Many small business owners become trapped thinking that they have to do everything themselves. At times they think that because no one can do it as well as them that it is more effective to do it themselves. If you are a small business owner and don't want to grow this may work ok. However, if you want to grow, the odds are stacked against you if you are a CEO owner wearing most of the hats. We are seeing many contractors who say they want to grow, stubbornly resisting giving up control of tasks that can and should be done by someone other than the CEO. Contractors are not the only profession exhibiting this behavior. It is prevalent in many different types of businesses. In contracting, it is not uncommon to see the CEO running the company, handling the sales, running production, driving nails, making collection calls, and anything else they think that only they can do. This feeling of invincibility that they can do it all is not without grave dangers to the health of the business and the owner. It contributes to poor health, burnout, marital issues, questionable judgment, employee issues, money problems and sometimes heart attacks.

Recently someone said to me I was crazy to spend so much time networking. So it got me thinking was he right? Well some may think I'm crazy (and he may be right) so I reviewed my results from the past two years and here is what I found.

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.