SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS—IT BEGINS AT THE BEGINNING
Virginia Satir said “Once a human being has arrived on this earth, communication is the largest single factor determining what kinds of relationships he makes with others and what happens to him in the world about him.” During this course attendees will learn the critical role various forms of communication play in relationships, and in the image and success of individuals, projects and the company. Clear and concise communication can reduce the chance of misunderstandings and conflict. Participants will do an assessment on their personal communication style so they can manage it, develop a communication system for their area of responsibility, draft and present to the class a self introduction, have a discussion on the impact all forms of communication have on the image of the company, how to vary communication style and methods for the receiver, and the art of listening to increase understanding. Also discussed will be tips on how to keep communication clear and easy to navigate for the receiver, no matter what method is chosen, layout and format of emails, choosing a subject line that is compelling, and the “Rule of Ones.”
CONSTRUCTION—A PEOPLE BUSINESS
People and personnel issues are by far the most difficult things you deal with in your business every day. In this session, you will discover your natural styles for managing conflict, behavior, and handling difficult people. Through exercises, discussion, and workshops, you will learn how to identify and deal with others in the most efficient and effective way.
CONTRACT LANGUAGE—WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CAN HURT YOU
This seminar is a “street view” of construction contract language given from the perspective of a former contractor. Topics to be discussed include what contracts are for, explicit and implicit language, the dirty dozen (what they mean and how to modify them), what standard subcontracts say, and the project manager/foreman partnership in protecting the company. Participants are encouraged to bring contracts to discuss. Please note: Presenter is NOT an attorney and information in this seminar is given for education and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
THE ART OF BEING AN EFFECTIVE MANAGER
Being an effective manager means far more than directing the resources needed to accomplish a task. In this seminar, participants will learn eight essential elements to being an effective manager:
- Integrity—First, Last, and Always
- Leading the Charge—Elements of Successful Leadership
- What They See is What They Get—Projecting an Image
- Words—The Art of Communication
- Human Capital—Your Most Valuable Asset
- Performance—Manage What You Measure
- Motivation—What Moves and Inspires People?
- Coaching—Develop a Game Plan, Align the Troops, and Get Out of the Way
MANAGING PROJECT RISK THROUGH SOLID DOCUMENTATION
Now, more than ever, contractors must pay close attention to the written records they keep on construction projects. Solid project documentation is a company’s best defense against problems that occur. This all-day seminar will cover important documentation topics including: contract language, submittals and RFI’s, close-out, scheduling and schedule delays, tracking and managing owner-furnished equipment, notification requirements, change orders, and jobsite organization. Attendees will learn their unique role in protecting the company against damage, claims, and unnecessary costs.
CONTROL YOUR LIFE BY CONTROLLING YOUR TIME
For most people, time gets away from the. They feel constantly behind. Many books and publications are written on the subject of Time Management yet time cannot be managed, as it cannot be increased or decrease and is the same for everyone. By creating lists that are too long, we set ourselves up for disappointment. This session will cover tips and tricks for managing yourself in relation to time, including how much on your time to schedule, time robbers, and how your baseline behavior characteristics govern how you utilize and see time.
RE-ENERGIZE YOUR WORKFORCE
All businesses have been rocked by economic upheaval. Companies have been driven to cut costs at every turn and most have been made significant personnel cuts. Those employees who have managed to survive should be happy, yet they feel overworked, apprehensive, and unappreciated. In this course, participants will hear why the survivors must be your most important priority and will learn what can be done immediately and economically to begin a company-specific “Employee Stimulus Program”.
THE BUSINESS OF CONTRACTING: BACK TO BASICS
Many construction company owners and managers believe that if they manage their construction projects, their company will run itself. Nothing is further from the truth. Running the projects and managing the business require two completely different skill sets. Owners and managers must work in the business as well as on the business. To remain competitive and profitable, construction companies must examine and make every facet of their company as efficient as it can be. In this seminar, participants will learn the fundamentals of managing the business. Through discussion, exercises, and examples, participants will be given tools to assist them with the “business end” of the business.
UNDERSTANDING AND RESOLVING CONFLICT
Conflict is a given. It occurs daily to every person on the planet. However, understanding when and why conflict occurs will help participants lose their fear of conflict and teach them how to solve it. Through lecture and role play, topics explored are:
- Identify and understand your own conflict management style
- Learn conflict management strategies and the appropriate use of each strategy
- What are the most important qualities one can develop when managing conflict
GENERAL CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT
Most field personnel are not given proper instruction and information by their employers regarding company rights and obligations according to contract general conditions. As the contractor’s primary field representative, the foreman must understand how the company is obligated to perform as a condition of the contract. This session will familiar foremen with critical, specific terms and contract conditions that govern their work. Industry standards for subcontract agreements and general conditions will be discussed and reviewed. Among the topics to be explored are: contract documents, “rules of the road”, scope, schedule, payment terms, flow down clauses, changes in the work, terminating contracts, delays, disputes, temporary facilities, site safety requirements, notification requirements, warranty procedures, and project bonding requirements.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK
Financial statements are frequently the most underutilized and misunderstood part of a construction business, yet they are one of the most valuable tools company owners and management can use to analyze and make decisions about their company. With examples and interactive exercises, participants will learn the fundamentals of construction accounting, including the terminology, how to read financial statements, what reporting methods are commonly used for tracking company finances, and the pros and cons of each.
CONSTRUCTION FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—ITS MORE THAN ACCOUNTING
Many construction company owners believe that accounting and financial management are the same. This seminar will explore the differences, explain why companies must have both, and show how a company can use financial statements to measure, benchmark, and forecast. Participants will learn the language of “financial ratios” and will understand how to use them.
KNOWING THE SCORE
Many contractors do not understand the serious implications of failing to monitor and forecast projects monthly. Companies that do not produce project status reports and work-in-progress reports could be receiving erroneous financial information and could be making ill-advised business decisions based on that information. Better financial planning enables project staffs to maintain and run more profitable, less problem-prone, projects. Some of the questions to be answered are:
- How are monthly project status reports and work-in-progress reports produced?
- How should these reports be interpreted and what do they mean to the company?
- What are over- and under-billings and why is it critical to book them monthly?
- How do financial statements work and what do they mean?
- What do surety companies look for?
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS OF THE PROJECT TEAM
People skills are usually the most sought-after and least developed skill in a company. Being able to communicate with, get along with, and work with people is essential to the success of a project or a company. Often, people are forced to work together without taking time to get to know one another. This course explore many topics, including:
- Assessing and using your natural behavior style to your advantage
- Learn to assess others’ behavior style
- How to deal with people that aren’t like you
- Developing effective teams
THE PROFITABILITY OF SAFETY
Effective safety programs can significantly reduce costs. The hidden costs of accidents, what your company’s Experience Modification Rate (Emod) means, the costs of a high Emod, the need for a relationship with medical care providers, the importance of a light-duty program, and how to start a safety program are all explored.
SAFETY—THE FOREMAN’S CRITICAL ROLE
The field foreman has perhaps the most influential role in creating and maintaining a company’s safety culture. This seminar will:
- Introduce and explain basic loss control concepts
- Explore how the foreman’s behavior and attitude affect safety
- Reinforce the foreman’s moral and personal obligation towards safety
- Describe how safety planning can be easily integrated into project planning
BASIC BUSINESS WRITING FOR FOREMAN
This course covers basic writing skills in items that a foreman would have to produce. Covered are written communications such as daily reports and progress reports, the proper way to communicate electronically, and the importance of good job documentation.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Topics covered in this course include:
- The who, what, when, where, why, and how of writing good correspondence
- Special “rules” about electronic correspondence
- Guidelines of effective project correspondence
MANAGING YOUR CASH FLOW
In these uncertain times, managing cash flow is more important than ever. During this session, participants will learn what cash flow is and is not, how some companies treat extension of credit as an afterthought and actually train their slow payers, and strategies to establish and administer a credit policy. Also discussed will be monitoring the cash-hungry items that add no significant value to the company, managing overhead, and tools to measure effective management of cash.
THE INS AND OUTS OF BONDING—HOW TO GET WHAT YOU WANT
This course is an education course for those interested in setting up a bonding line or increasing a bonding line. Discussion will take place on how to establish a relationship with a bonding broker, what they look for in a company, and the risk the surety assumes. Special focus is placed on financial statement preparation.
MOVING FORWARD WHEN THE ECONOMY IS HOLDING YOU BACK
No matter what financial analysts call the downturn, all business owners and managers must be acutely aware of all aspects of the business in order to more than survive. In this course, participants will learn strategies to help plan for the future, assist in shoring-up the bridge between the office and field, gain new business prospects, control expenses and cash, and why being visible is more important than ever.
KNOWING THE CRAFT IS NOT ENOUGH
This course is designed for new company owners that have come from the field. It explores those skills needed to run a business; which are not the same as the skills needed to run a project. Topics covered include the course of events from apprenticeship to business owner, surrounding yourself with brilliant people, your dashboard for success, and procedures you will need to implement.
THE SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR
This course is designed for business owners. It explores the risks and potential rewards of being a business owner, the traits needed for success, planning an exit strategy, how to value the company, and the three phrases a company goes through.