Toolbox Talk

How many hats are you wearing? Too many? Too many hats costs you and your business. “How many hats are you wearing? Too many? Too many costs you and your business.” By hats I mean all the different jobs you do in your business and I know, if you’re a trades business owner you’re doing too many. I often see it with my clients. They’re juggling too many things at once. The solution here is to hand over jobs to others who are more suited. Hire an admin person, an estimator, get a job management system or a bookkeeper. Start by watching this week’s TTblog here. Want this week’s worksheet? Comment ‘HAT ME’ and one of the team will get it to you. ------------- If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/ Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat FOLLOW US AT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

“If you let yourself get swept up in the immediate, seemingly more urgent jobs you avoid those big, important jobs that grow your business.” 

Putting your head down and churning through work is detrimental to business growth…. 

Why? 

You not getting any of the important work done.

If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/

Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat

FOLLOW US AT:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

Who are you accountable to? Accountability is one of those buzzwords we hear all the time in business. You hear constantly that as the boss you should be accountable for your team, and your employees; your whole business. Yet who holds you accountable? Who makes sure you’re getting the jobs done? Who checks that you’re actually doing those big projects that will create growth and success in your business? There should be someone. Accountability as a business owner is hard. You’re the big boss and no one tells you what to do but this is to your own and the business's detriment. If you don’t have someone (a partner, a business colleague, a business coach) to hold you accountable then it's easy to let projects, jobs and hard difficult tasks slip through the cracks. This is also because those bigger tasks, the ones that push progress, don’t have immediate consequences if they’re not done, so they get replaced by the immediate urgent things. We all do it but this is why your business coach, I mean accountability buddy is so important. We help keep our clients accountable through 1:1 and group sessions… we touch base with them regularly. Because it’s embarrassing to fess up to not doing a job in front of your coach or the other clients. Find someone to help hold you accountable. I've made a task accountability checklist. Say, 'Hold me… accountable' and I'll sling it your way. ---------------------- If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/ Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat FOLLOW US AT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

Unicorns and normals - what do I mean by that? 

The unicorns are the anomalies but we ‘normals’ can still build sustainably successful businesses. 

How? For s start you could download the 7 Systems guide. Comment and we’ll send it through. 

If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/

Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat

FOLLOW US AT:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

Your business is primarily about emotions - even a trades business.

Your business exists because of the way it (and you) make people feel about the work it does.

Your business exists; it makes money because of how you treat your customers and your team (as well as yourself).

If you want help bringing more emotion to your business book a call - we help with mindset in our program.

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If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/

Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat

FOLLOW US AT:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

‘Jon, how do I get more sales, consistently?’ 

A question I’m asked often by my clients and one answer is - stop jumping on the tools at the sign of trouble and think about your opportunity cost! 

If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/

Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat

FOLLOW US AT:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

Miscommunication - how to avoid it with your customers and avoid the headaches that come with it.

If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/

Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat

FOLLOW US AT:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

Let’s Talk Guarantees and Warranties 

What is the difference between these two terms? People often get them confused or think they mean the same thing when they are different. 

A warranty is something you legally have to have whereas a guarantee is something you can choose to provide. 

Why? Find out in this week’s podcast.

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If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/

Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat

FOLLOW US AT:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

How to grow your capacity.

To make your trade business more successful you need to increase your capacity and there are several ways to do this.

Listen to this week’s podcast to find out more.

If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox

Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/

Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat

FOLLOW US AT:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

Where Should You Spend Your Time As Your Business Grows?

It’s an important question to ask yourself - listen to this week’s podcast to find out...

What’s a job management system and why have one? 

They’re exceedingly useful tools if you don’t already have one or know about them… I’d highly advise getting one. 

But first - why? 

Well, they help automate all of your admin tasks - quoting, estimating, scheduling, job tracking, etc… it's all in one place. 

And so much more... 

Listen to this week’s blog post to understand why I am a huge fan.

Company Get-Togethers - why do them?

We do one quarterly and it’s always an important event to get our clients together and away from the hurly-burly so they can focus on their business instead of continuing to be caught up in its grind.

As well as an opportunity for us to showcase our program to trades business owners who may be interested in it - i.e. you.

My Quarterly Intensive helps my clients get more out of my program which means they stay in it longer and helps them build bigger, better more successful businesses.

It also builds community where the people on the same journey of growing their business can network, learn from each other and help each other grow.

It helps build your confidence to talk to someone who's done the thing you're thinking about doing.

Listen to this episode to find out more.

'Level up your trades business in 2024'

I've got some exciting news for you!

I've made some changes in my coaching program to help you grow your business more quickly and efficiently.

I'll explain to you in detail what this program means for you and how it can help you resolve some pressing issues with your trades business.

Listen to this episode to find out more.

For this week's toolbox tip, I talk about fun - 'How to make work fun for your team'.

And there are some benefits to doing so.

Listen to this episode to find out more.

Despite the changes in comparing yourself (making you feel bad unnecessarily, ruining your motivation) it can also be useful.

I’m sure you spend a bit of time thinking about what you’re doing right and wrong – I certainly do.

Listen to this episode to find out more.

Comparison is the thief of joy - More often than not, these days we are comparing ourselves to others and this is no different as a business owner. 

Comparison can be helpful but to be doing it in a way that is often not accurate or reasonable is unproductive. 

Listen to this episode to find out more.

The important question you should ask yourself.

Do your people think your business makes much more money than it actually does? They probably do.

In the absence of real information, people make up their own interpretations based on what little information they have.

each your team how much employees really cost a business and show them all the other costs a business has to cover before it makes any profit because there’s a lot more than just what happens on-site

How's your motivation? Is it a bit rubbish at the moment?

Seems to be that way for quite a few people. If you've been feeling a bit flat or not very motivated, don't just plough on with work. You'll do a shitty job and you'll stay pissed off.

Listen to this episode and do these things instead.

It can be challenging to let go of control and trust others to handle tasks, but it's necessary for growth and scalability. By focusing on growth and development, business owners can build a strong foundation for their businesses and create a sustainable future. Listen to this episode.

Hang up your toolbelt - start finding and winning more work for your team not just doing the 'work'.

How might you do that?

To prioritise effectively the first thing you have to do is divide up your priorities. I like to think of them as divided into three things - your money, your capacity and your time: How might you do that?

]There are a number of reasons you may feel unmotivated when it comes to your trades business and whatever these reasons are, they are normal however, it can be hard to pull yourself out of a tired slump.
In this week's podcast, I'll chat about how to get yourself back on track.

How much is enough?
It's a question that obviously elicits a personal response from each of us so I’m not going to attempt to tell you the answer to what I think it should be.
But I will point out how much could lead to making a mistake.
Which begins when you blindly remain on a forward trajectory, getting lodged in that perpetual cycle of needing more - more money, more work, more success.
But this want is never satisfied. There’s always more. Bigger, better things to buy.
Though, I think it would be a shame to chase the dollar and realise later in life that materiality wasn’t what you were after.
So when do you know when enough is?

[Toolbox Tip] Why Cost Plus Is A Shit
This podcast will help you understand why Cost Plus is risky and bad. As a business coach for tradies, I recommend fixed price quoting.
Find out WHY.

Are you thinking of quitting because you're not making any progress and plans aren't working?

Losing the desire to keep going is normal, but my advice is not to give up. Think about what you can do to help yourself, and seek help.

Listen to this podcast.

You should be paying your tradies the correct amount and you should be charging them out at a rate that covers your costs and leaves you with a decent margin but what is that?

I detail all of this in this week's podcast, tune in.

How to be a strategic tradie

A large percentage of trade business owners employ their tradespeople as subcontractors, as they believe it to be a less risky and more economical way to run their businesses - this is incorrect.

Why? Because these trades business owners have failed to see the potential risks involved.

Want to know more? Listen to this week's podcast.

How do you know whether it's a smart decision to buy a business asset or not?
It can be tricky as your accountant might put forward an enticing offer but knowing whether you're actually saving money or if it will be economically good for business is more than just a nice offer. 

Want to know why... 

Listen to this week's podcast.

You shouldn't be doing everything yourself, as the trades business owner - it's not a viable solution - to scale your business you need to build your team and build it with the right people. 

Want to know how? 

Listen to this.

GST can seem confusing however it's quite simple to understand and I'll illustrate two ways to do so in this week's podcast.

What has made you successful so far won’t help you take your business to the next level.

When you start your business, you feel confident in your skills as a tradesperson but less so in your skills as a businessperson or a salesperson or a leader.
Your focus is on finding and winning work and doing it well, and keeping busy - rightly so.
But.. you can’t keep working even harder, can you? 

Just doing the same stuff, running your business the same way is likely to leave you frustrated, burnt out and not likely to help you take your business to the next level. 

The next level is systematised, people - capable, smart people - are doing their jobs well, supported by you and by the systems you’ve built in your business. So systematise ! 

How? Listen to this!

If you believe the sh*ttier press (The Murdoch and Daily mail type papers) that we're heading for sh*ttier times - interest rates are on the rise to curb inflation caused by a red-hot economy. 

So how does one survive this? Well, there are plenty of ways to counter this inflation - listen to this podcast to find out how.

Confidence is a term that many tradespeople think they can't apply to themselves, especially when referencing price.
I want to tell you that you can be confident as a tradesperson and in your price. Follow these steps.

Delegating effectively improves efficiency in the workplace - but how do you do it? It involves a written process and proper handover.

Automating your bookkeeping will help to free up time so you can work on more important aspects of your business.

An easy 5 step process that creates a consistently profitable business with fatter margins and fairer prices.

• Without hours in the office and thousands out of your pocket
• Without hours at your accountants office
• With having to spend hours in excel

Book A Money Maker Call - www.smallfish.com.au/chat

The term 'The Great Resignation' has been floating around the media a lot lately.

Now, I don't think it's something that the trades industry or even Australia has to worry about for the minute, as it's mainly affecting the US and those who work office jobs there.

There is, however, a problem that has become more prominent in the trades industry; the issue of employment; of finding good people to work for you - this is presenting as a difficult task.

Why? How? Listen to this podcast.

Do you go into work, jump on site, sit down in the office and just let that tidal wave of tasks sweep you up and carry you off?

If you do, well, firstly it's normal - it's hard not to get caught up in the job and it's not that terrible too: you can run your business like that but it won't progress to where you may want it to go..

However, you can take control of this form of procrastination (as that is what it is) it's not that hard.

Motivation and procrastination go hand in hand, you are less likely to procrastinate when you are motivated, aren't you?
Now part of motivation is knowing where you are in three years' time - you need to set your vision, your end goal. It's important so you know the right things, the right jobs so your business doesn't give you more stress.

And so that it'll be easy to measure your success. 

Last week, I talked about how to spot when you're procrastinating. This week, I'm delving into why we choose to complete one job over another.

And how that's a monumental form of procrastination.

Listen to this episode.

Do you avoid the big tasks? Maybe you spend your day doing all the little, menial jobs?  Either way that's a sure sign that you're procrastinating.

Procrastination isn't just an avoidance tactic, you're also diverting your attention away from the big tasks. The important tasks that will help progress your business.

Watch the video for more on this.

Do you feel like you've got to be on top of every aspect of your business? Managing every little thing? That you have to be on the tools and in the office - every day?  

When your business has become an extension of youself instead of you managing it, the obvious truth is that you need to let go. But how do you do that?

Start treating your business like a garden.  

Listen to this to understand what I mean...

Letting go of control is something all business owners find challenging. I understand.

You're scared of relinquishing control because they might not do it to the same standard as you. You're scared they'll make mistakes and customers will be unhappy.

But that simply isn't true and can put a big fat pin in the progression of your business. It can stump your success.

How will you ever grow and become more successful if you're trying to manage it all? There won't be time to grow or space.

You HAVE to let go of control in your business if you want it to be successful.

How - shift your mindset. 

This week we’re talking about Business Identity and how you can get a clear picture of what your business identity is and what you want it to be.

Now, part of it is you as a leader. And how you conduct yourself as this leader figure. How you look/behave is important as it denotes how others see you and how your business is conducted.

Check this as I explain this concept further.

As a trades business owner, do you focus on your priorities and put them first or do you make the mistake of reacting to every little thing that comes up?

If you struggle to keep your priorities a priority then check out this video, as I talk about how to get back in control of your priorities and ultimate business goals.

Hiring good people is difficult.

Everyone I know has cocked it up at some point and hired someone unsuitable and when you do cock it up, it's costly and frustrating.

Which is why it's SO important to have a hiring process.

What does that look like? I'll explain in this podcast.

Tradesman or Apprentice; which to hire? Which hired role is going to help you grow your business the way you want it to grow? And which hired role will free you up to grow the business instead of being stuck on the tools? We'll figure out who's better for your business.

Getting the word out makes it easier to publish your job postings to a broader audience and hire qualified employees. Here are some strategies to help you find job seekers, immediately.