Being a contractor can be a pretty lucrative source of income. If you’re working freelance, you most likely get to work at your own pace, choose which projects to work on, and go on leave when you need or want to. It’s a dream job for many, especially if the goal is to be your own boss. But if this is indeed your professional goal, why not go all the way and make the move from contractor to CEO?
Having the CEO title can elevate your contractor position in more ways than one. You get to own the business, build a team of your own, and manage the firm from the four corners of your executive office. However, before you get to the glamorous part, you first need to figure out how to make the move efficiently. (1)
Adopting the CEO mindset
If you are ready to take the leap into becoming the CEO of your own business, you’ll need confidence in your own ability and a highly focused strategy.
Nowadays, few businesses can thrive without the help of digital tools and platforms. If you’re in the roofing industry, or any field service sector for that matter, software like the one offered by Jobber can streamline your internal workflows and processes. Your productivity on other tasks can be increased, as well as the quality of your overall output. If you’re considering making the move to setting up your own business, you would be well advised to invest in the right technology that can make this easier for you. (2)
No matter what contractor industry you may be in, you’ll be able to find bespoke resources designed specifically for your business niche. (2)
Start building a great team
A company needs its own set of employees that’ll help you complete jobs, market the business, take care of recruitment, and much more. As you make the transition from being a contractor to CEO, start scouting for your team as early as you can. Remember that you’ll need to hire not just other contractors but also professionals that’ll be able to take care of different specialisms in your company, including human resources, accounting, customer relations, and marketing. (1)(3)
Be thorough when recruiting new members of your team, as you want your employees to represent your business. For that reason, they should be highly skilled and experienced enough for the position they’re applying for.
Be consistent with your marketing efforts
Marketing your services will be very different now that you’ll be embarking on a new journey as an entrepreneur. While word of mouth still proves to be effective on so many levels, there’s no harm in strategizing your marketing efforts so you can reach a wider audience. You can tap into the power of digital marketing, specifically social media, SEO, and content marketing. To create better awareness, and ensure your company’s mission and vision align with your ads and campaigns. (1)
Keep on improving yourself
Now that you’re about to become a CEO, it’ll take more than your contractor expertise to keep your company afloat, let alone to make it profitable and a success. It would be highly beneficial on your end if you could invest in education, training, and upskilling to equip yourself with the right skills and business acumen.
If acquiring a college degree seems too daunting for you, you can consider short online courses that major in business and management. That way, you can continue learning and improving yourself, allowing you to gain the right mindset and sharpness that a CEO should possess in the long run. (4)
Widen your social and business circle
As a contractor, you know that connections and networking can go a long way in getting new leads and clients. The same goes when you’re already the head of a company. You’ll be rubbing elbows with other businesspeople, and you should take every opportunity you can get to build a strong network. (5)
Fortunately, there are several networking events for entrepreneurs you can attend. City council meetings, industry events and seminars, luncheon or breakfast meetings, trade shows, as well as fundraisers are some of the things you can participate in. These will inevitably lead you to get more connections that might help your business grow. (3)(5)
Final words
Making the move from contractor to CEO is no easy feat. Don’t let the challenge discourage you, though, because, as they say, fortune favors the bold. The decision to start your own company could be a brilliant one that may lead to more stability, professional growth, and financial freedom. Hopefully, the above-mentioned tips can help you stay in the right lane.
Architecture is a beautiful and creative art form. Though we might imagine architects spending nights bent over their blueprints to create masterpieces like the London Eye, there is more to the picture. Crafting magnificent and practical buildings takes a team of creatives to make it happen.
Behind every great architect is a team of contractors ready to put in the hours of physical construction. These professionals go through dedicated programs at places like the contractor training center to become masters in their field. While architects get most of the credit, contractors deserve recognition for the amazing infrastructure we use every day.
Let’s highlight some gorgeous buildings that wouldn’t be around without contractors.
1. Gardens by the Bay – Singapore
Singapore has a plethora of beautiful buildings throughout the country. Among these, the Gardens by the Bay in the Marina Bay district takes the cake for most breathtaking.
The process of constructing the park began in 2006, with an international master plan design competition. The contractors entered the picture in 2007 after a select vote by jury and public took place in late 2006.
During this time, the team began to work on the Bay East Gardens and Flower Dome. The contracting company finished their work in 2011, leading to the amazing Gardens we enjoy today.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
2. The Shard – England
Another city full of gorgeous architectural structures is London. Irvine Sellar, the developer of the Shard, began the process in 1998, but it wasn’t until 2008 with funding from Qatar that construction began.
The contracting team worked until 2012 when the building was ready to be opened. The unique design and well-built structure helped push the Shard onto the list of London landmarks along with Big Ben and the Tower Bridge.
Image source: Wikipedia
3. Sendai Mediatheque – Japan
The Sendai Mediatheque is a multipurpose cultural center located in Sendai, Japan. Toyo Ito designed the project after floating seaweed with a completely open 7-story floor plan. The construction began in 1997 with a lot of the creative building freedom going to the contracting team.
The building utilized steel pipe tubes, glass, and aluminum mesh, and everything has an alternative function. Some pipes doubled as stairs and elevators, for example. The construction ended in 2000, but the Mediatheque opened to the public in 2001.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
4. Seattle Central Public Library – United States
The United States houses several intricately designed public spaces, focusing a dedicated effort on making beautiful libraries. The modern Seattle Public Library is no exception. The central public library cleared in 1998 as part of a city-wide effort to double the square footage of neighborhood libraries.
After OMA and Joshua Prince-Ramus completed drafts for the library in 1999, the contracting team at Hoffman Construction Company began working. The workers dedicated six years to ensure that the eleven-floor library looked stunning and met all building safety codes. In 2004, the public gained full access to the Central Public Library.
Image source: Wikipedia
5. Heydar Aliyeva Center – Azerbaijan
The Heydar Aliyeva Center, located in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a flowing and curved building that boasts a beautiful aura. The center’s design had both the natural desert topography and the multifunctional purpose of the building in mind. The architect, Zaha Hadid, drafted his plan in 2007 after winning a design competition.
The contracting company completed the eight-story project in 2012. Included in the construction was a 1000-seat auditorium, exhibition spaces for local artists, and a museum, among other things.
Image source: Wikipedia
Without Contractor Teams, None of These Would Be Possible
The list here is just the tip of the iceberg. Without dedicated teams to do the groundwork, the magnificent buildings and structures we enjoy every day wouldn’t exist.
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a contractor, there’s nothing stopping you from going out into the world and contributing to the next masterpiece.
Most businesses can’t survive without manufacturing. Manufacturing is the process of creating your products to sell to make money. Whether you provide a small service or a huge one, you need that service to keep a constant balance between supply and demand. As a novice in manufacturing, you probably won’t be confident taking responsibility for the process. That’s fine because they are specialists that are happy to do the job. The only problem you have is finding one that suits your needs. Here are a few pointers that will come in handy.
Consider Consistency
There are plenty of factors to consider, but consistency is at the top of the list. As a brand, you need to produce products or services at a high level every time. If you don’t, you will develop a bad reputation that could cripple your success. In fact, it could cripple your shelf life in the industry. The best manufacturers can complete the same task to the same standard almost every time. A good way to spot a consistent contractor is their track record. Also, the technology they use is a good sign. Contractors with the best tech can set the specifications and churn out as much as they need.
Understand Your Needs
Because there are lots of manufacturers to choose from, there is also lots of confusion. Confusion is the enemy as it makes you make choices that are not good for business. The best example is picking a contractor that doesn’t suit your needs. For example, if you are a supplier of small goods, you need a manufacturer in that sector. However, if you provide building services, you need to see MDTI to discover more. Don’t choose a firm that isn’t going to be able to deliver.
If you have an existing relationship with a contractor, choose them over anyone else. Relationships are a great thing because they are mutually beneficial to both parties. For instance, you get the services that you need for your business to thrive. And, they get paid for performing those services. Plus, they get the added benefit of customer loyalty. Any relationship will do, even if it seems insignificant. This is a good tactic to keep in mind for the future. For those of you that don’t have a bond, try and forge one. That way, you will have someone you trust for the future.
Price Comes Last
Don’t let the money dictate who you do business with as money is the least important factor on the list. At the moment, it might seem like the most important because you don’t have much money. But, if you cut corners, you will destroy your brand and your business. Before you sign on the dotted line, look for the more important issues first. Then, you can start to think about the cost.
Don’t Go With Your Gut
The term ‘just go with your gut’ gets a lot of credit – it shouldn’t. Your gut instinct isn’t a good way to judge a company’s character or ability. All you have to go off is the statistics and information that you can find.
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