Levels of Strategic Decisions (The Basics)
D. Brown Management
August 13, 2023
There are many "Strategic Possibilities" developed from "Strategic Brainstorming" that must be explored to make choices that will best position a contractor to win over the long-term. These "Strategic Decisions" must be made and integrated at all levels.
strategy
4 Different Strategic Planning Objectives
D. Brown Management
August 13, 2023
Before moving into a strategy or planning session, understand which of the four broad objectives you are working to accomplish knowing they may be different for different parts of the company.
business management business planning strategy
Management Team Development Phases Within Each Stage of Growth
D. Brown Management
July 29, 2023
The management team leading a contractor through the different stages of growth will typically navigate three phases at each stage - Emerging, Hollow, and Ready. Understanding these phases guides growth planning, recruitment, development, and succession.
leadership management Organizational Development
Headcount, Stages of Contractor Growth, and Growth Inflection Points
D. Brown Management
July 29, 2023
Every contractor will navigate very predictable stages of growth. Each of these represents about a tripling of headcount and requires different leadership focus, strategies, structures, and systems. Stress and failure points are also very predictable.
leadership management strategy
Required Leadership Focus Changes at Each Stage of Growth
D. Brown Management
July 29, 2023
At each stage of growth, the leadership focus at the top for majority Owners/CEO/President must change to continue navigating growth effectively. Concurrently, the leadership focus from the prior stage of growth must be transferred and expanded downward.
leadership Organizational Development sustainable growth
8 Indicators That You May Be at a Growth Inflection Point
D. Brown Management
July 29, 2023
While there is no "Perfect Signage" about the growth inflection points that contractors must navigate through, these eight questions can help you evaluate where you are at.
business planning Organizational Development strategy sustainable growth
Prioritized Development and Improvements
D. Brown Management
July 29, 2023
Identifying all the opportunities for development of talent and improvement of the operation for a contractor is overwhelming at best. You can't "punch list" a business like you can a project. Prioritization and sequencing are crucial for success.
change management continuous improvement opex
Resource - The Five Minute Foreman
D. Brown Management
July 23, 2023
The Five-Minute Foreman by Mark Breslin is our most recommended book for Foremen in any sized contractor. The writing style, digestible chunks, and companion workbook are a great combination. We have never heard any Foreman not absolutely love this book.
field operations foreman training labor productivity
Resource - 2 Second Lean
D. Brown Management
July 23, 2023
Dozens of practical and fun ways to save a few more seconds each day. 3 minutes per day of additional productive time on tools (ToT) equals about a 1% labor savings - or $10K for every $1M in job cost labor. Helps develop a continuous improvement culture.
culture labor productivity lean construction
Resource - Stratified Systems Theory (SST) and Timespan 101
D. Brown Management
July 23, 2023
All contractors navigate through very predictable stages of growth delivering larger and more complex projects. Business complexity evolves requiring different capabilities at all levels. Tom Foster lays out some of these key differences very clearly.
Organizational Development