In 2022, the construction industry encountered challenges due to rapid growth. As a small building inspection business, House Inspect was swept up in the demand. Litsa Adamou, of House Inspect, describes the period as a very challenging one for the business.
“The surge in demand, fuelled by post-pandemic economic recovery, new housing incentives, and large-scale government infrastructure projects, placed enormous pressure on the sector,” she explains. House Inspect found itself overflowing with work, but unable to take advantage of the increased opportunities.
To make matters worse, skilled labour shortages due to border closures made it hard for House Inspect to find new employees to keep up with demand. It wasn’t the only business looking for new employees – other companies needed workers, too, and were offering high wages to attract and retain talent.
To address the increased workload and demand in 2022, House Inspect implemented several strategic initiatives, Litsa recounts. As soon as it caught wind of the increasing demand, the business went about looking for new employees. It offered competitive remuneration packages, targeted training programs, and work-life balance. House Inspect was not only able to attract new talent, but also retained existing employees amid strong competition.
Facing a glut of demand, the business streamlined its operations. Litsa says it implemented new systems and refined existing ones, making processes more efficient.
House Inspect also prioritised communication and relationships with its clients, ensuring they were informed of its movements as a business. Litsa says staff took the time to listen to clients’ challenges and worked with them to ensure House Inspect was a resource for their already exhausted workforce. This transparency helped manage expectations and maintain trust during a challenging period, in which House Inspect grew as a business – and that growth is continuing this year.
“Facing a sudden increase in demand can be overwhelming for small-business owners, but managing that growth effectively is crucial for sustainable success,” Litsa says.
When asked what advice she would give other businesses going through a similar experience, Litsa recommends starting by developing a clear plan with defined goals and priorities. This helps maintain focus and mitigates feelings of being overwhelmed.
Moreover, Litsa explains that expanding too quickly or responding too slowly can create problems. She urges businesses to stay attuned to industry trends to time their growth appropriately, and refine their processes to ensure quality and customer service. Outsourcing non-core tasks can also be beneficial, as it allows businesses to free up internal resources to focus on core operations. Finally, businesses should monitor cash flow closely to ensure they have the capital needed to support growth, the inspector recommends.
Your workforce is the backbone of your business, Litsa says, and investing in your workers is essential, especially during periods of high demand. Even when your staff members are busy, offer work-life balance, training and development. This will not only aid in retention, but make your team more highly skilled.
Lastly, Litsa explains that communicating with clients during busy periods is key.
“Keeping them informed about changes, delays or challenges builds trust and strengthens long-term relationships,” she explains.
By taking a proactive, measured approach, small-business owners can excel during periods of demand.
This article first appeared in issue 46 of the Inside Small Business quarterly magazine
