Keep it Moving: How to Feed Through New Projects When You're Busy
Keeping the wheels turning with new projects is crucial when you're running a business, even in busy times – here's how
Georgia Madden
11 July 2022
Nurturing new leads takes time and effort, but it’s a crucial part of running a small business. In a crowded market, knowing where to look for prospective clients and how to convert them into confirmed projects – even when you’ve got your hands full with other work – helps with cashflow, boosts staff morale and frees you up to focus on future plans for your business.
Fortunately, there are tried-and-true methods and business tools to help you do it – read on to learn more.
Fortunately, there are tried-and-true methods and business tools to help you do it – read on to learn more.
When you’re running a small business, it’s easy to get caught up in what you’re currently working on. But for the health of your business, your staff and your own sanity, it’s important to keep an eye on what’s on the horizon.
“There is nothing worse than coming to the end of a job and having to spend your nights quoting for the month ahead,” says Tristan Haddock, director at building firm Renotech Building.
“There is nothing worse than coming to the end of a job and having to spend your nights quoting for the month ahead,” says Tristan Haddock, director at building firm Renotech Building.
“Continuous work means a more consistent workflow and cashflow, personal and staff satisfaction and, ultimately, profit,” says Michael Drage, building designer and principal at Reimagined Habitat.
Find, follow, network with and browse the work of other professionals on Houzz
Find, follow, network with and browse the work of other professionals on Houzz
Neglecting your future pipeline can have an impact on virtually all parts of your business. “It can lead to cashflow issues, personal and staff unease and anxiety, chasing work you may not want and ultimately less profit,” says Drage.
Haddock concurs. “Having to scramble for last-minute work never ends well. Quotes are rushed and you risk ending up taking on jobs that you don’t specialise in.”
Haddock concurs. “Having to scramble for last-minute work never ends well. Quotes are rushed and you risk ending up taking on jobs that you don’t specialise in.”
“It’s really important to be booked ahead,” says Melanie George, manager of the client success team at Houzz. “Dedicating time to feed through new projects, even when you’ve got your hands full with existing ones, builds up that all-important pipeline you need when you’re running a small business. The reality is, some projects hit delays or don’t go to plan, and if you’ve got other jobs booked in, you’re less likely to end up out of pocket.
“Having expected revenue also allows you to plan out future goals for your business,” she says.
“Having expected revenue also allows you to plan out future goals for your business,” she says.
“You don’t want to set up branding when it’s too late,” says George. “The best time to start advertising is when you have a healthy pipeline, which in turn helps you to maintain it.”
Find out how Houzz Pro can help you run your business and manage your leads
Find out how Houzz Pro can help you run your business and manage your leads
So, how do these pros recommend you keep the wheels of your business turning?
Drage says:
Drage says:
- Update your website and Houzz profile with upcoming and in-progress works. Houzz Pro makes it easy to upload new projects so people can see your latest images and designs.
- Have a structured social media and SEO management plan.
- Make time to phone leads, send them some details to secure an initial meeting and schedule your diary to follow up in a week if you don’t hear back straight away.
Haddock says:
- Constantly assess leads, even when you’re busy.
- Make the time to sift out the qualified leads from those that aren’t suitable so you’re not wasting time pursuing the wrong projects.
- Keep communicating: word-of-mouth leads and recommendations can be a great source of future business.
George recommends taking advantage of all the business and marketing tools that Houzz Pro software offers:
- Houzz Pro Ultimate users have access to project match and live connections. These services allow you to connect with and have more conversations with homeowners in you area who are looking for your particular services.
- Houzz Pro also helps you stay organised: the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool lets you see all potential leads and their status in one place. The smart software will also prompt you to take the next action, such as following up a lead or booking a meeting.
- The reporting function: this allows you to keep track of your expected revenue and bottom line.
- Dashboards, daily notes, timeline and tasks: these tools let you collaborate with team members and sub-contractors, delegate tasks, and track how things are progressing on the timeline to keep your processes streamlined.
- Calendar synching: this makes it easy for clients to book appointments with you, either face-to-face or on a video or phone call.
Your turn
How do you keep the wheels turning with new projects? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to pick up more great tips from other pros on how to run your business? Don’t miss these Key Ways to Help Your Clients Keep Their Projects on Schedule
How do you keep the wheels turning with new projects? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to pick up more great tips from other pros on how to run your business? Don’t miss these Key Ways to Help Your Clients Keep Their Projects on Schedule
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Great article, BUT…in my experience, clients want everything NOW, so how do you get a clients willing to wait to be in your pipeline? Of course if you are a Celeb Designer they may be willing to wait, but most of us are not.
Because I was overbooked on several projects, I told a potential new client that I needed at least 2 weeks before I could properly service them, and they could not wait 2 weeks. I don’t know many clients whom are willing to wait. Just my experience. Deb | DLZ
Two weeks these days is not a long time especially when cabinet lead times are out 12 weeks and more
It probably was not a good fit.
True, this was WELL before the pandemic. It was a super high-profile client who reached out to me, and as much as I wanted to take it on, I will not over-commit as it would be a disservice to my clients. But you're right, expectations have changed since the pandemic (but clients still want everything "now"! LOL!)