Getting Back to the Construction Basics

As the New Year begins, reflecting back on the previous year with your employees can help identify areas for future improvement. In doing so, there are times when it may help to get back to the basics. This becomes more evident with companies that have been experiencing growth for some time.

Getting back to the basics can mean different things to different people. Construction basics include things like foundational items, core principles, and the vision of the company.  It is easy to lose focus in the midst of tight schedules, short deadlines, and problem solving during the busy summer months.

Think of it this way: When you lift a heavy object, you know the basics. You position your feet, keep your back straight, and bend and lift with your legs. Employees sometimes need to be reminded of this—even though, if you were to ask them the right way to do it, they would give you the correct answer.

Use this checklist to identify areas you may want to improve when it comes to construction basics.

1. Boosting employee morale. This includes both office and field employees.
2. Employee health. This can include at work, on the job site, as well as at home.
3. Safety. Do you promote a culture of safety and get our employees actively involved?
4. Workplace security. Do employees feel secure at work? Is your company’s valuable and sensitive information secured from a cyber attack? How about job site security?
5. New Ideas. I’m amazed by the ideas my employees suggested over the years. Do you encourage and reward new ideas?
6. Employee training. Proper training regarding company procedures and appropriate documentation.
7. Technical training. Do you have the right employee for the task? Is the right tool being used? Are they using the right fasteners for the task?
8. Risk management. Do you review your company practices with your construction attorney yearly? Do your contracts and purchase orders need to be updated? Do you have the proper insurance coverage?
9. Sales. How can you attract more customers? How can you get repeat sales from existing customers? Can you expand or offer new products? Do you need to adjust your marketing strategies?
10. Service. Do you need to improve your customer service skills? Are you engaging and interacting with customers? Do you ask for customer feedback to strive for customer satisfaction?

Every construction company wants to be efficient, safe, and competitive, produce high-quality workmanship, have a backlog of work, employ talented people, and establish a great working environment. All this takes constant effort and hard work to achieve. A company is only as strong as the weakest link in the chain.