Four Steps to Sustainable Growth (10+10=0)

All contractors go through different stages of growth.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
Share

 

Leadership Tools: 10 + 10 = 0

Growing contractors face an overwhelming amount of problems and opportunities as they move through the different stages of growth. There will never be enough resources to work on all of them, especially with the shortage of talent facing the construction industry.  

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."

Abraham Lincoln

The equivalent for the leadership teams of growing contractors is to spend a significant amount of time truly identifying the #1 bottleneck or opportunity in their entire value stream.  Then breaking it down into an actionable objective with key results that everyone can align around rather than a broad vision.   

This seems simple but in reality is VERY challenging, especially as a business grows. This is an area where experienced 3rd parties can add significant value because they don’t have all the biases that are inevitable with management teams who are looking at the myriad of problems and opportunities every day.  

Learn more




Business Development Models for Contractors
There are two primary models that contractors use for developing business. Often the best approach for sustainable growth is integrating the "Seller-Doer" and "Business Developer" models.
Management Team Development Phases Within Each Stage of Growth
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.
Plan Ahead, Adjust Early, and Accelerate Recovery
Construction in any given industry sector or geographical area is a cyclical business. There are four major levers a contractor can pull to ensure the business performs well throughout all economic cycles.