Process Improvement and Cycle Times

When contractors grow inefficient processes usually get substantially more inefficient dramatically changing the Return on Investment (ROI) model.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
Share

Saving 5 minutes per cycle for something done 100 times per month is only worth $6,000 over a couple years. At 1,000 cycles per month it’s worth investing up to $60,000 to make the process more efficient.  

Management Tools: Graph representing Saving Seconds Adds Up with Increased Cycle Times.

Where are your opportunities?

Too many times as contractors scale they look primarily at the technology tools and get poor results. One factor often underestimated is the investment in rolling out the new standards versus just the cost of the technology

Corbins Electric and NOX Innovations are really good at is looking at the whole workflow, talent, culture and technology. They give a great example of this with their purchasing process improvement.  

Everything stated here seems easy enough but is VERY difficult to execute consistently.  The team at Corbins has done an amazing job balancing high-level strategic direction, culture and process streamlining.  They are also great about sharing with their peers in the industry.




Talent vs. Tools - Talented People Creating Value
Contractors are faced with more choices in tools than ever thanks to technology. With so many choices it is easy to fall into one of three traps. It is important to remember that it is people who create value; tools only enhance what people can do.
Aligning Your Team
Nothing will have a bigger impact on a contractor’s business than having the right people on the team and having that team all aligned around a common vision.
Giving and Receiving Feedback
Few things will enhance performance faster than deliberate practice, a rigorous feedback loop and enough cycles to build the competency. Here are the common challenges many people face.