Builder: How to Get Great Answers to Your Building Business Problems
How to Get Great Answers to Your Building Business Problems
Ever find yourself saying, “If only I had known that earlier, my building business would be in so much better shape?”
So true. But the real question now is, “Why didn’t you find out - then?”
No-one to ask? Or just didn't know? After all, builders know answers to everything about construction! But do you know all there is to know about the business of building? Did you ask?
And have you now learned to ask, or will you still be saying the same thing in 10 years time?
The thing is, research has shown that an unwillingness to ask (a high I KNOW factor) is associated with business failure. The absurd thing is that the I KNOW factor is really just a sign of ignorance. And ignorance in business can be fatal.
But not all ignorance is bad.
In this article I outline the five different faces of ignorance - the good and the bad.
1 Ignorance #1 - Things I Know I Don’t Know
A healthy ignorance. So get plenty of it. It is where real change starts. e.g. If you know you don’t know how to market your construction business then your problwm is halfway solved. You need to increase your education, or find someone to do the marketing for you.
2 Ignorance #2 - Things I Think I Know
However, it’s not always that easy. You see some of the things we think we know, we don’t really know at all!
Ever endured listening to someone who thinks they know but really they don’t. You would like to help them but they would be offended. Their I KNOW prevents their getting new information. And all the time they think they KNOW, they are displaying their ignorance to those who really do know.
It is when we hold rigidly to what we think we know, without any room for uncertainty or doubt that we become ignorant in our thinking.
So, hold loosely to what you think YOU KNOW and let others inform you.
3 Ignorance #3 - Things I Don’t Know I Don’t Know
Now this ignorance in thinking is exciting. It fuels curiosity and drives exploration. It sends you on a course or motivates you to attend a webinar. It is where you allow someone to open you up to vistas you never knew existed - to new ways of doing things. It is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself.
But often the I KNOW pops up and stands in the way. Kill it!
4 Ignorance #4 -Things I Don’t Want to Know
But something even worse is the choosing not to know. This is the ignorance that fuels Taboos - the subjects we “must never talk about” - the questions we must never ask. “I don’t even want to hear your ideas!” Met anyone like that?
I have seen this in the business owner who refuses to investigate what is happening inside his business, in case he discovers something wrong! Better not to know!
However, it doesn’t fix the wrong. All a Taboo sourced I KNOW does is govern the business owner with unfounded fears.
5 Ignorance #5 - Things I Deny
Sometimes truth hurts. A building job doesn’t go as planned. A employee turns out to be crooked. A source of leads drys up. It should be dealt immediately, but how often is is simply denied? We must just box on!
I see this in the builder who claims his business is going well (because it has heaps of turnover) but is making very little profit. Actually it is running very close to failure.
Denial is NOT a river in Egypt! There is no life in it.
So, How About You?
Most of the renovation and remodeling builders I meet know more about their business than they are able to tell me. I get them to define their target market and their specialty niche. Many believe they can’t. But with a little coaching it’s amazing what they discover. What is even more exciting is applying that knowledge to their business and achieving great outcomes.
Talk Back
So what have you learned that you wish you knew years ago?
What do you think you need to learn now?
I’d love to hear your comments.
Post your comments below.
Greame
P.S. Whenever you’re ready….here are 4 ways I can help you grow your building business:
1. Grab a copy of my free book
It’s a road map of a successful 15 minute sales call that’s guaranteed to increase your conversion rate. http://thesuccessfulbuilder.com/book-15-min-sales-call/
2. Join Trade Mates and connect with builders who are scaling too.
It's our new Facebook community where smart builders learn to get more income, time and freedom. View our free business resources for builders. Ask questions of like minded business owners and business coaches. Give your knowledge and expertise to help others. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TradeMates/
3. Join My New Group
I’m starting a new group called “OnRamp” to kick start sales and marketing in your business. If this sounds like you, message me with the words, “OnRamp”, and I’ll get you all the information.
4. Join Loft Members
If you’d like help to get off the tools, make more money and get your life back...just message me at graeme@thesuccessfulbuilder.com and put “LOFT MEMBERS” in the subject...tell me a little about your business and I’ll get you all the details.