As a side note, I\u2019ll tell you what my Dad, Joe, told me about being mediocre. To my Dad mediocre was a dirty word. It was to be avoided at all costs. Dad would tell me, \u201cMichael, an ounce of perseverance is worth a pound of genius. In this family we ain\u2019t got no genius. So, work your butt off and strive for excellence. Don\u2019t stand for mediocre \u2013 in yourself, or others.\u201d<\/p>
In order to get on this \u2018path of excellence\u2019 and not drug down into mediocrity (or working like a dog without a return) you first need to \u2018get real dog\u2019 (as Randy Jackson on American Idol<\/em> used to say) and do the following:<\/p> <\/p> These 2 points are what this post is about. I\u2019ll look at the traits of a mediocre remodeler. Then I\u2019ll give you practical ideas to kick your bathroom remodeling or home building business up a notch. Let\u2019s dig in. \u00a0<\/p> Sure, you love the \u2018tried and true.\u2019 You love routine (for those of you who ALWAYS get your bagel and coffee at the same shop each morning you know what I mean).<\/p> Routine is comfortable. Routine is familiar. However, when does routine become a problem?<\/p> It\u2019s a problem when you slowly morph into being \u2018old school.\u2019 You may be saying, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with being old-school?\u201d Here\u2019s what.<\/p> If you have \u2018old-school- bathroom remodeling products (say for example, you only do tile showers with mud-set bases for high-end jobs and install fiberglass and acrylic wall surrounds for your low-end work) you\u2019re playing in the same \u2018sandbox\u2019 as everyone else.<\/p> You\u2019re using old-school (less efficient) installation techniques. For example, mud-set tile bases or hot mop shower pans suck up a lot of time.<\/p> In addition, if you\u2019re trying to sell fiberglass and acrylic shower surrounds that exactly what your customer wanted you to get rid of by doing this bathroom remodeling in the first place.<\/p> This stuck-in-the-mud-set-pan attitude causes you to be a \u2018same-as-everyone-else\u2019 remodeler or builder. You\u2019re a commodity. And you know what happens with commodities?<\/p> Their prices go down. Their profit margins tank.<\/p> You\u2019re a mediocre builder. \u00a0You\u2019ve got to break out of this mold before your margins squeeze you out. But how?<\/p> If your product offerings are generic and your processes are \u2018old-school\u2019 you need to break out of your rut. Let\u2019s face it, tile, fiberglass and acrylic shower surrounds are a dime a dozen. Mud-set and hot mop pans aren\u2019t exactly new bathroom technology.<\/p> Turn over a new leaf. Test new processes. Try new products. Get with the program. \u00a0<\/p> Dump your mud-set or hot-mop ways and try component-based waterproofing systems like Wedi or Schluter (no \u2013 I\u2019m not on their payroll). Offer what many your 50+ customers want with one level wet rooms<\/a> where you don\u2019t have to drop the floor. Use ready to tile shower pans. Stop doing messy mud pans which take you FOREVER (remember, as much as you want to get the job done quickly, your customers \u2013 no matter how nice they are \u2013 would prefer you out of their house and having their lives back in order \u2013 with a nicer bathroom, of course). \u00a0\u00a0<\/p> Sell your efficiency and waterproofing processes as better than old school methods. You\u2019ll command better prices and margins and complete jobs quicker. Read industry trade publication articles. Devour bathroom product trends and process improvements. Think, I\u2019m a remodeler or builder who won\u2019t be left behind.<\/p> It\u2019s easy to get sucked into day to day operations. You bid jobs. You buy materials. You do jobs. You deal with people problems. You deal with supplier problems. You deal with installation problems. You start the loop again. You\u2019re the mouse on the treadmill.<\/p> If you continue this process over and over again (sounds redundant\u2026. and it is) your business runs you. You own a job, not a business.<\/p> What can you do to get off the treadmill? What can you do to lead a business, not own a job?<\/p> It\u2019s impossible to \u2018work on your business\u2019 (strategies, goals, trying to use unique products and processes) when you\u2019re knee-deep working in your business (dealing with the day-to-day).<\/p> To change this pattern, you\u2019ve got to change this pattern. You\u2019re probably saying, \u201cBrilliant Mike \u2013 with a \u2018hint\u2019 of sarcasm.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> \u00a0<\/strong>Take time off. Go to the Remodeling Show<\/a>. Attend the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show<\/a>. Listen to speakers who are sharing their growth secrets.<\/p> Go to your local BIA or NARI events.<\/p> Join Builder 20\/20<\/a> or Remodeler 20\/20 groups. These are non-competing companies in your industry who help (and push) you to grow. \u00a0<\/p> Get an accountability partner (that\u2019s a P.C. way to say a person who isn\u2019t afraid to chew your butt out if all you do is complain how things should be better, but you don\u2019t do anything about it).<\/p> Take time out to create a business plan. If doing this would be as foreign to you as your 16-year-old daughter or son NOT arguing, then find someone who is disciplined to help you create a plan. \u00a0<\/p> You might have heard the old saying, \u201cIf you don\u2019t know what path you\u2019re on \u2013 any path will do.\u201d Remember, if this is your mantra, by default \u2018any path\u2019 isn\u2019t exactly the most profitable path.<\/p> For those of you who know me, you know I\u2019m a digital marketing fanatic. I now write 3 blogs. I also used to do ALL my company\u2019s social media. I even read about digital marketing while running. I\u2019ve got to call it like it is. I\u2019m a geek.<\/p> I remember after I turned over the social media distribution to Michelle. I explained (in detail) my process (a pretty darn good process if I don\u2019t say so myself). After a month of doing the social media (which included creating images for our blog posts) I looked at a post Michelle had done. Then I looked at what I used to turn out. I looked at both together. I said to myself, \u201cDoggone it, she does it better than I did!\u201d<\/p> I was bested. I was bested by the person I trained (one month ago!).<\/p> The reality is, maybe I was mediocre (and didn\u2019t realize it). Michelle had excellence in her.<\/p> In business if you\u2019re the \u2018senior dude or dudess (OK \u2013 that word \u2018senior\u2019 IS NOT another word for old, says this 58-year-old-guy) we may think nobody can do it better than anyone.<\/p> The reality is, \u2018that\u2019s hogwash.\u2019<\/p> Think about this. Maybe someone on your staff can do it better than you. Or even if they can\u2019t, maybe someone on your staff can do it at least as good as you \u2013 and they\u2019re not billed out as high a rate as you are (yet).<\/p> We need to free ourselves from thinking, \u201cI\u2019m the dude (or dudess) who\u2019s the best and needs to do this job.\u201d<\/p> Realtors talk about the \u2018highest and best use\u2019 of a property. If you think about yourself like a piece of real estate (that\u2019s a warm and fuzzy analogy, isn\u2019t it?) we all have a \u2018highest and best use.\u2019<\/p> Look at what you do which make your business the most money. Where do you have a unique expertise? Conversely, what do you do which can be done by someone else?<\/p> Make the investment (take the time) to teach one team members something new today.<\/p> You owe it to yourself. You owe it to your staff. Give them something cool, new and fun to do. You might even find out (like I did), they do it better than you. Start delegating.<\/p> Stop complaining how busy you are.<\/p> Get off the treadmill.<\/p> Times are good in the remodeling business. Referrals are rolling in. Your customers friends are looking to do remodeling jobs. Your past customers gladly (as Frank Sinatra used to sing) \u2018start spreading the news\u2019 about you! Your lead-flow is A-OK.<\/p> It\u2019s nice to be comfortable \u2018waiting for the phone to ring\u2019\u2026. until\u2026.it stops ringing. Then you go into\u2026.<\/p> Your kids still need to eat. The carpenter you brought on is still looking for a 40-hour paycheck. Your office person isn\u2019t willing to work for free (unless it\u2019s your spouse, and that can only last until your funds dry up).<\/p> If your lead basket is a \u2018one-option-fits-all\u2019 proposition (waiting for referrals), what are you going when it dries up? And it will dry up. Ask anyone whose been in the remodeling or new home building business what times were like in the \u2018bad old days\u2019 of 2007 and 2008. \u00a0<\/p> What can you do now to prevent panicking when the market slows down? How do you have a lead-gen plan for any market condition? It\u2019s never a good idea to have \u2018all your eggs in one basket\u2019 as Mom used to say. It\u2019s never a good idea to \u2018assume\u2019 your customers will remember about you (especially if you did the job a few years ago). What can you do to keep the lead flow, flowing? What can you do to be in more people\u2019s consciousness when they want to do a bath remodel? Here\u2019s 3 things I\u2019d recommend:<\/p> The first-African American pitcher in the major leagues (who represented my hometown Cleveland Indians), Satchel Paige said a very true thing, \u201cIt\u2019s not what you know, it\u2019s what you know that just ain\u2019t so.\u201d <\/em><\/p> Just because we \u2018know\u2019 things doesn\u2019t mean what we learned in the past, applies to what\u2019s best today.<\/p> Times change. Customers change. Trends change. Processes change. Products change.<\/p> If you don\u2019t invest in learning, you\u2019ll devolve into a mediocre bathroom remodeler who gets left behind (or simply limps along working for wages).<\/p> Don\u2019t be that guy or gal.<\/p> Here\u2019s what you can do.<\/p> You can\u2019t be excellent, and on top of your game, without investing in training (and re-training). What\u2019s cool about our Internet-driven world is you can get a lot of training for the low, low price of\u2026.<\/p> Want to learn about running a successful remodeling business? There\u2019s a podcast for that. I like Power Tips Unscripted<\/a> <\/em>with Victoria Downing and Mark Harari. Want to learn to be an effective digital marketer? There\u2019s podcasts and mega-blog posts out the wazoo for that (hey \u2013 what exactly is a wazoo anyway?). I like Smarter Building Material Marketing<\/a> <\/em>\u00a0with Zach Williams and Beth Pop-Nikolov and The Agents of Change<\/a> <\/em>with Rich Brooks. <\/em>\u00a0 Go to industry conferences. Introduce yourself to the speakers who are running fast-growing remodeling and new-home-building businesses. Join your local trade associations. Buddy up with the \u2018top-industry-dogs\u2019 and see if they\u2019ll meet you for lunch. Yes \u2013 you have to buy.<\/p> Want to be the best? Start learning from the best. Become a learning maniac. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p> Breaking out of being a \u2018mediocre\u2019 bathroom remodeling contractor will not be simple. Challenge yourself to do the following:<\/p> I know this journey isn\u2019t simple. I\u2019m on the same journey myself. If you\u2019re interested in cool new bathroom remodeling products (like laminated wall panels<\/a>, contemporary shower pans<\/a> and glass enclosures<\/a>) or better shower installation process (like one level wet room systems<\/a>), I\u2019m here for you (OK \u2013 it\u2019s a shameless plug, but I\u2019ve got to pay for my kids college and endless purchasing requests somehow).<\/p> Let\u2019s grow and make ourselves excellent together. You see I didn\u2019t say great. This blog is in the NO POLITICS ZONE!<\/p> ###<\/p> To \u2018talk shop\u2019 or about bathroom remodeling products or processes call 877-668-5888 and ask for Mike (or that wacky dude who writes those articles). I\u2019m looking forward to getting to know you and helping our businesses grow. \u00a0<\/p> If you\u2019d like to connect on LinkedIn, you\u2019ll find me https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mikefoti\/<\/a><\/p> If you\u2019re into Twitter follow me @Mike_Foti<\/a> or my companies\u2019 @InnovateBuild<\/a> and @InnovateHomeOrg<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 2018 was crazy-busy. Between bidding, ordering and sweating (literally) installing bathroom remodeling jobs, you\u2019ve been busier than ever.However, when you look at your checking account balance and how many of Emma\u2019s volleyball games and Jacob\u2019s soccer practices you\u2019ve missed (or arrived late wearing your dirty work clothes), you know you have cause to pause. In […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":245,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6],"tags":[34,27,28,22,24,23,8,32,31,26,35,25,33,29,30],"class_list":["post-222","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entrepreneurship","category-marketing","tag-business-advice","tag-digital-marketing-ideas","tag-digital-marketing-ideas-for-remodelers","tag-innovative-bathroom-products","tag-innovative-shower-panels","tag-innovative-shower-systems","tag-laminated-wall-panels","tag-learning-ideas-for-remodelers","tag-marketing-strategies-for-remodelers","tag-remodeling-business","tag-remodeling-business-advice","tag-remodeling-business-strategies","tag-remodeling-training","tag-word-of-mouth-marketing","tag-word-of-mouth-marketing-remodeling"],"yoast_head":"\nTrait #1 of a Mediocre Remodeler \u2013 You use products and process which have been around for eons <\/strong><\/h2>
Idea #1 to break out of mediocrity \u2013 Create uniqueness. Try new stuff. \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"Linear](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Linear-shower-drain-in-a-wet-room-shower.png\")
<\/a><\/p>
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/buildbiz.png\")
<\/a>
Seek out better bathroom remodeling products. Use new style shower wall panels<\/a>. You know your customers hate tile grout, and NOBODY gets excited about a fiberglass surround (that\u2019s the crap the original builder put in your customer wants out ASAP!). Check out laminated wall panels<\/a>. They\u2019re 2\u2019 x 8\u2019 x 3\/8\u201d thick, install direct to studs, can be put up by one guy\/gal and look exactly like tile, stone and high gloss laminates. They have ZERO grout joints. Your customers will say, \u201cYeh, me!\u201d![\"Antique](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Antique-grey-laminated-shower-wall-panels-726x900.png\")
<\/a><\/p>Trait #2 of a Mediocre Remodeler \u2013 You own a job, not a business <\/strong><\/h2>
Idea #2 to break out of mediocrity \u2013 Force yourself to \u2018get off the treadmill\u2019 <\/strong><\/h2>
![\"Kitchen](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Kitchen-and-Bath-Industry-Show-1.png\")
Image Source: Wood Shop News<\/p>Trait #3 of a Mediocre Remodeler \u2013 You think \u2018nobody can do it better than you\u2019 <\/strong><\/h2>
Idea #3 to break out of mediocrity \u2013 Think like a \u2018realtor.\u2019 Identify your \u2018highest and best use.\u2019 Start delegating. Quit complaining about being on a treadmill. <\/strong><\/h2>
![\"Training](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Training-and-delegating-600x900.png\")
<\/p>Trait #4 of a Mediocre Remodeler \u2013 You think it’s fine to wait for your customers to \u2018start spreading the news\u2019 <\/strong><\/h2>
PANIC MODE<\/strong><\/h4>
<\/a><\/p>Idea #4 to break out of mediocrity \u2013 Spread your lead-gen sources around <\/strong><\/h2>
![\"Email](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Email-marketing-for-bathroom-remodelers.png\")
<\/p>![\"Pay](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Pay-per-click-for-bathroom-remodelers.png\")
<\/p>![\"Building](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Building-industry-networking-event.png\")
Image Source: Cape Space<\/p>Trait #5 of a Mediocre Remodeler \u2013 You\u2019re too cheap (or lazy) to invest in training \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>
\u00a0<\/strong>Idea #5 to break out of mediocrity \u2013 Invest in training. Invest in yourself and your team. \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>
FREE<\/strong><\/h4>
![\"Power](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Power-Tips-Unscripted-Podcast-for-Remodelers.png\")
<\/p>![\"Agents](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Agents-of-Change-Podcast.png\")
<\/p>![\"Smarter](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Smarter-Building-Materials-Marketing-Podcast.png\")
Want to learn more? Use the same strategy you did \u2018back in the day\u2019 when you wanted to make the varsity basketball, baseball or volleyball team. Start \u2018playing\u2019 with the best.<\/p>Conclusion <\/strong><\/h2>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/ibb-blog-optin.png\")
<\/a>
If you want to connect and talk about the ideas in this article call me. No, I\u2019m not a business consultant. However, I\u2019m in the remodeling and building material supply industry and a business geek who loves to \u2018talk shop.\u2019<\/p>