Research has shown that up to two-thirds of a mobile tradesman’s days are lost to time-wasting activities, including the search for tools and materials and trips to the hardware store to purchase misplaced or forgotten supplies. These tasks and other time-robbing activities can severely impact productivity if left unaddressed.
The good news is that mobile tradesmen and construction professionals can take back their day in several easy steps. Defining clear goals, preparing workers for productivity, organizing tools properly, making use of appropriate software and mobile apps and establishing contingency plans will ensure your team is making the most of their time on the jobsite.
A great place to start is defining what productivity means to you as a construction business owner. Every company defines productivity differently. Optimal productivity for one business could be completing a designated number of daily or monthly service calls, while for another operation it could be finishing jobs in a certain amount of time.
Once productivity is defined, business owners can focus on identifying goals and the tasks that need to be completed to achieve them. This provides a framework from which you can make business decisions that will improve jobsite efficiency. Be careful to make these benchmarks specific so that you can closely measure progress and better define success.
Equip Your Team
Ensuring that your team has adequate supply inventories and all the necessary equipment brings you one step closer to completing jobs on time and in high-quality fashion. Subscribe to relevant tool trade publications, talk with sales representatives at your local hardware store and make efforts to attend regional trade shows to remain informed about new tool technologies and innovations in your field. Manufacturers are constantly striving to bring tools to market that improve efficiency. More powerful tools, longer-lasting batteries and improved storage solutions allow users to complete jobs in less time.
Another aspect of being equipped is being properly trained so that you and your team can perform job functions to the highest standards. Just as new tool technology advancements have improved functionality and tool efficiency, updated installation or demo methods and industry-specific training can greatly improve productivity. For company owners, skill assessments are often a good idea to ensure employees are meeting and exceeding expectations.
Stock and Organize
Poorly organized tools and supplies also hinder productivity. Construction business owners should review their material and past usage histories weekly to stock jobsites and vehicles with anything that might be needed. This will allow professionals to avoid trips to hardware stores and suppliers to pick up parts or accessories.
An effective portable organization and storage product offers professionals a variety of options for tool and supply storage. These storage options vary by manufacturer but should offer a customizable solution you can structure to meet your needs. For example, some systems offer storage choices that include customizable inlays to fit a variety of tools so that you can build your own combo kit and color-coded trays for small parts and supplies. A combination of portability, versatility and durability will help you find what you need when you need it and eliminate time spent driving to the store to replace a lost item.
Make Contingency Plans
Just as many consumers have emergency preparedness plans, so too should construction professionals. These plans should cover everything from small inconveniences such as missing parts to larger issues such as tool malfunctions. Having clear and actionable response tactics outlined in a plan for employees will allow you to make sure these issues are dealt with immediately and effectively.
Mobile and construction professionals face many productivity challenges on a daily basis. Equipping your team with the right knowledge, resources and training is essential to eliminate time-consuming problems and maximize jobsite output.
