tradies office desk

Working ON Your Business vs. IN It

By Duncan McAdams / April 16, 2024

Navigating Success: The Art of Working ON Your Business As a tradie, your days are likely filled with hands-on work, from managing on-site tasks to ensuring everything runs smoothly. It’s a grind you’re well accustomed to, but amidst the hustle, it’s crucial to differentiate between working IN your business and working ON your business. Understanding this distinction is vital for growth, sustainability, and ultimately, success. Let’s break down what this means for you and how you can leverage this approach to elevate your business. Working IN Your Business: The Immediate Grind Working IN your business involves the day-to-day operations that keep your business running. This includes tasks such as scheduling jobs, ordering materials, meeting clients and writing up quotes, managing admin and payroll, and putting out fires as they arise. It’s the groundwork, the essential labour that brings in the immediate cash flow but often keeps you caught in a … Read more

Read More

Exceptional Service and Delivery For Tradies

By Hugh Bowman / March 21, 2024

The Crucial Elements of Exceptional Service and Delivery in Your Business In the second volume of my book, “The Wealthy Tradie,” I delve into what I call the fourth pillar: service and delivery. This aspect is so pivotal that it can determine whether your business thrives organically or struggles to find its footing. Think of it as laying down one of the cornerstones of your enterprise. The Backbone of Business Growth When service and delivery are executed to perfection, your business experiences an effortless and natural growth trajectory. This dimension of your operation is akin to a sturdy foundation, underpinning all your efforts and endeavours. Conversely, missteps in service and delivery can lead to customer dissatisfaction and a host of issues. Unmet expectations can result in an influx of customer complaints and frustration, creating hurdles in your business’s path. Bridging the Gap: QEWS Framework To navigate this challenging terrain effectively, … Read more

Read More

How to Secure More Work Effortlessly

By Hugh Bowman / November 5, 2023

 Unveiling the Trade Business Secret: How to Secure More Work Effortlessly For tradespeople, finding a reliable way to consistently secure more work might seem like a puzzle with a missing piece. Surprisingly, the key to boosting your workload might already be right under your nose: your past customers. Yes, those clients you’ve worked for in the past hold the potential to become your most valuable source of ongoing projects. In this article, we’ll delve into the power of nurturing your relationships with past clients and how to implement a system that keeps your trade business ahead of the curve. The Untapped Goldmine: Past Customers Think about it – why do you want to work with your past customers? The reasons are crystal clear: they’re familiar with your work, they trust your expertise, and they’re far more likely to engage with you again compared to cold leads. Past customers tend … Read more

Read More

How to Attract and Retain the Best Clients

By Hugh Bowman / October 21, 2023

 Mastering Customer Selection: How to Attract and Retain the Best Clients In the realm of business, not all customers are created equal. Some are a delight to work with, while others can be a constant source of frustration. As entrepreneurs and business owners, we all strive to attract the best customers – those who value our services, pay promptly, and make collaboration a breeze. But how do we identify and secure these coveted patrons amidst a sea of potential clients? Let’s delve into the art of customer selection and explore the strategies to ensure you’re working with the cream of the crop. Defining Your Best Customers Before we can embark on the journey to attracting the best customers, we need to define what these “best customers” actually look like. Imagine clients who not only appreciate your work but actively refer others to your business. These clients are the ones … Read more

Read More

Hiring an Admin Person for Your Tradie Business

By Hugh Bowman / September 25, 2023

Hiring an Admin Person for Your Tradie Business: When and Why? Many tradie business owners often wonder when the right time is to hire an admin person. It’s a common question that arises when businesses are in the growth phase or have just started out. Often, the concern revolves around affordability. However, from a strategic perspective, NOT hiring and admin person is holding the owner and the business back. Let’s explore the benefits of hiring an admin person and discuss when it’s the right time to bring them on board. The Value of Time By employing an admin person for a significant portion of the work week, you can regain valuable time to focus on more critical activities. In just a couple of months, the admin person’s support should allow you to reclaim additional days that can be utilised more effectively, whether it’s generating income or tackling essential tasks. As … Read more

Read More

Goal Setting For Tradies

By Hugh Bowman / August 12, 2023

Setting Goals for Your Tradie Business: A Path to Success As a tradie business owner, setting clear and achievable goals is essential for long-term success. However, many business owners struggle to define their goals and create a roadmap to accomplish them. Let’s explore some tips on how to establish effective goals and discuss the importance of aligning them with different time frames. By following these guidelines, you can steer your tradie business toward growth and prosperity. The Power of Three-Year Goals: When determining goals for your tradie business, it’s important to consider time frames that are both meaningful and attainable. For the average tradie, a three-year goal serves as a solid starting point. Unlike distant 10 or 20-year goals, a three-year timeframe is easier to comprehend and work towards. It strikes a balance between being ambitious and realistic, allowing you to set your sights on significant accomplishments within a reasonable … Read more

Read More

Vision Statements For Tradies

By Hugh Bowman / August 4, 2023

Vision Statements For Tradies In the competitive landscape of trades businesses, having a clear vision statement is essential for achieving long-term success. A vision statement provides direction, purpose, motivation, and passion, empowering you to navigate your business towards your desired future. Let’s delve into the significance of a comprehensive vision statement for a trades business and explore its potential impact on growth and success. Defining a Strong Vision Statement: A vision statement serves as a guiding light, outlining your aspirations and goals for the future. It should be concise yet comprehensive, allowing you to articulate your vision to your team with passion and clarity. For instance, consider a three-person plumbing business operating in the outskirts of Geelong. Their vision statement could be to expand into an eight-man team with a dedicated workshop within the next five years. They may aim to invest in specialised equipment, such as trucks and excavators, … Read more

Read More