In this insightful episode of the Construction Champions podcast, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Ken Rusk, a renowned "blue-collar entrepreneur" and author of the book "Blue Collar Cash." Ken shares his unique perspective on building a thriving construction business by empowering and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit within his team.
The Power of Intrapreneurship
Ken emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where employees can thrive as "intrapreneurs" – individuals who possess an entrepreneurial mindset but prefer to work within the framework of an established company. By fostering this culture, Ken has been able to drive his construction business to new heights, with his team members taking ownership of their roles and contributing to the overall success of the organization.
"I absolutely believe that because, you know, I don't think there's any hero in working 78 hours a week you know, being the guy who does everything or the gal that does everything, you come home, you're exhausted, you're beat up, you haven't seen your kids, but your business is going okay."
Shifting the Ownership Mindset
Ken emphasizes the importance of shifting the ownership mindset within the construction industry. Instead of discouraging entrepreneurship and pushing employees to start their own businesses, he advocates for creating an environment where people can thrive and achieve their personal and professional goals while contributing to the growth of the company.
"I 100% agree with that. So, I mean, how do we how do we start to do that? As an owner of a company, how do you start to develop that that culture around what you're talking about?"
Empowering Employees through Bonus Structures
One of the key strategies Ken shares is the implementation of comprehensive bonus structures that align the interests of the employees with the overall success of the company. By involving his team in setting revenue goals and sharing the rewards of their collective efforts, Ken has been able to foster a sense of ownership and commitment among his employees.
"Well, first off, this is this will be free to you. Okay? And here's why. Let's say your current level is $10,000,000 a year in business. Okay? Well, if be if because of these conversations, your company now does 12,000,000 or 13,000,000, that's newfound money that you never had. So, it's easy to share money that you've never had before."
Becoming Irrelevant: The Path to True Leadership
Perhaps the most counterintuitive advice Ken offers is the importance of becoming "irrelevant" to the day-to-day operations of the business. By empowering his team and giving them the freedom to make decisions, Ken has been able to step back and focus on the strategic direction of the company, ultimately leading to greater success.
"Your goal as an owner of a company should be to become as irrelevant to the day to day as possible. As quickly as possible. Now that doesn't mean you just do nothing. You go play golf all day. That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is you should have nothing within your company that requires you and only you that can do that thing."
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Conclusion: Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit
The insights shared by Ken Rusk in this episode of the Construction Champions podcast offer a blueprint for construction business owners to unleash the full potential of their teams. By fostering an entrepreneurial culture, implementing strategic bonus structures, and empowering employees to take ownership of their roles, construction companies can unlock new levels of growth and success.
Unleash Your Construction Business Potential: Strategies from a Blue-Collar Entrepreneur
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