Lean In

Are you leaning in or sitting back? I like this imagery because it not only separates two ways of working on your business, but also clearly illustrates the importance of one mindset over the other.

We have seen many changes in the remodeling industry, consumer behaviors, and the buying process. For some, these changes brought insights and new best practices. For others, it meant digging into habits and old ways of thinking.

This notion of leaning in versus sitting back today is more important than ever. With that in mind, let’s unpack some questions you can ask yourself to determine if you are leaning in. 

Are you leaning in on the changing demographics of your team? Is your work environment in sync with what they care about? Are your benefits consistent with retaining the best of the best on your team? Are you communicating the way that this generation is accustomed to? 

Are you leaning in on the consumers buying processes? Have you changed your processes of communicating with your clients? Have you become more transparent? Do you know where the 30-somethings are getting their money to take on remodeling projects? Are the product selections taking longer today?

Are you leaning in and looking at your product, services, and advice you’re giving your clients? Who is your real competition today? Is it other remodelers, or is it Amazon? Is it other remodelers or the clients’ fears? Is it other remodelers or your clients’ interest in leveraging new technology? Has your product changed in the last 10 years?

Are you leaning in on the technologies that run your business? Do you have access to the technologies that tell you where your leads are really coming from, instantly? Are you using the latest technologies with project management systems? 

Are you leaning in and thinking about your future? What would you like your typical day to be in three years? Who will sit in your seat in the future? Should you begin thinking about the equity transfer? Is the present business sustainable in the future?

What would you like your typical day to look like in three years? Who will sit in your seat in the future? Is the present business sustainable in the future? Leaning in is more important today than ever.

While I am not suggesting you lean in so far that you tip over, I do think leaning in is more important today than ever. Those leaders and businesses that are “in the wave” will win. If you get too far ahead, the wave will crash on you. If you are too far behind, the momentum you create in your business will just fizzle out.

Spend just a little more time leaning in.