Are You A Doer Or Planner?

The Doer	The Planner
Turns up to site with minimal planning and figures things out as they go	Plans the job before turning up to site
Will often have to go and pick up extra bits during the job	Will generally have the necessary tools, extra product etc onsite.
Wants to learn “How ”. They feel they only learn by hands-on experience.	Wants to understand “Why”, not just be shown “How”.”
Thinks callbacks and repairs are normal for the industry.	Utilises a repeatable, proven system that is adapted to each project.
Focused only on the current job. Not thinking too far ahead.	Thinking ahead. Develops a pipeline of work through systems.
Feels the industry is just “Rinse and repeat”, the same steps again and again.	Looks to improve with each iteration rather than repeating the same step as last time.

Planners will answer yes to most of the following...

Do you think through all the possible ways the job can go wrong in advance?

Do you read TDSs, SDSs and application guides before using a new product?

Do you practise with a new product before you start using it on the client's floor?

Do you watch videos of other installers to learn what they did well and ways they could improve?

Do you ask technical questions of your product supplier?

Instead of buying more equipment to reduce your tax bill, do you prefer to pay some tax and invest in income-producing assets?

Do you pay yourself Superannuation / 401(k) for your retirement?

Do you have working capital put aside to maintain even cash flow with suppliers and overheads?

Do you have business cash reserves put aside for downtimes or emergencies?

Instead of comparing product cost, do you work out your installed system cost per sqm / sqft?

Do you look to understand the “capabilities and limitations" of products or systems before you vary from the typical installation steps?

Do you write down procedures, systems and keep photos and records of projects?

Do you follow an inspection checklist at the time of quoting?

Do you have a documented client handover process?

Do you feel you are repeating the same process or are you doing an iteration with slight improvement each time?

Do you work for wages, or do you work for wages/super and profit?

Do you want to know about a problem a client might have with your floor?