Building a Successful Construction Company

By Patricia W. Atallah

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Create A Strategy

1. Look Before You Leap
   • What Are You Getting Yourself Into?
     • The Risks
     • The Challenges
   • What Does It Take?
   • Getting Out Of Your Own Way
   
   
2. Think "Big Picture"
   • Planning to Plan
   • Doing It Now
     • Step #1: Confirm Your Personal and Business Goals
     • Step #2: Define Your Business
     • Step #3: Define Your Market
     • Step #4: Define a Workable Strategic Plan
     • Step #5: Use the Plan As a Management and Financing Tool
   
   
3. Create a Realistic Marketing Plan
   • Positioning Your Company
   • Identifying Target Customers
   • Developing Your Plan
     • Market To The Public Sector
     • Market To The Private Sector
     • Use The Right Marketing Tools
   • Evaluating Business Opportunities: To Bid or Not To Bid?
     

   Organize Your Business

4. Develop A Dynamic Organization
   • Setting Up Your "Dream" Company
   • Putting Yourself At The Top
   • Creating a Positive Environment
   • Defining Roles and Responsibilities
   • Surrounding Yourself With Resources and Support
     • Staff Outsourcing
     • Primary Advisors
     • Advisory Boards
   • Leveraging Your Capabilities With Joint Ventures, Associations and Strategic Alliances
   
   
5. Building a Strong Team
   • Choosing Partners and Key Employees
   • Hiring and Retaining the Right Personnel
     • Identify Specific Staffing Needs
     • Attract Well-Qualified Candidates
     • Choose the Right Person
     • Evaluate Performance
   • Compensating Your Team Fairly
   • Providing Practical Training

   
   

   Protect Your Bottom Line

6. Maximize Company Effectiveness

   • Creating Your Own "System"
   • Setting Up an Office
   • Establishing Standard Practices and Procedures
   • Developing a System for Reporting and Communication
   • Managing Your Company Records
   • Using Technology to Streamline Your Operation
   
   

7. Plan for Project Success

   • Creating a Smart Bidding Strategy
   • Planning the Project
     • Choosing the Right Project Management Team
     • Selecting Qualified Subcontractors, Vendors and Suppliers 
     • Creating a Project Plan
   • Managing Performance
   • Working with Project Team Players
   
   

8. Manage Your Legal Risks

   • Managing Your Contractual Risk
   • Minimizing the Risk of Loss
   • Putting Safety at the Top
   • Protecting Your Personal Assets
   
   

9. Achieve Financial Stability

   • Budgeting and Controlling Company Costs
   • Managing Cash Flows
   • Monitoring Your Financial Performance
   • Meeting Your Financing Needs
   • Satisfying Bonding Requirements
   • Building Your Equity Base
   
   
10. Rise to the Challenge in a Changing Environment

    Notes

    Appendices

    A.  The Strategic Business Plan Workbook

    B.  Industry Resources and Information

    C.  Government Resources

    D.  Minority and Women Business Organizations

    E.  Industry Associations

    F.  Construction Unions

    G.  Sample Project Management Forms and Templates

    H.  Sample Outline for Employee Handbook

    I.   Sample Table of Contents for Project Management Manual

    J.   Sample Project Filing System

    K.  Project Management Procedures Workbook

    Index