As I write this viewpoint for September, a few days before our deadline, I am in the final stages of packing for a four day get away with my sons and expanding family, which includes my girlfriend and her two boys.
Planning for any trip like this one takes some preparation and creativity around my work schedule so that any time missed does not impact business flow. Luckily technology has advanced greatly to the point where I can run my home office through my cell phone. I will be available for any pressing issues that pop up with a quick email or can even jump on a call with the office or a client. With the long weekend ahead I am not anticipating too much work.
I will be bringing my work camera for the trip as well to snap family photos and also take photos of construction projects I see on the two and half hour trip to justify some of the cost as a personal business expense. I enjoy generating leads through road trips like this and developing new relationships. Technology does allow me to do 80 per cent of my job from my home office but getting out to trade shows, association events and networking in real life accounts for the important 20 per cent that adds to my job being 100 per cent successful.
The first full week after the long weekend I will hit the ground running with the kids returning to school and travel plans for work events and hockey tournaments will be mapped out. The first week of transition is sometimes rough moving from the relaxed summer hours to the full steam ahead nature of September.
What events and projects are you involved with once the summer break ends? Send me an email and we can provide coverage of industry events in our community news section. If you are starting a new project, send me details and we can feature it in a future issue.
Chase is the director of marketing and client relations for the Construction News and Report Group as well as the associate publisher for the GTA Construction Report, Ontario Construction Report and the Canadian Design & Construction Report. He currently serves on the Niagara Construction Association’s board of directors as chair of its Young Leaders Committee. If you have any recommendations or suggestions on changes you would like to make for the publication please contact him at (905) 228- 1151, by email at chase@cnrgp.com or visit online at www.gtaconstructionreport.com.
