Business Basics – Managing a Better Business Class

In-Person & Virtual Hybrid Class – In-Person location Dallas Builders Association (5816 W. Plano Parkway Plano TX, 75093)

Class Overview:

– Program Overview
– Identify shared interests and expectations
– Discuss ways to present your business in succinct and memorable ways
– Explain what makes a good business goal and how to frame it in ways that are “SMART”

Class Outline:

– Why do people own their own business?
o Be in control of their own destiny
o Reap the benefits of any financial gains
o Provide employment and related benefits for themselves and family members
o Have more flexible hours
– What does it take to run a successful business?
o Skills/knowledge include:
 Vision/purpose
 Construction expertise
 Effective communication
 Ability to manage time
 Strong organizational skills
 Energy
 Ability to solve problems
 Professional guidance and assistance
 Business knowledge
– Wearing multiple hats
o Business of all sizes have multiple roles to be filled
o Small business owners wear multiple hats for various reasons
 Lack of additional resources
 Financial considerations
 Unwillingness to let go
 Caution:
• What happens if you try to wear too many hats, especially hats that don’t fit?
o Risk not doing any job well
o Sacrifice time and energy for more appropriate/important tasks for you
• Getting “hats” on the right head is key!
– Three functional areas of a company
o Responsibilities associated with running a business fir into one of three functional areas
 Sales
• Designer
• Estimator
• Marketing manager
• PR director
• Sales rep/manager
• Social media director
 Administration
• Accountant
• Computer/IT expert
• Customer service rep/manager
• Hiring manager
• Secretary/administrative assistant
 Production
• Lead carpenter
• Production coordinator
• Production manager
o No one is more important than another
o If one fails, the wheel goes flat (the stool falls)
o One person can usually effectively manage only one or two of the three functional areas
– Elements for Success: The Six P’s of Success
o Purpose
 Defines what you want to do, what you want to achieve
o Planning
 Includes setting goals, developing strategies, and outlining tasks and schedules
o Process
 Defines how you will organize your business to achieve your purpose and goals
o People
 Includes selecting and retaining the human resources needed for all three functional areas
o Performance
 Includes ensuring that your resources and processes work together effectively to enable you to meet your goals
o Progress
 Includes evaluating results and using data to make adjustments as needed
– Success is a Journey
o Purpose and planning provide the map you will use to get to your destination
o Process provides the detailed itinerary that explains how to move from one leg of the journey to the next
o People are the companions you want with you on your journey in order to reach your destination
o Performance is making sure the journey goes smoothly, ensuring it advances in the direction you intend
o Progress is assessing how well the journey lives up to your expectations

Master Instructor: Donny Mack, CAPS, CGP, CGR, GMB with Beaver Builders/Mac Professionals:

NAHB honors the top national instructors with the distinction of Master Instructor, Donny is one of twelve individuals how have earned this title. He has been remodeling homes for over 35 years and building new homes for over 20 years. His company, Beaver Builders, has performed remodeling projects from basic bath remodels to whole house renovations and built homes from the low $90’s to $1 million-plus. His commercial projects range from pharmaceutical clean rooms to hospital renovations. Donny’s formal education includes an Associate in Science degree from Frank Phillips Jr. College, BBA in Strategical Management from the University of North Texas, and 2 years of Marketing courses from Texas Tech University.