by Tim Fausch
October 9, 2009

Today, I am encouraged and inspired. I am turning a deaf ear
to the naysayers and a blind eye to the imagery of negativity. I see unlimited
business opportunities. I am planning to succeed.
No, I am not smoking anything.
I just spent time with 220 positive and confident leaders at
the Best of Success Conference in Nashville. This
annual event, managed by Roofing Contractor and Architectural
Roofing & Waterproofing, brings together some of the
brightest minds and best ideas in the construction field.
Presenters ranged from expert marketers to consultants to
business owners to facility managers. Some were highly polished veterans.
Others were down-to-earth entrepreneurs sharing for the very first time.
All were great at transparently sharing the ideas and
techniques that had transformed their businesses. They spoke freely because
they know that only a tiny fraction of their competitors have the discipline,
smarts, savvy and guts to copy them.
Frankly, we should all copy them because these strategies
have produced powerful results.
With 20 excellent speakers spread over two days, I cannot do
full justice to their ideas in this blog. Instead, I’ll briefly summarize just
eight of the ideas I liked. See if you can find the business opportunity in
each concept.
1. Heroes are made during battle, not when
business is easy.
-Rick
Davis, President, Building Leaders Inc.
2. Recycling
materials and positive press make the phone ring.
-Adam
Quenneville, President, Adam Quenneville Roofing
3. We
need you to educate us and take us under your wing.
-Linda
Daniels, Past President, Metropolitan Building Superintendents Association
4.
Arbitration is faster and cheaper than litigation.
-Roger
Harper, Principle, Creative Dispute Resolutions
5. If it keeps you awake at night, put it
in your crew agreement and get it signed.
-Andy
Filer, President, Berkshire Construction Company
6. Be
great TODAY. Our customers expect a great experience.
-Rod
Menzel, Founder/Co-owner, GreatWay Roofing
7. The
fastest and easiest way to increase your profits is to close more sales, so
hire the best sales force possible.
-Jim Bush,
Owner, Weathershield Roofing Systems
8. We cannot be the low bidder and offer the
best products and services. If we are the low bidder, something is wrong.
-Tim
Hershey, President, ThoroughBred Contractors
My guess is that if you are still reading this blog, you are
hungry for success. All of the presenters at Best of Success
were in your shoes at one point, seeking the next level of business prosperity.
Unlike most of their competitors, they did something about it.
In your field, there are trade associations, marketing
organizations, and peer groups filled with highly successful men and women. You
probably already know about them. Why not contact them today and register for
their next meeting?
For information on the presenters at Best of Success, visit www.bnpevents.com/RC/BOS/SpeakerBios.htm.
For updated coverage on the event, visit www.roofingcontractor.com.
Tim Fausch
fauscht@bnpmedia.com
Tim Fausch is publishing director of BNP Media’s
Architecture, Engineering & Construction and Mechanical Systems Groups, a
collection of more than 20 trade titles.
During the last 27 years, Tim has viewed the construction field as an
editor, circulation manager, marketing manager and publisher. Contact him at fauscht@bnpmedia.com or at 248-244-6448.
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