Preparing for the New Year

December marks the end of another year. Time sure flies when you’re busy in your business and personal life. As I prepare to close out the year, I like to reflect on what was accomplished. What worked and didn’t work. Which employees did their job and stood out. Which ones didn’t. I look at what I can do to improve my leadership and the leadership of my supervisors.

Reflecting on these things helps me to create goals and a roadmap for the coming year. Some top priorities for me in 2024 include employee training, sales, office organization, and business relationships.

Employee training is always on the top of my list. I’m constantly looking for ways to improve my crew, giving them what they need to be successful at their jobs.

Sales is an important one too. I consider whether past techniques are going to work in the coming year. Forecasting future work helps me to determine how aggressive our sales need to be at the beginning of the year. Deciding what size jobs we need and how to fit them into the schedule is crucial. Having a balanced workload ensures our customers get our best.

Keeping an organized office is critical. Over the years I’ve learned to purge. Keeping unnecessary files, plans, and general accumulation just bogs everything down.

Business relationships are another priority for me. Deciding what relationships with suppliers and vendors I want to build on in the new year is important. I consider what worked well and who I can partner with to help my company stay up with new products and techniques. From masonry products, to lighting, to the newest plants, it’s important to me that we offer our customers the most current products available.

Good luck to everyone in the CLCA. I hope you have a productive, safe, and profitable year.

~Sincerely, Dave, 2023 CLCA OC Chapter President