There’s Nothing Sub About Your Subs - 6/7/2004 - Real Estate Home House Condo

There’s Nothing Sub About Your Subs

Have you thought about what it means, what it says about you and the people you work with, the relationships you form and the people you depend on for your success?

First of all, in its most intrinsic form, “sub” is simply a base word. When you think of sub, what do you think of? Subhuman, subtropical climate, subterranean, etc., and what does "sub" connote? It connotes “under” or “less than.”

I don’t really think that’s the way we want to speak of, to and about the very people that, for many of us, represent the best of what we do. Without your — now, pay attention to the words — trade contractors (or better yet, trade partners) you’d get very little done and all too often be left holding the bag and stuttering excuses.

So, let’s remember to show our trade contractors appreciation and respect and treat them for what they are — eminently important team members and keys to our own success as contractors.

Stop me if you don’t believe it’s true, but can you remember the last time you produced a successful project with trade partners? When was the last time you admitted that to them?

Gone are the days when we seek enjoyment from seeing how many “subs” in any and every category we can get to grovel for our business. With manpower in such high demand, it may be us doing the groveling.

If you really respect and appreciate your trade contractors (I'm officially banning the s-word from now on), you'll pay them in a timely manner; discuss payment terms before the work begins; discuss problems before they become a payment issue, etc.

You'll ask for their input when formatting a schedule and not force the schedule on them. You'll thank them for their help in making you successful, not wait for them to bring you a gift for your business. And you'll break the habit of throwing dirt on them when confronted with a problem by your customer. 

What we need is the realization that we’re all equally vested and interested in the same successful outcome. What we need is mutual consideration and respect.

Greg Miedema, CGR, CAPS, is president of Dakota Builders in Tucson, AZ. He is chair and founder of his local Remodelors™ Council, a member of the NAHB Remodelors™ Council Board of Trustees and currently serves as the chairman of the Remodelors™ Council Public Affairs Committee. The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA) has named Dakota Builders, Inc. Remodelor™ of the Year in 1998, 1999 and 2000. For more information, send him an e-mail.