After finishing up the year with family, friends, and festivities, many of us start reflecting on who we are, what we have accomplished, and how we can meet our goals going forward. We often feel a need to make New Year’s resolutions in hopes that we keep them and find ourselves closer to where we think we should be in the next year. A lot of people flood the gym and start sweating it out on the treadmills and lifting weights in hopes of losing weight, becoming healthier, or achieving that ideal body. If they were to be honest, however, most would say they have done this every year and ended up falling back into the same routines they did that got them where they are now. So, what does it take to make a lasting change?
I think that if we truly want something we will persevere through the pain and effort until we see our aspirations come to fruition. The same applies to a business — especially a residential electrical contracting business. If you’re looking forward to a safe and prosperous 2019, here are seven steps you can take to meet your objectives:
1. Set goals that are achievable. Reach for something that you know will be a little stretch but not out of your reach. Setting realistic expectations for anything will prove to be one of the most important things you can do to take that next step in your career.
2. Train for what you want to obtain. If your goal is to increase your overall revenue, then take some product training and apply what you’ve learned in the field. Surge protection, generators, smart home technology, and electric vehicle charging stations are great places to start your training endeavors.
3. Make sure you measure your goals daily, weekly, and monthly. You can’t grow what you don’t track. Review those goals with local management on a daily basis.
4. Incorporate personal protective equipment (PPE) into your daily work process. A great New Year’s resolution is to make sure everyone working for you stays safe. You can’t enjoy your successes if you or someone on your team is hurt.
5. Get rid of any clutter or useless materials in your inventory. If you work from a van or truck, make sure to give it a thorough cleaning and organizing. Clean and organize your tools as well. With a spick-and-span van, office, and warehouse, you are now ready to start making money and doing what you do best.
6. Consider cutting ties with any unproductive, negative employees. It’s a hard decision, but it must be done. Prune any unhealthy sections of your business model. Before doing so, make sure you consult your human resources department for advice on the correct course of action to take.
7. Think about your employees and what they need. For example, set up bonus structures for your employees to motivate them further in this new year. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it is fair across the board and is applied to the specific areas you want to grow.
These are just a few ideas to jump-start your business in the new year. Staying focused will help you reap the benefits of a strong, well-managed company.
Talbot is a licensed, master electrician in Georgia, where he was born and raised. He has been in the industry for 17 years and is currently the operations manager for Mister Sparky Atlanta, where he manages a team of technicians. In his spare time, he plays with his kids, volunteers, and is flipping his fourth house. He can be reached at [email protected].
