Bring Subs/different Trades Together...

ruskent

Dirts thread in the business section got me thinking.

This is my first year using subs. I looked long and hard to find subs that are exactly like myself: Passionate about what they do.

I think it would be a great idea, to bring all my subs together for a dinner/lunch/breakfast/whatever once a month. I have subs for excavating, carpentry, masonry, fence, gunite pools, horticulture, irrigation, raw iron gates, home theatre, and thats about it. I think it would be great if everyone got to together and networked.

It would allow us to each get more work with out spending more money on advertising. It would be sorta of like BNI but less formal.

There is nothing better then referals, and when someone is referred to you, we all know how easy that sale becomes.

When i bring my gunite pool guy into the project, the two companies with 50% marketshare do not even have a chance. We get the contract signed with no body else even bidding the job.

Am i off base?

Mr. D

I have a tight-knit group of subs. Probably very unique. Most of us grew up together and became involved in different parts of the trades. Now, we all feed each other work as much as possible and just so happen to still get along very well.

dirt diggler

my subs don't get me jobs - i get my subs jobs

but

what's for dinner??

Mr. D

None of your subs have given you a referal? That's too bad.

dirt diggler

well .... actually two of them are customers --- i forgot about them ( )

Mr. D - my subs and I are not tight knit like yours.


and - they're generally not within the same social classes that is my market

ruskent

Ever thing someone might have your fence guy out installing a fence a year before the people want a pool installed? Or something like that?

My subs defiently are not in the same social class i target, yet they do work for the same type of people i do work for every single day.

Mr. D

that's what i'm talking about ruskent. none of my subs nor i live in 500k + homes, yet we all work on them every day.

ruskent

If my subs lived in 500k homes i'd stop using them cuz they must be charging me to much!!!!

Mr. D

i'd be happy with all the 10%'s i'd be making and probably move into one too!

airborneSGT

That sounds like a great idea. We used to do the same in the military even with people of different ranks. It was great for morale and unit cohesion. Networking is one of the greatest ways I have found to get work.

roofwiz74

as a sub myself the one thing I hate the most is some stuck up gc thinking he is better than me.
I have worked for a few companies that had picnics here and there.It was nice getting to know the other guys and the gc's.just people getting by doing what needs to be done.

a good time to do it would be after a big job and give bonuses. If you do and if they deserve it.

__________________
You have ONE advantage over me.....you can kiss my butt and I can't!!

ruskent

I defiently do not think i am better than my subs. Most of them are twice my age and have been in business as long as i have been alive!

travish

I think its a good idea but I wouldn't do it just on a whim.

What I think would be best is if you had done a project (say new home construction), and then brought back every one of your subs who worked on it for a bbq. Then everyone gets to met each other and look at what everyone has done

Same Old

That is quite common around here on $2 mil+ homes.

roofwiz74

I always liked to meet tradesman willing to take time out of thier lives to get to know other tradesman.I've gotten work and passed on work ,and met some really great guys through picnis,bbq's,bowling.

it's pretty common over here for me to be working with differant subs on each house.If I know a good electrician,plumber,rocker,etc...I'll drop a card and a good word

__________________
You have ONE advantage over me.....you can kiss my butt and I can't!!

POOLMANinCT

too busy in the summer, christmas parties are always a hit...

btw rusk is buying in atlantic city

__________________
......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

ruskent

Oh yea for sure I'll actually turn 21 next month.