What does it mean when you hear the word “confident”?
Is it in the way someone talks or in the way they carry themselves?
Every builder or contractor that I know has had their patience tested by clients.
Whether it’s being questioned if they can really do what was promised, or being asked “do you actually know what you are doing?”, or the worst for many, having the client constantly saying, “I think this is how it should be…”
Some contractors get through this ordeal gracefully, but sometimes there are others who lose belief in themselves and their company.
So how do you keep your confidence?
Here are some tips for builders and contractors to become, and stay, confident… even after a disheartening experience.
Be Presentable
A job in the construction industry doesn’t mean that you will always be squeaky clean. But it sure does pay to look presentable, especially when meeting with the clients.
Remember that feeling you get after taking a shower?
Refreshed, clean and ready to take on the day.
By being presentable and ready, you can focus more on how to do your work instead of wondering if your breath stinks and whether or not the client will notice.
Talk Properly and With Enthusiasm
When I say ‘talk properly’ I don’t mean that you have to speak like the queen.
It means that you have to focus on who you are speaking to by keeping eye contact and actually listening and understanding what they are saying.
Don’t be in a hurry when talking to your clients.
Stay at a steady pace to make sure that you and your client really understand what each other wants.
Also, when it’s time to talk about your company and what you can do, talk proudly.
If you don’t believe in your company’s goal and vision, how will the client believe you?
Ever experienced talking to a salesperson?
Sometimes, even if at first you were not into their product, in the end you would somehow purchase their product because the salesman ‘seems nice’.
People somehow buy a product because of personality and enthusiasm of the person selling it.
So be sure to “Talk the Talk”.
Walk the Walk
The next step is a no-brainer.
If you say you CAN do something for the client, you HAVE to do it.
No matter how impressive you were during the meeting, it won’t mean anything if you can’t deliver
what you promised.
Make sure that you have a clear understanding of what the clients wants before the start of the
Project, ask them questions.
Don’t be intimidated by challenging projects, but don’t propose something that cannot be done.
Assess the project properly so you can determine the best solution, so you can deliver what the client needs without going beyond their budget.
Keep on Improving Yourself
What’s the best way to have confidence than to actually know what you are talking about?
Some people say that builders and contractors don’t read books or articles. But times have changed.
Improve what you know by reading books, articles or reports, or listen to podcasts and audiobooks so you have a better understanding on how things work, how to work a team, or how to run a business in general.
As the saying goes, ‘knowledge is power”. With the right knowledge, you will be able to make better and strategical decisions.
Another way to do this is to join events, trainings and conferences on improving your skills. Attend events where experts are speaking about topics you want to know more about.
Being confident doesn’t mean you have to be arrogant.
You have to, however, believe in yourself and in your company’s mission and vision. Being confident means that you know your strengths and how to use it in order to outperform everyone else.
