Competitors to Collaborators: Harnessing the Power of Industry Connections

From LinkedIn 6/27/23

One of the most impactful things I can do for my business is to create, foster, and maintain positive relationships with my peers, colleagues, fellow entrepreneurs, new contractors, experienced contractors, and industry leaders. Some may see them strictly as competitors, but we've decided to work with them in collaboration and have found it to be only beneficial for our company.

Industry relationships are a valuable aspect of collaboration that benefit every aspect of my business. From recruitment and hiring to shared experiences and solutions, partnerships can open new opportunities and inspire new ideas. In this article, we will explore a few benefits of our industry relationships and how they have positively impacted our businesses.

Recruitment and Hiring New Talent.

Sometimes, someone who may not be the best fit for our company might be a better fit for another. I've relied on references for new hires and have also referred my own employees who I thought could achieve their goals elsewhere. Having a relationship with peers can help us find the best team members who fit our culture and help employees seek opportunities with other companies.

Shared Challenges and Solutions Based on Historical Experience.

Having a network of peers who are much larger than my own business gives us an idea of what we can expect to encounter as we grow and face those challenges. We can rely on our network of fellow contractors to help guide us through various challenges and also assist others. One piece of perspective that I received from a mentor was "Cole, we all have the same challenges except some of us have more zeros."

Lead Generation & Sales Opportunities.

Knowing the services we offer and which niche we are most successful in helps us understand which clients and projects fit us best, and which clients may be better suited for another contractor. One of our biggest sources of new leads for our company is from established residential painting contractors who have stellar reputations in their markets.

Source of Motivation, Inspiration & Purpose.

When I first started my business, it felt at times as if no one understood the challenges I faced. It was only after meeting like-minded professionals in my industry that I realized there was a larger community at hand who shared the same challenges as I did.

I am grateful for the support, mentorship, and friendships from various local painting contractors I have met over the years, as they have all contributed to the success of our company. Organizations like Painting Contractors Association (PCA) & WAPCA have helped connect me locally with other industry professionals.

Feel free to reach out if you are a fellow contractor and business owner who would like to grab some coffee and connect!