No, I'm not talking about a Coors. The “silver bullet” I'm talking about is what industry leaders, trainers and consultants say all contractors are looking for.
To a contractor, a silver bullet is the one thing he thinks will magically fix everything that's wrong or not working at his company.
Well, I won't keep you in suspense.
I don't have a silver bullet in my arsenal either. But, here's what I do have for you from traveling around the country meeting and working with some of the best contractors:
But the most important factor I have found is the one that makes all the difference between those who ultimately succeed and those who don't. It's the ability to make a decision and act on it in a timely manner, to create a plan of action and then do it.
We've all seen other companies talk an issue to death. Maybe they even create a plan of action but they never pull the trigger on much of anything. Instead of six guns blazing, their gun is still in the holster. It takes the heart out of everyone. Nothing else is more deflating. And by waiting, the decision gets made for them. Waiting to react has limited their options. They are doomed to play catch-up if they can.
Why would a business choose to be reactive instead of proactive? It's the fear of being wrong. That fear is so powerful that it undermines the best plan of action. They lack the determination to plan, to implement and then trust that they can make the necessary adjustments to make it work.
How should you get started? List all your projects on one form. Then senior management needs to select only the top five priorities that will either solve your biggest challenge or provide your biggest opportunity for growth. Create a plan of action together.
Now, go show them you mean business. Take the gun out of the holster, take dead aim, take a deep breath and squeeze the trigger.