools speed up the process, simplify the workflow and make it easier to create structures that align with buildings codes.
So, the right tool at the right time is a wise—and necessary—investment. When you’re competing against other market leaders for a new project, having proof that you can do the job faster than others—and therefore save the client some money—because of your available equipment, could score you that deal.
Are You Spending Too Much or Too Little on Marketing?
In today’s society, you need to invest in modern advertising, such as digital marketing. Do you have a website that showcases your contact details, your portfolio and some feedback from clients?
Just be careful not to spend too much on marketing either. Your best advertising partner is word of mouth. You simply have to ensure you leave clients with smiles on their faces and they’re bound to send their friends and family to you for a quote.
Are You Known for Safety On Site?
Another topic people may talk about regarding your company is how safety conscious you are. This can be clients seeing what happens on site, or your workers who talk to others about their working conditions. So, what are they saying?
In construction, working at elevated heights is a given, so any construction company needs to invest in height safety systems. From anchor points to walkways and safety rails, they’re essential to keep your team and anyone else inspecting the property safe from harm.
When working with any equipment, from excavators to power tools, you should have strict policies in place, limiting the chance of someone getting injured. And remember to brief anyone walking onto the site that may not be used to your protocols.
That’s a lot to manage! But this is something you should be famous for getting right. The added benefit here is that when you create a safe working environment, productivity increases and you’ll reach your goals faster. So, proper safety is not only to align with regulations; it’s a win for everyone. Can you say that you’ve done all you could so far?
What Does Your Network Look Like?
To keep operating in your industry, you can’t function in isolation. You need a network to find new leads, learn about developments in the building industry and source new partnerships that can benefit your brand. Using local small business gatherings is one option and also reach out to others in your field from time to time to talk over lunch. Relationships are important in any business.
Along with the fun of construction, make sure you can have peace of mind that you’re keeping the future of your company safe. Be honest with yourself about these six matters and ask your team where you can improve. This is how you become the best in the business.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.