Masonry Magazine June 2007 Page. 49
All the talk, complaining, programs and money will never get young people to seek work in the construction field until builders, contractors and subcontractors change the way they do business.
What's the Solution?
To attract great people, every construction business, large and small, must commit to creating great places to work. Each manager and supervisor must make recruiting an important part of his or her job. You need to convince people that your company really is a great opportunity for them and promise that their job will lead to a fantastic career. It takes more than placing a want ad or calling the hall to find and attract great people. It takes dedication, commitment, time and money to make it happen.
To retain great people, companies must have a proactive and aggressive employee development program-not lip service and idle promises. This includes ongoing training and education, programs in team building, computers, supervision, leadership and technical skills. Also required are employee recognition systems, personal development programs and pay-for-performance programs. Future growth career ladders must be clear, tracked and updated regularly.
To develop great people requires new management and leadership styles that teach, inspire and encourage people to become the best they can be. This requires letting go and trusting people to take it to the next level. This only happens when managers realize that people are their only competitive advantage. Their output equals your input!
When Will You Start?
I am continually frustrated as I speak to owners and managers. People learn what to do, but don't do it. Why? Most business leaders are unwilling to try new ideas. They get used to the way it is. They get comfortable in their misery, stay put and go nowhere. Is your way working? Is the comfortable way working? Not.
My challenge to you is to change our industry now; radical innovation, risk taking and real leadership are desperately needed by everyone. Only you can return our industry to favor with potential young workers. Now is the time for every mason contractor to focus on the problems that have created this "labor shortage" by implementing immediate and long-lasting solutions at every level. The only question left is: "When will you start?"
George Hedley owns Hedley Construction and Hardhat Presentations. He is the author of the "The Business Success Blueprint Series" now available in an eight-workbook and audio CD sets. He is available to speak at your organization on his proven system to build profits, people, customers and wealth. Construction company owners are invited to attend his two-day "Profit-Builder Circle boot camps held regularly. For more information, call (800) 851-8553, visit www.hardhatpresentations.com, or e-mail gh@hardhatpresentations.com to receive a free copy of his book entitled "Everything Contractors Know About Making A Profit."
Copyright © 2007, George Medley and Hardhat Presentations
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