It’s a sickness. When I see old dilapidated buildings, I want to spend 4 times more
fixing them up than a new building would’ve cost. Yet I get to write off these
expenses since I’m doing ‘market research’ on contractors. (If you’re with the
IRS – whom I admire greatly and kneel in your presence – this was my attempt at
humor.)
Apparently market conditions are good for others to become afflicted, as multiple restorations are going on nearby. Yet one stopped abruptly on Thursday at 1:45 pm.
Apparently market conditions are good for others to become afflicted, as multiple restorations are going on nearby. Yet one stopped abruptly on Thursday at 1:45 pm.
I became doubly ill when I heard a loud, violent and prolonged rumbling on my street. The noise actually shook our building. After a few long seconds, I see an eerie terra cotta dust cloud slowly form, roiling like a vagrant shadow over cars parked below.
Uh-oh. This can’t be good. And it wasn’t. This is what happened, plus photos. (Do not continue reading if maimed buildings make you queasy.)
What locals call, “The Webber Building” has been under renovation for nearly 6 years, off and on. Lately, way more “on,” with headway made daily toward turning this old theater (where John Wilkes Booth once performed and the song “Dixie” debuted) into a multi-use facility.
Grants approved, loans signed, blueprints printed. Soon, the thrum of diesel earth-moving equipment steadily scraped at the sandy-mortared foundation to prepare this 1870s gem for the next 150 years.
Workers moved in and out of the skeletal underpinnings, shoring walls and inner support columns. The clattering of jackhammers, the steady removal of debris, the addition of reinforcement; this went on for months without so much as a visual clue to the progress. Yet as all contractors, chefs and doctors know: preparation is everything.
Until last Thursday, when most of the 3-story east side collapsed. It just fell down. After all the probing, jostling and rather personal violation this building had endured, one brick too many was disturbed. Jenga in real life.
Dusty,
coughing workers stood by amazed. Passersby froze. Rescue personnel was there
instantly. Fortunately not one person was hurt, unless you count broken hearts,
dashed dreams and evaporated plans.
All for one brick in the foundation. And you wonder.
Though many words can cause people to drift, at some point, there is one thing said that permanently scars or destroys the relationship. Though you send thousands of texts, there may be the one text that takes your eyes off the road for a life-changing second. There may be one ignored phone call that could’ve powerfully altered your career. There may be one discouragement that forever stunts a child. Just one thing.
Fortunately, this works in reverse.
The kindness uttered to the three-job single mother and waitress that causes tears of joy to well. The encouragement you give your child after a very tough school assignment; the note you send a hurting friend; the “sweet nothing” you whisper to your dear husband or wife. Just one thing.
People often ask me,
“What is one thing I can do in marketing to turn this around?”
They want to know which brick to build upon. Which one not to move.
I always ask them this (and ‘they’ are paying $280/hr., but I’m giving you this one to think about for free, because I’m such a swell person!).
What does success look like to you?
Everyone answers differently. Here are our top responses. Which is most like you?
All for one brick in the foundation. And you wonder.
Though many words can cause people to drift, at some point, there is one thing said that permanently scars or destroys the relationship. Though you send thousands of texts, there may be the one text that takes your eyes off the road for a life-changing second. There may be one ignored phone call that could’ve powerfully altered your career. There may be one discouragement that forever stunts a child. Just one thing.
Fortunately, this works in reverse.
The kindness uttered to the three-job single mother and waitress that causes tears of joy to well. The encouragement you give your child after a very tough school assignment; the note you send a hurting friend; the “sweet nothing” you whisper to your dear husband or wife. Just one thing.
People often ask me,
“What is one thing I can do in marketing to turn this around?”
They want to know which brick to build upon. Which one not to move.
I always ask them this (and ‘they’ are paying $280/hr., but I’m giving you this one to think about for free, because I’m such a swell person!).
What does success look like to you?
Everyone answers differently. Here are our top responses. Which is most like you?
o
“A bunch of leads!” is a common refrain. Then embark on a quality
lead-generation campaign in the top 3 media, using the top 3 client targets.
(We can walk you through those in one phone call.)
o
“Getting
out of the truck and into the back office.” (This means earning enough to hire their field
replacement.)
o
“Taking 2 weeks off per year.” (This is 90% mindset, 10% strategy!)
o
“Only
focusing on high-end work.” (I
love ‘target specificity’ and this can be done simply.)
o
“Having a marketing ‘system’ that almost runs itself.” (Done. A) Goal B) Budget C) Content D)
Implementation.)
o
“Having 10,000 Maintenance Agreements.” (Ha! Start with 20,000 good targets and start
converting.)
Pick Your Brick
Using the list above, pick YOUR top need or challenge. When you click, you’ll be directed to a page to set up a no-cost Marketing Diagnostic to help you exceed that goal. (Current Coaching Members get priority scheduling.)
Our goal is to help you build your foundation. We don’t like hearing bricks fall, especially when a little support in the right place is all you need.
Using the list above, pick YOUR top need or challenge. When you click, you’ll be directed to a page to set up a no-cost Marketing Diagnostic to help you exceed that goal. (Current Coaching Members get priority scheduling.)
Our goal is to help you build your foundation. We don’t like hearing bricks fall, especially when a little support in the right place is all you need.
