To be in business and to remain in business, become a business person! To run a business, you must be business-like. It's not sufficient just to be very good at what you do. Many people who are 'very good at what they do' have failed. The familiar cry: "I'm far too busy for that" is no excuse. Are you 'too busy' to be a competent businessperson? If so, your construction business won't last long. You must continue to develop your business skills.

 

To be a businessperson, you have to make an effort to become something of an 'all-rounder,' not just a specialist player. You can offer outstanding goods or services, but if you don't develop sound business systems, you are not a fully rounded businessperson, and your business will be in danger of failing.

 

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Topics: outsource bookkeeping, outsourced construction accounting and bookkeeping, Outsourced Accounting, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips, Work-Life Balance

Outsourcing can offer a range of advantages for small construction businesses in today's competitive market. Not only does it reduce costs and free up valuable time for owners to focus on growing their business, but it also provides access to skills and expertise that may be unavailable in-house. Small construction businesses can streamline operations, increase productivity, and scale faster than ever by working with external professionals or firms who work in certain areas. 

 

Because a small business focuses on survival, you pay much attention to the bottom line. This makes much sense, but it also leads to being seriously overworked.

 

Contractors are under increased pressure to cut their prices to get enough work. And that means they need to reduce costs. New technologies and approaches in cloud computing for construction accounting give forward-thinking contractors a fantastic ability to get more for less -but in most cases, contractors' heads are still stuck in 1990, thinking they have to do everything themselves.

 

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Topics: outsource bookkeeping, outsourced construction accounting and bookkeeping, Outsourced Accounting, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips, Work-Life Balance

Ever dreamed of starting a family business? Investing in a franchise opportunity with friends?

 

Businesses owned and operated by families can have incredible staying power. All family-owned companies, Volkswagen, Samsung, and Nike, are among the world's most successful, leading brands.

 

Working with family and friends can be fun and rewarding, especially in the construction industry. I know because we've been in one. But before you hire the people you care about most, it's wise to consider the pros and cons.

 

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Topics: Hiring Employees, contractor divorce, Construction Contractor's Family, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips

Marketing covers everything you do in your business that creates awareness, including advertising, brochures, competitions, trade shows, demonstrations, travel, direct mail, email campaigns, your website, and sponsorship. Let's narrow our focus to an integral part of Marketing - Advertising.

Advertising is a massive industry with multiple mediums for your message to be heard or lost in translation. It might sound like a no-brainer, but before you start planning your advertising, you must consider what you are trying to achieve from your investment. Your ultimate objective likely is to build sales, but other things to consider are increasing market presence and building your brand.

 

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Topics: Hiring Employees, Hiring Guide For In-House Construction Bookkeepers, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips, Construction Employee

As a business owner, you know the right people are crucial to your construction company's success. The best employees can help you achieve your business goals, improve productivity, and drive growth. But finding the people best suited to your team can be daunting, and sometimes it's easy to hire someone who seems okay rather than taking the time to find the best fit. 

Here are some steps to find and hire staff that support your business growth, whether in the office or the field.

Step 1: Define the job and necessary qualifications

The first step in finding the right talent is accurately defining the job description and qualifications. Is this a new position you're hiring for? Are there gaps in employee skills that need to be met? Is this a position that requires specific knowledge and experience? 

 

Remember that there's a difference between "must-have" qualifications and "nice to have" considerations. When setting out "must have" qualifications, include only those that are necessary to the person successfully performing the role. 

Remember also that the job salary should match the role and the qualifications. You can't expect to hire someone with ten years of experience by only offering an entry-level wage. 

 

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Topics: Hiring Employees, Hiring Guide For In-House Construction Bookkeepers, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips, Construction Employee

Payroll is one of those things that starts simply enough. You start your construction business and hire a few employees, and things tick along. It's straightforward enough to keep everything in line at first, but what happens to most companies is… they grow!

This is a great thing, but it also means that payroll becomes more complicated. As such an essential aspect of your business, payroll must run smoothly. Getting paid is, after all, the primary reason that most people come to work.

 

One of the biggest challenges contractors face is keeping track of overtime hours. With so many employees working on different job sites and projects, it can be challenging to calculate their overtime pay accurately. Complying with all federal and state labor laws is another essential aspect of a construction payroll system. This includes appropriately classifying employees as exempt or non-exempt, withholding the correct amount of taxes from their paychecks, and providing accurate wage statements.

 

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Topics: Payroll Processing, Payroll Options, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips, Payroll For Construction Contractors

Construction business owners face various sources of stress that can negatively impact their well-being and overall business performance. Some leading causes of stress for construction business owners include financial pressures, tight deadlines, workforce management, safety concerns, and regulatory compliance. If not adequately addressed, these factors can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and even business failure. 

Many entrepreneurs believe hard work and determination are all it takes to build and sustain a successful business. But when you consider the pressures of running a company, it seems wise to add effective stress management to the list. Left unchecked, stress can erode your passion and undermine performance – not to mention a severe toll on your health.

 

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Topics: Cash Flow, Construction Accountant Who Listens, MAP vs. PAM, Contractor Cash Flow Problems, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips

Small construction company owners like you already have a time-consuming and challenging job running your business. If you're working on weekdays, you usually need the weekend to catch up on paperwork, pay bills, and manage any tasks you didn't get to during the week. 

But this weekend is Christmas, and with it comes time to relax, focus on family and friends and take stock of what is essential in life. Phone calls from employees dealing with a minor crisis will pull your focus from your family, or your Christmas dinner will be taken over by business talk. Like the merry bells of Christmas, your cell phone will constantly chime with the sounds of urgent text messages and emails that must be dealt with. Clients will need your attention.

So, if you've been waiting for a sign or permission to pause, this post could be the one you're waiting for. It's easy to let the construction company take over your personal life, but as a small business owner, it's vital that you get some time away from work.

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Outsourced Accounting For Contractors, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips, contractor delegation, Switching Off During The Holidays

When you start a small business, it's usually only you behind the whole operation. You wear many hats, from CEO to clean-up crew. As you pour your heart and soul into your business and it begins to grow, the amount of work involved grows.

Because a small business focuses on survival, you pay much attention to the bottom line. This makes much sense, but it also leads to being seriously overworked.

These days, contractors are under increased pressure to cut their prices to get enough work. And that means they need to reduce costs. New technologies and approaches in cloud computing for construction accounting give forward-thinking contractors a fantastic ability to get more for less -but in most cases, contractors' heads are still stuck in 1990, thinking they have to do everything themselves.

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Topics: Strategic Outsourced Bookkeeping Services, Construction Company, Outsourced labor, outsource bookkeeping, Outsourced bookkeeping, outsourced construction accounting and bookkeeping, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest

I Have Been A Successful Contractor In Training Since I Was Eight Years Old

 

Click me to play the virtual voice.

 

I was raised in a great environment. My parents were wonderful people who always did their best and could always be counted on to provide food, clothing, shelter, and opportunity to attend school where I earned my High School Diploma. After that, I attended several Colleges and Universities to further my education. 

 

The point of this article is for contractors who are having any financial struggles is to provide you with the time-tested and proven answer to more cash flow and profits as soon as possible!

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Topics: The Truth About Construction Is Four Levels Deep, Cause And Effect, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest