Important Resources for Contractors When They Experience a Business Crisis

RCS Influencer Kendall Ekerson from Simply Affordable Roofing says we need to know how to prepare ourselves in the case a business crisis may occur. 

When owning and running a roofing company, or really any business, you will never be able to know when a crisis may strike. All we can do is prepare ourselves for possible outcomes and hope we have thought of all the possibilities. Listed below are some of the things we do to help keep us prepared, up to date on industry changes, and stay informed.

• Membership in the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
  • The NRCA helps to educate and provide vital resources for contractors. The classes, seminars and online resources they have built over the years are some of the best out there for roofing contractors.
• Members of National Women in Roofing
  • This group has helped many contractors get set up with connections and resources and helps to get you involved in the industry and at a local level. We have found great knowledge coming from our local monthly council meetings.
• Future Executives Institute (NRCA program)
  • Kendall graduated in 2017 and Chris will be graduating in 2024. These classes not only offer education, but opportunities to network with other contractors and talk about real experiences. The NRCA has built these classes to help give younger contractors resources that may help navigate the day to day issues you may face and learn from each other's experiences.
• International Roofing Expo (IRE)
  • This is a great convention to participate in each year that offers great learning opportunities and the ability to network. There are great speakers, break out sessions, classes and hands-on learning opportunities.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, banks, accountants, insurance brokers and lawyers.
  • Know who they are and make sure they know you.
  • Your relationships can make you or break you. If you run into an insurance issue, you will want your insurance people to know you and your business and be there to help you get through whatever the issue might be. Same with your banking, accounting, suppliers and any other vendor you may have to work with regularly. If you have strong business relationships you will have an easier time navigating an issue when it arises.

You will see a common theme with us. We believe networking with other contractors and industry partners is a valuable tool. These may seem basic to some, and maybe irrelevant to others, but this is what we have learned over the years that seems to help lead to successes when a company comes into a crisis. Networking, relationships, and building your knowledge, is what we believe to be the basics of being prepared for when that crisis does arise. At the end of the day we know we have a solid support system to fall back on.

Simply Affordable Roofing is owned and operated by Chris & Kendall Ekerson and Brandon & Nalani Smith. See their full bios here.