Before our company really took off, I had to do lots of things to keep the money flowing in. The main thing I did was consulting. I didn't really enjoy it, but I was really good at it. My employees will tell you, I'm really good at finding... well... let's call them Opportunities for Improvement. Five years ago, I would come in and give people advice for $250 per hour. I've consulted with over 400 companies from Mom & Pop shops to Fortune 500 to even Fortune 100 companies. One of the BIGGEST mistakes that I see people make is the 'shotgun' approach. That means, they tackle anything for a buck. If all you want to do is sell your time... it's a great approach. However, it would be alot easier just to go get a job with someone. If you're looking to build a future... read on...
Basically, even if you narrowed your 'painting concrete' down... it's still a HUGE thing to say. Let's see... there are industrial concrete floors, garage floors, decorative concrete overlays, parking garage rehabs (floor), parking garage ceilings, Floors in Food service, Ceilings in food service, Pharmaceutical Floors & Ceilings... the list just goes ON and ON and ON... And, just because you CAN do it doesn't mean you will be successful. And, roofs are no different.
We make coating products for many of these uses. However, we have different people that chase different rabbits.
It's all a matter of how you want to work. We are known to have the 'best in class' products for Insutrial concrete. We especially know to have awesome products for 'clean rooms'. Because we focused on those things, we are 'sold out' through the end of the year. We have only made about 4-5 sales calls ALL YEAR!
The point is, how do you want to spend your time? As Tmrrtmptr put it, you can do the shotgun approach and spend alot of time unloading the truck. You can also spend alot of time trying to 'close' that next sale. We spend just about all of our time making paint and managing our customer 'waiting list'. Once you focus, you don't have to go looking for business... it will find you. In addition, price becomes a whole lot less of an issue.
Huge Pharmaceutical companies come to us because the know we have the stuff that works. Are they happy with the price? Not usually... BUT... they know it's a lot cheaper to buy from the guys who are EXPERTS at what THEY need done.
Now, for what is really important. Since we have a customer waiting list, it is pretty easy for us to pick and choose on the BEST customers. Hands Down... the BEST customers are the focused ones. In fact, we don't sell to even one customer who does more than one specific area of work.
'Floors in Pharmaceutical Plants'
'Elastomeric Acrylic Roofing'
'Floors in Food Service'
'Tank Lining in Petrochemical'
'Tank Lining in Chemical Plants'
'Tank Lining in Nuclear Facilities'
'Ceilings in Food Service'
'Clean Rooms'
'Concrete in Wastewater'
'Carwash Tunnels'
'Swimming Pools'
'Decorative Concrete Overlays'
Ok, this is getting long winding... You asked a specific question... How do I get jobs? I'm going to guess that you didn't like my last answer and you probably don't like this one either. I'm also going to guess that a few of you have thought about what Tmptrrt said and thought about your own business. I know this because if I look at the 400 companies that I have worked with... They ALL are asking the question... How do I get jobs? It's like anything else. Experience helps you do a job faster! The more you do one thing, the better you are at it... the better you are at it... the faster you do it... Time is _________ *everybody all together now... MONEY!
So, my answer to your question is:
To get more jobs... do ONE thing... really well. Jobs will come to you for higher than average pay!
Wolvie $0.02 *well... I think this actully probably more like my 3 cents
OH... PS... If anyone would like to send me the $250... just PM me.... :thumbup:
