188. Does Time-Tracking Really Boost Staff Productivity? - Isaac Barlow
Nov 27, 2024
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Isaac Barlow, Founder of Busybusy, discusses the transformative power of time tracking in the construction industry. He shares insights on overcoming resistance to modern tech among field staff and emphasizes fostering a performance-driven culture. Barlow highlights how data collection can enhance productivity and profitability, arguing that time management is crucial for success. He also explores strategies for implementing time tracking in a way that boosts both workplace morale and accountability.
Implementing digital time tracking in landscaping and construction businesses enhances productivity and profitability through data-driven insights.
Overcoming field staff resistance to technology adoption requires fostering a positive culture of data collection and open communication.
Establishing a performance culture based on business intelligence leads to continuous improvement in project outcomes and resource allocation.
Deep dives
The Importance of Time Tracking in Contracting
Time tracking is crucial for landscaping and construction businesses as it helps create a performance culture based on data-driven insights. By transitioning from traditional time cards to a digital time tracking application, contractors can efficiently capture and analyze field data, allowing for better decision-making regarding project execution. This data can include specifics on labor hours, productivity levels, and task completion rates, which all contribute significantly to understanding project successes and failures. As such, implementing effective time tracking practices not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances overall company profitability.
Overcoming Resistance to Technology
Field staff often resist the adoption of modern technologies, viewing them as burdensome rather than beneficial. To mitigate this resistance, business leaders should focus on cultivating a positive culture around data collection and the use of technology in daily operations. Incorporating early adopters and tech-savvy team members can help create advocates within the team who can demonstrate the advantages of using such tools. Encouraging open communication about the purpose and benefits of data tracking will also help to alleviate fears, establishing a collective buy-in among employees.
Building a Data-Obsessed Culture
Establishing a culture that prioritizes data can positively impact a company's overall performance. Business leaders should consistently communicate the importance of data collection and analysis in achieving both individual and company-wide success. Setting clear expectations around what performance looks like and recognizing team members' efforts to collect relevant data fosters an accountability-driven environment. Additionally, businesses should remind employees that the ultimate goal is to use data to support and improve job performance rather than punish mistakes.
Finding the Balance in Business Intelligence
Navigating the complexities of business intelligence requires striking a balance between too much and too little data. Companies should focus on collecting data that drives actionable insights without overwhelming teams with unnecessary metrics. By starting with a manageable amount of key performance indicators, business leaders can gradually expand their data collection efforts as team members become more comfortable with the process. Ultimately, utilizing actionable data helps contractors make informed decisions that lead to improved project outcomes and higher profitability.
Using Data to Align Goals and Outcomes
Effective business intelligence allows contractors to compare estimated goals against actual project outcomes, identifying areas for improvement. By continuously evaluating these gaps, contractors can refine their estimating practices and resource allocation, thereby enhancing overall business performance. This process involves regularly scrutinizing whether the assumptions made during project bidding align with the actual execution results. Ultimately, aligning goals with measurable outcomes helps organizations learn from previous experiences and make data-informed adjustments moving forward.
Have you ever wondered whether getting your field staff to track their time is worthwhile?
Sure, it’d be great to hold them accountable. But you can already hear their grumbles and groans about having to add another thing to their to-do list.
The thing is, in other businesses (think accounting, law, marketing agencies), time tracking is standard practice. The whole goal in those industries is to make as much time billable to the client as possible. So why is it different in the trades?
Our guest on the show today is Isaac Barlow. He’s the Founder of busybusy. The industry-leading time-tracking app for construction and trades.
Today’s conversation is about leveraging time-tracking technology to increase productivity and profitability without hurting your company culture.
Episode highlights:
Learn how time tracking can be used to create a performance culture built on business intelligence.
Understand why field staff often resist adopting modern tech and how to change their attitudes and get them on board with time tracking.
Find out how to create a modern data-obsessed organization in an old school industry.
00:00-Intro 01:48-The story behind busybusy 08:42-Why contractors need to be more time obsessed 16:42-The benefits of busybusy and other time tracking apps 22:08-How to deal with pushback from the team 28:56-Business Intelligence: helpful or hurtful to culture? 31:57-Gamification: does it work? 34:04-3 tips to get your team thinking more like owners 38:19-Downloadable handout and busybusy promotion 39:08-Business intelligence: what is it and how do you use it? 44:46-Too much data vs. too little data: what is the balance? 46:36-How to become data-obsessed (even if you're not wired that way) 49:13-Connect with Isaac and learn more about busybusy