Light at the end of the tunnel.
That’s the hope we hear in relation to 2021 in several aspects. Most of those aspects link to anticipation that we are about to turn a corner on COVID19: that perhaps the tsunami it’s been for almost a year, wreaking havoc on our health and the well-being of our families and livelihoods, may be reaching a point where it will begin to recede.
Always optimistic, we’re eager to contribute to the hopeful momentum.
Signs indeed point to recovery in 2021, yet they indicate the pace will likely be a leisurely one. You’ve likely seen the recent article in Engineering News-Record, 2021 Construction Forecast: A Slow Road to Recovery, conveying expectations that meaningful growth is likely to be several months away. The article quotes Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Data & Analytics, who says, “…we see…slow growth continuing into the fourth quarter and quite frankly into the first three months of 2021.”
We share this outlook from ENR not to close a year so many would love to forget on a down note, but with a couple suggestions for succeeding through a market that, for a while still, may not be as vigorous as we’ve been accustomed to for several years.
Add Safety Training to Your 2021 Business Plan
If you find 2021 a bit slow getting started, it’s a good time to reinforce some core components for long term success. One great option is safety training to enhance and reinforce processes, procedures, and knowledge about safe use of the equipment you use on the job.
As noted on our website, American Scaffolding offers safety training for the following manufacturers:
- Universal Systems Scaffolds
- Vanguard Frame Scaffolds
- Tube and Clamp
- Superchute Trash Chutes
- Altrex Modular Swing Stages
- Bee Access Rigging
- PowerClimber Hoist
- Tractel Hoist
- Bisomac Hoist
- Beta Max
- Hi-Lo
More broadly, it might be an opportunity to take time for continued professional/personal development and business development plans. An acquaintance who works in manufacturing in a different industry recently commented to me in a conversation, “I don’t know why I feel the pressure to get this new product information out. Nobody’s doing anything right now.”
The “why”, be it for professional or business development, is that this WILL pass, and at least SOME of the competition, whether individuals or organizations, are using this time to enhance awareness about their capabilities. Who wants to start off at a disadvantage when the market gains steam again!!
Some articles we’ve run across recently that might spark some ideas if you need them include “Owning Your Development”, a piece that offers examples of how others pushed through difficult times, and “Can Patience Exist in Business Development”, which stresses the importance of building business strategically, rather than frantically.
Hopefully that light at the end of the tunnel is close – closer than the forecasters cautiously predict.
Still the fundamentals of training, professional development and sound strategic planning can become victims of busy-ness during the extremely busy times. They are important activities that we often hold off for “later”… “when things slow down a bit”. Now could that “later” we often talk about.
As the market rounds the curve toward recovery, we’d be honored to help you with safety training. We can also connect you to resources to build your network, who can assist with other training and development needs.
Here’s to 2021 being “better” in many ways!
