Early this year I met with a contractor who was complaining about his lack of success in his business. He attended a seminar I held with another coach and this contractor said he wanted to take his business to the next level. We met separately after the seminar to review his compelling reasons for moving forward and he agreed it was time to work on his business. He said he was sick and tired of losing out to other companies and being used as an unpaid consultant. He is the typical contractor wearing all the hats with little time for himself or his family.

The holidays are fast approaching and before you know it we'll be talking about our New Year resolutions and hoping for a better year in 2009. The time to start acting and planning for next year is now. 

With the holidays fast approaching there will be many opportunities to build new relationships. There are usually many networking events around the holidays at chambers and networking mixers. Are you ready to share your 30 second commercial with new people you meet at a networking event?

As 2008 comes to a close are you working on your business plan for 2009? Have you assessed the results of 2008?

Here we go again. Another recognition for the boys from GoodFellas. The Eastern Mass NARI chapter has featured Joe and Dale and their company the GoodFellas, as the member spotlight company in the October newsletter.

I went to the Shriners Home Show in Wilmington this past weekend and saw a well attended trade show. I was suprised to hear so many people were asking about large remodel jobs like kitchens, in law suites, baths, and finished basements. In light of the current conditions, one would think that nothing is happening. However, if you were at the trade show and invested in a booth it was obvious that there is interest in remodeling.

This is the time of year to prepare for the winter. Many times contractors wait until December and tell themselves that they need inside work for their company. If you wait until then it is too late.

On 10/1/08 The Contractor Coaching Partnership is hosting a round table with Joe Holm of Sandler Sales at the monthly NARI contractor meeting in Natick.

Joe Holm from Sandler Sales Training Center and The Contractor Coaching Partnership are offering a free seminar for residential contractors. This program is specifically designed for contractors and the trades who provide contracting services to the home owner market.

I met with a prospect recently who is afflicted with chief cook and bottle washer syndrome. He is the CEO, the salesman, the bookkeeper, the office clerk, the production manager, the service manager, the marketing manager. He is working over 75 hours per week and said he is concerned that he is working at a breakneck pace. He said he would like to leave the business to his kids who work in the business. He also said he doesn't really take vacations and when he does he is working from the vacation destination.