Goal setting is challenging because life gets in the way of our goals. A great way to achieve our goals is set smaller smarter obtainable goals. Read more about how to set obtainable goals in the article “Personal Goal Setting” by Sarah Pavey, found on http://www.mindtools.com. (article link http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html)
What is a way that you experience teamwork in your department or on the job site?
Q&A Blog from Nick Davis | Project Manager
Q: What is a way that you experience teamwork in your department or on the job site?
A: At a recent monthly meeting, we took a full chain and separated the individual links. They were then handed out to every superintendent, project manager and estimator. This concept represents there is no “I” in ‘Team”. As cliché as that sounds, we don’t just talk about it at TP Mechanical, it is a part of our work culture. We realize every role is just as important as the next and it takes a “full chain” mentality with every link functioning at full strength, in order to experience success. Our team is very committed and excited about every opportunity we have to build trust with a client. It takes everyone on board though, executing project tasks on time and above expectations in order to strengthen those client relationships.
Speaking From Experience…
By: Jef Schachleiter – Internal Operation Manager
With 38 years in business and 55 years of life experience, sometimes there are opportunities to stop and reflect. This is one of those times, and one in which I have the opportunity to share some of the lessons I have learned about leadership and team work.
My position with TP Mechanical enables me to utilize my strengths in people management to foster better relationships with our internal customers, specifically the operations team that performs work on our job sites. I coordinate the CAD, FAB and PURCHASING departments to work together in completing the back-of-the-house tasks, which accommodates our workflow into the field.
My intention with each group is for it to be an independent business unit that moves work freely between the three groups. Each facet supports the other. They have to complete their specific job for the work to shift and move through our organization. Should we suffer a setback in one area it could conceivably create issues with all departments. When this occurs, I enter the picture and help the team get back on track.
My position requires multi-tasking to keep all departments running smoothly. Some days my position requires me to be a cheerleader or a coach. Other days, I have to become a sounding board to let people vent their frustrations. Hopefully, I’m able to share some wisdom and experience to empower my direct reports to make good, sound decisions when necessary.
I am fortunate that the three heads of my departments are hardworking, smart, company-first members of the team that need little supervision. They are open to suggestions, and they foster good relationships with their own direct reports, as well are our internal customer group.
I treat all that I meet by the “golden rule.” I do not hesitate to address issues that are sensitive and use each corrective counseling session as a chance to learn and teach. I never harbor ill feelings toward my group members. Once a situation is discussed, it is over in my mind.
Work is separate from personal and I never mix the two. It is good business practice to ensure that you keep the dividing line between business and personal very wide and well defined.
I operate my part of the company always keeping the good of the whole ahead of my direct responsibility. What I mean by that is, I never make a decision without thinking about what I am doing and how it will affect TP Mechanical. NOT CAD/FAB/PURCHASING, but how the decision will affect the entire company. I believe this determined focus will allow for the best possible results for the company, which affects all of us working here.
Who will you be traveling through life with this weekend?
Building Long-Term Relationships and Keeping Them
A business is only as good as the clients it serves. No business gets far by losing clients. One key to our success is building relationships that go beyond one-time projects to provide value to clients on a consistent, ongoing basis.
After 15 years in the Mechanical trade, I have personally learned several factors that make a business successful. Among them, I have learned to broaden my wisdom of knowledge on building and maintaining relationships. This starts inside the business as well as when we interact with clients.
Communication 
Clients depend on you to keep them informed. Providing regular communications with them is one of your priorities. This includes updating them on various projects, as well as letting them know about any bumps in the road you encounter. There is no such thing as over-communicating.
Be Useful
The more value you offer, the more a client comes to depend on you. Don’t hesitate to share information clients may find useful, whether or not it benefits you in any way. In the same respect, refrain from bombarding them with irrelevant news or gossip, and don’t bother them with offers that won’t interest them. Sometimes, you should only speak when being spoken to, but be careful when applying this method. But speak up to identify issues and share solutions with the client.
Be Honest
No long-term relationship survives if the two parties aren’t honest with each other. Your chief responsibility is to be open and honest in all of your dealings. Today, the client is more educated than ever. You must build a reputation of integrity, or you’ll never be able to cultivate the kind of long-term relationship your business depends on.
Reward Loyal Clients
Clients should be honored for their loyalty and receive the preferential treatment they deserve. Be free with your expressions of gratitude and look for new ways to say “Thank you for your valued business.”
Win with the Client
A client who determines you’re in it for the long haul and motivated to help him or her succeed soon begins to see you as more than just a vendor or supplier. You become a partner in their enterprise and someone they can grow with today, tomorrow, and in the years to come.
Zig Zigler once said, “When your alarm rings in the morning, consider this as another opportunity for you to become successful and to build relationships that benefit your business and yourself.”
The ingredients in “Building Long-Term Relationships and Keeping Them” are communication, being useful, being honest, rewarding loyalty, and being a valued partner to the client. We should all take the time to include them in our work – every day and with every client.
By: Tony Pate, Regional Representative Service Division, TP Mechanical
Every Employee a Brand Steward
Every Employee a Brand Steward | By: Nicole Applegate
Every job at TP Mechanical is important. I am the receptionist and office assistant for TP Mechanical’s Columbus office. While I understand that I am not the most important cog in the TP wheel, I am, undoubtedly, a vital player to the team.
It is my responsibility to make each person who walks through that door or calls on the phone feel welcome and appreciated. I always smile, acknowledge people, and do anything I can to help the individual accomplish his or her goal. I am cordial and conversational with those who need to wait in the lobby for their contact to meet them. I also never, ever speak negatively about an employee with outsiders, regardless of what they might say. I always try to display my fellow coworkers in a positive light.
It’s also my responsibility to ensure that the front lobby area be as neat and orderly as possible. We have a cleaning crew, but I occasionally follow up after them to deep clean the front areas and guarantee there is nothing to cause someone to have a negative impression of our company’s appearance. Some of these things include dusting the ceiling, corners, lamp, plants and under the trophy case. Straightening the chairs, scrubbing scuffs off the walls and cleaning fingerprints from around light switches, the alarm, and door knobs.
Sometimes it’s the small things that make a big difference. I keep a stocked candy machine to provide sweets to help brighten people’s day. It is truly amazing how just a little treat can bring a smile to someone’s face when they are feeling stressed.
We also shouldn’t downplay the importance of maintaining accurate paperwork. Part of my job is to assist around the office and alleviate a fellow coworker’s load whenever I can. Maintaining and ordering supplies is also an important part of my job. I believe this attributes to an improved productivity – making sure people have what they need when they need it.
All of this adds up. I, like all employees at TP Mechanical, am an important participant in delivering excellence to our customers. I serve TP Mechanical’s customers, vendors and my fellow coworkers. That recognition helps me stay focused on how important all of these tasks are. I work to ensure that every impression I give of TP Mechanical is a positive one. So whether someone works with us for 20 years or calls into the office only once, I can be confident we’ve done our best to serve them.
Manage the Big Picture, Manage to Succeed
Manage the Big Picture, Manage to Succeed | By: Josh D. Tarter, Project Manager – Lexington, Kentucky
Whether we realize it or not, we are all managers. Perhaps we manage household finances, or we plan our time away from work. Whatever we manage, subconsciously we are hoping and planning for a successful outcome.
However, many times an issue will arise that may attempt to derail your management train. What we as managers – in our lives and at work – must do is remember to focus on the Big Picture. We should visualize the ultimate result of a successful job completed. On the job, we need to think about the customer enjoying the use of the facility we’re working on. For those things we manage outside of work, we need to envision the flourishing banking account or the stress free vacation.
We cannot succumb to the mundane and “flash pan” type issues that will deter or distract us from being successful. When these threaten to block our way, we can take a few moments to regroup and refocus on the Big Picture, allowing us to have a clearer understanding of our definition of success.
When you begin with the end in mind, reaching the destination becomes easier. Whatever it is YOU manage, don’t lose sight of what it will mean to be successful.
Manage YOUR Big Picture, Manage to Succeed!
A New Year Creates New Opportunities
This time of year always creates new goals and resolutions, like be more productive at work, exercise on a routine basis, start a new diet, clean out your closets, etc.
All of these goals are important and for many their goals and resolutions come true, which creates a great sense of accomplishment and pride for staying true to their commitment. Then again for some of us these goals and resolutions fall by the wayside because we lose focus on what we want to accomplish or simply fall back into the same routine we go through day in and day out.
What if you change your thinking this New Year and reflect back on the past year on a bad experience, a relationship that didn’t go well, or a project that failed at work.
Improving for the Future
Take a few moments to relive one of these painful events and jot down a few notes on what you would or could have done differently. Set a new goal or plan taking what you learned and make amends for your actions.
You might just be surprised at the many events this past year that were true learning experiences. I believe it’s these experiences that build our characters and allow us to make this a promising and prosperous new year for ourselves, families, friends and co-workers.
I hope your New Year is filled with excitement.
By Scott Teepe Sr., CEO, TP Mechanical
Safety Matters at TP Mechanical!
TP Mechanical makes safety a way of life! As participants in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) we’ve implemented meticulous safety and health management practices that address hazard prevention and control, worksite analysis, training, management commitment and worker involvement. We voluntarily submit to rigorous evaluations to identify ways that we can continue to improve our system. Our first core value is “Safety First, Always First,” and we will relentlessly pursue the highest standard so that we can send each of our employees home to their families every night, injury-free.
We are proud to announce that, thanks to our team’s dedication to safety, we have worked 2,780,103 hours without a lost time accident!
To find out more on our safety program visit us at http://www.tpmechanical.com/about-tp/safety.