Tradie Business 101: How to Manage Subbies
Introduction: Understanding the Challenge
If you’re a small-to-medium business owner in the trades or service industries, managing subcontractors, or “subbies,” can be a significant challenge. Whether you’re a plumber, sparky, or builder, ensuring that your subbies deliver quality work on time and within budget is crucial to your success. Effective management of subbies is essential for maintaining high standards, meeting client expectations, and keeping projects on schedule. It’s a juggling act that requires clear communication, strong organisational skills, and the ability to motivate and support your team. Many business owners struggle with these aspects, but with the right strategies, you can overcome these challenges and achieve your business goals.
I’m Ashley Thomson, a seasoned coach for tradies, master of business coaching for plumbers, and the Managing Director of Tenfold Business Coaching. With over two decades of experience, I specialise in helping business owners like you streamline operations, improve productivity, and effectively manage subbies. In this post, I’ll share practical, actionable strategies to help you manage your subbies more effectively.
Empathising with Common Challenges
Managing subbies can feel like a juggling act. You may find yourself dealing with missed deadlines, inconsistent work quality, and communication breakdowns. These issues not only impact your business’s bottom line but also your reputation. Late deliveries and subpar work can lead to unhappy clients and damage your credibility. Additionally, the constant need to address these issues can be mentally exhausting and take time away from focusing on other critical aspects of your business. Many of my clients face these challenges, and I understand how frustrating it can be. It’s a common struggle, but with the right approach, it’s possible to turn things around and ensure your subbies contribute positively to your business’s success.
Practical, Actionable Advice
Managing subbies effectively is crucial for maintaining the quality and efficiency of your projects. Here are some tried-and-true strategies that can help you manage your subbies more effectively and ensure smooth operations:
Clear Communication
One of the most critical aspects of managing subbies is clear communication. Ensure that your expectations are communicated clearly from the outset. This includes project timelines, quality standards, and specific tasks that need to be completed. Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures everyone is on the same page.
I recommend my clients to hold regular meetings with their subbies to discuss progress, address any issues, and make any necessary adjustments. These meetings provide an opportunity to reinforce expectations and ensure that any potential problems are identified and resolved quickly. Tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams can facilitate seamless communication, even if your subbies are working on different sites. By using these tools, you can share updates, documents, and feedback in real-time, making it easier to keep everyone informed and connected.
Set Clear Goals and Expectations
Clear goals and expectations provide direction and purpose. When everyone knows what they are responsible for and what is expected of them, it reduces confusion and ensures that tasks are completed efficiently. Make sure each subbie is fully aware of their individual responsibilities, as well as how their work fits into the broader project goals. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals can help maintain focus and measure progress effectively.
In business coaching for tradies, I often suggest to business owners that they regularly review these goals and provide feedback to keep everyone on track. This can be done through weekly check-ins, where you can discuss progress and address any obstacles that may be hindering goal achievement. Monthly performance reviews are also a great way to take a more comprehensive look at how well your subbies are meeting their objectives. These regular reviews not only help to ensure that everyone is aligned but also provide opportunities to offer constructive feedback and recognise achievements, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
Invest in Training and Development
Your subbies are an extension of your team, and investing in their skills and development can significantly enhance productivity. Regular training sessions not only improve their technical abilities but also boost morale and job satisfaction. When your subbies feel more competent and appreciated, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work, leading to higher quality outcomes.
I recommend my clients to organise regular training workshops and encourage continuous learning (as in business coaching for plumbers). This could involve technical skills training to keep up with the latest industry standards and best practices. For instance, training in the newest plumbing techniques or safety protocols can ensure your subbies are working efficiently and safely.
Moreover, safety workshops are crucial for minimising risks and ensuring that everyone is aware of the proper procedures to avoid accidents. Investing in soft skills development, such as communication and teamwork, can also be highly beneficial. Strong communication skills can lead to better collaboration on projects, while effective teamwork can enhance overall productivity and create a more harmonious working environment.
By providing these opportunities for growth and development, you demonstrate to your subbies that their professional development is a priority. This, in turn, fosters loyalty and a strong work ethic, which are invaluable assets for any business.
Foster a Positive Work Environment
A positive work environment can do wonders for productivity. When your subbies feel valued and supported, they’re more likely to be engaged and motivated. This sense of appreciation can significantly boost their morale and commitment to delivering high-quality work.
During business coaching for tradies, I often suggest to business owners that they focus on creating a supportive and collaborative culture. This involves recognising and rewarding hard work, which can be as simple as acknowledging achievements in team meetings or offering performance bonuses. Such recognition boosts morale and shows employees that their efforts are appreciated.
Encouraging open communication is another critical aspect. Creating an environment where team members feel comfortable voicing their ideas and concerns fosters trust and collaboration. This can be achieved through regular check-ins, team meetings, and an open-door policy.
Providing opportunities for professional growth is also essential. Offering training programs, career development opportunities, and pathways for advancement not only enhances skills but also demonstrates a commitment to the team’s future. When employees see that their growth is valued, they are more likely to remain loyal and motivated.
Use Technology to Streamline Operations
Technology can be a game-changer for managing subbies. From project management software to mobile apps that streamline communication, the right tools can help you manage tasks more effectively. Utilising technology can save you time, reduce errors, and improve overall efficiency. By automating routine tasks and centralising information, you can keep everyone on the same page and ensure that projects run smoothly.
I recommend my clients to explore tools like Trello or Asana for task management. These platforms allow you to create and assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress in real-time, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks. They offer features like file attachments, comments, and notifications, which enhance collaboration and keep projects moving forward.
For job management and invoicing, apps like ServiceM8 are incredibly useful. ServiceM8 helps you schedule jobs, dispatch workers, and track job progress from start to finish. It also allows you to send invoices directly from the field, making the billing process more efficient. By integrating these tools into your operations, you can streamline your workflow, improve communication, and ultimately boost your business’s productivity and profitability.
Achieving Long-term Success
By taking these steps, you’ll position your business for long-term success. Improving how you manage your subbies is not just about working harder; it’s about working smarter. It’s important to recognise that effective subbie management involves a combination of strategic planning, clear communication, and continuous improvement. By ensuring clear communication, setting clear goals, investing in training, fostering a positive work environment, and leveraging technology, you can create a more efficient and productive operation. These efforts will not only enhance your team’s performance but also lead to higher customer satisfaction and a stronger reputation in the industry.
Case Study
One of my business coaching for plumbers clients struggled with managing their subbies effectively. They faced multiple issues, including missed deadlines and inconsistent work quality. These problems not only impacted their productivity but also led to dissatisfied customers and a tarnished reputation. The business owner was stressed and unsure how to turn things around.
Implementation of Strategies
By implementing several key strategies, we saw significant improvements in their operations. First, we introduced regular training sessions focused on both technical skills and safety protocols. These sessions not only enhanced the subbies’ abilities but also boosted their confidence and morale. The team felt more competent and prepared to handle complex plumbing tasks, reducing the number of errors and rework.
Next, we integrated project management software into their workflow. This allowed the owner to assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress in real-time. Tools like Trello helped in organising projects more efficiently, ensuring that everyone knew their responsibilities and timelines. This clarity helped in reducing delays and keeping projects on track.
We also set clear performance goals for the subbies, using SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Regular reviews and feedback sessions ensured that everyone stayed on track and knew what was expected of them. This approach motivated the subbies to meet their targets and improved their overall performance.
Results and Benefits
As a result of these changes, the company’s productivity increased significantly. The quality of their work improved, leading to fewer customer complaints and higher satisfaction rates. The plumbing business began to receive positive reviews, which helped in attracting more clients. The owner reported feeling more in control and less stressed, knowing that the team was well-managed and projects were running smoothly.
Inspiration for Other Business Owners
This case study demonstrates that with the right strategies, managing subbies effectively can lead to substantial improvements in productivity and work quality. By investing in training, leveraging technology, and setting clear goals, you can create a more efficient and motivated team. These steps not only enhance your business operations but also contribute to long-term success and customer satisfaction.
Conclusion: Taking the Next Steps
By implementing these strategies, you’ll not only manage your subbies more effectively but also enhance your business’s overall productivity and success. Remember, every business is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. If you’re unsure where to start or need tailored advice, let’s work together to create a strategy that’s right for your business. Your success is my priority, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance. I’m here to help!