PAGE A4 – September 2009 – The GTA Construction Report
Editor’s
Publisher’s
column
viewpoint
Mark Buckshon
By Chase
President, Construction News and Report Group of Companies
Where did the summer go? In the haze of the simply because the jobs needed to get done.
many golf tournaments I attended and con- When there was less work you could no get the
From time to time, I hear horror stories of business start-ups that go struction events the summer slipped away al- best to do the job vs. the rest.
bad. Usually the failure involves a new business owner with more most as quietly as the “economic down turn” Now a lot of the younger or weaker compa-
money than “brains”. “Brains” goes in quotes because the issue is less did. nies that have survived had learned a few things
intelligence in academics or general knowledge, than the necessary I am not saying we will not have a few more from this little crisis we are leaving. Be inno-
street smarts and business sense, which thankfully most people in the days of summer weather to enjoy between now vative, in everything you do. From marketing,
construction industry have in abundance. and the end October as I am sure a few compa- hiring, and retaining staff to nurturing your ex-
For example, when I flew to Vancouver recently for a one-day visit nies are still struggling to recover. But as the isting client base. Companies are looking at
to attend a niece’s wedding, I met a person overhearing a conversation colder weather moves in the hotter economic how they attract new customers and how to
between me and one of my brothers. She said she was amazed by our environment is fast approaching. stand out from the rest. Today’s new environ-
courage in operating our own businesses. I recall this time last year people were wait- ment means understanding social media and re-
I told her that we actually have less stress than most employees be- ing for the Canadian construction market to alizing the days of the yellow pages being
cause if things get a little tough, we can continue with fewer employees burst and when it did a lot of companies were enough to get your name out have disappeared.
but keep our own jobs. preparing to go bust. Being in the newspaper How did you survive the past year? Did you
The person next to me said then described a person she knew who and publication business I talked with a lot of seem a boom or bust in your business? What
had invested a small fortune in a business start-up which failed. I people who were looking to be very cost con- did you learn and how did survive or in some
sighed. scious in 2009 and watch every penny that was cases flourish? Share your story with me and
There is a different way to do things, and my brother and I followed spent. Early this year many people were waiting we could do a profile on your business.
that path. Growing up, he wanted to be a musician. He achieved that for work while others were busier then ever,
goal, but earns his money renting out studio spaces and acting as an why such two very diverse sides to the status of Chase is the Director of Marketing and
agent/support person for other musicians. I wanted to be a journalist the economy? Client Relations for the Construction News and
and foreign correspondent. Once I got (some) of the travel bug out of The answer seems easy to see now. The busy Report Group as well as the Associate Pub-
my system with a little African war corresponding experience, I started
companies were the ones who invested in train- lisher for the GTA Construction Report and On-
this publishing business, realizing I could never be happy working for
ing and development of their employees. They tario Construction Report. Chase also serves
someone else.
generally exceeded their customers’ expecta- on the Board of Directors for the Barrie Con-
My brother and I, and I sense many people reading this article,
tions rather then just meet them. They were struction Association and on several commit-
started our businesses with hope, maybe some prayers, and virtually
leaders in their field in one or more area. These tees for the Niagara Home Builders and
no money
areas included technology, networking, mar- Construction Associations. If you have any rec-
. The skill in business start-ups is not how much money you
have to invest, but how much you can do very little money
keting and customer satisfaction. I like to think ommendations or suggestions on changes you
. This ex-
plains in part why businesses started in recessions usually survive: If
of the past year as the thinning of the herd. Like would like to make for the papers please con-
there is enough market for your product or service, and you are able to
in the animal kingdom a lioness hunts down the tact him toll free at 1-888-432-3555 ext 211 or
get things going with thin if no financial resources, you probably can
weak and young prey first before they go for email him chase@cnrgp.com or visit us online
survive when things improve.
the strongest of the group. With a market that at www.cnrgp.com
Can you teach these entrepreneurial skills in school? Maybe – and
was so overwhelmed before everyone had work
certainly some highly educated people are also highly successful in busi-
ness. But I still respect the construction company owners who often
start with an apprenticeship, or simply their high school education, and
succeed with the instincts and knowledge necessary for business suc-
cess. Street smarts really counts.
Conversely, I admit that sometimes my business brains have been
less than my ego – it is easy to get ahead of yourself. We all sometimes
need a cold, hard dose of reality, and a recession can provide just the
right medicine to bring things back into perspective.
The GTA Construction Report is published monthly by Mekomedia Enterprises Inc., Suite 202,
1 Cleopatra Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2G 3M9. You can subscribe to GTA Construction Report for
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Although you are likely reading this story in a printed publication,
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we are continuing to learn and grow in the online space. I’m especially
(paid) subscription, you can e-mail or fax us, or if you prefer, phone toll free 888-432-3555.
enjoying the development of the online Design and Construction Re-
We welcome your news about upcoming projects, company anniversaries and special events.
port at http://www.dcnreport.com and the daily Construction Market
Fax your news releases to 613-224-1076. Daily update data on upcoming projects, including
-
ing Ideas blog at http://www.constructionmarketingideas.blogspot.com
contact names and phone numbers, is available from F.W. Dodge. For more information, phone
.
Mark Buckshon can be reached by phone at 888-432-3555 ext 224
613-727-4900 ext 4902 or 493.
or by email at buckshon@cnrgp.com.
President: Mark Buckshon
Publisher: Chase
Interim Editor: Mark Buckshon
Director of Sales and Advertising, GTA:
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