In any economy and in any service industry, there is a very fair question: "What Value Do You Add?".  This question goes for companies and employees and in this economy it becomes imperative to not only ask the question, but to answer it correctly.  So have you asked yourself the question?  Any good answers?

Let's look at the basis of what we do in Construction.  We solve problems.  Owners and/or Consultants come up with ideas that they want us to make a reality.  The Owners and Consultants for the most part do not know how to change their idea into a reality and that is where we come in.  I would argue that the single largest value that we add as a company or individual in construction is that of a problem solver.  Companies are hired not because they can do the same work that everyone else can do, they are hired because they can do work that others cannot figure out.

So what does this mean to us as employees?

• Change your perspective.  If you did not live and work with the perspective that your job is to solve problems, start today.  Just saying it every morning at the start of the day, will change the way you look at each encounter throughout the day.
• No whining!  Problem solvers do not whine, they think!  Albert Einstein, arguably the world's greatest problem solver, didn't complain about the difficulty of solving problems.  He just starting thinking and solving.
• Learn, always be learning.  Whether you are out taking continual education courses, reading industry publications, or just asking questions, always learn.  In a given year, technology moves remarkably fast.  If you make it a point to ask: "How does that work?" then you will always be learning.
• Understand the way Customers view you.  When we go to sell our skills, we talk about how difficult our work is and how you need special training, licenses, certifications, etc.  Well our customers have heard us and that is why they are hiring us.  Unlike mowing their lawn (where they hire someone because they would prefer not to do the work), they are hiring us because we are experts.  Be one, act like one.
• Be positive.  No one like negativity in the face of problem, especially from the expert problem solver.

I encourage you to look at your job a little differently.  If you do, I can guarantee you that you will see a difference in your job performance and your company's performance.  Either way, go out and solve some problems for the world!

• Be positive towards a result.