Headcount, Stages of Contractor Growth, and Growth Inflection Points
D. Brown Management
July 29, 2023
Every contractor will navigate very predictable stages of growth. Each of these represents about a tripling of headcount and requires different leadership focus, strategies, structures, and systems. Stress and failure points are also very predictable.
leadership management strategy
Required Leadership Focus Changes at Each Stage of Growth
D. Brown Management
July 29, 2023
At each stage of growth, the leadership focus at the top for majority Owners/CEO/President must change to continue navigating growth effectively. Concurrently, the leadership focus from the prior stage of growth must be transferred and expanded downward.
leadership Organizational Development sustainable growth
8 Indicators That You May Be at a Growth Inflection Point
D. Brown Management
July 29, 2023
While there is no "Perfect Signage" about the growth inflection points that contractors must navigate through, these eight questions can help you evaluate where you are at.
business planning Organizational Development strategy sustainable growth
Prioritized Development and Improvements
D. Brown Management
July 29, 2023
Identifying all the opportunities for development of talent and improvement of the operation for a contractor is overwhelming at best. You can't "punch list" a business like you can a project. Prioritization and sequencing are crucial for success.
change management continuous improvement opex
Resource - The Five Minute Foreman
D. Brown Management
July 23, 2023
The Five-Minute Foreman by Mark Breslin is our most recommended book for Foremen in any sized contractor. The writing style, digestible chunks, and companion workbook are a great combination. We have never heard any Foreman not absolutely love this book.
field operations foreman training labor productivity
Resource - 2 Second Lean
D. Brown Management
July 23, 2023
Dozens of practical and fun ways to save a few more seconds each day. 3 minutes per day of additional productive time on tools (ToT) equals about a 1% labor savings - or $10K for every $1M in job cost labor. Helps develop a continuous improvement culture.
culture labor productivity lean construction
Resource - Stratified Systems Theory (SST) and Timespan 101
D. Brown Management
July 23, 2023
All contractors navigate through very predictable stages of growth, delivering larger and more complex projects. Business complexity evolves requiring different capabilities at all levels. Tom Foster lays out some of these key differences very clearly.
Organizational Development
Resource - Equipment Fleet Management for Contractors
D. Brown Management
July 22, 2023
Construction Equipment Economics should be required reading for all all owners, senior leadership, and managers of estimating, operations, equipment, and accounting for contractors with equipment fair market value (FMV) exceeding $1M.
equipment estimating field operations finance
Resource - Elevating Construction Superintendents (General Contractors)
D. Brown Management
July 22, 2023
Elevating Construction Superintendents by Jason Schroeder is our most recommended book for Superintendents, Project Managers, and Senior Leadership at all GCs along with top leadership at any specialty contractors with a field workforce of 50+ people.
field operations Organizational Development
Accounting and Finance (Similarities, Differences, and Integration)
D. Brown Management
July 17, 2023
For a growing contractor, understanding the differences between accounting and finance is often a challenge. The two functions are related but very different.
accounting finance organizational development