“Change” is not a naughty word
While “change” is not a naughty word, it can be as difficult to deal with as the result of a two-year-old wiping the contents of his diaper on the wall and curtains. It stinks. It wasn’t in the plan. And, it can make you wonder why you got involved in the first place.
You and your grown son will have either forgotten the incident or find a reason to laugh about it all those years later. Poop happens. And, so does change.
Following are three categories of dealing with change – planning for change, adapting to change, or stagnating. Keep in mind; you can’t be actively involved in either of the first two if you’re inactively involved in the final category.
Plan change
We see our clients and other construction contractors dealing with a regular set of business growth issues.
For example, they want to have a higher profit margin, develop a strong management team, retain good employees, be organized, and build or improve their operating systems.
And, it is obvious, “change” is the only way those issues can be addressed.
Smart contractors understand they must invest, in order to make the changes they want to see. Some ways they may invest are:
New tech
Training for themselves or employees
Consultants
Quality new hires
Service providers
Savvy contractors understand the investments they make may involve cash, time, or both. Further, they understand the value of their investments.
Adapt to change
Another skill great construction contractors have is adjusting or adapting to changes they may have missed in the planning stages or somewhere along the way. For example; the weather, new competitors, the economy, and new or different expectations from clients.
While this article is titled, Startup Pivots That Changed the World, don’t let the word “Startup” get in your way. The list includes companies which started in 1889 (Nintendo) and 1939 (HP®) as well as others. It is a fun look at how others have dealt with the changes necessary to get them to their present status. Some have changed so much we are astonished at their roots.
Each of them can give you a jumping-off point for thinking about changes you may want to make or changes which might come knocking on your door when you least expect it.
Stagnate
Definition:
stag·nate /ˈstaɡˌnāt/ cease developing; become inactive or dull.
Synonyms:
become stagnant, do nothing, stand still, be sluggish, lie dormant, be inert, languish, decline, deteriorate, fall
The world will continue to change with or without us.
Um, I wish there was something more I could say about this category. I can’t. You understand.
Final word
“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often” – Winston Churchill
It is our desire this article (among our growing library of construction-centric informational articles) is helpful in assisting commercial construction contractors build better building businesses.
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