Communicate. Relate. Manage.

The most integral part of any successful relationship is communication. Ask any man or woman, business executive or not. This ancient rule of communication and relationships is equally relevant to construction and it shows throughout the industry, according to a recent article in Qualified Remodeler.

In that article, several general contractors were surveyed about managing trade contractors and how to successfully do that. Of course, communication took top billing. But there are some different approaches to achieving good communication with and between subcontractors. Communication is facilitated by everybody talking at once, there are important steps to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and issues addressed without upsetting the flow of work. Here are a few tips on making this happen:

• Some remodelers schedule regular meetings between project managers and all trade contractors on site and make it a point to communicate daily with each sub individually.
• Some use a three-ring binder to track and organize progress, others prefer new, Web-based project management tools.
• All use whatever means is necessary to keep open, proactive lines of communication, be it phone, email, or personal.

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Beginning next week, CalFinder is starting a new Contractor Marketing column aimed at increasing a company’s leads and thus revenues. The author of this series will be John Clements, a Direct Response Marketing Professional who specializes in Home Improvements Lead Generation. Over 3 years ago he started Clements Marketing Group, a consulting company/agency primarily focused on companies offering home services and products. He has more than 10 years senior level experience with demonstrated growth and success in organizations ranging in size from near start-ups to $2.3 and increasing to $186+ million in annual revenues. Over the course of his career, John has successfully advertised & marketed over $784 million in consumer products and services sold.  John has proven accomplishments of increasing revenues and profitability while decreasing costs.  He focuses on directing all aspects of multi-channel local to multi-regional marketing campaigns with modest to 8-figure budgets.

Stay tuned for John’s first post!