Title: Why Small Contractors Must Evolve Word Count: 402 Summary: EVOLVE » to develop gradually To transform your business from a start-up into a successful $4 million construction company. To realize the solutions that solve the problems of start-ups differ greatly from the solutions that solve the problems faced by larger contractors. To realize that the skills and habits you need to get your business off the ground are completely different from the skills and habits you need to run a large company. Your business skills must e... Keywords: Construction, contractor, business, advice Article Body: EVOLVE » to develop gradually To transform your business from a start-up into a successful $4 million construction company. To realize the solutions that solve the problems of start-ups differ greatly from the solutions that solve the problems faced by larger contractors. To realize that the skills and habits you need to get your business off the ground are completely different from the skills and habits you need to run a large company. Your business skills must evolve. If you are going create a successful business, you must evolve the way you do business. You must change the way you: » Handle your employees. » Handle money. » Handle clients. » Track performance. When you started your business, you only needed construction skills and a fire in your belly. When you chose to grow your company to $400,000, you were forced to develop marketing and staffing skills. You had to find a way to get more leads and a way to find good workers. You had to evolve. When you decided to grow beyond $400,000, you were forced to develop performance management and financial management skills. You had to find a way to keep your employees productive and a way to protect your money. You had to evolve. When you decided to grow beyond $2 million, you had to develop networking skills, selling skills, and leadership skills. You had to find a way to build relationships, land good work, and motivate your team. You had to evolve. The journey from start-up to successful small business is a treacherous one, filled with many challenges and major problems. If you fail to evolve, to continually improve the way you do business, you will not complete your journey. Sooner or later, you will run into a challenge you will be unable to overcome. You will be left with the choice of staying where you are or going back to where you came from. You will remain a slave to your company. Evolving means trying solutions you are unfamiliar with. That means deliberately tossing aside previously effective solutions and finding new ones. Are you willing and able to do that? Find someone who can lead your through the journey. Someone who can predict challenges you will be running into and explain the solutions that will help you overcome each. Find a mentor, a peer group, an association, or a professional. Find someone who can help you evolve as a businessman. You must be constantly evolving!