Business Coaching for Operations, Service and Project Managers in Australian Trade and Construction Businesses

In Australian trade and construction businesses, operations managers, service managers and project managers are the backbone of delivery. They are responsible for turning estimates into outcomes, coordinating teams, managing subcontractors, and ensuring projects are delivered profitably and on time.

Yet many managers in these roles are promoted from technical backgrounds without formal leadership training. They know the trade, but they often lack the structured management skills that drive predictable results. This is where a business coach provides measurable value. Business coaching for managers equips them with the tools to lead teams effectively, manage risk, and align their decisions with the business’s strategic goals.

Tenfold Business Coaching has worked with hundreds of managers across building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, solar, civil and structural contracting. The consistent finding is that managers who receive targeted coaching deliver stronger results, reduce disputes, and improve profitability. Coaching is not about theory. It is about practical frameworks that managers can apply immediately to their day-to-day responsibilities.

The Challenges Managers Face Without Business Coaching

Operations, service and project managers often find themselves caught between the expectations of business owners and the realities of site delivery. Without proper guidance, they can struggle with prioritisation, communication, and accountability.

For instance, an operations manager may spend excessive time firefighting daily issues instead of concentrating on long-term process improvements. Similarly, a project manager might underestimate labour productivity, resulting in hidden losses. A service manager may also fail to establish clear boundaries with clients, resulting in disputes over what is included and excluded.

These ongoing challenges can erode gross margin and generate considerable stress across the entire business. To address these issues, business coaching for managers offers structured methods for effective time management, risk assessment, and communication. Tenfold’s coaches utilise proven executive development techniques to help transform managers from reactive problem-solvers into proactive leaders who drive positive change within their teams and organisations.

How a Business Coach Builds Capability in Managers

A business coach works one-on-one with managers to identify gaps in their capabilities and to provide practical, actionable solutions. This may involve coaching an operations manager on how to effectively implement workflows that prevent boomerang work, where tasks bounce back to the owner unnecessarily. It could also mean guiding a project manager through A versus E reviews, comparing actual costs against initial estimates to refine future quoting accuracy. For a service manager, coaching might focus on client communication strategies that help reduce disputes and safeguard profit margins.

Tenfold Business Coaching employs structured models to ensure that managers develop greater confidence and independence in their roles. Sessions are carefully tailored to address the specific challenges faced by each business, whether that involves scaling a team, managing subcontractors, or improving productivity benchmarks. The overarching goal remains consistent: to equip managers with the necessary skills to deliver predictable and profitable results, supporting sustainable growth across the organisation.

Business Coaching for Managers in Operations

Operations managers are responsible for the systems and processes that underpin service delivery. Without strong operational leadership, businesses tend to become overly reliant on owners to resolve every problem. Business coaching tailored for operations managers emphasises developing efficient workflows, establishing clear accountability structures, and aligning daily activities with broader strategic priorities.

Tenfold coaches assist operations managers in implementing effective time-management frameworks that help ensure their efforts are focused on tasks that directly contribute to increased profitability rather than distractions. This targeted approach enables managers to optimise their productivity and effectiveness.

Case experience demonstrates that when operations managers are coached to take ownership of systems and processes, business owners are subsequently freed to concentrate on growth initiatives. For example, a client in the civil contracting sector observed a 15% improvement in project delivery times after their operations manager adopted the coached workflows. This improvement directly translated into stronger profit margins and reduced stress for the business owner, enabling more focused, sustainable business expansion.

Business Coaching for Managers in Service Delivery

Service managers encounter unique challenges within trade and construction businesses. They often serve as the first point of contact for clients, requiring them to skillfully balance customer expectations with the realities of scope and budget constraints. Business coaching tailored for managers involved in service delivery helps develop communication strategies that can prevent disputes and safeguard profitability.

Tenfold coaches highlight the importance of clearly defining what is included and excluded in service agreements, implementing risk-based pricing, and providing structured updates to clients. In practice, this means service managers learn to establish and communicate boundaries with clients while maintaining strong, positive relationships.

For example, a plumbing contractor who worked with Tenfold reduced client disputes by 40% after their service manager adopted coached communication protocols. This not only helped protect margins but also enhanced client satisfaction, encouraging repeat business and fostering long-term trust.

Business Coaching for Managers in Project Leadership

Project managers are responsible for delivering projects on time and within the allocated budget. Their decisions directly affect the project’s gross margin. Business coaching for managers involved in project leadership typically emphasises productivity assumptions, subcontractor management, and risk pricing strategies. Tenfold coaches assist project managers by guiding them through structured reviews of scope gaps and red flags, ensuring that potential risks are identified early and priced appropriately.

One of the main tools employed in this coaching process is comparing actual costs to initial estimates, known as A versus E reviews. These comparisons assist project managers in refining their assumptions and improving the accuracy of their financial forecasts. For example, an electrical contractor advised by Tenfold experienced a 12% decrease in margin slippage after their project manager started conducting regular A versus E reviews. This continuous review process increased financial predictability and helped boost the overall competitiveness of the business.

Building Independence and Reducing Owner Reliance

A common issue in trade and construction businesses is reliance on owners. Managers often send work back to the owner for review, creating a cycle of boomerang work that undermines the management team’s independence. To address this, business coaching for managers focuses on establishing clear workflows and defining decision-making authority. Tenfold coaches assist managers in building confidence by implementing structured quality checks and approval gates, which gradually reduce the owner’s direct involvement.

This staged approach to transition is similar to the roadmap used in estimator handovers. Managers start by shadowing and reviewing work, then progress to making independent decisions with formal sign-off. Over time, they operate autonomously, with periodic audits to ensure standards are maintained. The ultimate goal is to build a business where managers can lead independently without constant oversight from the owner.

Reallocating Owner Time Through Business Coaching

When managers are coached to operate independently, owners are able to reallocate their time towards activities that generate higher value. These activities include sales, managing client relationships, and strategic planning. Business coaching services highlight that the real benefit of coaching managers extends beyond just enhancing their performance; it involves creating a scalable business model in which the owner is free to focus on growth initiatives rather than being caught up in daily firefighting duties.

Experience at Tenfold demonstrates that business owners who invest in coaching their managers observe tangible improvements not only in profitability but also in their overall lifestyle. They develop confidence that their business can function effectively without their constant involvement, which opens up opportunities to pursue new ventures and support long-term growth objectives.

Conclusion: Business Coaching for Managers Builds Scalable Businesses

Business coaching for managers in operations, service, and project leadership is a proven pathway to achieving stronger profit margins, reducing conflicts and disputes, and enabling scalable growth. By equipping managers with practical frameworks and proven strategies, Tenfold Business Coaching transforms them into confident, effective leaders who consistently deliver predictable, positive outcomes.

For Australian trade and construction businesses, investing in coaching is about more than just improving management capabilities. It is a vital step toward building a resilient and sustainable business that can thrive beyond the personal involvement of the owner or director. This approach helps create a foundation for long-term success in a competitive industry.

Tenfold Business Coaching has established itself as Australia’s leading coaching firm by consistently delivering tangible results for managers and business owners alike. With over 20 years of experience in the field and recognition as Coaching Firm of the Year since 2017, Tenfold offers the expertise and practical frameworks that managers in the trade and construction sectors need to succeed.

For operations, service, and project managers working in trade and construction, engaging with business coaching can be essential to unlocking hidden potential and protecting the business’s future growth. It enables leaders to develop the skills and confidence necessary to navigate challenges and seize opportunities for continued success.

Business Coaching for Managers FAQs

How does business coaching for managers improve profitability?

Business coaching equips managers with structured frameworks for productivity, risk management, and client communication, thereby directly protecting gross margin and reducing disputes.

What if my managers are technically skilled but lack leadership experience?

A business coach helps managers transition from technical experts to confident leaders by providing practical tools for delegation, accountability, and team management.

How long does it take to see results from business coaching?

Most businesses begin to see measurable improvements within three to six months, with stronger financial predictability and reduced reliance on owners over time.

How can I ensure quality control when managers take on more responsibility?

Business coaching introduces workflows, approval gates, and A vs E reviews that provide ongoing checks and build confidence in managers’ decisions.

Is business coaching for managers relevant to all trade and construction sectors?

Yes. Whether in building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, solar, civil or structural contracting, managers face similar challenges. Coaching provides sector-specific strategies that can be applied across industries.