So you are a contractor floating along when times are good, picking and choosing jobs to bid on, getting referrals left and right. The economy starts to change a little and people are spending less. The news affirms this crisis and suddenly things are very gloomy in the construction industry. How can the small contractor stay in business?

Let’s start by saying many have already gone. The first sign of a slow-down, some contractors change careers until things look better. If you are a contractor who enjoys his work and is looking for ways to grow your business then you need to make some changes. Believe it or not, we must all change to improve what we do. (ie I know how to swing a hammer, but a nail gun makes sense in many situations)

I have what I think are the 3 “Golden Ideas” to succeed in contracting today. I have seen the very ideas bring record sales this past year, in a county with 25% unemployment in the construction industry. Think the following ideas as possible changes that can be made to your business.

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Whether you’re in the construction business as a laborer, superintendent, Foreman or you’re actually the boss, you have an obligation to your trade to honesty and fairness. This goes both ways of course, if you’re working for someone and they’re not treating you fairly or being honest, it’s time to find another job.

Contractors seem to get lumped into the same pot as lawyers, realtors and of course the unforgettable used-car salesman. I have been a contractor for almost 25 years and still cannot believe the reactions of some people when I’m talking to them about their job.

People often view contractors as liars. There’s good reason for this and I don’t blame some of the people who feel this way. I recently worked on a home where the homeowner had nothing but horror stories about his neighbors and other contractors that have worked in the neighborhood.

I couldn’t help but sympathize with those people who had already paid good money to have a service done to their home that they believed, would last for a long time.

I would just like to send a special message to anyone working in the construction business, to show a little sympathy for those who have had problems with contractors and laborers in the business. There is a way to fix this problem and is called honesty and fairness.

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A contractor shared something with me a long time ago and I would like to share it with you today. Taking someone out to lunch, could be the best money you ever spent and I’m about to tell you why.

The general contractor that I’m talking about taught me a lot of things about the construction business and even personal relationships. One of the things that he taught me was the advantage of spending time with people that you like and want to do business with on a regular basis.

He said,” If you’re serious about working in the construction business, you’re going to need to develop relationships. And one of the best ways to enhance the relationships that you’ve already started is to take someone out to lunch.” I was already the kind of person who would pick up the tab for my family and friends, but never thought about taking someone out to lunch.

I was taught something a little different, if you bought someone lunch, it was almost like you were trying to bribe them. The only reason why you were going to buy someone lunch, was because you wanted something from them and this didn’t make much sense in business. I never wanted to give someone the wrong idea, so I never invited them out to lunch.

You’re still probably wondering where I’m going with us. Here’s the key to taking someone out to lunch, you will have their undivided attention without interruptions. You will be able to spend some one-on-one quality time developing better relations with these individuals.

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