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EnergizeUs's avatar
EnergizeUs
Contributor 4
2 days ago

Did You Know the Oldest Business in the World Is a Contracting Company?

“Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 15 years?” Take a minute to think about it ....

Now let me hear it please. 
Before we begin, I'll be giving a little history lesson, so if this isn't for you. I won't take offense...

Guess what, if you have a vision, if you have a plan, you are already ahead of the curve.
If you dont .... Then you are not alone !

Most of the time, the answer is…
“I just want to make it through this week.”
Or, “If I can survive the year, I’ll be good.”

You are doing everything you need to stay alive and I solute you. But thinking like that holds us all back. It keeps us stuck in survival mode, making the joy of contacting a threat. Always reacting, never building or planning for the future.

So we did the research.
Turns out the oldest company in the world, not just in trades, but in any industry, happens to be a contracting company.

Kongo Gumi. Japan. Founded in 578 AD.
For over 1,400 years. Let that sink in.

In the U.S., it’s DF Pray, since 1830. Still building today.

Here’s the point:

If it’s been done — it’s possible.
The question is:
Are you building something that can last?

 

2 Replies

  • Great post. I think I am building something that can last.  Question is I lead the ship, people know me.  How can the reign be handed over?

    • EnergizeUs's avatar
      EnergizeUs
      Contributor 4

      You said already said the answer when you asked: “How can the reign be handed over?”

      Answer: Hand the reigns over lol 

      Here's the catch: In service-based businesses, we all want to deliver great work. You see it online, people post their jobs because they’re proud of it. And they should be.

      But here’s the thing: you can’t be on every job-site, every day.
      Your company can be though & the shift happens when you start building:

      Standards that live beyond you
      Training that duplicates you
      Systems that keep your name sharp, even when you’re not there
      That’s what real business is:
      You’re building your reputation, your standard, and duplicating yourself through your team.

      To do that, I’ve leaned on this framework:
      Hard Skills – so your team knows how to execute
      Soft Skills – so they can lead, communicate, and solve problems
      Self-Development – so you can step back and truly lead

      Then create the systems, sops for your team to follow. 
      The key is to document it and repeat it over and over and over again in training.