Editor’s note: Ellen Rohr has allowed us a peek inside her mailbag, and shares with us a few real-world letters and e-mails. Contractors, just like you, seek her advice regularly. The focus is strictly on problem solving and handling the day-to-day operations of a successful contracting business.

To send Ellen your own questions, which if selected will run anonymously, send us an e-mail with the subject title “Ask The Experts” to: rotellak@bnpmedia.com or fax at 248/502-2110.

Troubled By Inconsistency

Dear Ellen,
Our company is troubled by inconsistency. Our sales our inconsistent, our employee census is inconsistent. We do great for a few months, then mediocre then bad then great again. I have a goal and plan board. We meet every week for training. What else can I do?
Yo-Yo Company

Dear Yo-Yo,
When business is slow, you probably crank up your sales and marketing efforts. Those efforts pay off ... and you get busy on installations. Once you catch your breath, there is nothing coming down the pike ... and you have to start the cycle over.

This is pretty typical.

Life is cyclical. This roller coaster ride is the natural way of things. It is up to YOU to develop and STICK TO a plan that will help you even out the peaks and valleys.

Now is a good time to lay out your marketing calendar, training calendar and business plan for 2008. Put it in writing. Put the projects on your calendar. And KEEP to it.

I wrote The Bare Bones Biz Plan to help you with this process. Check it out at www.barebonesbiz.com.
Ellen

This column is meant to be a resource only. Please check with your own trusted business advisers, including your own attorney, to make certain that the advice here complies with all relevant laws, customs and regulations in your area.