Thinking Outside the Box!

It’s time to dust off my Blog and give it another shot. Blogs are a great way to communicate with your clients but only if you post new information to them regularly. I’m going to make a commitment to use this blog to keep you informed and educated in 2009. So here goes.

As much as the holidays are a wonderful time of year I’m glad they’re almost over so we can get back to business. December was a lousy month for many involved in the construction industry and consulting and education was no exception. We need to take proactive steps to make sure 2009 turns out to be a good year.

To start out in January I’ll be starting a new round of education for Chief Architect users. Here’s the new schedule. There are many new topics in January that we’ll be covering including

• Finishing the Working Drawing series
• Using Spreadsheets
• Advanced Roofs
• Slabs and Moldings

I’m also putting together a new class on creating and maintaining a website. Watch for more information on this soon.

A new monthly membership plan has been added to make it easy for you to access the new classes.

I’ve talked with some of my fellow consultants and many contractors recently and it’s become obvious that with the hard times that we’re experiencing many of you have slashed your education and marketing budgets. Don’t to it.

The successful contractors that are staying busy during this downturn have a common thread as to why they are busy. They continue with their education and increase (not decrease) their marketing budget. If you don’t stay on top of things and don’t get the word out that you’re not a well kept secret how can you expect to get new leads coming in.

These contractors are good at thinking “Outside of the Box” I’m sure many of you have heard this term and it goes with an article I did a few weeks back called “Prime the Pump” I know these are simply clichés but when times are tough sometimes these silly sayings will spark some imaginative thinking.

So when you’re struggling coming up with new ideas that can spur some business think about the  ”9 Dots”  See if you have what it takes. Draw 9 dots on a piece of paper like the illustration. Now connect all 9 dots using 4 lines without raising your pencil off the paper. (Hint – think outside of the box)

Connect the 9 Dots with 4 Lines without raising your pencil

Now go ahead and watch the short video I put together and then come back and make a comment about some of the ways that you are “Thinking Outside of the Box” in your business. Let’s get this thread going with lots of good ideas.

Also try searching “Think Outside the Box” You’ll get some great articles.

Remember to leave your comments!