A few weeks back I visited my hometown, City of Mount Vernon, Washington. I sat down for a cup of coffee with my old construction boss, Mr. Hector Trujillo. We discussed what it takes to succeed in the construction business, despite an economic downturn, a recession and massive layoffs. He’s been in the business since he was a teenager. And, he’s weathered every downturn and in each of these he provides a host of lessons learned. However to distill our 60-minute conversation it boils down to this: know what’s in an inch.
What’s In an Inch? Do you think it matters? Is it important to know your specialty? If you work in construction, the most important thing to know is that there are 16/16th in an inch. If you are the crew boss it is important to follow the trends and patterns of the industry to ensure your team is positioned properly. How to read blueprints, manage teams and simple math are some other basics. Of course if you are planning to be the boss, then understanding these basics as well as what’s in an inch will position you for a successful career in construction.
How to Position Yourself Forward Inch-by-Inch: Understanding the environment around you is key. If you plan on succeeding your construction boss then understanding what lies ahead, what lands will be developed, where business is being built, and where the talent can be found quickly positions yourself on the high ground.
So what can we do to remain profitable and employed? First, and foremost remain persistent. Remain persistent when you make those sales calls to identify opportunities. Position yourself outside your usual periphery–look to health care facilities construction, luxury homes, and university dormitories. If the water is running out, don’t just stand there, you start planning for where you are going to get your next drink. That begins with not only knowing the basics of an inch, which is important, but remaining persistent in building the next big space. Now if I could only do math in my head.
Agree or disagree? What did I miss? How can I be more helpful? Comment below.
David Molina [david at bilingualhireco.com]
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