Stay Humble, Stay Focused – Lessons from our COTY

I’ve labored now for nearly three a long time within the commerce press—imagine me, nobody is extra astounded at that quantity than I’m—and I feel one of many causes I’ve caught round for thus lengthy is as a result of I see us as delivering actual worth to our readers. A significant life, as they are saying, comes from doing significant work.

And once I say “us” I don’t simply imply CONTRACTOR, and I don’t simply imply my sister manufacturers right here underneath the EndeavorB2B umbrella, however I embrace my colleagues at varied competing publications. I really feel collectively we kind a media ecosystem that’s continuously renewing itself, reinventing itself, difficult itself to serve our readers in new and higher methods.

That features the newest information on what’s occurring within the business (verify the stories on pg. 3, for instance), enterprise insights to assist serve each clients and workers (our Best Practices columns start on pg. 30), technical articles on tips on how to higher carry out the precise work (see Pat Linhardt’s latest on pg. 23), and even hypothesis on the place the markets may be heading to assist enterprise house owners plan for the longer term (go to our Industry Econ Forecast on pg. 6 for extra on that).

However perhaps essentially the most beneficial factor we do is to shine a highlight on these contractors who’re doing distinctive work—to have fun them, and to indicate how their strategy to the enterprise is succeeding for them and might work for others, too.

That’s why we’re so very proud this month to call Plumbing Outfitters of central Texas as our Contractor of the Year. You’ll be able to learn our full characteristic written by Editor-at-Massive John Mesenbrink beginning on pg. 20.

I feel anybody studying about Plumbing Outfitters can come away with their very own classes, however for me the issues that stood out have been, first, having the correct mindset, and second, specializing in the correct issues.

As for the mindset, it’s one which I’ve encountered earlier than, usually in different Contractors of the Yr, but in addition in producers, suppliers, and even amongst my fellow publishing professionals. I’ve heard it known as “servant-leadership,” and I’ve heard it known as “newbie’s mindset,” however I feel this was the primary time I’ve seen it boiled right down to its actual essence: humility.

There’s a well-known zen proverb that you may’t put something in a cup that’s already stuffed. Simply the identical means, you possibly can’t hope to show an individual who already thinks they know every thing. By staying humble we open ourselves to new information, to new experiences, to new methods of understanding the world and ourselves.

Warren and Ashley Stroud, the co-owners of Plumbing Outfitters, have made a degree of acknowledging their very own limitations and blind spots. They’ve intentionally sought out individuals to problem them and drive them out of their very own preconceptions. “Development all the time requires humility and a willingness to be coached,” Ashley Stroud says. 

And from that development has come real knowledge about the place greatest to position their focus. That began with investing of their enterprise forward of their life-style. Subsequent, the Strouds put their focus not on the variety of jobs or the variety of vehicles, however on a set of values: Character, Humility, Accountability, Mindfulness, Precision and Service (CHAMPS), and instilling these values in each member of the Outfitters staff.

However the final key to success was placing the deal with satisfying their clients, growing techniques geared in direction of guaranteeing them a 5-star expertise. “We don’t simply construct what our enterprise desires,” Ashley Stroud says, “we deal with assembly actual buyer wants, refining the expertise, and pivoting shortly when the market calls for it.”

That success has allowed them to offer again to their workers, to their group, and to the business by means of mentorship and apprenticeship applications. All of us right here at CONTRACTOR congratulate Plumbing Outfitters on the great work they’re doing, and for taking the time to share their story with us.