Team Building

You are currently browsing the archive for the Team Building category.

Saying Thanks To Build Better Relationships

December 30, 2010 in Customer Relationships, Leadership, Management, Team Building | No comments

Are You Saying Thank You Enough?

As the year comes to a close, I wonder what it would be like if more of us said thank you to each other.  Not just at the end of the year, but throughout the year…

I can count on my two hands the amount of times that someone from downstream has thanked us for a material order or a subcontract we have given them over the past few years. Maybe it’s because people were too busy (before 2007)…or maybe they do not think what a wonderful opportunity this would be to build a relationship.

I’m not talking about the obligatory Christmas present or card. I’m talking about genuinely connecting throughout the year to say “thanks.” If you and your business did this, I suspect that your relationships will strengthen more because your competitors are probably not taking the time to say “thanks” either.

Two simple words, expressed in different ways.

From what I have read recently, people who show gratitude have more energy, more optimism, better social contacts and are healthier. We say thank you (a lot) and we try to do it in different ways because we are sincere. It’s who we are. It’s our culture and besides, we enjoy doing business with our customer relationships.

A teaspoon of honey goes a long way to strengthen the relationships for more opportunities which leads to more success.

 

Share

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Ups and Downs: A Down Economy Opens the Door for Start Ups

October 28, 2010 in Construction Trends, Leadership, Recession, Team Building | No comments

“Necessity is the mother of invention.” I have always believed this as a truth, particularly in these tough times.

Some jobs might have vanished in the recent Recession, but to me, creative ideas will always be with us. There are plenty of smart people out there who found themselves unemployed in the past year. Instead of trying to find work with a different company, many of them took their ideas and developed a new business.

While the news media seems to focus on corporate layoffs, they rarely report on the creation of thousands of startup companies. A down economy actually is the perfect time for the development of quality startups. People who wouldn’t have taken the chance as long as they had a steady job no longer have an excuse for not striking out on their own. A mortgage-banking friend recently told me that in regards to retail space, there are more leasing opportunities these days because of all the new businesses. These ventures may not be credit worthy yet but it’s a prospect for landlords, just the same.

Statistics back up my friend’s thoughts, showing that employment is trending toward smaller shops. According to the U.S. Small Business Association, small firms:

● employ more than half of all private-sector employees.
● pay 44 percent of the total U.S. private payroll.
● generate 6 trillion in annual revenue.

I have seen a lot of small businesses start in the past year or two. Many will succeed where larger companies fail because they are able to nimbly maneuver through the economic obstacles. Once the economy gets better, I believe these startups will be poised to thrive.


Share

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Case Study in Adaptability

August 6, 2010 in Team Building, Tips from the Field | No comments


Friday afternoon seems like a good time for reflection, maybe even a little story telling. In these economic times, the fledging days of our business come to mind often. I learned a lot from my experiences. Hopefully, the account I share here can save you some time and trouble…

In 1984, our very first customer had just raised $30 million dollars through an IPO and we were going to build all their projects in the U.S. I was in my early 30s and life was good. We had enough work to last a lifetime – I thought. Boy, did that change! In less than two years, our customer was bankrupt and we were left high and dry. Although we did get paid for the work we had completed, our only source of income was gone.

Fortunately, our overhead consisted of only three people: me, my business partner at the time, and our secretary/bookkeeper/coffee-maker. Through those tough times, I learned an important lesson, the first of today.

Nothing lasts forever.

Just when things were looking bleak, an opportunity with a new project in Florida came along. Three partners shared the job of deciding who would be the contractor. One thought we hung the moon; another felt the same way about another contractor; the third partner had no dog in the hunt. We wanted the job badly and the other contractor felt the same way. Our tug-of-war went on for several weeks.

Somehow, I came to my senses even without the wisdom of experience. I suggested that we split the project up. This seemed like a good idea to all and we ended up building a portion and the other contractor built a portion. That contractor later became a good friend.

I learned then that flexibility needs to remain part of our game plan going forward.  We’ve tried to remember this rule of business. That brings us to the second lesson.

It’s better to have a portion than none at all.

Hopefully, you’re the kind of company that who sees opportunity, even when the whole project seems out of reach. When work is scarce, are you looking for ways to divide and conquer? To me, adaptability is key to survival for companies, organizations or firms. It was and is for us.


Share/Bookmark

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Now More Than Ever, Solid Strategic Partnerships Keep Us Afloat

August 4, 2010 in Team Building | No comments

Photo by IMAGES magazines

I cannot imagine these times without the partners who work alongside us. Our folks really need to be multiple places at the same time looking for opportunities. (Since there are fewer opportunities right now.) We cannot do it alone. These partners keep their radar up for us and we gladly reciprocate.

To me, this is not the way everyone in the construction industry does business. Successful organizations are more successful if there are solid partners around them. That certainly is true for our strategic partnerships, from consultants to vendors to subcontractors. There is no doubt that we would not be nearly as successful without the right partners.

We should all be in the boat together. Contractors and designers do not have to be adversaries, nor do subcontractors and vendors. From the beginning, it’s important to ensure you find the correct partner—one capable of doing the job who fits well with your company philosophies. This should not take away from the buy-sell, but be in addition.

Whether it be subcontractors or architects as part of the design-build team at the very start of the project, everyone should have a true common-goal approach.

I have always found getting the right people or companies around you is the foundation for long term success. These partners think about the future, not just extra bucks now. Opportunities and projects will then progress more smoothly and quickly. That, in turn, creates a more positive economic result for everyone.

Do you have the best “key partners”?


Share/Bookmark

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

When Company Fellowship Turns Fruitful

June 18, 2010 in Customer Relationships, Leadership, Management, Projects, Team Building, Tips from the Field | No comments

Every once in a while, our team takes a bit of time away from the busy schedules we all maintain for a get together. It’s not a big time commitment, but it gives us an opportunity to catch up with folks who may be in and out of the office a good bit. Today, we all had lunch.

It’s always encouraging to me when, after we’ve had some laughs about little league and vacation, the conversation moves toward team building. This is a particularly sharing group—if they’ve had a success, they want everyone else to know how so the success can spread. As I’ve said before, the sum of our work is far greater than the parts.

Here’s what came out of lunch today:

  • Today, retaining customers is more vital than ever.
  • We are in the service business, but we are also in the “experience business.” Conscious or not, our customers will rate their experience as good, bad or indifferent with every sale.
  • Make no mistake about it, cost is important more than ever. But if cost is the same, the experience factor is the new competitive differentiator.
  • Our customers are loyal to us when they receive value beyond the ordinary buy and sell.
  • The more extraordinary the value, the greater the loyalty.
  • It’s important to determine what the “value lever” for each of our individual customers. We’ve got customers who like a routine. Some want fast answers while others are looking for a personal touch. Most appreciate problem solving beyond the transaction. Whatever the individual value leveler, identify it and work to fulfill it.
  • Stay in touch. Communicate. Communicate in different ways: a short note, an e-mail, a phone call or a value suggestion is often appreciated. Smaller, more frequent connects will lead to longer relationships and loyalty.

Share/Bookmark

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

When It Comes to Business Relationships, Are You Skinny-Dipping?

June 16, 2010 in Customer Relationships, Leadership, Management, Team Building | No comments

Over the last couple of years, I’ve thought a lot about the economic pie and how much smaller it is these days. How do we survive and prosper? I think it’s all about a solid foundation built on proven relationships. As Warren Buffett was quoted, “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.”

Ladies and gentlemen, in the construction business, the tide is down. That’s when, to me, it all comes down to the service you provide your customer relationships. It’s about being transparent, authentic, honest and understanding. This has to be true from the outer skin of an organization to its core. I’ve seen large corporations with well-executed taglines, expensive promotional strategies and beautiful logos, but when there’s no follow through, can it really accomplish long-term prosperity?

The simple fact is, now more than ever, our customers have choices. We in the service sectors are like city buses. If you don’t like the bus that you’re on, hop off and another bus will be by in a few minutes to pick you up. All things being equal, the intangible values of what we offer will make the difference. If our team members are authentic, caring and positive, our customer relationships will stay on our bus for the long haul.

Our team members are ambassadors for the company. Hopefully we are empowering our team to do the right thing for our customers – because these time-tested relationships are the fabric that holds it all together.

Share/Bookmark

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Off to the Races: How One Man’s Passion Became a Local Legacy

April 27, 2010 in Leadership, Local Craftsmen, Team Building, The Outdoors, The Weekend | No comments

During his childhood breakfasts, George Barber probably saw wheels where other kids saw Cheerios. He’s had a lifelong fascination with vehicles equipped for power and speed.

The passion ran so deep that Barber, whose family built a legacy in the central Alabama dairy industry, decided to make a philanthropic investment in the community that raised him. Through his generous contributions, Barber Motorsports Park was completed just outside Birmingham in 2003.

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Park is considered the finest road course in North America. It’s also home to the Porsche Sports Driving School USA and the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. The 5-story museum elegantly displays the world’s best and largest motorcycle collection as well as the largest collection of Lotus racecars in the world.

I recently attended the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Alabama located at the Park. I was in good company. Fans poured in from 40 states and many countries to watch the races. All ages were nestled under the pines along the 2.3-mile course on this glorious Alabama Sunday afternoon. They came to watch some of the world’s finest racers running at speeds up to 200 mph. They left an estimated $30 million economic boost for the Birmingham community.

I took a few things away from my time at the track, and thought I would share them. Maybe next year I’ll see you at the races.

The Pit is arguably as exciting or more so than the race. Before the starting flag, I wandered down to watch the Target professional tech team do their last minute precise prep and install their renowned driver Scott Dixon into the bright red Target car. Whether on the track or on the job, such finely coordinated teamwork gives me a zing.

Indy Racing is green power in action. It’s the first and only motor sport to be powered by 100 percent fuel grade ethanol.

Team sports are great “team building” for your crew. Many from Stewart Perry joined in for a memorable, fun day. We had such a great time together that we decided to make The Indy Grand Prix of Alabama a springtime tradition.

Passion is contagious. Mr. Barber turned his passion into a legacy. The result has and will enhance thousands of lives and bring significant economic benefit to his hometown. George Barber challenges us to follow big dreams and make them happen.

What’s your vision? How can you make it real?

Share/Bookmark

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Think Long Term: Build Strong Subcontractor Relationships

April 23, 2010 in Customer Relationships, Leadership, Team Building, Tips from the Field | 3 comments

Over the years, I have seen building contractors take unfair advantage of subcontractors. I’ve seen subs abused, used and in some cases driven out of business. To me, this isn’t the way to approach construction or life, particularly in these tough economic times. It’s all about helping each other get through the downturn so we can all be stronger on the other end.

I contribute a large part of our success as a company to our partner consultants, subcontractor and vendors. We have a group of “go tos” who’ve not only fulfilled their obligations, but have gone the extra mile to help our team, and subsequently our customer relationships. These folks go beyond the typical buy and the sell. We look out for each other, giving leads and identifying potential project fits. That’s what business partnerships are really all about.

Baker Construction Services has been a prime example. Several years ago we had a project in the Highlands section of the Virginia mountains. It was a tough job from the start, made more challenging when the DOT changed plans substantially mid-winter. We were still expected to deliver a final product that April.

Baker was our lead civil sub and they were tremendous. They took a can-do attitude that January and stood shoulder to shoulder with us as we worked through a very wet, cold winter. Together, we delivered on time. It is guys like Bart DeVore and Chad Baker who make it easier for me to sleep at night.

Hopefully one of our legacies will be that while we drive for the right balance of quality and cost, we treat people fairly in business. We look beyond the job itself by seeking projects that build ongoing relationships that last for years. As a team leader, what can you do to develop these kinds of partnerships?

Think long term. View the relationship upstream and downstream. Think only in the present and you’ll surely get burned.

Work as a team. A better product is developed when everyone involved is treated equally. The sum is greater than the parts.

“Do unto others…” Treat others as you would wish to be treated.

Share/Bookmark

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Take Lemons and Make Lemonade: Embrace Workplace Evolution

April 21, 2010 in Leadership, Management, Recession, Team Building, Technology | 1 comment

I was listening to NPR recently and they were discussing how the Recession isn’t the only culprit behind recent job loss. Throughout modern society, the ability to work in certain fields has ebbed and flowed based upon changes in culture and advances in technology.

The example they gave was from the 1920s. Before motion pictures had sound, every movie house had an organist who performed the soundtrack for each film as it was being played. When “talkies” became a reality, there was no longer a need for the in-house music. Suddenly thousands of organists were out of work through no fault of their own—the technology simply changed. But there’s a flip side. Now there are sound engineers working on every set and in the editing process. The motion picture industry evolved.

It seems to me that inevitable technology changes are accelerating in our era. As managers, that should motivate us to rethink processes. It’s occurring organically in the today’s economic downturn. Many of the cut positions were, in their current state, no longer essential. They would have eliminated themselves eventually, the Recession just made it happen quicker.

Fortunately, the changes that result in the demise of one type of job often lead to the creation of new opportunities. In our organization, I’m seeing positions evolve, and I think it’s a great thing. Jobs are adapting to employee interests and specialties. I’m convinced it makes us a stronger team. Here are 3 questions we keep top of mind so that as we change, we grow professionally:

Can we reorganize daily tasks among the team to make us all more efficient? Since I don’t love automated systems, I’ve requested that our receptionist still answer the phone. However, we moved her desk into our central office area so she can easily help with administrative communications.

How can we embrace the latest in tech knowledge without overdosing? I feel we need to limit the time spent evaluating. We want to be leaders, but the research could also become a full time job. That’s not practical for us just yet. We seek balance in this area.

What can we learn from others? Since it’s hard to keep up with every single technology option, we are members of several local user groups, some with our competitors. This provides a way to share ideas so we are all more efficient and successful.

In our business we only have influence over so many things. We couldn’t change the credit markets, supply and demand or employment. But we can start in our backyards. As a manager, communicate with your employees. You might be able to help a team member grow into a more valuable new position. The evolution benefits us all.

Share/Bookmark

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

All For One and One For All

March 10, 2010 in Leadership, Management, Recession, Team Building | No comments

You’ve heard the Three Musketeers shout it as a show of selflessness and solidarity. It’s the national motto of Switzerland. I’m proud to say it’s also a mantra of the Stewart Perry team.

When the economic downturn started affecting commercial construction, our CFO Del Allen and I were forced to take a hard look at ways to reduce cost. As a guest blogger, Del has shared a few thoughts on cutting general and administrative budgets. Even with these changes implemented, we were challenged to lower our biggest operating expense–PAYROLL. This was almost unimaginable. Every person on staff brings something unique to the table, and we wanted to do whatever it took to avoid losing any of that talent by letting someone go.

They say recessions inspire innovation, and that’s exactly the mindset we tried to embrace. We decided to set up a furlough system where everyone in the company, myself included, takes five unpaid days every two months. While this isn’t the ideal scenario, it did allow everyone to keep his or her job, health insurance, retirement plan and profit sharing. I’m pleased to say the Stewart Perry family has adapted to the lowered pay with a positive attitude. They were glad to make a joint sacrifice for the sake of the team.

You’ll remember I said this wasn’t a perfect plan. We’ve learned that less revenue is not always commensurate to less work. Many of our folks have come in on a furlough day or two because they have a passion to get the job done right. Everyone is grateful for the extra effort.

However, the benefits have far outweighed the negative aspects of furlough. I’ve seen a greater camaraderie among team members. Personally, my appreciation of our team continues to deepen. When someone isn’t here, I’m more aware of that person’s role in the overall success and seamless operation of the company. Our people are what set us apart, and trials have only made that more apparent.

As for right now, it seems our business opportunities are picking up a bit. Maybe it’s the spring. Maybe it’s a microeconomic envelope that we are in.  I’m not sure, but hopefully we are rocking along the bottom, trending upward. I’ll be glad to have my entire team there with me on the other side.

Share/Bookmark

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , , ,

« Older entries § Newer entries »