Be Brave Not Safe

Oct 31 2015

Where Do I Get A Job Like That?!?

It has been quite a while since my last post. This results from being over-the-top busy with the combination of selling our current home, acquiring a new home (both of which are still in process) and client engagements. More on that later…

Recently, while on a mountain bike ride during “normal” business hours, I received a call from a Project Management (PM) candidate who I was considering presenting to one of my clients. Since I was on a short break, to catch my breath after climbing a grueling hill, I was able to take the call.

The PM candidate asked if I had a moment to talk and I said: “Sure, I’m on a bike ride and have a few minutes to chat, as I’m taking a quick break.”

He said: “Wow, where do I get a job like that?” I responded with a chuckle and we then held our conversation.

Thinking more about the call I felt compelled to write this post to reinforce that, it is NOT THAT HARD to have a job like that. A “job” that affords significant flexibility while still paying the bills.

How does one go about doing so? Feel free to scour this site for TONS of insight on how one becomes highly productive and self-employed. Pay special attention to the series of posts on Launching a Consulting Business. The purpose of this post is to add some icing on the cake based on the current example, in which I’m working to provide a client with a seasoned PM to meet their needs.

You see, under most circumstances consulting firms and headhunters will ONLY present candidates to their clients when they are sure to reap a financial reward from doing so. This can include, for example, a fee in the form of a percentage of the candidate’s annual salary or a minimum commitment period to source the candidate under contract.

To be clear, I too like reaping financial rewards 🙂

In this case, the highly qualified PM candidate, who I have worked with previously, was more interested in full-time employment than contract work. But, he was open to explore contract opportunities as well, if that best suited the client.

Realizing this, I presented the client with what I’d consider to be the ultimate in options. That is, they could consider engaging the candidate as:

Contract PM – through my company
Contract to permanent PM – through my company (a “try before you buy” scenario)
Permanent employee – with no strings (financial commitments) attached

While unconventional, I have found that this approach (which I’ve taken numerous times) has gone a LONG way towards building solid client relationships. So much so, that I receive inquiries “almost” every single week from people looking for Project Management help. This, with NO marketing activities taking place or related expenses being incurred 🙂

In summary, my top priority is to connect great people with great opportunities. If I am able to reap a financial benefit, fantastic. If not, I’ve at least delivered (unforgettable) value, by connecting a highly skilled person to a great opportunity and making it extremely easy for a client to fulfill their need.

I wonder who they’ll call the next time they need PM help?

In closing, I’m not bragging, or looking for a pat on the back. What I am doing is laying it out there. That is, if all we go for is the short term (quick buck) we will spin our wheels for the rest of our lives. If, however, our primary objective is to constantly deliver value to all involved we get to do some mountain biking during “normal” business hours 🙂

Now THAT is the job for me!

While the example shared relates to a consulting business, the principle applies regardless of vocation. If we constantly deliver more value than expected we will be, must be, rewarded! Alternatively, if all we do is what we are paid to do, then we are already being paid for all we are worth. We must do more to earn more!

All the best!

p.s. – It is good to be writing again…More to come…

Click here to review the next article in the series.

Sep 07 2015

4 Comments

Personal Success

Opportunity Often Looks Like Work

This timely quote arrived in my email the other day.

We often miss opportunity because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work.

Thomas A. Edison

Why is this timely?

First, it is Labor Day! A public holiday held in honor of working people.

Second, I’ve recently contacted a number of friends, family members and acquaintances who are general contractors, to potentially address some fairly significant projects at our church.

When I say general contractors, I don’t mean the kind that drive around in old, beat-up, rusted-out, trucks, with a ladder on the roof, a mess of construction debris in the back, and cigarette smoke billowing out the windows. I’m referring to professional general contractors who earn SIGNIFICANT (6-figure) incomes from their vocation. They live in large, well-kept homes and drive bright, shiny trucks that serve as rolling billboards for their successful businesses.

In my conversations with these gentlemen I’ve heard things like:

I am crazy busy. We are completely booked until the end of the year.
I’ve had to turn away over $250,000 of business this year. I just can’t find dependable workers needed to address the demand.
The younger generation is no longer entering the trades. And, the older generation is exiting the trades (retiring).
When I subcontract work to other general contractors the quality is too often not there or they don’t do what they said they would do. They simply are NOT professional.

Why am I writing about this?

It would seem there is a lack of quality labor which has left an open opportunity to earn a substantial income, for those who decide to pursue “work” and do so professionally.

I know, some will say: I don’t want to sling a hammer or perform manual labor for the rest of my life.

Let’s start with those who are in, or have recently exited, high school or college…

If you go to work for a highly-qualified, professional general contractor, you have the opportunity to learn the ropes of the trade.

Yes, you will get to dig ditches, carry a seemingly endless pile of lumber from point A to point B, lug buckets of mortar up a ladder, etc. In short, you will “get” to work – HARD!

For those “very few” who actually bust their butt doing so, and behave professionally, the general contractor will increasingly provide opportunities to oversee their team’s work, not just perform it. And finally, I know that one day these general contractors want to completely turn the day-to-day operations of their businesses over to someone they whole-heartedly trust.

You see, these general contractors are in “business.”

They are NOT into doing “all” the hammer slinging and manual labor themselves. These gentlemen are in their early to mid-50’s and generate enough revenue to pay a highly qualified person (in the trade) to run their businesses, allowing them the flexibility to pursue other endeavors (i.e., business opportunities, travel, adventure, etc.).

Once the opportunistic person has climbed the ladder of the trade, working for someone else, they can then consider buying-out the owner of the general contracting business, or start their own.

Seems pretty lucrative to me: a career path that can lead to the launch of one’s own business.

However, to start, one must behave professionally! What does this mean, as relates to the trades?

Arrive at work on-time (better yet, early), well-rested and…sober.
Take NO smoke breaks: ever!
Do NOT curse.
Be polite and courteous to coworkers and customers.
Wear reasonable attire: no t-shirts with obscene gestures or offensive remarks.
Don’t stop working to talk. You are being paid to WORK, NOT TALK!
Wait for the boss to ask if you need a break.
When you complete the assigned task IMMEDIATELY ask the boss: “What’s next?” Never sit down or stand around waiting for the next assignment.
Take the initiative to learn new things on and off the job. Ask the boss for guidance on this.
Do MORE than is asked!

Some may say: The above is pretty rigid. And, heck, it’s a free county: I can smoke, swear and wear any shirt I want.

Yes, you can: earn an average or low income.

But why would you want to settle for that?

You see, there really is VERY LITTLE COMPETITION TO ACHIEVING HIGH LEVELS OF INCOME. And, true professionals can do so in “the trades.”

In closing, if you’d like to earn a substantial income, realize…You MUST start at the bottom. You MUST work your tail off. And, you MUST always be professional.

If you are ready, and would like to consider an opportunity in general contracting, let me know. I “may” put you in touch with one of my friends 🙂

Happy LABOR Day!

Aug 09 2015

3 Comments

Inspirational, Successful Kids

Summer of Transition

In a prior post (Moving Out – With Eyes Wide Open) I mentioned that our sons were ALL talking about the prospect of getting their own place.

The plan is unfolding, perfectly 🙂

In late June two of our sons (Ian – the oldest and Evan – the youngest) moved-in to their own apartment, together. The move went smoothly and it has been encouraging to see them take on the new responsibilities of living on their own.

It was especially interesting to hear an observation made by Evan, when he said: I see all these dishes in our sink and realize that if I don’t take care of them, no-one else will.

YES! Music to my ears…

Earlier this week Aaron and I were talking and he said: Man, I REALLY want to get my own place!

I responded with: You probably aren’t far off from being able to do so. Let’s do some math.

We did, with the assumption that he and his brother Ethan would live together. And, voila, the math worked!

Aaron, Cindy and I promptly went to the large apartment complex, where Ian and Evan live, to view available units. Aaron found one that he liked. All he needed to do was convince Ethan to join him 🙂

That evening we all talked, reviewed the math and Ethan was on board. The following day the 2 boys met at the apartment complex, completed the paperwork, and were approved!

Move-in day is…TODAY…

It was especially interesting to hear an observation made by Aaron, when he said: Now I feel like I have a purpose for going to work. Before, I was kind of…just…skating. Now I can say: I have my own place! And, I am motivated to make a lot of money.

YES! More music to my ears…

Did you notice the common thread in the boys’ observations? They are both rising to the next level of accountability and SELF-motivation. You just gotta love that!

Why?

Because, until we adults (18+) are out there, on our own, we are participating in an entitlement system. That is, as human nature goes, until we are fully accountable for ourselves we shall, at some level, skate (a.k.a. take advantage of the entitlements “given” to us by our parents). I did it. You did it, or are currently doing it…

As such, we parents need to ensure we are increasingly enabling our kids as they age and then determining the appropriate “tipping point” for when it is time to encourage their launch from the nest.

Every situation is different. However, just because we can afford to let our kids live with us does NOT mean that we should. It just may not be the best thing for all involved.

When is it time? The key requirements would include:

Having a full time job. If they don’t have one, and aren’t still in school, they need one – RIGHT NOW!
The math works (income is greater than the anticipated living expenses).

That’s pretty much it…

In closing, life moves incredibly fast. In less than 8 hours Cindy and I will officially be empty nesters 🙂

We will now decide what happens next. You see, we have way too much house for only 2 people to live in. And, I’ve had just about enough of being the maintenance man, groundskeeper and pool boy 🙂

This will be the main point of discussion during our upcoming camping trip…