Business Coach Or Trade Coach?

dougchips

Do you feel that you can take a well run business with systems in place and run another type of business? For example, could ABX Plumbing open and run ABX Painting?

Or could a plumber that runs a good business coach a painter that runs a poor business? Is it more about trade knowledge or business knowledge?

I will listen to anyones business advice and discard what I view to be garbage. Some people will only listen to same trade advice.

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hrscammisa

Your are only as good as your crew.If you get the right lead man for the job you sure could

Teetorbilt

I just sold my marine business of 18 yrs. I ran it side by side the construction business for 7 of those yrs. + a few others.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

woodmagman

I am not say anything until you tell me you are going to listen and do exactly as I say............ running a business and knowing your business is a lethal combination.......that is why tradesman, Engineers and such with a buisness background can mop up the competition....

dougchips

Ok, if you took 100 people with a proven business background and gave them ***X to start a ______(trade) business and you took 100 people that worked in the _______(trade) and gave them the same funding, who would rise to the top?

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To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

Second Look

The ones who work the hardest. You'd probably have winners from both camps.

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Second Look home improvement www.SecondLookHome.com
Handyman and Home Repair Specialist in Rhode Island
RI Licensed Lead Safe Remodeler/Renovator, RI Registered & Insured Contractor

Second Look

And by "work the hardest" I don't mean "spend the most hours with trade tools in their hands"!

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Second Look home improvement www.SecondLookHome.com
Handyman and Home Repair Specialist in Rhode Island
RI Licensed Lead Safe Remodeler/Renovator, RI Registered & Insured Contractor

woodmagman

I am all for joint venture being the trade certified business man that I am and, guess what we have 200 profitable people working at what we love to do...

Teetorbilt

I spend much more time at the desk which is why you see me popping in and out of here at all hours. I hit the field to keep my guys guessing and get some exercise plus bashing nails is good mental therapy.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

WNYcarpenter

I'm a firm believer that you can do anything you set your mind to...A savvy businessman/woman could profit from washing sand! Motivation, tenacity, and a society built on free enterprise is all you need!

Brian

I'd put my money on the businessmen and give odds.

A businessman will hire the proper people to do the work. A skilled tradesman will not necessarily know about accounting, hiring, training, marketing, sales, etc. and these are essential to business success. A businessman usually has some knowledge and skill in these areas.

I read a lot of books and articles on business. I read very little on painting. I seldom come to these boards for information on painting. I do come for business insight.

A lot of what I know was learned from a roofer. I've learned from plumbers, electricians, landscapers, etc. Business is business.

Brian Phillips

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Houston Interior Painting
Houston Exterior Painting
Houston Painting Contractor

mahlere

doug, you know the answer

i'd bet on the businessman any day. Will all 100 businessmen do better than all 100 tradesmen, nope. But, i'd wager that 80 out of the top 100 will be the businessmen.

if you are a tradesman, and go into business, you have 2 strikes against you. 1) most of the time, you know nothing about business and have a lot to learn, and 2) you think that no one is as good as you in your trade. you'll never be able to hire someone who can do it like you do.

But, as to your second part, business coach. Most defininately. If you understand small business operations, it doesn't matter the trade.

As for opening up another shop...only if you know enough of the trade to make sure those you hire are competent (same caveat for the business/trade question above). And typically only if it ties in to what you already do. If you are a commercial/industrial electrical contractor, you probably are not going to be a very successful residential painter. But if you are a residential service electrician, you can also run a residential service plumbing co., HVAC company, etc. They operate on the same principles. But the business concepts are similar. It's the people aspect that is different.

does any of that make sense?

Wolverine-Eric

Hi Doug,

There is an entire book devoted to your question:

'The E Myth (Revisited)'


This is a pretty good book... I've done alot of consulting in the past and I'm also going to put the money on the businessmen... In addition, I'm gonna bet that the tradesmen that do well either have great intuition or are pretty good businessmen as well!

dougchips

Hello and welcome to the site Eric.

Not to knock E Myth but it is like a brochure for a new car when you can not afford the car. You can see most of the benefits but will never learn enough from the single source to rock your world. Hopefully the book prompts people to learn more on the subjects that spark an interest.

Mahlere & Brian both figured out why I started this thread.

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.