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15 Ways to Effectively Communicate Company Goals With Your Employees

Posted: 28 Jan 2020 08:16 PM PST

As a leader, it's important to understand the goals and vision of your company. It's arguably even more important to convey that information to your employees, who play a huge role in turning those goals and vision into reality.

Strong lines of communication ensure everyone is on the same page, leading to greater growth for your business. To help you do this, we asked Young Entrepreneur Council members the following question:

Q. What is your preferred method for communicating company goals and vision with your employees?

1. In-office lunch meetings

We have a small team, so I like to communicate company values and goals in the office in a conference room or during an in-office lunch hour. For those who work remotely, we conference them into all meetings in real time. —Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC

 

2. Weekly team meetings

Weekly meetings are one of the most effective ways to communicate company goals and touch base with your employees on their projects. We hold weekly meetings for each of our teams where we discuss updates, open the floor up for questions, and communicate our weekly, monthly and quarterly goals. —Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights

 

3. Weekly newsletter plus a team meeting

My preferred method for communicating company goals and vision with my employees is sending a weekly newsletter with remarks and holding one 30-minute meeting a week. I also believe it’s highly important for leaders to show great attitude and enthusiasm as they communicate company vision and goals as this will create a positive vibe among employees. —Alfredo Atanacio, Uassist.ME

4. Slack announcements

We use Slack as our main communication portal. We have several channels for different teams and purposes. We share important updates and communicate our goals and visions on the general Slack channel that everyone is subscribed to. These announcements are also backed by changes to the website and mentioned in weekly meetings. —Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner

 

5. Sharing customer and team stories

I often share stories of customer success or examples of how our team went above and beyond for our customers. These real-life stories demonstrate our company motto, “People First,” in action. Sharing these stories with our team reminds them of our company goals and vision and how we can put those goals and visions into action every day. —Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster

 

6. Company culture

I believe people learn better from experience and immersion. Just like it’s possible to learn a foreign language by spending some time in the country, it’s possible to pass the values on through company culture. We start thinking about it at the recruitment stage and only hire people who already have a lot in common with the team, get the general vibe, and share similar work ethics. —Solomon Thimothy, OneIMS

 

7. Internal company hub

Our company uses an online hub where we keep all of our employee information, processes, mission statements, etc. New employees use the hub as their main resource to get in tune with their work schedules, tasks, projects, and more. On top of that, we also post our values and mission statement on the hub so employees have direct access to it 24/7. This seems to be an effective method. —Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

8. Team retreats

Team retreats are my favorite place to have everyone together and give an overview of where we started, where we’ve gotten, and where we’re going. I like to start the event with this, as it tends to bring people together and get them excited to spend time with each other, and of course afterwards, to get back to work and work towards these goals. —Karl Kangur, Above House

 

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9. Workshops

Regular workshops that revolve around the core values and long-term vision have a positive, ongoing impact on the organization. Real-time, live (or Zoom) engagement is more personal than a policy pinned on your site. Day-to-day problems can shift the perspective in the wrong direction, which is why recurring workshops around the business values can void any hesitations across the organization. —Mario Peshev, DevriX

10. Short videos

I like to use videos to explain goals and vision because it’s the preferred method for our employees, so they pay attention more. That means they take in what’s being shared rather than get distracted and miss what they need to know. —Serenity Gibbons, NAACP

 

 

11. Town hall meetings

I like the town hall format for sharing this type of information because everyone knows they have the floor to ask questions and get clarity around anything they don’t understand. I also get real-time feedback on what I’m saying so I can see where everyone’s mind is at. —Peter Daisyme, Hostt

 

 

12. A mission statement document

I have a mission statement document that I share with all employees. This document outlines my company's origin story, notable accomplishments, and provides a road map for the future. I frequently update this document as well, so I encourage employees to periodically revisit it, even if they've read it before. —Bryce Welker, Accounting Institute of Success

 

13. Email series

We like to share a stream of emails that cover different aspects of goals and vision. That way, it’s digestible and helps everyone reflect on each aspect separately. Email also allows them to return and reread at their convenience. —Angela Ruth, Calendar

 

 

14. Quarterly presentations, monthly updates, and weekly meetings

Weekly meetings are used at the department level to have a two-way discussion about the goals of a particular department. Monthly company-wide updates allow departments to communicate to all stakeholders the progress that department has made toward that goal. Quarterly presentations coming from the C-suite ensure everyone gets management’s interpretation of the progress made on those goals. —Jeff Keenan, LeadsRx

 

15. Multi-layer communications

Everyone learns and retains information differently, so be prepared to communicate information to your employees in various methods. Begin with group meetings to share any updates, goals, or changes to the organization. From here, send out written communication that outlines what was shared. Having visual, audible, and written communication covers most bases to meet everyone's needs. —Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.

RELATED: Prepare Your Business for a Successful Year Ahead with an Annual Goals Meeting

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How to Build a Construction Business From the Ground Up

Posted: 28 Jan 2020 07:57 PM PST

By Holly Welles

The future of the construction industry is bright. Construction and extraction occupations are expected to grow about 10% from 2018 to 2028, and there’s no shortage of job postings seeking talented building, electric, or maintenance professionals. If you’re looking to build and expand your business, there’s no better time than the present.

Of course, choosing to invest in building a construction company will lead to more responsibility and initial costs, but the payoff is promising. Here's how to get started.

Build a great construction team

To build a great business, you must build a great team. Hire people with different skill sets that will take your business in the direction you want to see it go. Be selective about whom you hire and invest in those who have the talent and track record to be powerful assets to your company.

The construction labor shortage has made recruitment competitive; finding experienced construction laborers and supervisors has been a challenge since the economic crash of 2008. This means you'll need to focus on finding employees with a good attitudes and who can learn quickly on-the-job. Your business can benefit greatly from building leaders through robust training and on-the-job mentoring.

For recruiting, try building connections with local community colleges and technical schools. There may be students who are seeking opportunities that value practical skills. As your business grows, you can even sponsor programs that offer apprenticeships or internships for young students looking to enter the industry.

To build a construction business, mind your budget

Even if your construction company is making a profit now, there are expenses associated with growth. You must be willing to mindfully invest in order to increase earnings. Think about the cost compared to the potential profit of a project before taking it on.

The best way to plan is to create a budget based on your estimation of costs. Keep utilities, taxes, liability insurance, and professional bonds in mind when making this budget. From this base, you can calculate your ability to afford new laborers and equipment that can help you grow. Planning will ensure your company makes it through the growth process and comes out on the other side, more efficient and stronger.

Remember that unexpected costs are a given in the construction industry. You don't want to be caught unprepared, so contingency planning is crucial. Set aside about 20% of your budget to pay for unforeseen costs like material upgrades, accidents, malfunctions, and mid-project changes. This will prevent costly delays in production and protect you from running your business into the ground.

Upgrade technology and equipment

Innovative heavy machinery and advancements in technology are changing the way work gets done in the construction industry. New construction business owners must commit to staying up-to-date on the latest software and equipment.

Technology allows your business stay ahead of the curve and the competition. For example, newer and more efficient tools will reduce project time and allow you to take on more clients, reducing labor costs and increasing profit. Keep an eye out for project management software, fleet management tools, and worker safety technologies that help businesses run more smoothly and with less effort.

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Since technology trends change almost overnight, tracking developments can be difficult for busy new construction leaders. One way to stay on top of industry trends is to begin regularly reading construction publications. Try to research new technologies that can help your employees work more efficiently.

Networking and attending industry conferences and events is also an excellent way to stay current. These trade events usually offer classes or demos that will allow you to speak with others in the industry. In addition, there are online communities, such as LinkedIn, where you can connect with industry professionals and discover new opportunities for growth.

Develop a marketing strategy

Most companies in the construction industry rely on word-of-mouth marketing to grow. While this organic form of advertising has its benefits, you should also consider investing in other types of marketing to get new customers more quickly. Depending on your budget, this can include everything from promotional discounts or referral incentives to television commercials.

Moreover, your marketing campaign should aim to both bring in new customers and retain existing ones. Reach out to former clients by providing referral incentives or offering free estimates or discounts on their next renovation. As always, excellent customer service and quality, reliable work will do wonders in creating a loyal client base.

Focus on winning new clients by creating a strong online presence. Ensure your website is geared toward converting potential customers; include testimonials, quality content, and examples of your work to win their trust and increase sales.

Outline a detailed marketing strategy that can be implemented over the next six to 12 months. Include digital platforms you plan to use to spread your message, and always evaluate your finances before making a final decision.

How to build a construction business: final thoughts

Construction professionals know better than anyone that a strong product requires an even stronger foundation. Before you build a construction business, make sure you and your team are ready to grow.

Then, consider your best venue for expanding your company. Be sure you are able to get skilled workers and updated equipment. Develop marketing strategies for gaining new customers while also maintaining your loyal base.

Most important, make sure you have the necessary funds to move forward. Growth can kill your business if you incur too many costs right out of the gate. Smart planning and careful budgeting can help you navigate the beginning of your construction career and launch a business that will have long-term success.

RELATED: When Financing Equipment, Beware of the Dreaded Blanket Lien

About the Author

Post by: Holly Welles

Holly Welles is a construction writer and the editor of The Estate Update. Her writing is published on Construction Executive, Build Magazine, and other prominent industry publications.

Website: www.theestateupdate.com
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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