KICKER NIGHT LIGHTING
By Kevin Smith
A positive mental attitude is good for your business
O
Spend a few days on job sites to see for yourself
the triumphs and troubles your
team is having. In other words, walk in their shoes.
ur lives have changed considerably since the pandemic began in 2020. Te lingering vari- ants are causing a more contagious situation than ever before. We all seem to be busier
than ever, but employee challenges and supply chain issues have thrown a wrench into our cogs. Tis can have a significant effect on our jobs, our success and our peace of mind while at work. In this article, we will share some suggested ways to keep a positive mental attitude.
Promote teamwork and be in the game
Now more than ever it is time for the best teamwork possible. Create a biweekly “huddle” before heading out to the job site. Let your team know they are val- ued team members, not just a number. Have everyone speak about their successes and difficulties. Tis is a good way to hear everyone and share ideas. Encour- age the team to speak candidly and respectfully. All should recognize the successes of the team and be concerned about any issues. Tese short “huddle” meetings need not last lon-
ger than 15 to 20 minutes and will develop camarade- rie between team members and the employer/owner. If you are the owner, this shows your team that you are in the game with them. Spend a few days on job sites to see for yourself the triumphs and troubles your team is having. In other words, walk in their shoes.
Reward the triumphs and counsel the troubles
Showing you care develops loyalty and respect among team members. Consider holding teambuilding events. Perhaps close early one day every quarter for a preplanned event. Look at escape rooms, bowling or golf centers as options, for example. Tis helps your team see that you are a real person just like them outside of work. Employers and employees that have a culture of teamwork are more likely to maintain a positive outlook.
Use social media well Kevin Smith is the national technical support and
trainer at Brilliance LED LLC, Carefree, Arizona, and can be reached at
kevin.smith@
brillianceled.com.
10 Irrigation & Lighting Summer 2022
Social media is a great place to network and meet others in the trade. It is also a great place to show- case your work and advertise. Many social media groups have great content and maintain professional
standards. Tese groups often share new installation techniques and job ideas from across the country. Tis type of information is positive and can help you in your business. Be cautious of toxic content and negative com-
ments. When one gets caught up in this, it can become addictive, nonproductive and extremely time-consuming. Be mindful with your posts and communication. Be respectful. Tink before you comment. Be encouraging. Your mindfulness can have a positive effect on others, and it is ultimately a good reflection on you and your business.
Plan for supply slowdown
Years ago, there was quite an abundance of products, and lead times were not so lengthy. Even custom- made fixtures were produced with only a few weeks’ lead time. Today, manufacturers and suppliers are experiencing extremely long wait times for both raw and finished materials. To keep your business on track and your custom- ers satisfied, you may need to change your projections by planning well in advance. Determine which of your local distributors are stocking your go-to products. Check stock on these products weekly. Order greater quantities so your supply is not deleted. Keep in close contact with your distributors. What is in stock cur- rently might be gone the next day. It may be necessary to look at a larger variety of products. You may need to offer a similar product to your normal workhorse due to stock constraints. To avoid this, you may need to buy early and buy often. In past articles, we have discussed working with
your friendly competitor across town. Perhaps you can put in a bulk buy together on commodity items like wire. I have seen this work out well in the past. Having stock of what you need to be productive and profitable every day is surely a step in the right direc- tion, thus improving everyone’s attitude. And remem- ber, having the product on hand to get a job done will help you win jobs over your competitors who may not have planned as well. In summary, be a role model for others. Your con-
fidence and positive attitude will be seen by all your employees and customers. You and your team are im- portant to a growing industry. Nobody likes working with a grouch. Keeping it positive keeps everyone winning!
irrigationandlighting.org
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
