We never have enough time in our daily lives, but do you ever stop to think about where you want to be in the future? Strategic planning is important for personal and corporate growth. It will help you determine the types of training programs you and your staff need to meet your goals.


Consider how rapidly the business landscape is changing. You have always had to deal with the three-year cycle of code changes, but the systems that your customers ask you to install and integrate are numerous and complex. So-called “plain vanilla” fire alarm system installations are rare; systems now are programmable and must integrate with other complicated systems.


I often profess that everyone should have a copy of the important codes, such as the National Electrical Code and NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, in their trucks and office estimating rooms. In addition, you and your technicians should attend classes to learn about these codes’ changes and nuances.


Help!


With everything changing so dramatically, how do contractors keep up with all of the codes and technologies that affect their businesses?


Consider that even fire alarm systems wiring has changed. For example, in the past, when a system design required a smoke detector in a location that was unreachable with cable and raceway, you had to figure out how to drill your way through. Today, you can use a wireless smoke detector connected to the fire alarm control unit that contains the balance of the wired fire alarm system. Imagine applying these possibilities (and savings) in existing historic buildings. To install a system in this type of building in the past, you needed well-trained and experienced technicians to perform the work, and such an installation would prove expensive for the owners. A minor mistake could cost more than the profit on the job. New technologies and methods help preclude that sort of problem.


Strategically, you know that owners are trying to do more with less. Therefore, stay up-to-date on available products and the modern installation techniques and think through the process and challenges ahead of time. If you and your technicians are properly trained, you can help building owners meet their goals efficiently. 


Education is key, but even well-trained contractors must recognize when they need help. Back in the day, you could install a fire alarm system with little, if any, assistance from the supplier. Every electrical contractor understood wiring and device placement, and that knowledge provides a key to efficiency and profitability. However, when it comes to systems installation, wiring and device placement are small issues compared to programming. If you go it alone, you will spend hours correcting mistakes and may have to hire the supplier’s programmer to fix your errors when occupancy permit requirements loom.


Establish relationships with your suppliers. Ensure you understand their abilities and schedules. Your technicians need the suppliers’ training to understand the wiring nuances of their equipment. Also, the suppliers program more systems than you could install in a year, and you can benefit from that experience.


Of course, you must vet suppliers to ensure they have received proper factory authorization from the equipment manufacturers (and model numbers) they distribute. Always ask if they have more than one trained programmer on staff.


You may argue that there is a high cost because you can’t afford to send technicians to an out-of-town program. However, web-based training is an efficient and convenient method that you and your technicians can use to acquire electrical codes and standards knowledge.


Creating the plan


As you create your strategic plan, determine what challenges may keep you from reaching your goals. Careful and thoughtful planning before beginning an installation will best address your and your customers’ goals. This thinking time will reveal better ways to attack the common and not-so-common issues that would affect the installation.


Your strategic plan must address quality. If you are integrating more than one other system into the fire alarm system, thoroughly review the implications and ensure you know the right methods to make the process seamless. That way, systems operate reliably and only 
when needed.


Obtain a copy of the most recent editions of NFPA 3, Recommended Practice for Commissioning of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems, and NFPA 4, Standard for Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety System Testing. These documents will help to determine the most efficient way to integrate, test and commission the system you install. Ensuring a reliable integrated system involves upfront planning and collaboration with the people who will help meet your goals. The collaboration should extend to your employees for their input on efficient ways to deliver a quality installation.


As you develop a strategic plan to ensure profitable growth as a systems provider, include this training and collaboration effort. That effort will show customers your expertise and commitment to get the job done efficiently.


Finally, in your strategic thinking, review the methods that will allow you to consistently deliver installations on time. The market is changing rapidly. Anyone who does not take the time now to develop a strategic plan for corporate and personal development virtually guarantees slower growth. Without such a plan, you will most likely find yourself chasing the competition rather than leading the field.


Although you live each day pressed for time, you need to take the time to plan or pay the price in lost profits and reputation.