Creating a culture of communication, in a remodeling company is rewarding.
In
this industry, much of the focus is on quality, craftsmanship, and
budget. While these are always important, I think there is something
even more important and that is outstanding communication. Good
communication leads to good relationships. It is critical that everyone
in the organization has good communication skills.
Sometimes
companies lose sight of this. For example, someone doing a standard
kitchen remodel will be exposed to over 300 decisions or choices that
have to be made during the course of the remodel. In order to manage
that many details and choices, a remodeling company needs to have a
culture of communication. Communication with each other and
communication with the clients.
Not
focusing on the right issues can sometimes be a big mistake. Once upon a
time, the railroads were huge companies in the United States. It has
been hypothesized by historians that the railroad companies went into
huge decline – not because of gas powered engines – but because the
railroads were focused on the wrong things. They
focused on running freight cars on tracks across the country, instead
of focusing on what they were really doing, which was moving freight and
people from point A to point B. Had they focused on freight and people
instead of the process they could have shifted with the times.
How
does a company learn how to create a culture of communication? By
teaching their people to have top notch communication skills.
How do you improve communication skills?
- Listen first and listen without the intent to respond.
- Make sure your communication is concise and clear.
- Summarize what others are saying to you – make sure you understand what they are saying.
- Have others summarize what you are saying – make sure they understand.
To read more about the importance of communication please check out Listen – Hear What You Could be Missing
Mike Otto, Fair and Square Remodeling
