WEBVTT
00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:09.839
Season one, episode six, the summer workload.
00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:16.160
Possibly the busiest 100 days that can make you or break you and your year.
00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:18.399
Hello everyone and welcome to the Thornton Edge.
00:00:18.480 --> 00:00:26.480
I'm Tony Thornton, and for the next few minutes or so, we're gonna talk about a season that every fence contractor knows all too well.
00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:28.320
The summer workload.
00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:33.679
After more than 50 years in the fence industry, I've learned that summer isn't just another season.
00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:34.719
It's game time.
00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:41.840
For many fence companies, the busiest hundred days of the year can determine whether the year is profitable or stressful.
00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:58.960
The phone rings constantly, estimates pile up, customers want their projects completed yesterday, crews are working long hours, suppliers are busy, equipment is running at full speed, the opportunities are absolutely tremendous, but so are the challenges.
00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:03.359
As I've often said, summer success isn't determined in June.
00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:07.840
It's determined by the preparation you did several months in advance.
00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:09.200
So let's talk about it.
00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:10.319
What's the challenge?
00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:14.879
We all know that every contractor loves being busy until they're too busy.
00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:19.040
What starts as a great backlog of work can quickly become overwhelming.
00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:26.560
The office can't keep up with the calls, the salesperson, salespeople are writing more estimates than they've ever could manage.
00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:41.519
The schedule begins to slip, materials become harder to source, equipment breaks down, employees become tired, worn out, customers become very impatient, mistakes happen, and this all hits the bottom line.
00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:45.280
I've seen contractors make one or two mistakes during the busy season.
00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:52.400
Some absolutely panic because they don't have enough work, they lower their price, and others accept every job that comes their way.
00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:54.640
Neither strategy works very well.
00:01:54.799 --> 00:02:02.879
The goal isn't to simply survive the summer, the goal is to operate efficiently while maintaining quality and profitability.
00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:05.599
Busy doesn't automatically mean successful.
00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:12.800
Preparation is the key, and the best fence companies prepare for summer long before it ever arrives.
00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:25.039
They know their production capacity, they hire seasonal employees early, they service their trucks and get their equipment ready, they order the materials, put the inventory in, and they are prepared for what's fixing to hit.
00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:27.919
They establish relationships with their suppliers.
00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:39.039
They review scheduling systems, they train team members, they update safety procedures, they organize inventory, and success during the summer isn't about working harder.
00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:40.560
It's about working smarter.
00:02:40.719 --> 00:02:46.000
One of the principles that I discuss in my business strategies is always to plan ahead.
00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:47.520
Hope is not a strategy.
00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:51.120
You've heard it in every podcast that I've done since I've started.
00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:52.479
Preparation is.
00:02:52.639 --> 00:03:00.400
The companies that stay calm during the busiest months are usually the ones that prepared the best and well in advanced.
00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:02.240
So let's talk about a solution.
00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:06.560
So how can fence companies manage the summer workload?
00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:10.319
I believe there's four very, very important areas to focus on.
00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:12.960
First, manage your customer expectations.
00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:14.719
Be honest about scheduling.
00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:17.680
Don't overpromise what you can't deliver.
00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:21.840
Customers appreciate honesty more than unrealistic promises.
00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:23.919
Second, protect your employees.
00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:26.319
Summer is ridiculously hot.
00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:27.360
It's brutal.
00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:28.879
We got to stay hydrated.
00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:30.960
We got to allow them to take plenty of breaks.
00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:33.599
We got to provide them the proper safety equipment.
00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:39.919
And we also have got to make them aware of the heat and the conditions that could possibly cause them complications.
00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:42.560
Healthy employees are productive employees.
00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:44.479
Third, we've got to stay organized.
00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:52.080
Hold daily crew meetings, team meetings, review your schedules, confirm your material deliveries, and communicate constantly.
00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:58.000
Communication is not just what we're talking about verbally, it's what you put on paper and how we're going to do it.
00:03:58.159 --> 00:04:01.840
Small adjustments each day prevent major problems later.
00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:04.240
And fourth, protect profitability.
00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:07.120
Don't lower those prices simply because you're busy.
00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:08.319
If anything, go up.
00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:11.039
Don't accept work outside your expertise.
00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:13.520
Don't sacrifice quality for speed.
00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:16.959
Summer should improve your bottom line, not damage it.
00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:18.879
And please, don't forget your team.
00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:25.199
One thing I've learned over the years is that summer can be just as stressful for employees as it is for the owners.
00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:37.040
These guys are working long days, long hours in hot weather, terrible conditions, heavy workloads, heavy customer demands, physical exhaustion, and good leaders recognize this.
00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:39.199
You gotta celebrate those accomplishments.
00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:42.720
You gotta provide encouragement, communicate appreciation.
00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:47.759
Hey, buy their lunch every now and then, pat them on the back and say, job well done, I appreciate it.
00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:49.759
Recognize outstanding performance.
00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:51.360
You have to support your crews.
00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:54.639
People perform better when they know that they're valued.
00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:58.639
And you always need to remember this equipment doesn't build fences.
00:04:58.800 --> 00:04:59.600
Your people do.
00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:02.639
Take care of your team and they'll take care of your customers.
00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:09.920
So this week's challenge, I want you to take a close look at your business and ask yourself, are we prepared for our busiest season?
00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:12.399
Do we know our production capacity?
00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:14.560
Are our trucks and equipment ready?
00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:17.519
Do we have enough trained employees or team members?
00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.360
Are our schedules realistic?
00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:20.879
Can we meet the demands?
00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:23.839
Are we communicating effectively with our customers?
00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:25.199
One of the most important.
00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:31.120
And perhaps the biggest question, are we managing the summer or is the summer managing us?
00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:38.720
The answer will tell you a lot about the strength of your business systems, your workflows, your checklists, your ability to perform.
00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:40.879
I'd like to leave you with one final thought.
00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:42.560
Summer is more than a season.
00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:44.079
It's a great opportunity.
00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:58.879
An opportunity to strengthen your reputation, an opportunity to improve profitability, an opportunity to develop your team, an opportunity to serve more customers, but success during the busiest months months doesn't happen by accident.
00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:00.800
It happens because of preparation.
00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:02.720
Did you do the planning in advance?
00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:04.480
The communication in advance?
00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:06.959
Did you build your leadership team in advance?
00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:09.519
Have you got the discipline to pull it off?
00:06:09.680 --> 00:06:14.319
The busiest hundred days of the year do not have to be the most stressful.
00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:16.480
They can become the most rewarding.
00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:31.360
You gotta build smart schedules, you gotta protect your team, you gotta communicate with your customers, you gotta stay focused on that quality, and remember that every project completed successfully strengthens your business for the future.
00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:34.000
I want to say thank you for spending these few minutes with me.
00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:42.079
And if you have any interest in a free consultation scorecard on your business, visit Fence Consulting Group.com and click on Free Scorecard.
00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:45.759
Also, check out the Fence Masters peer-to-peer group and become a member.
00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:47.040
We would love to have you.
00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:52.079
Remember, the busiest season doesn't have to be the toughest season.
00:06:52.319 --> 00:07:01.120
Prepare in advance, lead with confidence, take care of your people, serve your customers well, and turn hard work into lasting success.
00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:04.160
I'm Tony Thornton, and this has been The Thornton Edge.
00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:08.480
I'll see you next time, and as always, keep on fencing.
00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:09.839
Season one, episode six, the summer workload.
00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:16.160
Possibly the busiest 100 days that can make you or break you and your year.
00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:18.399
Hello everyone and welcome to the Thornton Edge.
00:00:18.480 --> 00:00:26.480
I'm Tony Thornton, and for the next few minutes or so, we're gonna talk about a season that every fence contractor knows all too well.
00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:28.320
The summer workload.
00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:33.679
After more than 50 years in the fence industry, I've learned that summer isn't just another season.
00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:34.719
It's game time.
00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:41.840
For many fence companies, the busiest hundred days of the year can determine whether the year is profitable or stressful.
00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:58.960
The phone rings constantly, estimates pile up, customers want their projects completed yesterday, crews are working long hours, suppliers are busy, equipment is running at full speed, the opportunities are absolutely tremendous, but so are the challenges.
00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:03.359
As I've often said, summer success isn't determined in June.
00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:07.840
It's determined by the preparation you did several months in advance.
00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:09.200
So let's talk about it.
00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:10.319
What's the challenge?
00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:14.879
We all know that every contractor loves being busy until they're too busy.
00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:19.040
What starts as a great backlog of work can quickly become overwhelming.
00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:26.560
The office can't keep up with the calls, the salesperson, salespeople are writing more estimates than they've ever could manage.
00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:41.519
The schedule begins to slip, materials become harder to source, equipment breaks down, employees become tired, worn out, customers become very impatient, mistakes happen, and this all hits the bottom line.
00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:45.280
I've seen contractors make one or two mistakes during the busy season.
00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:52.400
Some absolutely panic because they don't have enough work, they lower their price, and others accept every job that comes their way.
00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:54.640
Neither strategy works very well.
00:01:54.799 --> 00:02:02.879
The goal isn't to simply survive the summer, the goal is to operate efficiently while maintaining quality and profitability.
00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:05.599
Busy doesn't automatically mean successful.
00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:12.800
Preparation is the key, and the best fence companies prepare for summer long before it ever arrives.
00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:25.039
They know their production capacity, they hire seasonal employees early, they service their trucks and get their equipment ready, they order the materials, put the inventory in, and they are prepared for what's fixing to hit.
00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:27.919
They establish relationships with their suppliers.
00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:39.039
They review scheduling systems, they train team members, they update safety procedures, they organize inventory, and success during the summer isn't about working harder.
00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:40.560
It's about working smarter.
00:02:40.719 --> 00:02:46.000
One of the principles that I discuss in my business strategies is always to plan ahead.
00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:47.520
Hope is not a strategy.
00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:51.120
You've heard it in every podcast that I've done since I've started.
00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:52.479
Preparation is.
00:02:52.639 --> 00:03:00.400
The companies that stay calm during the busiest months are usually the ones that prepared the best and well in advanced.
00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:02.240
So let's talk about a solution.
00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:06.560
So how can fence companies manage the summer workload?
00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:10.319
I believe there's four very, very important areas to focus on.
00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:12.960
First, manage your customer expectations.
00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:14.719
Be honest about scheduling.
00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:17.680
Don't overpromise what you can't deliver.
00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:21.840
Customers appreciate honesty more than unrealistic promises.
00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:23.919
Second, protect your employees.
00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:26.319
Summer is ridiculously hot.
00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:27.360
It's brutal.
00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:28.879
We got to stay hydrated.
00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:30.960
We got to allow them to take plenty of breaks.
00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:33.599
We got to provide them the proper safety equipment.
00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:39.919
And we also have got to make them aware of the heat and the conditions that could possibly cause them complications.
00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:42.560
Healthy employees are productive employees.
00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:44.479
Third, we've got to stay organized.
00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:52.080
Hold daily crew meetings, team meetings, review your schedules, confirm your material deliveries, and communicate constantly.
00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:58.000
Communication is not just what we're talking about verbally, it's what you put on paper and how we're going to do it.
00:03:58.159 --> 00:04:01.840
Small adjustments each day prevent major problems later.
00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:04.240
And fourth, protect profitability.
00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:07.120
Don't lower those prices simply because you're busy.
00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:08.319
If anything, go up.
00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:11.039
Don't accept work outside your expertise.
00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:13.520
Don't sacrifice quality for speed.
00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:16.959
Summer should improve your bottom line, not damage it.
00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:18.879
And please, don't forget your team.
00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:25.199
One thing I've learned over the years is that summer can be just as stressful for employees as it is for the owners.
00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:37.040
These guys are working long days, long hours in hot weather, terrible conditions, heavy workloads, heavy customer demands, physical exhaustion, and good leaders recognize this.
00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:39.199
You gotta celebrate those accomplishments.
00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:42.720
You gotta provide encouragement, communicate appreciation.
00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:47.759
Hey, buy their lunch every now and then, pat them on the back and say, job well done, I appreciate it.
00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:49.759
Recognize outstanding performance.
00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:51.360
You have to support your crews.
00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:54.639
People perform better when they know that they're valued.
00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:58.639
And you always need to remember this equipment doesn't build fences.
00:04:58.800 --> 00:04:59.600
Your people do.
00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:02.639
Take care of your team and they'll take care of your customers.
00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:09.920
So this week's challenge, I want you to take a close look at your business and ask yourself, are we prepared for our busiest season?
00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:12.399
Do we know our production capacity?
00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:14.560
Are our trucks and equipment ready?
00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:17.519
Do we have enough trained employees or team members?
00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.360
Are our schedules realistic?
00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:20.879
Can we meet the demands?
00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:23.839
Are we communicating effectively with our customers?
00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:25.199
One of the most important.
00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:31.120
And perhaps the biggest question, are we managing the summer or is the summer managing us?
00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:38.720
The answer will tell you a lot about the strength of your business systems, your workflows, your checklists, your ability to perform.
00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:40.879
I'd like to leave you with one final thought.
00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:42.560
Summer is more than a season.
00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:44.079
It's a great opportunity.
00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:58.879
An opportunity to strengthen your reputation, an opportunity to improve profitability, an opportunity to develop your team, an opportunity to serve more customers, but success during the busiest months months doesn't happen by accident.
00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:00.800
It happens because of preparation.
00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:02.720
Did you do the planning in advance?
00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:04.480
The communication in advance?
00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:06.959
Did you build your leadership team in advance?
00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:09.519
Have you got the discipline to pull it off?
00:06:09.680 --> 00:06:14.319
The busiest hundred days of the year do not have to be the most stressful.
00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:16.480
They can become the most rewarding.
00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:31.360
You gotta build smart schedules, you gotta protect your team, you gotta communicate with your customers, you gotta stay focused on that quality, and remember that every project completed successfully strengthens your business for the future.
00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:34.000
I want to say thank you for spending these few minutes with me.
00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:42.079
And if you have any interest in a free consultation scorecard on your business, visit Fence Consulting Group.com and click on Free Scorecard.
00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:45.759
Also, check out the Fence Masters peer-to-peer group and become a member.
00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:47.040
We would love to have you.
00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:52.079
Remember, the busiest season doesn't have to be the toughest season.
00:06:52.319 --> 00:07:01.120
Prepare in advance, lead with confidence, take care of your people, serve your customers well, and turn hard work into lasting success.
00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:04.160
I'm Tony Thornton, and this has been The Thornton Edge.
00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:08.480
I'll see you next time, and as always, keep on fencing.
