Increased Value by Lowering Variability

A construction business is capable of providing a very high return to the owners who have their capital at risk as well as the team members that work there.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
Share

The leadership teams of contractors must constantly assess where the business is at in the growth cycle and whether their current strategy, structure, talent and management processes are ready for the next stage of growth.  

Leadership Tools: Increase Business Value by Lowering Variability. Sustainable Growth through Balanced Execution.

As a business is growing; especially with a strong leader in place it is easy to become what we call a hollow contractor.  A hollow contractor typically has performed extremely well in some years.  

What they are typically missing is a depth of talent at all levels supported by scalable processes and training that enables sustainable growth.   

  1. Get your market strategy right ensuring consistency through various economic cycles.
  2. Set up your organizational structure to support this market strategy.  Focus on the roles and capabilities that are necessary; not the people.  
  3. Know where your talent gaps are in both bodies and capabilities.  
  4. Aggressively fill those gaps through training, recruiting and when necessary by terminating.    

Only after this foundation is well under way should you focus on the next steps.  




Evolution of Project Delivery Methods
Project delivery methods for contractors will become increasingly more integrated from project owner through all key parts of the supply chain, which is a return to models used in the early 1900s with some modernization improvements.
A Broader Definition of a Change on a Construction Project
The first step for contractors improving their management of changes on a project is simply earlier identification. This starts with a better definition of what a change really is, and then setting standards within your company around that definition.
My Talent Promise - To Everyone
Talent is the biggest constraint that most contractors will face over the next decade. Every manager needs to get exceptionally clear on the promises they will make to those around them.