Are you positioned for progress?

By Frank Maddalon
PHCC – National Association President

With positive indications of an economic turnaround, my optimism is inching its way up the scale. The signs are there. The latest industry forecast indicates that – after hitting a low point last year – construction spending should rise 3% to 7% in 2011. Consumers are finally beginning to spend money on home repairs and improvements. And, construction industry reports are predicting that 2011 will be a transition year leading to a “real recovery” by 2012.

Be strategic

While on paper these signs appear more as a blip than a surge, bit by bit they’re pointing in a positive direction. PHCC is advising members that it is time to build on this momentum, examine this changed market and take deliberate steps toward positioning their companies for progress. Consistent, calculated moves will not only get their business back on track, but also give them the competitive edge.

What are we hearing from our members throughout the U.S.? Although generally positive, as a whole they are still very uncertain about what’s ahead. The way they have typically done business in the past has changed, and probably will never go back to the way it was. They’re wondering: What is the best way to market your company with all the new online and social media opportunities out there? How do you train your field workers to find more cost-effective solutions for customers who don’t want to spend any money? How do you get up-to-speed on the latest “green” technologies? And how do we make sure our voice is heard on important legislative and regulatory issues that affect our bottom line?

There are definitely a lot of distractions for a p-h-c business owner these days. The successful contractors are strategically analyzing their companies and making changes to move forward. They’re reviewing existing systems, processes and procedures to determine whether they are relevant and efficient; re-examining the changed market and adjusting their business operations and marketing strategies, as needed; re-evaluating services and diversifying into new areas when appropriate; investing in training; and finding ways to offer something unique and indispensable to their clients to retain current customers and attract new ones.

Be smart

The recent economy may have forced some of these issues, but it also opened up many more opportunities for PHCC to help our members with the education and training they need to develop their skills and prepare their businesses for future growth. We’re offering targeted education in a variety of ways, such as webinars, online resources, contractor-provided best practices articles in our newsletters and a strong mix of seminars at national, state and local events. Through these programs we have been able to help members with crucial business management needs, such as recession-proofing their businesses, managing their labor costs and learning about “green” opportunities. And we have welcomed a technical expert to serve as a valuable resource for PHCC members and chapters.

PHCC is also changing the way we have done business in the past. In late October we joined forces with Quality Service Contractors to provide an expanded line-up of educational sessions and networking opportunities to nearly 1,000 CONNECT 2010 attendees who were eager for information that would help their businesses.

During the national election year we were busy protecting members’ interests on Capitol Hill. Most recently we were active on the tax extender bill that included many positive provisions for small businesses in the p-h-c industry. We also appealed to federal agencies and members of Congress on multiple other issues, including EPA’s proposed showerhead regulations, the IRS’s 1099 requirements and unfavorable provisions of the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010. And in 2011 we’ll unveil a new service that will expand legislative tracking capabilities for our state and local chapters.

The highlight of the political year was a highly successful Legislative Conference, at which more than 100 PHCC members stormed Capitol Hill to bring important small business and p-h-c issues to the forefront of lawmakers.

Be seen

As a very valuable business partner, PHCC continuously is adapting to our members’ needs and churning out programs and opportunities to help them diversify their businesses, comply with new federal regulations and understand new technologies.

In this critical year, it’s time to build relationships, discover strategies and share solutions. PHCC’s diverse groups will meet throughout 2011 to delve into topics most relevant to them:

• The latest new construction trends and technologies will be explored at the Construction Contractors’ Alliance meeting, March 2-4 in Denver, Colo.

• Service and repair contractors will learn ways to “Power UP” and take control of their business at Quality Service Contractors’ Power Meeting, April 7-9 in Nashville, Tenn.

• Active PHCC members will put their issues on a prominent national platform at PHCC’s Legislative Conference, May 11-12 on Capitol Hill.

• PHCC’s signatory contractors will share business issues and solutions at the Union-Affiliated Contractors’ meeting May 17-21 in Orland Park, Ill.

• All of PHCC will gather Sept. 21-24 at CONNECT 2011 in Minneapolis, Minn., to gain “must-have” education and networking opportunities.

In 2011, the PHCC Educational Foundation will be:

• Rolling out an enhanced version of Understanding Overhead software

• Updating the Labor Calculator

• Offering Residential Fire Sprinkler training to chapters to help members expand their businesses

• Adding sessions on opportunities in retrofit and conservation markets in the 2011 Essentials of Project Management Course.

As 2011 gets under way, PHCC is optimistic that things will turn around. And for those contractors that are in tune with the best strategies to succeed, and have access to the resources and network to help improve the way they do business, the future will be even brighter.

Contact PHCC (www.phccweb.org) at naphcc@naphcc.org or (800)533-7694 for information about the benefits of membership.