Contractors Education

I received a call today from Tamryn Doolan owner of Surface Gel Tek (specializing in concrete graphics called Flattoos) regarding how the Contractors Education Guide applied to her manufacturing business increased revenue 45% during the past 12 months.

How about that. A success story in a disastrous market.

The Contractors Education Guide to Profits in Niche Markets applies to manufacturers, contractors and basically every business. The basic idea is to be highly specialized and don’t deviate from your target market.

Specialization accomplishes many things.

1. Specialization enables you to become excellent at what you do.
2. When you get good at one thing you are the professional. You have branded your business or at least started to.
3. Specialization enables you to know the economics of your business. You learn where the profits are. You learn to be efficient and continue to improve.
4. Specialization keeps you focused on your target market. Lack of a target market means you are not in control, you deviate easily and dilute your efforts. Your skills are dimininshed without a target.
5. Word Of Mouth marketing is the best marketing for any business. All the great websites, blogs, newsletters are meaningless unless you have a business worthy of Word Of Mouth marketing.
6. Specialization teaches that large markets are less profitable than small targeted markets. Relationships with people are critical to developing a pipeline of business. If you try and tackle a market that is too big people forget who you are no matter how good you are.
7. The internet has taught us the value of specialized niche businesses. Consumers do not look for generalists. When searching online consumers are searching with very detailed relevant keywords. If you specialize and use those keywords properly you will be found. The more detailed and relevant the keyword phrase the more valuable the consumer.  Specialists get targeted educated clients. That means sales go better and customers are happy.
8. The Contractors Guide teaches that when you specialize you know how to manage your inventory, your employees and your money. It’s a heck of a lot easier to deal with your accountant when you know your expenses.

Tamryn and I have been working on this for the past year. It’s also of critical importance to have passion for what you do. Tamryn would not have been able to stay focused without absolute commitment and belief in her business.

I think it’s very important to be aware that no matter what your business if you deviate and bounce around it’s because you don’t believe and have passion for what you do.  If you find yourself losing focus, if you don’t have a target market, it’s time to step back and anayze what you are doing. No matter who you are you will succeed like Tamryn if you are doing what you love and have passion for.

That is what I say right in the beginning of The Contractors Guide. If you don’t study it thoroughly and have difficulty reading through The Guide you will know you are not doing what you want. That’s a huge step in the right direction.

The Contractors Guide is is very different from any book you will read. It’s the ultimate contractors education, more of a roll up your sleeeves and let’s get serious workbook.

Concrete Illusions - Concrete Engraving

If you don’t know Enrave A Crete here’s an introduction. Enrave A Crete makes a full line of concrete engraving tools that are in a class of their own. Having owned and used some of their tools I would classify them as the Ferrari of engraving tools. They are extremely well engineered and do the job.

Introduction to Mongoose

They carry a full line of stains and sealers as well. Here are a few video clips showing their Mongoose saw cut tool in action and concrete staining and sealing.
Concrete Staining

Upcoming training seminars featuring their concrete engraving tools and decorative concrete techniques are held at their facilities in Sarasota/Bradenton Florida and Mansfield Missouri. Their web site is very comprehensive with lots of information and a large gallery of works.
Sealing Concrete

Upcoming Seminars

October 22-24, Sarasota Florida

November 12-14, Mansfield Missouri

Decemeber 10-12 Sarasota Florida.

For information about Enrave A Crete concrete engraving tools, workshops and more they can be reached at  800-884-2114  www.engraveacrete.com