Marketing 101: Horse before Cart

I often see small companies approach their marketing on a random, suck-it-and-see approach, therefore waste a lot of money and time going nowhere.  They will try one channel, after being approached by a slick salesperson with a “deal”, put a quick campaign in place and more often than not, be disappointed by the results.  Thinking…

Give Yourself a Test

The following is a cut down version of a post I read on a US website from George Hedley.  He is a business coach much like myself and focuses on the construction industry.  If you want to check him out his website is www.hardhatpresentations.com I like and agree with what he says and thought you…

I’d Rather Juggle Chainsaws

Labour is biggest maker or breaker in project profitability in the construction industry. A 5% swing either way can cause a 50% swing in net profit.  This is particularly true for renovation projects, where the labour component typically represents a higher proportion of the total cost, compared to new builds.  The work is also more…

Prevent Budget Blowouts

With the construction industry being pretty buoyant at the moment, attention should be turned to improving operational efficiency as the best way to increase profits. Last year I ran a couple of seminars based on the results of an industry survey on the frustrations builders have in project management.  It sparked some interest so I thought…

Sharpened Your Saw lately?

Today (Saturday) I spend 4 hours with my business coach, Taki Moore, while he was visiting Auckland.  Yes, I am a business coach and I have a business coach too.  I am always looking to up my game and improve the service that I can offer my clients.  Part of that improvement comes from self learning,…

Resolutions or Pipe Dreams?

Made any New Year resolutions this month?  By any chance were they the same ones you set last year, because they were the ones you didn’t quite reach the year before?  Are you wasting your time with New Year resolutions and are they just pipe dreams that won’t make it past February? If you are…

The Future of Home Printing

Despite recent advances in construction, such as pre-nailed frames, nail guns, lasers, etc., the basic method of nailing timber together to build a house hasn’t changed a lot.  Prepare for a quantum leap in construction however.  It won’t happen next year, but it will happen in the not too distant future and will make the…

Why Have Staff Meetings?

The staff meeting — or “stiff meeting” as it is sometimes known in many companies — can become a colossal waste of time. Many consider staff meetings a practical alternative to work; as a place to think about this weekend’s fishing trip or to refine their doodling skills. All because there is too little thought invested in…