Relationships: The Key to Success

GLOBAL CABLING

RELATIONSHIPS: THE KEY TO SUCCESS

THe eLeCTRICAL AnD COMMunICATIOnS InDuSTRY IS WeLL KnOWn FOR THe MAnY OPPORTunITIeS IT OFFeRS. One OPPORTunITY THAT APPeALS TO MAnY eLeCTRICIAnS IS HAVInG THeIR OWn BuSIneSS. THe CHAnCe TO Be THeIR OWn BOSS, HAVe FLeXIBILITY AnD ReAP THe ReWARDS OF THeIR LOnG HOuRS AnD HARD WORK IS An APPeALInG CAReeR OPTIOn.

neCA WA was pleased to interview Global Cabling’s Managing Director, Allan O’Grady, to discuss the benefits and challenges of running a contracting business.

What have been your business’s main highlights?

One of the highlights has been creating a good balance of lifestyle and business. This can be a real challenge for trade-based businesses, when we’re used to the idea that being busy equals making money. We’ve learned to use our time well and work flexibly. The benefits of this have flowed onto our team. We wanted a progressive business culture that enabled everyone to put family first. In achieving this, we’ve created an environment where people want to stay with the business. It’s all about relationships. This extends to our clients, too. We’ve used a partnership approach, working with clients as an extension of our team, rather than the traditional builder/ subcontractor relationship. This helps both clients and our business make better decisions and plans. Our clients have been able to go for jobs, knowing that Global Cabling will be there to back them up. As a result, we’ve ended up producing some really great projects.

What sort of challenges have you had to overcome?

The great thing about Australia is you can start up a business reasonably easily. The challenge is that while you might know your trade, no one teaches you how to run a business.

We were in a situation where there were no systems in place. We were doing lots of work, but not invoicing it out. Despite being busy all the time,

One product with cashflow was always an issue. For me, going into a business thinking it was better than being in a wages job just wasn’t coming true. double the options. I realised I needed to invest some time into working on the business rather than in it. I decided to enrol in neCA’s Business essentials Course and it was an eyeopener from day one. It gave me a sense of direction and as a result, we started putting better systems in place. We wrote a list of our top ten processes and worked out which ones to tackle first. Once we’d done the first two or three, we fixed half a dozen other problems. Straight away we were getting results.

What advice would you have for contractors who are looking to grow their business?

Introducing our new product release from GEN3 Industrial Switchgear. 6ka RCBOs with It’s important to get a good understanding of how your business runs. Developing your business dual-path capabilities (wire in either direction), available in 10, 16, 20, 25 and 32amp. management skills makes all the difference. When I did the course, I really had to force myself to be out of Fully tested and approved in Australia. Get in store now and grab yours today! the business for a day, especially at the start, but it was well worth it. Taking the time to step back, work out where the headaches are and find ways to address them was a good investment. networking with other like-minded contractors is also important, whether it’s through training or industry events. It doesn’t matter if they’re your competition. You realise that everyone faces similar problems and you all want the same thing – to run a profitable business. It helps to know that you’re not alone. The opportunity to work together and create a contracting community also helps give industry a united voice. This is valuable, especially when dealing with government rulings and legislation that affect all of our businesses.

You’re actively involved in local and international charities. Can you tell us a bit about that?

I’m currently working with Rites of Passage (ritestogether.org.au), which provides camps for adolescents, to mark the shift from being boys to men. I started volunteering for a couple of reasons. I have three daughters, so I bring a different voice and perspective to those fathers with sons. I also work in an industry that is, at this stage, predominantly male. We want to look after the young people coming into our industry. In Western culture, we don’t have any formal ways to acknowledge young people’s move into adulthood. The thing I like about Rites of Passage is how it provides an opportunity for young people to grow in a healthy way. As one person said to me, ‘it’s not about moulding but unfolding’. To have your inspirational story told, contact Aimee Hills at aimee.hills@ecawa.org.au.

One product with double the options.HEAD OFFICE 27A Colin Jamieson Drive Welshpool WA 6106 Introducing our new product release from GEN3 Industrial Switchgear. 6ka RCBOs with dual-path capabilities (wire in either direction), available in 10, 16, 20, 25 and 32amp. Ph: 08 9451 4782 | Fax: 08 9451 7057 Fully tested and approved in Australia. Get in store now and grab yours today!

HEAD OFFICE

27A Colin Jamieson Drive Welshpool WA 6106 Ph: 08 9451 4782 | Fax: 08 9451 7057