Grow or Die
By Matt MichelIf you are not growing, you are either stagnating or dying. Here are nine reasons you should grow your business.
Based on an informal poll of contractors attending a number of trade shows, roughly four out of 10 do not want to grow. Curious. If you are not growing, you are either stagnating or dying. Here are nine reasons you should grow your business.
1. Grow to reduce personal risk.
Even if you think you will lead a charmed, accident-free life, scale still offers a form of insurance. If you get dinged in a lawsuit, fined by the government, or victimized by theft, attaining a certain size will give you the ability to withstand the hit.
Grow … or risk everything.
2. Grow to do what you want.
Grow … and focus on what you want.
3. Grow for better pay.
Grow … and make more money.

Matt Michel is the CEO of the Service Roundtable, the largest business alliance in the plumbing, heating, and cooling industry. You can reach Matt by email at matt.michel@serviceroundtable.com, toll-free at 877-262-3341, or follow him on Twitter as ComancheMktg.
“Stop being hostage to your labor force.”
4. Grow to create an exit strategy.
Grow … and profit from a lifetime spent building a business.
5. Grow to weather employment losses.
Grow … and stop being hostage to your labor force.
6. Grow to survive a hostile regulatory environment.
The smallest contractors ignore the regulations and try to skate under the law. The largest absorb the cost of compliance with existing staff and spread additional costs over greater sales. The rest get squeezed.
Grow … and survive.
7. Grow to have more fun.
Grow … and have more fun.
8. Grow to maintain a positive personal outlook.
Grow … and live in a world of abundance.
9. Grow because it is natural.
Growth is what people are supposed to do. Growth is what businesses are supposed to do. It is in our nature. It is not in our nature to stagnate.
Grow … or die.
“Growth is what businesses are supposed to do. It is in our nature.”
Get Help
There has also never been the wide array of support for contractors. Manufacturer programs have improved. Local trade associations are on the move. National contractor alliances offer more support options than ever before. Any contractor who wants help, advice, and guidance can get it.
Grow … or die.
For more information on the PHC industry’s most affordable business support organization, check out www.ServiceRoundtable.com or call 877-262-3341 and ask for a tour behind the firewall so you can see what your competitors are enjoying.