How to Manage a Hectic Workload…and Grow Your Profits.

Welcome…• Relax• Enjoy – eat, drink, connect,• Be Open – take notes, ask how?• Respect – phones• Participate – share• Contribute & Win…• Link to slides –

slideshare.net/tradeinsights

Who is PROTRADE United?We believe in a united effort and collective knowledge to help you find an even better way to run your business…

Trade specific solutions in…• Strategy – income, cash flow, profit, team

development• Accounting – structure, tax minimisation, • Marketing – online & offline• System Integration – streamline IP into the cloud

& protected

Why PROTRADE United?Ultimately for 3 reasons…

1. To give you the luxury of an unhurried life

2. To raise the standards of trades and related service businesses around Australia

3. Decrease the anxiety and depression related deaths amongst trades

Today…Take home…

1. Tools to manage the pace of work/life2. Ways to increase profits 3. Game Plan to implement these tools4. Real example/case study

Challenges…

What is the real impact?• Scattered thinking• Loss of focus• Planning – what planning?• Dis-organisation• Ineffective/no communication• Client experience suffers• Over time/over budget• Profits/Cash flow• Pressure – team, you, home

Does it get any easier?

What is missing? Clarity of Thinking Focus Planning Structures for Communication Systems for Core Processes Technology Consistent client experience

Emotions vs. Mechanics

Psychology vs. Skills/Ability

Case Study…Pre• Electrician – 2 vans, 7 on team• Trying to service everyone and everything• Poor communication structures• Core processes done by memory• Phone ringing 70 times a day with ‘wild

fires’• Increase revenue yet less profit• Working 80+ hours/wk and

stressed/exhausted• Put on weight, no time with kids, drink to

escape• No concept on how to get off the merry go

round

Busy? Doing what?

Who set that

schedule?

Most people would rather be ‘poor and liked’

vs. ‘wealthy and respected’.

Change…are you up for it?

The Steps..1. Take ‘time out’ & create Game Plan –

Vision/Values2. Core Processes3. Technology4. Annual/Quarterly/Monthly/Weekly Planning5. Communication Structures6. Decision Making Rules7. Remember what is most important8. Review

Default vs. Design

1. Game Plan

1. Game Plan• Annual/Quarterly

Goals• Monthly & Weekly

Plan• Review Process

Vision & Values

Where is your thinking….

Where is your thinking….

2. Mapping Out Core Processes1. Customer attraction/acquisition2. Production – (commencement,

during, finalisation)3. Customer retention4. Internal communication5. Team/HR6. Finance

3. Technology1. Customer & team communication -

CRM2. Quoting/pricing3. Job/team management4. Finances/invoicing/debtors5. Self management

https://evernote.com/getting_started/

4. Annual/Quarter/Month/Week Plan

1. Identify Key Objectives2. Projects & Action to

Take3. Execution - WWW4. Focus, Focus, Focus5. Elimination of

distractions

What has been valuable?

5. Communication Structure1. Monthly – review & big issues2. Weekly - focus & priorities3. Daily – synchronise & align4. Manage expectations/agreements5. Be your word – say Yes to less

Case Study…Changes #1• Created a game plan – clarity on success• Clear on target clients – passed non suitable

clients to another local electrician• Implemented monthly/weekly/daily

meetings• Documented core processes and made

them visual• Put on Insightly CRM, Aroflow Job

Management, Xero & Debtor Daddy

6. Decision Making Rules1. Chunk decisions/discussions

together2. Train/empower your team to be

proactive3. Delegate4. Proactive Procrastination

7. Remember what matter most1. If things get out of hand – get

some space2. Remind yourself of the priorities3. Act accordingly with your

vision/values

8. Review1. Monthly/Weekly/Daily2. Triple R – Review, Reflect, Respond3. 17-minute awareness plan

Case Study…changes #2• Invested in Team Training • Educated the team on decision making• Spent 15 minutes at the end of every

day review• Spent 15 minutes each morning in

silence – focusing on the day ahead • Followed up all team players at the end

of every week with W.W.W.• Scheduled in time for self, kids and

partner• Said NO to anything that wasn’t core to

achieving goals

Managing Problems & Conflict1. Manage agreements and

expectations2. Never take anything personally3. Angry people are dealing with ‘a

fear’ – what could that be?4. Stay calm and use G.R.O.W.

GoalReality & the impactOptions Where to from here

Case Study…Post• Electrician – 2 vans, 8 on team• Core target client• Sets the team up each morning • Gym 3 x week at 10am• Increased revenue and NP of 18%• Phone rings <10 times a day with mainly

key relationships• Working 50 hours/wk, no weekends • Regularly camps with family• Weekly date night with wife

What has been valuable?

What ACTION will you take?

Do nothing!What gets in the way…

LIFE!

Your opportunity to get clearComplimentary Strategy Session• Where you are• Where you want to

be • The Game Plan to

get your there…

Participant or Spectator…?