The Right People - Jim Collins

Contracting is not a generally business where the strategies are complex or all that different. What differentiates contractors is their ability to execute the basic strategies consistently.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
D. Brown Management
May 30, 2018 2 minute read
Share

Effective execution comes down to people, process and tools - in that order.

Quote: Leaders of companies that go from good to great not with where but with who. Jim Collins.

Jim Collins explores the traits of long-term sustainably growing businesses in his book “Good to Great” where he describes how leaders of the best companies view people and how they simplify their strategies.

  • Put together a high-level scoreboard of the basics you need for a sustainable contracting business.  This dashboard should include basic metrics around customer satisfaction, profitability, cash flow, growth, safety and succession bench strength for all key roles.  
  • Develop a company operating rhythm of key meetings and feedback reporting that address address each area of the scoreboard.  These will include opportunity review meetings, interview slots, project reviews, company financial reviews, evaluations, etc.  
  • Lead a culture where egos are focused on using whatever skills anyone on the team has to improve the scoreboard.  Eliminate ego about position and keep internal competition positive. 
  • Focus on continuous improvement to processes and specific role responsibilities adjusting regularly for the optimum outcomes.  

Schedule a call to learn how we help contractors grow profitably.  

About D. Brown Management
We are a management advisory firm working with contractors across the United States. We love the construction industry and believe it is an integral part of the backbone of our country.
Related Article
Organizational Change and Sustainable Growth
Improving the rate that change is adopted across the whole company becomes increasingly more important and more challenging as a contractor grows. We will cover the basics of change, including how it is linked to strategic choices and management.
Related Article
Work Rules: Two Truths of Performance Evaluation Systems
Performance evaluation systems are a critical part of talent development and one of the nine key processes. The foundation of great coaching -- like John Wooden used effectively -- is about being able to give rapid and actionable feedback.
Related Article