Ever notice how everything seems to run in top order when you’re on the jobsite? Why is that? Your crews are still working under the same operations and systems, whether you’re there or not. So why is everyone suddenly so much more productive?
It’s great to have operations in place that work to improve productivity and efficiency, but your systems aren’t doing you any good if your people aren’t following them properly.
Holding daily meetings is the key to solving operational problems and is the best way to ensure your crew is on track and following the agenda for the day. Here’s a look into how meetings should take place during a typical day on the jobsite:
Meeting 1 – 7 am
Have your crew’s work day start once they arrive on the actual job site, not once they arrive at the yard. This first meeting should cover:
•Tools and equipment needed for the job, including which tools will be used for each specific job. Too often, time and efficiency is wasted using the wrong tools and equipment. For every bit of manual labor, there’s a piece of machinery that can do it in half the time with half the guys.
•Basics of the day – who’s in charge of what? What needs to be accomplished? etc.
•Individual work goals for the day – where should everyone be at the end of the day?
Meeting 2 – 9am/10 am (during 15 min paid break)
It may be break time, but your crew is being paid, so there’s no reason to stop talking about work. ¾ of the work should be done by lunch, making the morning the most productive portion of the day. While the guys get their drinks and take a seat, have a discussion about what you’re going to do over the next 2 hours. Everyone in your crew should be a part of this meeting.
•By this point, you should know what you need for the next day – discuss and start a running list of materials and equipment necessary for the next day
•Assess how the day is going so far
Meeting 3 – 12:30 or after lunch (10 min meeting)
During this meeting:
•Discuss what will be needed for the next day
•Supervisors should start making the necessary phone calls
•Talk about job budget
•Look at estimated hours compared to actual hours on the job
Meeting 4 – 2:30/3:00 pm (15 min paid break)
During this meeting:
•Assess how the day is going
•Discuss additional needs for tomorrow
Meeting 5 – 6:00 pm (or ½ hour before you completely wrap up)
Just before the end of the day:
•Discuss what materials need to be gathered at the yard tonight for tomorrow’s work
•Designate a guy in charge of going to the yard and loading the truck or trailer up with the necessary materials for tomorrow
Not only is more work done in less time when you hold daily meetings, but everything runs twice as smooth the next day when you take the time to hold meetings the day before.
Landscape Management Network is a collection of systems, tools, and training to help great contractors build and manage great businesses. Visit the LMN website.
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