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Systems & Time2 min read

Going back on the tools? Don't leave your next month's work behind

Sometimes the owner needs to get back on site. Someone's off sick. A job's running behind. The team needs another pair of hands.

There's nothing necessarily wrong with that.

The problem starts when you get back on the tools and stop doing the work that keeps everyone busy next month.

I've seen this happen with trade business owners who are trying to move away from doing the physical work themselves.

They jump in to help the team and get the immediate problem sorted.

But while they're on site, nobody's doing the quoting, following up with customers, scheduling upcoming work, ordering materials or developing new business.

Eventually the job finishes.

Then they look ahead and realise there's not enough work booked for the team.

Now they're scrambling.

Protect the work only you can do

When I ran my electrical business, I could sometimes go to site to help resolve a serious problem without abandoning my other responsibilities.

But that's because we'd reached a stage where I had managers running the business.

If you're still responsible for quoting and scheduling, you don't have that same flexibility.

You need a plan for both sides of the business.

That might mean:

A plan for both sides
  1. 1
    Spending two or three days helping on site.
  2. 2
    Giving the team clear instructions for the remaining days.
  3. 3
    Getting back to the office to deal with quotes and follow-ups.

The right balance depends on the work and the people you've got.

Before you head back to site

Check these four things:

  1. QuotesWhich enquiries are waiting for you?
  2. Follow-upsWhich customers are expecting a response?
  3. Upcoming workWhat is actually confirmed for the next few weeks?
  4. ResponsibilitiesWho will handle scheduling, materials and customer decisions while you're away?

Then decide how many days you can afford to spend on the tools without neglecting those jobs.

And don't automatically hire another tradesperson just because you're busy on one project.

Look at what's coming afterwards.

If you've got one big job and nothing lined up behind it, another permanent employee may not solve the problem.

Helping the team finish this week's work is useful. Making sure there's work for them next month is just as important.

Listen to the episodeThe 4 Stages of Building a Profitable Trade Business

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