6 Tips For Success As A Construction Entrepreneur
All companies need to have excellent management to thrive, and nowhere is this truer than in the case of construction. Every year, entrepreneurs start-up construction companies in the hope of winning big contracts and making a lot of money.
Unfortunately, that’s not always how it pans out. Construction is a demanding industry in which to succeed. You have to have your wits about you.
Are you considering setting up a construction company? If so, take a look at the following ways professional, seasoned managers conduct their operations.
#1 Teach Employees Customer Service Skills
If there’s one thing that clients hate about construction companies, it’s the fact that they don’t train their staff in matters of personal etiquette and customer service.
Just like in any other industry, the people to whom your sell want professionalism. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your employees understand what excellent customer service means automatically. The chances are that they don’t.
#2 Understand Your Safety Obligations
Construction is one of the most dangerous industries on the planet. Every year, thousands of people injure themselves on construction sites, often through no fault of their own. If you own a construction company, remember to measure crane wind speed, regularly train your employees on how to conduct themselves on site, and provide training on how to use equipment safely.
An accident could damage your reputation and lead to much higher insurance premiums.
#3 Market Your Company Aggressively Online
For many construction companies, marketing means using word of mouth to drum up customers. Unfortunately, in the modern digital age, this is no longer sufficient. Marketing has moved online, and you need to roll with it.
Even if you do get customers via word-of-mouth, it is still essential to have a website and social media pages so that prospects can find out more about you before requesting your services.
#4 Do Consistent Job Costing
Working out how much a job is going to cost to complete is a significant undertaking. You need to know your predicted cash flow ahead of time so that you don’t experience any squeezes on your finances that you can’t afford to meet. Where possible, try to bill immediately.
If that’s not possible, the bill as soon as you have a billable expense. It is always best to decide on the payment structure before you begin a project, allowing you to calculate how much it is likely to cost.
#5 Hire Quality Salespeople
Selling is a skill, just like construction. However, many construction companies neglect to hire people with the requisite skills. That’s a problem.
Hiring great salespeople puts your firm at an advantage. For starters, it ensures that you sell to people who might otherwise be on the fence. Much of selling involves overcoming prospects’ sticking points and finding out what it is that is stopping them from parting with their cash.
#6 Be Positive
Finally, be positive. Conditions in the construction sector can sometimes be challenging, but your body language can have a significant effect on the success of your business. Remember, people would always prefer to hire people who exude positivity than not.
Do you own a construction business?
