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The Best Industry in the United States
My child is in college. She is starting to ask about industries and careers. Olivia has made me think further about what construction contracting has to offer her. I have concluded it is the best career a young person could choose. You may not believe it, but the facts will show our business is unmatched. It offers participants long term tangible benefits. However, many people will argue that point. Let me show you the many virtues our industry has. You be the judge.
The Industry is Not Going Away - Construction is a basic necessity to human life (shelter, food, clothing, and water). Contrastingly, most manufacturing will be leaving this country over the next few years. Construction cannot be exported. It must be "insitu" or occurring where it produces the end product. This is unlike service center, computer programming or engineering where other countries provide it from afar and then send it back to the United States. Construction and its sister, demolition are captive to the site.
Merit Based – the construction industry rewards hard work. There is no substitute. We are all dissatisfied with the work ethic today. When we find it, we reward it. Let me give you an example – a person comes to you (male / female) doesn’t speak English well, but has promised to work hard and keep their nose clean. You give them a chance and 1 year later, you are glad you did. They kept their promise. Now, what will you do? Ignore them? Cut their pay? Of course not! You will increase their wages and give them more responsibility. Construction contractors reward merit. We are an equal opportunity employer.
In a few years, that same person, having earned the technical understanding and crew following might start their own business. It is almost expected. After working in the field, interacting with clients and managing labor, it is normal and rational for this person to at least attempt it.
Additionally, the industry is also merit based. Question: What is the best advertising in the construction business? A completed project that is on-time and on-budget. It speaks volumes of a contractor’s savvy and diligence. There are a minority of good contractors. Word of mouth will travel fast. Excellent contractors have more opportunities for work than their lesser competitors.
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Matt Stevens is a management consultant who works only with construction contractors. He has been practicing since 1994. His new book, Managing a Construction Firm on Just 24 Hours a Day, is available from McGraw Hill and his firm’s website. Stevens Construction Institute is located at www.stevensci.com. Matt may be reached at mstevens@stevensci.com.
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Matt Stevens is a management consultant who works only with construction contractors. He has performed training and business consultation for the contracting community since 1994. Matt can be reached at mstevens@stevensci.com.">mstevens@stevensci.com.
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Posted by Matt Stevens at February 18, 2007 04:18 AM
Comments
Matt, this is well-written and reflects much insight. This encourges contractors to be proud of what they have and pass it own to the next generation.
Posted by: Rob Sumner at March 16, 2005 10:54 PM
Matt,
Well done, I agree with most of what you said. Having left and returned to the construction business more than once, I share your passion for it.
It is not for the weak of heart, soul or mind. It will test your very being if you are not careful. The competititon does not go away, but you can get a leg up on it if you do your job well.
Posted by: Paul Williams at September 19, 2005 08:05 AM
Good article I agree with all that you said. I am currently retired from the industry. Made a great living that allowed me to retire early. Miss the business and somewht tempted to return. Bob Shaffer
Posted by: Bob Shaffer at September 26, 2005 03:51 PM
matt ,
I agree with your article having been in the business working for someone else for 18 years. Now that I have choosen to start my own business in the industry it is not as easy as one would think. People that worked with me in the business wont commit to me as a business owner. so there is a double edged sword.
marita
Posted by: marita at October 10, 2005 11:16 AM
This blog posting is great. Your views are very true. Everyone should start thinking as you are doing.
Charles Mercer
Posted by: Charles Mercer at February 14, 2006 01:26 AM
Matt,
What a wonderful assessment of the industry! Well done! I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment.
It is, and will always be, a human requirement to be housed. It can't be relocated or if people do want to relocate, they still have to be housed.
I think we have to get construction contractors to feel better about themselves and what they do. If we can only get them to see themselves for the vital part they play in our well-being, perhaps they may then appreciate themselves a bit more.
Anyway, perhaps the answer is to get them to sell themselves to themselves first then they will feel a heck-of-a-lot-better about themselves. And on-sell the industry to their children so we can continue to have talented people to build us our homes and business premises.
Jan Smith
www.constructingprofits.com
Showing contractors how to make
more money ~ working less hours!
Posted by: Jan Smith at April 8, 2006 05:57 PM
Thanks for this great post. You've got some really good info in your blog.
Chris Scanlon
Posted by: Chris Scanlon at May 4, 2006 08:11 PM
Matt,
Good article.
Construction is a passion in which the satisfacation comes from a job well done and the opportunity to do better the next time.
Posted by: Jim at June 6, 2006 08:53 PM
For Immediate Release
New Web site lets contractors buy and sell surplus inventory online
CLEVELAND, OHIO – December 4, 2006 – A new web site, www.MEPSurplus.com, gives
contractors an easy way to buy and sell surplus mechanical, electrical and plumbing inventory
online.
Contractors visit the site, where they subscribe as either a buyer, or a buyer/seller. Once a
contractor is verified that contractor is given unlimited access to the site for an entire year. The
buy-only package for this site is free with no obligation or hidden fees. Contractors who have
purchased or upgraded to the buyer/seller package post their surplus items for sale, looking to
turn those items back into cash. Buyers often find items they need at discounted prices. The
selection is always changing. Typical items include: HVACR parts and equipment, pipefitting
materials and equipment, metal-forming equipment, electrical and plumbing items, ductwork,
sheetmetal products, office equipment, even business vehicles.
According to Mark Wos, one of the Web site’s originators, this is simply an idea whose time has
come. “I’m a contractor myself,” said Wos. “I know for a fact that every contractor has hundreds,
even thousands, of dollars tied up in excess inventory and there is currently no economical way
to sell these items. Most items on our site were simply over-ordered, ordered incorrectly, or
unused as a result of changes to a project. Our web site links these inventories locally, regionally,
or nationally.
“Member contractors log on where they buy and sell surplus inventory to and from each other.
Most items are very unique and need widespread exposure to move. Posting on MEP Surplus is
much more practical than trying to sell these items in the local paper, and every contractor knows
that auction type websites are simply not worth the time or effort, nor do they allow the exposure
our industry-specific items require. Our subscribers can post unlimited items for an entire year
with pictures and there are no word limits, per item fees, or percentages paid when the item
sells,” he added.
Wos was quick to point out that the site is exclusively for use by contractors, whether residential,
commercial or industrial. “People who use this site are owners and managers of companies,” said
Wos. “And we verify their status as established contractors before allowing them to have access
to the entire website.”
Currently, first-time subscribers to www.MEPSurplus.com receive a 15-month subscription for the
price of a 12-month subscription if they purchase the buyer/seller package. Contractors interested
in just buying need only register and can search the entire site for free. In addition, every
contractor who refers another contractor receives one month of free service when that referral
subscribes as a buyer/seller – up to 12 months free per year.
# # #
MEP Surplus, the company that manages www.MEPSurplus.com, was founded in 2006 to meet
the needs of fellow contractors. The company headquarters is located at 4699 Commerce
Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44103. Anyone requiring more information is encouraged to visit the
site, call 216-276-0404, or email the company at info@mepsurplus.com .
Posted by: Tom Denk at December 4, 2006 12:07 PM