posters in general

[iwire]

I wouldn't mind reading more posts about the business side of the electrical contracting business. Maybe a seperate heading could be made for it in this forum. Just a thought.

I thought that was the purpose of this forum????

 

[cadpoint]

Is that all - Reading ?

Is that all - Reading ?

I wouldn't mind reading more posts about the business side of the electrical contracting business. Maybe a seperate heading could be made for it in this forum. Just a thought.

READING!!!, HA!!!
I want to go and be a Business Apprentice with a minimum of ten posters, and work directly with another ten or twenty + + +

 

[celtic]

IMHO...the BUSINESS side of contracting has very little to do with anything ELECTRICAL.

A business man needs to know how to run a business, not neccessarily run EMT.
An electrician needs to know how to run EMT, not neccessarily run a business.

As this is a CODE forum, where do the two concepts meet?

 

[480sparky]

IMHO...the BUSINESS side of contracting has very little to do with anything ELECTRICAL.

A business man needs to know how to run a business, not neccessarily run EMT.
An electrician needs to know how to run EMT, not neccessarily run a business.

As this is a CODE forum, where do the two concepts meet?

But you are currently reading threads under the heading of "Electrical Contracting and Estimating/Management". To me, that's the business end.

 

[iwire]

But you are currently reading threads under the heading of "Electrical Contracting and Estimating/Management". To me, that's the business end.

That was my thought as well.

 

[celtic]

But you are currently reading threads under the heading of "Electrical Contracting and Estimating/Management". To me, that's the business end.

I don't pay too much attention to what the heading is :grin:


This particular area is #3 in number of threads...with a close 4th being GvB.

While there is certainly interest in the business end, I'm not sure that many people equate "Mike Holt" with the business end of this trade (no offense, Mr. Holt - maybe a niche that needs some attention?) - but rather with the nuts and bolts of this business.

IMSO

 

[iwire]

I would be happy if this entire forum just had one 'category' that being NEC but I have been outvoted. :grin:

I use the new threads page so I don't even notice what categories each post is in. :smile:

Edit....

IMESHO.

 

[sparkle5]

Re: posters

Re: posters

I don't post very often but read and stay current on issues that arise on this forum. I have worked for big union shops and as to possible perception that those who do don't necessarily need to ( know everything ) or don't want to ( arrogance ) participate the reality may be a little of both. Big shops often have engineering departments that have specific specialties ( health care, airports, refinery, power generation ) if technical questions arise the G.F. ( general foreman ) will often solicit clarification from the ( P.M. ) project manager who then goes to the project engineering department for clarification. Chain of command and CYA ( cover your ass ) are adhered to on the bigger jobs. As far as on an individual basis my thoughts would tend to gravitate more towards the person own desire to learn and investigate, some people want to be spoon fed information and others are willing to open books. I learned things from both G.F. and apprentices whether technical or means and methods that some times only came about from some real life experience and/or incident. We all can learn from each other, even the laborer on job has tricks that I have not tried, and i usually keep an open perspective towards all the other trades on projects.

 

[peter d]

Edit....

IMESHO.

In my extremely small humble opinion?

 

[peter d]

I've always enjoyed the technical aspects of the trade over the business aspects. I can't see going through life thinking in terms of contracts, money, bids, etc etc and not deal with the mundane day to day electrical work that I enjoy. I guess I'll never be one of those businessmen schmoozing customers on the golf course, and I'll never be a millionaire from this business, but oh well, that's life.

 

[iwire]

In my extremely small humble opinion?

In my extremely stupid humble opinion.

 

[peter d]

In my extremely stupid humble opinion.

Gotcha, I just saw the other thread where this new term was introduced. That's pretty funny, IMSO.

 

[macmikeman]

IMHO...the BUSINESS side of contracting has very little to do with anything ELECTRICAL.

A business man needs to know how to run a business, not neccessarily run EMT.
An electrician needs to know how to run EMT, not neccessarily run a business.

As this is a CODE forum, where do the two concepts meet?

In my extremely humble and stupid opinion, they meet with me, cause I have to be a businessman and know the craft also since nobody (me) gets paid until somebody(me again) installs the stuff. Granted its no business empire, but its my empire.

 

[cadpoint]

Anyone Read anything better, Lately! ? ?

Anyone Read anything better, Lately! ? ?

I see a lot of small contractors and inspectors but why not big contractors ? there are huge contractors around but they post not.
the company i work for has over 2000 men working - all union but they don't post, least not the employer.

anyone suppose why ?

Well, maybe cause there busy in there off hours reading books like the following:

| Both of the Following are by Jeffrey J. Fox (a Harvard Professor)
|
| "How to become a Rainmaker": The Rules for Getting and Keeping Customers and Clients
| amazon direct link, Here

|"How to make Big Money in your own small business"
|amazon direct link, Here

My recent favorite
You, Inc. by Harry Beckwith and Christine Clifford Beckwith
amazon direct Link, Here

 

[brian john]

A good electrical contractor needs to understand electrical contracting and business. I have worked for firms that have non electrical bosses and they can be a mess.

I have seen several of the large conglomerates buying up business and then run them in the ground. I have a card from a guy from ***** that wanted to discuss buying my company, you see where they are now.

 

[jrannis]

I see a lot of small contractors and inspectors but why not big contractors ? there are huge contractors around but they post not.
the company i work for has over 2000 men working - all union but they don't post, least not the employer.

anyone suppose why ?

The IBEW has many forums and most local unions have their own. In union shops most of the electricians have had very extensive training and are required to have CE to keep their tickets.
Mike Holts business was started by filling the gap between the union and non-union as a place for everyone to go for answers. Mr. Holt is a very good businessman and knows his business very well.

 

[ITO]

1) I run a medium size shop, and quite honestly don't have the time to post much at all, even this post is cutting into what I should be doing. It would seem to me the bigger boys probably don't have much time either.

2) This is a Contracting and Estimating/Managment forum, but it goes off topic quite a bit. IMHO the code questions should be moved to another forum. Also there are some posters here who are not contractors and are antagonistic to those of us who are. Again the forum heading seems to be more of a suggestion than anything else.

3) Not being able to discuss labor issues is like going to McDonald's and not getting fries with your burger.

 

[satcom]

3) Not being able to discuss labor issues is like going to McDonald's and not getting fries with your burger.

I think a lot of the not being able to discuss labor issues, reduces the overall intrest of some larger contractors, to join in the discussions.

 

[peter d]

3) Not being able to discuss labor issues is like going to McDonald's and not getting fries with your burger.

What's there to discuss? Most people have their minds made up on the issue and no amount of discussion/debate/name-calling/stone throwing is going to change that. Why do we need to discuss something that's divisive here anyway? There are plenty of other boards where the topic can be discussed.

 

[brian john]

If the moderators were required to keep the post in line with the section header they would be WAY TOO busy for much else, lighting under PQ and lightning. Grounding under anything and the list go on.

Those that want to post a topic are free to join and post with in reason any question they want. I doubt many electrical business men from LARGE companies would post here to try and decide if they should be organized or merit shop.