Do not get so caught up in the promise of success that you neglect the details.  As a blanket statement, that is good advice; as a directive for prospecting and bidding projects, it is a necessity.

While the largest profits come from taking chances, those chances can lead to the largest losses.  When a large opportunity knocks on your door, there is a temptation to throw everything into chasing it.  It is like buying a lottery ticket and planning on how to spend the money before the numbers are even drawn.  Many times, the projects that support you get neglected and overlooked while the possibility of a “better” project takes up important assets.  Take caution in the pursuit of large high profile jobs, everybody is chasing them, so they typically get awarded under value, putting pressure on production before the project every begins.  Never neglect the base business that supports your overhead.  While perusing jobs that stretch you is important, keeping up with what has sustained you is more important.

It is easy to forget that the tortoise wins the race when the possibility of a jet pack is put in your path.  Never forget what kind of projects got you were you are today; it is good to stretch, but even the best rubber band will break if it is stretched to far.  When an opportunity is placed in your path that has the potential of catapulting you to the next level, be very cautious.  Do not turn and run, but investigate all avenues of success and failure and do an extra amount of due diligence before you proceed.  The biding process is the foundation for the project and has the power to define the future of a job.  Calculate the costs of any possible failures and make sure the remediation is included into the project cost.  Figure the time and assume that things will not go according to plan.  While this is true almost ever time in construction, other business types have similar delays.  Account for any equipment that will be needed, or might break.  Add extra travel expenses, including supervision.  When all of the tangibles and intangibles are figured, do not cut your profit to get the job.   This initial step is very important, but if you receive the project, do not go into auto pilot, your work is just beginning.

High profile unique projects that, on the surface, appear to be an opportunity to elevate your influence to the next level in your industry should be approached very cautiously.  Projects of this caliber cannot be confronted in the same way as other projects.  One truth in every industry is that every job is unique and has its own set of problems.  The larger the scale, the more there is to loose or gain; make the best of the situation and plan for the unexpected.  Along with job specific challenges, financial challenges can make large projects particularity problematic.  Before a contract is executed, perform a detailed financial review covering the time period of the projected project.  Confirm that cash flow from other projects will support long payment terms and tying manpower up for long periods of time.  If payments get delayed, there will be need to be income from other sources to support overhead expenses.

Trust and professional respect are important on any project, but enter into large projects with partners that have a history of fairness and flexibility.  There will be issues that come up where a working relationship can save costly mistakes.  Communication is key, especially when there are financial implications.  Partner with trusted suppliers and make them aware of the scope of the project prior to entering into a contract.  It is important to know that the supply chain will be in place to support the base work and any changes that might creep up during production.  Clarify billing and payment terms with the customer and supplier so that everyone is aware of the payment cycle.  The best relationships can be challenged when payment terms are not met, creating critical problems with any project.

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

All of these tips come from experience, both success and failure.  The best planed project in recent memory, was a meat packing plant on a prison unit.  80,000 sq. ft. of flooring, including some mortar walls and cove base was completed in a decades old facility during a 42 day shutdown.  Detailed planning went into the products, lodging, crew rotations and security.  The project beat its deadline and ended in success.  The process was difficult, took daily management, and did not complete without its set of problems, however in the end, it was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.  On the other hand, a biomedical project that had a very unique scope and size took 4 times longer than planned.  Some very difficult scope issues were not resolved correctly and early communication issues plagued the project leading to a sizable loss.  It is important to realize that projects have variables outside of your control; use your past experience and knowledge to get ahead of problems before they become costly losses.

Experience is a painful teacher that can build wisdom; if problems are not addressed quickly, all of the lessons can cost profits or worse if left unaddressed.  Use these examples to build a better tomorrow by picking projects that are within your capabilities.  Partner with customers and suppliers that can offer support and communication.  The most difficult thing is seeing years of work disappearing into one project.  The right project can define you; the wrong project can destroy you.  Be smart, pace yourself and stretch yourself – but not to the breaking point.

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”– Colin Powell

Resin Adviser

If you have been in business for more than a few years, and have run into a problem job, I am speaking to you.  If you have not had the misfortune of getting stuck with a contract that is impossible to profit from, then you need to keep reading; the process of biding jobs correctly has the power to save your bottom line.  The most important thing about a bad job, is learning how to avoid the same pitfall again…and again.  For many years, a business can coast along with some small failures and successes; coasting leads to complacency and a false sense of security.  Taking your eye off of the planning process and letting inertia run your business, is a recipe for dangerous problems, and can lead to projects that have the potential to stop growth in their tracks.

The first step in dealing with a catastrophic contract (project), is surviving it; regroup and make a plan to focus on completing the tasks directly in the path of future survival.  The second step is moving back so that the problem does not block the road to future success.  The two most costly mistakes in dealing with difficult jobs are ignoring them and/or letting them consume you and allowing them to block future progress.  Without the ability to continue profitable operations, a blind focus on the problem can cut off any other profitable operations, leading to reduced cash flow.  The most important thing is to find a way to solve the issues you are faced with, without cutting off continuing work.  This process can be especially challenging when the solution takes up valuable time and manpower that is needed for profitable projects.  Balance is the key to future recovery.  In some situations, downsizing or cutting back might be necessary; be cautious and review your overhead, making sure that the cost of the solution can be covered by other ongoing projects.

USE FAILURE TO BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE SUCCESS.

In the beginning, do not analyze the problem, only the solution, while you are in the middle of solving a difficult situation.  When the problem is past, there will be time to figure out what went wrong so that meaningful changes can be put in place to avoid future issues.  Use the moment to work through a solution that will not only make your customer satisfied, but will leave you operational and functional at the other end of the solution.  Many of the best repeat customers come from handling bad projects in a responsible professional way.  Easy jobs rarely lead to new knowledge; difficult projects always lead to a better process that can be used as building blocks for future projects, processes, and success.  Turn the wall in front of you into a gate; let the process teach you how to succeed in the future, and what solutions work best.

Never give up on your future and always keep in mind that there is opportunity on the other side of the wall (problem).  Look for the gate/opening and work hard to get through it; on the other side is a better future.

Experience is the best teacher, and ignoring past mistakes can extinguish future goals and success.  After completing a troubled project, take some time to analyze the the steps that led to the problem, and the measures taken to correct it.  Take some detailed time with all of your team members to discuss avoiding the same issues and come up with solutions that can be turned into profit on future projects.

• Take a detailed look at the project from the bidding stage forward.
• Identify the problem or problems
• Review the steps taken to resolve the issue
• Make a detailed list of solutions
  • Decide if Similar projects will be eliminated from your bid list
  • Alter your process of estimating similar projects
  • Fine tune your solutions – make recovery easier on future problems
  • Do not file your solutions away – make meaningful changes immediately
• Inform your WHOLE team of the problems and solutions – keep a visual reminder of the project so that it will motivate your team to stay aware of avoiding costly mistakes.

Team members need to feel confident that leadership has identified what lead to project problems, and has resolved the issues; they also need to be a part of identifying future hurdles.  It is important for every member of the team to keep a lookout for anything that could trip up success.  Many times, management cannot see the issues early enough to make appropriate changes; by keeping everyone on watch, many small issues that can lead to major problems, can be avoided.

Stay positive, executive confidence can make or break a problem when your whole team is in the trenches fighting for a resolution.  Keep on task and do not let your team give up on future projects; those projects will be the catalyst for future success.  When the walls are closing in, never forget that there is a solution to every problem.  As a leader, it is your responsibly to guide them down the path to a better place.  If you can keep your team on task without loosing faith in the future, then the very worst situation can lead to a stronger future.

Make meaningful changes, and make them visible.  It is important to let your team and your customers know that, by identifying the problem, change can make your company better.  Let your team be part of the solution and take ownership in real change; listening to suggestions, and using them for the final solution will build a stronger bond with your team.  When leadership lets the whole team be part of the solution, real change has a better chance of success.  Keep sight of past success and do not change the things that makes your company a unique commodity; the goal is to make things better, not to reinvent yourself.  If you want real long term success, it is important for your company to have an identity; do not let corrections change the things that your customers like best about you.

Don’t let Problems Define you, let them shape your future; If you are already successful, you can use them to make you stronger.  If you are just starting out, you can learn from the experience.  Never let them discourage you from your dreams.

The road to a successful job is not always clear and easy to navigate, even when detailed planning and preparations have been made.  Each project is a new detailed challenge that can be looked at as an obstacle or a learning experience; perspective is everything. Most of us are caught up in the inertia of life, and don’t want to take the time to create a vision that will move team forward.  The priority should aim for new way of looking at problems that is constructive and motivating.  It is easy to get stuck in the rut of work or a project and lose sight of the original intent or vision; this lack of proper perspective can lead to decisions that are often off target and costly, especially when you are suffering from job fatigue.

The examples here are related to the construction industry, but are somewhat universal in their application.  Before a project begins, it must be conceptualized before it is sent out to bid.  The bidding process is one of the most exciting phases of a project because it is the phase that holds the most hope.  Hope is one of the great motivators that keep energy alive and pushes progress forward.  This phase is especially important, because it is the foundation of a successful vision.  After the bid process, is a sometimes long and drawn out phase of waiting so see if your bid was accepted; this phase can be discouraging and monotonous.  Once a project is contracted then the excitement builds again as the planning phase begins; this phase can make or break a project, however to much focus on planning and not enough on inspiring a vision can lead to project fatigue and loss of profits.

How do you inspire a vision and hold on to it for the duration of a project? 

Like falling in love for the first time, getting an inspiring vision is not to difficult; the difficult part is finding a way to hold onto that vision and see a plan through to the end of a project.  “keep it simple stupid” is a good way to look at plan, even if it is a large and complicated project.  The best plans are easy to remember and execute by all members of your team.  Like the carrot and stick, there needs to be a goal to chase that is simple, comprehensible, and measurable.  If the team buys into a project early with goals that are simple and real, then a plan can be made for success The plan needs to be more like an outline than a doctoral dissertation; overwhelming details can get overly complicated and forgettable.

Many years ago, I started thinking differently about preparing for a job and inspiring a vision for success.  There is no way you can plan on every variable that may occur on a project, so over planning is a wast of time and energy; it has the ability to overwhelm and uninspire your team.  It is always better to be prepared for action by having the willingness and tools to respond quickly to changes.  Making contingency plans for every scenario that comes to mind wastes time on scenarios that probably will not ever happen.  If you plan on specific worst case scenarios, the one that you did not think of will take you down; if you are prepared to react to any and all changes by being mentally prepared, then your team will have the tools available to react to any problems that arise.  It may sound like a subtle difference, but in the planning process it can save valuable time and impart confidence to your team.  Let them know that they can handle anything put before them and that there will be challenges, but with your help and their willingness to work through them, success can always be found in adversity.

The success of a project starts with a solid foundation (the bid), a competent plan (the vision), and a leader (inspiration) to carry the plan out with out causing job fatigue.  Sometimes the greatest knowledge can be simple and straight forward, but the hardest part is being the leader who can inspire.  First, think about what you want to inspire, and then think about how to go about it; a leader should always be able to disarm any situation and bring balance back during chaos.  This is a skill that can be learned but usually is developed over years of practice….and failure.  When a leader is willing to take the responsibility of the team on and carry the weight of a project no matter the outcome, then inspiration will follow.

Most people are shut down by the weight of responsibility when things don’t go as planned and when blame is quickly assigned.  Teams become individuals when the responsibility is directed at one person.  Team members don’t take important risks when they are criticized for making decisions; this kind of environment does not lead to visionary thinking and will cause a job to suffer because it discourages thinking out side the box.  Creative thinking and pushing through adversity, rather than looking for blame will keep the vision alive; there will be time to evaluate decisions and mistakes when the project is finished.  While it is important to identify and isolate mistakes for future visions, it can be a momentum killer during the progress of a project.  Only major team failures need to be addressed and removed during the middle of a project; it is always better to do what it takes to keep your team moving forward towards their goal.

To be a leader in any team, especially in construction you have to learn to fine tune walking the line between firm, calm and aggressive.  It is important to fight for your team while still remaining calm under pressure.  If you have laid the proper foundation and cast an inspiring vision, then you can lead your team to a successful project even when things get tough.

Success is a combination of many factors that have to fall into place in perfect timing for them to work at their maximum potential; we were all created to succede if we pursue our given paths.  Several key factors are, your starting point, your personality, your education, your work ethic, your “demographic”, and your location.  If you get the perfect combination of factors then you will find some degree of success, but it is not all up to chance.  The degree of success you achieve will depend on how the factors line up and how hard you are willing to work on lining them up.

These factors can be grouped into two main categories; static, and dynamic.  Static factors cannot be changed but can be overcome and they set the foundation for building on the dynamic factors.  Static factors include your starting point and your demographic; they can also include other physical or social factors that play into success.  Dynamic factors are the building blocks that form success after the foundation is set; they can make or break any idea no matter ho perfect it may be.  No matter where a person starts with their static factors, they have the ability and calling to succeed.

STATIC FACTORS: 

Many people across the globe find that the most difficult hurdle to jump is the first one; the one that you find in front of you before you begin a single task.  We live in a time of political correctness and race equality, however there is still prejudice in every around every corner  The color of your skin or your sex is not the only factor that may have an impact on your future success.  Studies suggest that tall people are more successful than their shorter counterparts; if you are missing a limb or a digit, that could be a factor that changes your starting point.  Unfortunately the world does not judge us equally and we have to overcome our social status by working through the factors that we can change; our dynamic factors.

Demographic means: “a specific segment of a population having shared characteristics” (demographic )  Most of us were not born wealthy or into a family that was part of the most accepted religion, race or economic status, but we were raised in a place where we where accepted.  Even though a person might be accepted in their micro environment, they might not be acceptable to the business community.   There was a time that being born female meant that your path was already carved out for you; there were social expectations that limited the path to success.  The color of your skin might help you in one community or career path, but my hinder you in another.  Your Static position is the type of variable that can be best utilized by focusing on acceptability and balancing the amount of effort needed to elevate dynamic factors in your life to achieve you success goals.  

Sometimes your path is defined by physical differences, injuries or imperfections.  Each society has a picture of success and those following that patth find much less resistance if they match the social image expectation.   (http://www.businessinsider.com/tall-people-are-richer-and-successful-2015-9 )  I am sad to say (because I am  a 5′ 7″ male) that tall people are more successful than short people, and this is not the only trait that predicts your static foundation to success.  Many people have missing limbs or deformities that make it very hard to get the right kind of attention.  Even though we all start at a different place, there is still very good news for everyone; you can overcome your static dispensation, and you do not have to abandon it.

DYNAMIC FACTORS: (The great equalizer)

There is hope regardless of your starting place; the great equalizing factors are the dynamic factors and how willing you are to utilize the part of the equation that you have control over.

“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”
– Thomas A. Edison

Your personality, your education, and your work ethic may have the greatest impact on your path to success.  Your personality can be broken down into many facets starting with first impressions.  You must perspire confidence and cloak it in humility.  This is a natural thing  but can be learned; most commonly it comes with your upbringing.  Many people can be off putting if they are overly eager or if they hide in the corner away from attention.  Finding the perfect balance of communicating and leaving a lasting impression that gives just enough intrigue to hold a place in a persons mind without overwhelming them is an art and talent.  If you are not engaging, be knowledgeable and humble; if the personalty sparks don’t fly, just be the wisest person in the room, even if that means being quiet.

Along with your first impression, you need to have common sense.  While education can open doors and give you knowledge, you need to posses the special gift of problem solving.  Some people are given the gift of knowledge but cannot solve a common problem; other people find themselves mediocre in education but can solve complicated real word problems through experience.   The key is knowing who you are and focusing on your strengths.  Many entrepreneurs are problem solvers who hire intelligent people to work out the details; they could never succeed in a field that requires higher knowledge and focus.  Set your strategy of success on the right path based on your personality and back that up with the right kind of education and experience.

Education has many purposes and can serve to prepare you for your career or catapult you into fellowship with the peers that will help open the doors to your future.  Many paths to success require specific knowledge that a person can only get through higher education; those people who are inclined to lust after that knowledge should take the path to higher learning, however that is not the only path to success.  Completing a degree of higher education is a type of accomplishment that shows the ability to stick with a commitment and see it to completion.  If your path does not require higher education, then this alone is not a stumbling block to success, but may be something that will limit  the height of success down the line.

Most importantly, you must be willing to work hard!  If all of the other factors align and you are not willing to work for what you want you will fall far short of your path to success.   Just remember that there are things that you cannot control, and there are things that you can; do not waste time on trying to change the static factors in your life; work on the dynamic factors that can boost your path to success.

Just remember that you are an unique individual that was created for a purpose; don’t wast time on pursuing something that doesn’t fit your unique path to success and do not get caught up in others visions of success.  You were created to succeed in your personal path.  Keep focused on what you can do to make real change that keeps you on track, and don’t let the static factors detour your progress.  We all have a purpose that leads to our personal success – go out there and find yours!