The word builder has different connotations in India and abroad. While builder means a mere builder of buildings in the country, the word means entrepreneur overseas. In fact, the role played by the builders is more than that of entrepreneurs. In the broad sense of the term builder, it would mean all those who build the future. In my view, builders would mean those who build a system, an organization, a great team and a great organizational culture to help people lead a better life are true builders. Builders doesn’t mean those who merely build physical buildings, but those who build communities. Since the construction sector figures among the top three basic needs of humans, depending on the customer segment, if one can provide value beyond their needs and expectations – at the right price – customers will become fans of builders.
When the market is upbeat, all builders will be happy. But, when it slows down, the builders not having the “community builder mindset” will become fish out of water. Trade depression occurs when greed supersedes the objective. Real builders are those who turn the tide in their favour by changing their mindset. Economic recession that surfaced in the wake of the Covid-19, Ukraine war, food crisis in 69 countries, layoffs across the globe, rising prices have created unrest in the middle class, triggering mental stress.
In such a scenario, the habit of thrift among Indians has shown a downward trend. It is good for the market, but the choices before the customers widen continuously. Those builders who fulfil their genuine needs giving no room for greed would be able to stand up in the market.
Creativity is the key
Decrease of cash flow in a business paves the way for fizzling out of energy affecting the ability to think creatively. As a result, concern and worry over the future would decrease creativity and ability to invent new things. As a result, the businessmen would enter the price war of ‘Red-Ocean’ – the commodity market experiencing stiffer competition. The fortunes would dwindle, reducing a builder from his significant position to part of the crowd. At such junctures, the blue-ocean market opens doors for innovative ideas that disrupt.
A builder would have to play three roles – creator of a project, a leader who creates leaders and a person who runs the management (daily operations of a firm). Builders having a community-building mindset will build a team with like-minded persons in tune with the project theme, organization’s core purpose and values, provided they understand the market trends. Then, A good team of Professionals who are like brand ambassadors explains to customers the significance of the project in a better way and helps build a wonderful community.
Business growth meetings play a vital role
Ability to assess market conditions, assessing the ground realities with an adoptive mindset and sharing views with creative persons and taking part in meetings, seminars and workshops trigger new ideas among the builders. When the market is upbeat, the builders hardly get any time to indulge in these activities as most of the time is used up in counting money. When the market is not rosy, the builders would be able to share their views with other builders. But, what is the use in it? Around such a time, proactive measures like calling on a business coach/marketing consultant/ taking part in business growth meetings will help generate new business ideas.
• Some builders are happy in spite of the fact that the market is not rosy. They appear very calm as they earned profits in the last year or two. Those who build castles in the air without owning the site, without proper agreements and without securing permissions for the project are sure to face problems. When the market is looking up, any strategy is just fine. But when the odds are heavy, no strategy seems to be fine to tackle the situation. Under such conditions, the empowered builders would be able to focus on launching a landmark project and strive to make their vision a reality.
• Those who thought only about building a structure and earning profits can become owners of a business. But, those who fulfill a social responsibility or a need and create wealth through executing an infrastructure project with a mission mode would emerge as a brand. In the post Covid-19 scenario, the people are thinking of only health and happiness, it was a welcome trend. To cash in on the trend, genuine as well as fake companies are mushrooming. The fake organisations would be able to sell their projects, but would not be able to emerge as builders. Such people would threaten the credibility of the whole industry. The reason behind buyers sailing with a brand with significant history in spite of high costs is attributed to the vision of the developer. In fact, many developers are devoid of such vision and not bothering to have a vision at all.
• Organisations having commitment, efficiency and empowerment regard the economic slowdown as a golden opportunity. If they are able to win the credibility of the customers, the customers will market their products free of cost. This phenomenon is called the market chasing the builder.
Generate New Ideas
According to business coach of VB Prosperity Venu Bhagavan, when the market is looking up many builders find it difficult to find time even to count the cash. When the sales dip, there was no use sharing their woes with fellow builders. Around this time, they need the support of a business coach. If they attend business growth meetings, new ideas will occur to them. As a result, they will be able to improve the sales.
Mr Venu Bhagawan,
Business coach,
VB Prosperity.
9603939239
